Observations placeholder
Rolle, Richard - Incendium Amoris - And ghostly music
Identifier
005824
Type of Spiritual Experience
Background
He heard celestial music whilst listening to church music. The following quote provides some background
Joscelyn Godwin
Richard Rolle of Hampole [1349] describes his states as progressing from one of inner heat [calor] to one in which his whole being was as though suffused with an inward song.
Far from finding earthly music useful as a stimulus to mystical experience, Rolle found it unbearable.
His 'sweet ghostly song' may be discordant, he says, when heard with bodily ears, and fits ill with the songs and organ music used in church
'But among angels' tones it has an acceptable melody and with marvels it is commended of them that have known it'
A description of the experience
The Fire of Love – Richard Rolle [translated by Richard Misyn] 1896
For sweet ghostly song truly and full special it is given, with outward songs accords not the which in churches and elsewhere are used. It discords much, for all that the man’s voice outward is formed with bodily ears to be heard, but among angel tones it has an acceptable melody and with marvels it is commended of them that have known it