dark night of the soul

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English

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Etymology

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Coined by John of the Cross.

Noun

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dark night of the soul

  1. (Catholicism) a period of time in which a holy person (someone believed to be potentially on their way to sainthood) experiences a seeming withdrawal of God's previously-felt presence in their lives, and undergoes stark spiritual attacks. This period of time is seen (by Catholics) to be a period in which God is calling the holy person to rid themselves of any remaining vestiges of self-pride and vanity that they may have.
    Synonym: dark night
    Your dear friend ought to take heart. From what you have told me, it is quite likely that they are going through a dark night of the soul.

Translations

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