Mystic in the New World: Marie de l'Incarnation (1599-1672)

This study examines the life and writings of Marie l'Incarnation, one of the founders of the Church in New France and a major representative of 17th-century mysticism. It argues that her mysticism, gave concrete meaning to old concepts, a meaning best understood in the light of its New World context. The New France wilderness, where Marie was forced to spend the last 30 or so years of her life, is seen as the crucial context for the formation of her spiritual identity. The text includes an historical and theological overview of the idea of conversion, which is central to Marie’s narrative and the ket to understanding her self-interpretation.