Today, March 28, the Church remembers Blessed Enrique Suso (Sometimes, Suson), mystical, preacher, wise spiritual director and example of strength throughout his life.
It is known, among other reasons, for having been an eminent disciple of Eckhart by Hochheim, the “Eckhart Master”, a German Dominican initiator of the current called “Speculative mysticism” or “Renana mystical school” (because it arose on the banks of the Rin River, in Rhine, Germany).
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The importance of study for spiritual life
The Blessed Enrique Suso – castellanized form of ‘Heinrich Seuse’ – was presbyter of the Order of Preachers (Dominicans), as Eckhart, his teacher. Suso was the author of a brilliant treaty on the wisdom of God, “the little book of eternal wisdom”, and, motivated by preaching, developed a set of reflections on mystical issues, among which the texts dedicated to the name of Jesus.
Blessed was born in Susabia (Germany) in 1296. At age 13 he was admitted as a religious in the convent of the Dominican parents in Constance. Only three years later, Enrique was already convinced that God called him to consecrate the rest of his life to prayer and study.
From 1324 to 1327 he was sent to study philosophy and theology to the General study Dominico de Colonia, where he met Eckhart. Unfortunately, the teacher would be convicted – we know that unfairly – by the ecclesiastical censors of the time, after considering some of his thesis. The rehabilitation of the theologian Renano would arrive just centuries later, in 1992, thanks to the congregation for the doctrine of faith.
The truth and eternal wisdom
After the death of his teacher in 1328, produced a year before receiving the conviction, Enrique dedicated himself to the writing of “The Little Book of Truth”, a work considered as a defense of the teacher Eckhart. In this text, Blessed argues that his teacher’s thesis were “sometimes mistreated by people, ignorant but spiritual, who have misunderstood.”
His second work, “The little book of eternal wisdom”, was written around 1330. In the text, they were part of his meditations contemplating the crucifix to illustrate the process of “conformation” of the soul with the passion of Christ and the compassion of Mary. This process implies that the soul takes ‘the form of Christ’, something that must be done through a ‘dialogue’ between “eternal wisdom” (God) and the “server” (or servant), that is, the person.
Both publications – of great impact at that time in the Netherlands, France, Italy and England – generated misunderstanding within the order of preachers and ended up being also denounced. Suso was asked to account for the general chapter of the Dominicans. However, then it would be exculpated, after ratifying its orthodoxy.
Study and prayer to better announce the Lord
Between 1335 and 1337, Enrique changed the convent and ascetic lifestyle for travel and preaching. He left behind academic life to become a spiritual director, especially nuns and beguinas.
His last years spent them in Ulm, where he continued in the direction of souls, while reviewing his writings. He died on January 25, 1366.
Mysticism
According to tradition, Blessed had mystical visions, among which is more than one appearance of the Blessed Virgin Mary. On one of those occasions Enrique asked him what means should use to more easily achieve holiness and salvation, and she replied: “Refuse himself; not to stick to creatures; receive everything that happens, as it came from the hand of God, and be infinitely patient and kind to everyone, even with those who are rough and unfair in his way of treating him to one.”
Enrique Suso was declared Blessed by Pope Gregory XVI in 1831. Among the many followers of his teachings, we can find illustrious names such as Tomás de Kempis and San Pedro Canisio, doctor of the Church.
Do you want to know more about Blessed Enrique Suso and Master Eckhart? We recommend these articles of the Catholic Encyclopedia:
https://ec.aciprensa.com/wiki/Enrique_Suso
https://ec.aciprensa.com/wiki/Meister_Eckhart
Blessed Enrique Suso attended nuns and beguinas spiritually, do you know who were the latter? We suggest the following article of the Catholic Encyclopedia:
https://ec.aciprensa.com/wiki/Beguinas;_Begardos
Central writing
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