Into the Dark Night and Back: the Mystical Writings of Jean-Joseph Surin

The French Mystic Jean-joseph Surin (1600-65) Was The Chief Exorcist During The Infamous Demonic Possession In Loudun In 1634-37. During The Exorcism, A Demon Entered Surin's Own Soul, And The Exorcist Became Demoniac. He Spent The Following Eighteen Years Of His Life Mute And Paralyzed. All The While His Troubled Mind Conversed With God, And He Composed Hymns And Poems That Tried To Comprehend His Agony. Surin Left Detailed Descriptions Of The Dramatic Events That Shaped His Life And Fascinated His Fellow Jesuits. But Surin Was Also An Author Of Spiritual Texts, A Spiritual Director Of Souls, A Poet, And A Prolific Correspondent. This Volume Is The First To Offer English Readers A Comprehensive Selection Of Surin's Mystical Writings. Front Matter -- Copyright Page -- Acknowledgements -- Introduction / Moshe Sluhovsky -- Some Words From The Translator / Patricia M. Ranum -- The Triumph Of Divine Love Over The Powers Of Hell -- The Experimental Science Of The Things Of The Other Life -- Spiritual Poems And Selections From Other Writings / Patricia M. Ranum -- Introduction To The Letters / Moshe Sluhovsky -- Letters -- Back Matter -- Bibliography -- Index. Edited By Moshe Sluhovsky ; Translated By Patricia M. Ranum. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.