Here is part of Chapter 3 of the fourteenth century anonymous ‘Cloud of Unknowing’: ‘Lift up thine heart unto God with a meek stirring of love; and mean Himself, and none of His goods. … For at the first time when thou dost it, thou findest but a darkness; and as it were a cloud of unknowing, thou knowest not what, saving that thou feelest in thy will a naked intent unto God. This darkness and this cloud is, howsoever thou dost, betwixt thee and thy God, and letteth thee that thou mayest neither see Him clearly by light of understanding in thy reason, nor feel Him in sweetness of love in thine affection. And therefore shape thee to bide in this darkness as long as thou mayest, evermore crying after Him that thou lovest. For if ever thou shalt feel Him or see Him, as it may be here, it behoveth always to be in this cloud in this darkness. And if thou wilt busily travail as I bid thee, I trust in His mercy that thou shalt come thereto’.

Many are called to this way of prayer in this our day. May we have the grace to respond, and the will to remain in that darkness, in longing for Him who is the Beloved of our soul. And may we be blessed.