Blessed John van Ruysbroeck (2 December): Butler's Lives of the Saints

About this sermon

Blessed John van Ruysbroeck (also known as Jan van Ruysbroeck or John Rusbrock) stands among the greatest mystics of the Middle Ages. Born in 1293 near Brussels, he became a priest, theologian, philosopher, and one of the most influential contemplatives in Christian spirituality. This video—based on Father Alban Butler’s Lives of the Saints—recounts his profound journey of holiness, his mystical writings, his battles against false spirituality, and his enduring legacy in the Church. Raised by a devout mother, John entered a life of study, prayer, and priestly service in Brussels. After hearing a pivotal sermon that changed his life, he abandoned worldly goods and embraced a deeper call to contemplation alongside Franco van Coudenberg and John Hinckaert. Their withdrawal into the solitude of Groenendael led to the formation of an Augustinian community, becoming a spiritual powerhouse for future generations. Ruysbroeck wrote extensively—The Spiritual Tabernacle, The Kingdom of the Lovers of God, and other masterpieces of practical mysticism. His work blends Scholastic theology with Christian Neoplatonism, presenting a clear and powerful path to union with God. His holiness attracted pilgrims, scholars, and future saints, including those who shaped the Devotio Moderna and the spirituality of Thomas à Kempis. He died in 1391 at age 88, radiant in sanctity. Canonized in 1908, Blessed John van Ruysbroeck remains a towering figure of Christian mysticism. 00:00 – Introduction 00:19 – Early Life of Blessed John van Ruysbroeck 00:55 – Education and Mother’s Influence 01:04 – Ordination and Early Priesthood 01:06 – Conversion Through a Sermon 01:12 – Embrace of Poverty and Contemplation 01:30 – Early Writings & Refutation of False Mysticism 02:04 – Was Ruysbroeck Illiterate? The Controversy 02:52 – Writing The Spiritual Tabernacle 03:03 – Call to Solitude & Withdrawal from Brussels 03:44 – Settlement in the Woods of Groenendael 04:03 – Formation of the Augustinian Community 04:19 – Leadership of the Monastery 04:36 – Ruysbroeck’s Character & Daily Life 04:51 – Testimony of Gerard Naghel the Carthusian 05:21 – Ruysbroeck’s Deep Contemplation 05:47 – Completion of His Mystical Works 06:01 – His Influence on Christian Mysticism 06:54 – Connection to Windesheim & Thomas à Kempis 07:01 – Final Years & Vision of His Mother 07:24 – Holy Death in 1391 07:33 – Honor, Processions & Relics 07:46 – Beatification in 1908 08:05 – Legacy: One of the Greatest Mystical Writers https://sensusfidelium.com/the-lives-of-the-fathers-martyrs-and-other-principal-saints/december/ Get Butler's Lives of the Saints here: https://loretopublications.idevaffiliate.com/idevaffiliate.php?id=102&url=1 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 Support Catholic Businesses here - https://sensusfidelium.com/catholic-businesses/ Sensus Fidelium Press - https://sensusfideliumpress.com/ Sensus Fidelium Apps - https://sensusfidelium.tv/ Support Sensus Fidelium - https://sensusfidelium.com/donate-support/ 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 🙏🏻PLEASE HELP OUR CHANNEL GROW 🙏🏻 ▶ 1. Become a Channel Patron: https://www.patreon.com/SensusFidelium ▶ 2. Visit the website https://www.sensusfidelium.com for Gueranger, Saint of the Day, Apologetics, Meditation by the Saints, Scripture Study and more. ▶ 3. Subscribe to Other Video Platforms 🔴 BitChute --- https://www.bitchute.com/channel/Sensus_Fidelium/ 🔴 Rumble --- https://rumble.com/c/c-298311 🔴 My Catholic Tube - https://mycatholictube.com/videos/sensus-fidelium-channel/ 🔴 LBRY.tv --- https://lbry.tv/@SensusFidelium:c 🔴 ODYSEE - https://odysee.com/@SensusFidelium:c 🔴 BrandNewTube - https://brandnewtube.com/@SensusFidelium 🔴 GloriaTV - https://gloria.tv/Sensus%20Fidelium 🔴 Brighteon - https://www.brighteon.com/channels/sensusfidelium ▶ 4. Paypal, Bitcoin, Anedot, Stripe, Square & PO Box donations - https://sensusfidelium.com/donate-support/ ▶ 5. YouTube: Click Subscribe, then Click "Notification Bell" = 🔔 ▶ 6. Please share this video 📲, and help others find Christ inside the Catholic Church! Please share this video on Facebook and Twitter using the share button. ▶ 7. Follow on Social Media: 🔴 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SensusFidelium/ 🔴 Twitter: https://https://twitter.com/Sensus_Fidelium 🔴 Parler: https://parler.com/profile/Sensusfidelium/posts 🔴 SP3RN: https://www.sp3rn.com/community/pages/14-sensus-fidelium 🔴 GAB: https://gab.com/Sensus_Fidelium 🔴 Bastyon: https://bastyon.com/sensusfidelium 🔴 GETTR: https://gettr.com/user/sensus_fidelium 🔴 INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/sensusfidelium/ 🔴 Telegram: https//t.me/RealSensusFidelium 🔴 Truth Social - @SensusFidelium ▶ 8. Follow on iTunes: 🔴 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sensus-fidelium-catholic-podcast/id1477010758 #BlessedJohnVanRuysbroeck #Ruysbroeck #LivesOfTheSaints #CatholicSaints #ChristianMysticism #MysticalTheology #MedievalMystics #CatholicHistory #SpiritualCl

Topics

• Blessing & Favor