dark night of the soul en · NOUN
Etymology
Coined by John of the Cross.
Meanings
-
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.
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.
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| dark nights of the soul | Number=Plur | lexicographic |
Synonyms
Translations (3)
es noche oscura del alma (a period of time in which a holy person experiences a seeming withdrawal of God’s previously-felt presence in their lives, and undergoes stark spiritual attacks) · hu a lélek sötét éjszakája (a period of time in which a holy person experiences a seeming withdrawal of God’s previously-felt presence in their lives, and undergoes stark spiritual attacks) · sv själens dunkla natt (a period of time in which a holy person experiences a seeming withdrawal of God’s previously-felt presence in their lives, and undergoes stark spiritual attacks)