David Torkington David Torkington

1: From Glasgow to Barra: In the first episode, the hermit, Peter Calvay, introduces himself and describes his spiritual journey which led to him living the eremitical life on a remote island off the Scottish Outer Hebrides. James Robertson, the academic who visits Barra with the intention of seeking spiritual help from Peter, takes up the story. He describes how he came to know of Peter and how he persuaded him to see him over a period of a week. He describes his journey on the island plane landing on the famous cockleshell beach. He arrives filled with expectation of how Peter, the Hermit will change his life over the forthcoming week.

The second in a series of talks on Mystical Prayer. Given by David Torkington to members of the laity and the community at Belmont Abbey, Herefordshire, England.

2. From Meditation to the beginning of Mystical Contemplation

Each morning after his mother’s death, David’s father brought two cups of tea into his bedroom. Sitting on his bed, David’s father told him the story of his love for his mother. It was for David a moving story in which he came to see how marriage is a unique analogy enabling him to understand Mystical Prayer like never before. It is this moving analogy that makes this talk not only profoundly meaningful, but deeply inspiring for everyone who has tried to give themselves to another in selfless love no matter what the cost.

Non nobis Domine, Domine, Non nobis Domine, Sed nomine, sed nomine tuo da gloriam:

Not to us lord, not to us, but to thy name let the glory be given:

This is the first of a series of  talks  on Mystical Prayer given by David Torkington to members of the laity and the community at Belmont Abbey, Herefordshire, England.



* An Introduction to Journeying Deeper



David introduces the journey. The Gregorian Chant is sung by the monks of Belmont Abbey. “In the Presence of the Angels” sung by the monks of Belmont Abbey



 

David gives a talk at his Book Launch of Wisdom from the Christian Mystics – How to Pray the Christian Way on 15th February 2018 at The Athenaeum, Pall Mall, London.

“A Ground-breaking Spiritual Classic” – From The Catholic Universe Christmas Edition 2017

 David Torkingtons latest book – Wisdom from the Christian Mystics has already been described in superlatives by reviewers, even before it has been officially launched at the Athenaeum, Pall Mall  (Admission is by invitation only).  Kevin Grant, the former Editor in Chief of the Catholic Universe and  former Master of the Catholic Writer’s Guild simply called it, ‘a masterpiece’. For a writer and a poet, who is so careful with words, it is remarkable that in his endorsement of the book he even suggests that the author could be canonized for writing it – hopefully not in the near future! We need to hear much more from a writer whose books have been declared mandatory reading by Sr Wendy Beckett. Usually such worthy books are beyond the comprehension of the ordinary punters in the pews, but not the books of this author. One of the first reviewers, Melanie Jean Juneau, editor-in-chief of Catholic Stand, put it this way:

“David Torkington is my mentor – a story teller who can deliver spiritual and theological truths couched in a fascinating riveting narrative. Everything he writes is filled with powerful insights, balancing personal reflection with experience and a profound depth of knowledge”. It rightly inspired  Sr Rosaleen Shaw, former prioress of the new Dominican community at Sway, to write in her review: “The book is of course brilliant, as only David Torkington can write it. David is a prophet who has truly been given his gifts to be a voice in the Church”.  But let the unique thesis outlined in the book speak for itself.

The pride of the Second Vatican Council was the New Liturgy that faithfully mirrored the ancient Eucharist, albeit in the vernacular. However, something terribly important was missing. That something is the profound daily mystical spirituality given to the early Church by Christ himself, that gave life and vitality to what can so easily become lifeless without it.  Why nothing was done, nor has been done to remedy this situation, is a matter that Torkington addresses in this book. After many years of studying the early sources, the author is able to re-introduce us to this profound mystical spirituality which was the staple diet of everyone in the first centuries. He further shows us how, if practised as it once was, it can not only transform our personal lives, but the lives of the whole Christian community, as what was offered through every moment of the previous week in the prayer without ceasing, is offered together, in, with and through Christ at the Sunday liturgy. It is in giving that we receive and it was the otherworldly love received in practising this  profound mystical spirituality promised by Christ to the Samaritan woman, that transformed an ancient pagan world into a Christian world in such a short time; as it can still do to-day. If our liturgy does not once again become the vital living expression of the profound spirituality first lived by Jesus himself, and then lived by his first followers, then the renewal that we endlessly talk about and yearn for, will repeatedly remain beyond our grasp. It is for this reason that the editor and publisher Sr Bernadine TSSF  said: “This book is a ground-breaking spiritual classic that should be read and re-read and used as a blueprint for the radical restoration of Christian spirituality. If only it had been written, read and put into practice before the Second Vatican Council, the mass departure of so many priests and religious may well have been prevented. Furthermore,  so much of the scandalous  sexual behaviours of so many religious and pries...

Introductory talk at Book Launch of Wisdom from the Christian Mystics –  How to Pray the Christian Way

by Professor Henry Mayr- Harting – Emeritus Regius Professor of Ecclesiastical History, Oxford, England.

at The Athenaeum, 107 Pall Mall, London SW1Y 5ER

on Thursday 15th February 2018

Professor Mayr-Harting gives his impressions and his review of the book….. not without humour……

Wisdom from the Christian Mystics – How to Pray the Christian Way

Published by Circle Books of Winchester, UK and Washington, USA

Lecture by David Torkington to the Discalced Carmelites, Boars Hill, Oxford, England. A historical perspective. Monasticism to Mendicants and back to Contemplation