Has anyone read the Adrienne von Speyr books? I hadn't heard of her until recently, but I have been reading the introduction to her life and work titled First Glance at Adrienne von Speyr and written by Hans Urs von Balthasar. She really was a suffering soul, but also a mystic of the first order, experiencing not only visions and locutions, but also precognition and out-of-the-body viewing of remote locations.

Derek, I've heard of her and her work, but have never read any of it. As you noted, she had a strong influence on von Balthasar, which some say is both a strength and weakness of his theology.
- see http://www.ignatiusinsight.com...rienne_von_speyr.asp for those who haven't heard of her. Very interesting person!

We have her book translated into Polish, about the sacrament of confession. It's difficult to read, but very deep. A monk who hears my confession (what's it called in English? it's not the same as spiritual director) recommended me her book. She was a very fascinating woman, indeed.