Thursdays in September and early October at 7 p.m. Eastern time (5 weeks, September 3–October 1)

Christianity is no stranger to times of mayhem and madness. From the chaotic violence of the Crusades to the ravages of the Black Death to the infamous Spanish Inquisition, Christians have long confronted times when it seemed as though the world was falling apart. Yet these crises have also produced some of the greatest spiritual giants in world history. In this course, we will take a look at a few of these Christian mystics and examine how their experiences of God equipped them to live in trying times. Come learn about how St. Francis of Assisi almost singlehandedly ended the Fifth Crusade, how Teresa of Avila and John of the Cross dodged the pressures of the Spanish Inquisition and the cruelty of their fellow monastics to create a spirituality that enriches millions of lives today, how Julian of Norwich offered hope and consolation to her entire village in the middle of the Black Death, and more! Throughout the course, we will take note of what lessons we can apply to our own lives. We will also pay attention to the topic of mental illness – both how it manifests in times of mayhem and what hope the mystics can offer those of us who struggle with it.

Register in advance for Mystics, Mayhem, and Madness: Wisdom from Christian Spiritual Giants for a Time of Chaos
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting, and you will use the same login each week.

The Rev. Ben Wyatt is a priest in the Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis, where he works with congregations to assess and improve their spiritual, financial, and ministerial vitality. He is a graduate of Yale Divinity School, where he earned an M.Div. and an S.T.M. focused on spirituality and contemporary theology. He has been an ardent practitioner of Ignatian spirituality since discovering it in seminary, and he completed the 19th annotation of the Spiritual Exercises during his study. He is also the History and Theology Editor for Earth & Altar, an online magazine dedicated to promoting inclusive orthodoxy. In his spare time, he is an amateur dessert maker, gamer, and swimmer.