Walter Hilton of Thurgarton, Mystic
24 March -- Commemoration
If observed as a Lesser Festival, Common of Religious, page 494
Born in 1343, Walter Hilton studied Canon Law at
Cambridge but after a
period as a hermit, he joined the community of Augustinian
Canons at Thurgarton in Nottinghamshire in about 1386.
Highly regarded in his lifetime as a spiritual guide, he
wrote in both Latin and English and translated several Latin
devotional works. Controversy with 'enthusiasts' and with
the Lollard movement gave a sharper definition to his
exposition of the aims, methods and disciplines of
traditional spirituality. Amongst his major works,
Ladder of Perfection (Book Two) declares that
contemplation, understood in a profoundly Trinitarian
context as awareness of grace and sensitivity to the Spirit,
may and should be sought by all serious Christians. He died
on this day in the year 1396.