My Relations with the Church II

In the preceding reflection on the Palautian page, I will take the lead. You only have to take a brief look at it. Not now. Now Fco. Palau will have it. With the same contents, of course. But as he is the protagonist in the writing, it will be more authentic, substantial and tasty. With much more evangelical depth. With more connotations of the Kingdom.

Palau began to write the 2nd part of My Relationsin 1864. The mystery of the Church had been revealed to him in November 1860. From there he began a new relationship with Her and he felt encouraged to write it down. He concluded the writing in March 1867. In Vedra. The immediacy and freshness of his experience is palpable in its pages. For he transfers to paper the feelings that overwhelmed him.

In the chronological sequence we can see the process followed in his relations with his Beloved during the years included in the writing. Meditations and feelings about Her. Periods that extend over 7 years. As far as we can see, they were many and good, weren't they? At the family level we can affirm with him: The nature of the letter is confidential and the subject matter is ecclesiastical. He comments to Juana Gratias. Your great confidant and collaborator, isn't she?

Another of the facets offered by My Relations is its possible scope for living in the key of freedom. That was the content of the issue: a song of freedom. When people cannot or do not know how to explain, they sing. At My RelationsPalau can express whatever he sees fit and however he sees fit. As it was an intimate piece of writing, he expressed himself freely, wrapped in symbolic language. -I have written it for myself alone, and I write it at the times when I need it most: "The Church". I have written my loving relationships... And there are things I write them, but with such reserve that if I knew they would be read while I was alive, I would burn them. Nobody interferes in the plot. Apart from the fact that Palau would not allow it. Am I wrong?

This work contains the most autobiographical account of the author's life. Together with the letters. We know that. Yes, its pages are autobiographical snippets. Spontaneously transcribed.

As far as the procedure of My Relations is concerned, this is the most typical example of symbolism revealed in his writings. It is markedly prophetic and apocalyptic. His familiarity with the Song of Songs and the Apocalypse is evident. His fond devotion to the prophet Elijah, too. The dialogical form he uses to express himself does not allow us to conclude whether we are dealing with historical facts or merely with literary devices. An enormous difficulty, of course!

My Relationships is not intended for advertising. Archisabido. Palau could therefore keep it completely anonymous. He reserved it exclusively for his own personal use. Nor does he recommend reading it quickly or at close quarters.

As we only have the 2nd half of the text, it lacks the natural start.

The epistolary is extremely significant for clarifying numerous details. It also helps to get the exegesis of the writing right. "I have half written a book which I have reserved with me, under the title of My Relations with the Church..... I thought of sending it to you because I believe it would be of great advantage to you, but I consider it so reserved, that I dare not send it to you. I will tell you, in substance, what may concern you..... My head and my heart are full of this. And I can think of nothing else. It absorbs my powers and senses. 

Before My Relations The reader's disposition must be that of one who approaches the intimacy of a giant soul. In a letter to his great confidant and collaborator Juana Gracias, he tells us how he preserves this writing of his from prying eyes and even profanation.: I take your key to the collar.... And I do not neglect to keep it locked.... There are things so sublime and mysteries so deep that I fear to write them. But they serve me.

I admire the attitude of our sonographer. For in such a simple way he reveals to us his enormous human and spiritual stature, his colossal stature, yes, his colossal stature. His colossal stature, yes, because if readers are not going to understand him, it is because he climbs the mountain of existence to considerable heights.

It is made up of various aspects of the mystery. One, with the following epigraph: "Woman, type of the Church of Jesus Christ". In 1866 Volume III, another. My Relations with the woman of the Lamb, later. Then, he gives us another title page as volume 2, but does not interrupt the pagination. True points of reference, in defining its external structure, are geography and chronology, are they not?

Most of the pages note the places where he wrote them: Ibiza, Es Cubells, el Vedrá, Montserrat, Sta. Cruz, Cervelló, S. Honorato de Randa, Corberó, Rome. When he does not indicate it, these are places he frequented to warm the spirit.

The text lacks both a pre-plan and a synthesis. It uses dialogues, visions, etc. to make it more interesting and realistic.

In his relations with the Church, he now tirelessly reiterates his deepest ties with her.

The second volume is the one that compares these years with previous periods of his life. And past situations are considered in the light of new scenarios..

He tries, resolutely, to clear up the mystery. Without succeeding. Logical. It is mystery.