why the mystics matter
and why women today cannot get enough of them
I’m always intrigued when academics reach out requesting to interview me for their research. (I made that sound like it happens often. It does not. Maybe three times ever?) It excites me to know that there are intelligent, curious, fascinating women out there who are moving the needle for scholarship on women’s issues. So it was an honor when literary critic and mystics scholar Julia Fleischer said she had some questions for me about the intersection of female mystics and women’s internet usage. She gave me permission to share some of the Q&A with you today. I hope you enjoy!
You’ve written a book on the mystics: The Mystics Would Like a Word. How did you become interested in the mystics and what compelled you to write a book on them?
I’ve always had a vibrant interior world and a natural interest in the ways people experience God on their own, outside of institutional boundary. But what made me really dive in was hitting this point where I questioned whether I wanted to keep identifying as Catholic. I started reading the female mystics hoping that they could offer something to hold onto. And they did.
Have you noticed a relationship between young women who are interested in the mystics and the internet?
Yes, I would say so. As we’re seeing across the board right now, the speed and breadth of how information spreads is unlike any time in history. Our use of social media, and the internet in general, disseminates new ideas to people and places they wouldn’t otherwise reach.
Why do you think that young women are using social media to discuss—or rather, profess—their love for the mystics and the mystics’ ideologies, philosophies, cosmologies, and theologies?
It’s very human to want something tried and true to stand on. We are attracted to the historical, the ancient, in part because it makes our own beliefs feel more secure. In my observation, women in particular use religious precedent as apologetics for our own belief systems because we are less likely than men to have our ideas and contributions taken seriously. This doesn’t negate the very real inspiration and wisdom that we receive from our favorite mystics. But in both conscious and unconscious ways, we use their voices to validate what we already want to say.
You’re externally liberal and externally Catholic. How do you mediate the two, and do the mystics act as mediator between them?
In the beginning of my public writing I spent a lot of attention on issues that were “liberal” but also “Catholic,” namely justice for immigrants and anti-racism work. I certainly had my fair share of pushback, but it wasn’t until I found my voice regarding things like the rights of LGBTQ+ people and women that things really got hairy (because both of those reach a point of going against Catholic teaching). I had to learn to get comfortable with being called a heretic. Honestly, my faith is what has taught me to be a conscientious objector – even when it's against the Catholic church. So I feel fine about it, but it does require some degree of pastoral care for my readers and social media followers. I want to be sensitive and respectful to where others are on their own journeys.
And yes, I have absolutely found the female mystics to be mediators in this space. That’s why I wrote the book! Because I felt they had been co-opted to fit a certain conservative agenda. So I thought, well why not flip that on its head?
How would you describe your audience/followers?
I want to be friends with all of them. They are the bravest, wisest, more curious people. I’m constantly learning from them and being inspired by them. I do have some male readers, but most are female between ages 30-50. They’re at the place in life when they’re rewiring things, just like I am. We’re doing it in real time, together. That’s why there is such a bond, I think. We’re asking the same questions, finding our voices, making big hard scary decisions, trying to love the world, trying to believe it matters that we do. I adore them.
You’ve written articles with titles like “chappel roan is the virgin we need.” You mentioned in your caption to that article that virginity is a social construct—a patriarchal and homophobic one at that. How do you ensconce your modern understanding of virginity within biblical/Catholic tradition and precedent?
Well, first I have to say that a biblical/Catholic tradition is not the only way I form my understanding of the world. It is one of the ways, certainly, but I also realize the Bible’s limitations as something written in a finite time and space, for the intended audience of a specific group of people that does not include me, an American in 2025. And Catholic tradition has gradually changed and reformed in various ways over the centuries (as it should!), so I believe it’s important to use discernment about what to integrate and what to let lie.
But as far as the symbolism of virginity, which I also talk about in the book, I draw from the mythological traditions and the archetypes of Carl Jung, for instance. When virginity is a state of self-belonging (i.e. not owned or claimed by a man), it becomes a fascinating and empowering concept. And biblically, I find the virginity of Mary absolutely stunning as a metaphor. It’s the only thing the Mother of God could be – belonging only to herself, utterly free to say “yes” on her own accord to a divine invitation.
Why do you think the mystics fascinate young women?
I believe it is connected with a generation of us learning to find and reclaim our own voice, our own intuition. The mystics represent the possibility of doing that as a woman, even when the deck is stacked against you, even when your church or culture or political landscape is set up to keep you from accessing your inner knowing. We need role models who can show us how to pave our own way, and how to trust the divine presence within that is leading us. The mystics are some of those role models.
Loved your book and have gifted it to several friends as we all navigate life as progressive, feminist, Catholics together ❤️
As one of the "some" (quota?) male readers, thank you. Not that you need our encouragement, but after reading your book on the mystics, I gave a copy, each, to two female friends.
The insights helped me (help us?) enter and deepen the appreciation I have for the female perspective... which one of those friends had already tremendously contributed (as a brilliant PhD and person).
So, again, thank you!