Exploration in Mysticism and Religious Encounter: The Case of Charles de Foucauld (1858–1916)

Abstract

For many historians, the life and work of Foucauld are inseparable from France’s colonial conquest and Catholic missiology of the period. This article is not concerned with sainthood per se, but with mystical approaches to interfaith rapprochement. No doubt, the epistemic value of Foucauld’s life is a contested territory. The difficulty is to identify aspects of his mystical path as imitatio Christi among Muslims without overlooking his belief in the civilizing mission of France, dubbed the first daughter of the Roman Catholic Church. Though the sanctity of the former soldier turned hermit is debatable, his desire to sanctify the Tuaregs of the Hoggar is commendable. There are three points: (1) the hidden life of Jesus at Nazareth as a paradigm for mystical encounter, (2) prayer of intercession for the religious other as a locus for mystical rapprochement and (3) was Foucauld a colonial saint or a universal little brother?