Dorothy Kerin was an influential English Christian mystic whose spiritual gifts captivated people across all social strata. Her profound dedication to healing the needy even earned her the close companionship of a Russian Princess, who later chronicled her story. In tribute to this extraordinary life of service, we present these short articles detailing her enduring legacy.
A Reflection on Dorothy Kerin – Called by Christ to Heal
In a world increasingly defined by scepticism and scientific empiricism, some stories stand as enduring testaments to the power of faith, compassion, and the human spirit’s capacity for the extraordinary. Dorothy Musgrave Arnold’s biography, “Dorothy Kerin – Called by Christ to Heal,” is one such remarkable work, offering not just a narrative of remarkable events but a profound invitation to consider the deeper dimensions of existence. Far from a dry historical account, Arnold presents a vibrant, balanced, and deeply engaging portrait of a woman whose life became synonymous with divine healing.
At the heart of the book is Dorothy Kerin herself, a figure whose journey from a severe, life-threatening illness in her youth to becoming a renowned spiritual healer is nothing short of astounding. Musgrave Arnold meticulously chronicles Kerin’s early struggles, her profound visions of Christ, and the instantaneous, inexplicable healing that transformed her. This miraculous recovery was not an end but a beginning, setting her on a lifelong path dedicated to serving others through prayer and healing, often establishing homes of healing that drew people from across the globe.
What makes Arnold’s biography particularly resonant is its commitment to presenting Kerin’s story with both reverence and a thoughtful, grounded perspective. While not shying away from the extraordinary claims of healing and spiritual encounters, Arnold frames them within the context of Kerin’s unwavering humility, selflessness, and profound devotion to Christ. The book avoids sensationalism, instead focussing on the spiritual principles that guided Kerin’s life: absolute faith, tireless prayer, and an overflowing compassion for suffering humanity. Arnold’s research is evident, weaving together personal testimonies, historical records, and Kerin’s own writings to create a coherent and compelling narrative.
“Dorothy Kerin – Called by Christ to Heal” is more than a chronicle of miracles; it’s a profound exploration of what it means to live a life utterly surrendered to a higher purpose. Readers are invited to witness the intricate dance between human vulnerability and divine intervention, and to ponder the nature of healing itself – not just physical restoration, but the deep emotional and spiritual solace Dorothy Kerin offered to countless individuals. The book beautifully illustrates how Kerin’s work transcended denominational boundaries, touching people of all backgrounds with her simple yet powerful message of God’s unconditional love and the transformative potential of faith.
For those seeking inspiration, a deeper understanding of Christian mysticism, or simply a compelling human story that challenges conventional wisdom, this book offers a rich tapestry. Musgrave Arnold ensures that Kerin is portrayed as a real woman, with her own struggles and triumphs, making her extraordinary life relatable on a human level. It’s a balanced account that celebrates the enduring power of faith without demanding blind acceptance, instead inviting contemplation and an open heart.
In an age often plagued by cynicism, “Dorothy Kerin – Called by Christ to Heal” stands as a luminous beacon of hope. It reminds us that there are dimensions of human experience that defy easy explanation, and that the greatest healing often flows from a heart dedicated to love, service, and an unwavering belief in the miraculous. Dorothy Musgrave Arnold has gifted us not just with a biography, but with an enduring source of encouragement, inviting us all to consider the profound depths of faith and its capacity to heal.
The Living Touch – by Dorothy Kerin
A Beacon in 1914: Rediscovering the Radiant Hope of Dorothy Kerin’s ‘The Living Touch’
In the summer of 1914, as Europe stood poised on the brink of unparalleled darkness, a small, vibrant text emerged from the quiet sanctuary of the English countryside. Written by a young woman named Dorothy Kerin, The Living Touch is not a work of academic theology or political commentary; it is an immediate, unfiltered testament to transformation, faith, and the astonishing power of divine love.
A century removed from its publication, Kerin’s booklet remains a powerful reminder that even in the face of insurmountable suffering, hope is an active, living force. Reading it today is like opening a window to a direct, intensely personal spiritual encounter—a light shining brightly amidst the growing shadows of the modern age.
The Audacity of Hope
To understand the profound impact of The Living Touch, one must understand Dorothy Kerin’s own story. Just two years prior, in 1912, the young Kerin had been declared dead by doctors after a severe illness, only to return to life, wholly healed, claiming to have experienced a radical encounter with Christ and a calling to ministry.
The Living Touch (1914) serves as her initial, heartfelt attempt to articulate this incomprehensible experience. It is a work of startling honesty and youthful conviction. Kerin does not seek to preach complex dogma; instead, she invites the reader into the warmth of her own discovery. The tone is deeply sincere, direct, and utterly lacking in the cynicism that often characterises spiritual discourse.
Her message was radically simple, especially for a world that was about to experience unprecedented mechanical warfare: the touch she writes about is not merely a physical sensation, but the active, restorative energy of God, available to all who seek it with open hearts.
“It is a book about waking up,” she seems to tell us. “A book about finding the vibrant purpose hidden just beneath the surface of suffering.”
The Anatomy of the ‘Living Touch’
Kerin’s text is compelling because it translates abstract faith into tangible feeling. She writes about a ‘touch’ that heals brokenness, not just in the body, but in the spirit. This ‘Living Touch’ symbolises several key ideas that still resonate powerfully today:
1. Personal Accessibility: Kerin emphasises that grace is not reserved for saints or scholars; it is immediate and personal. She demystifies the spiritual life, suggesting that the greatest transformations begin with the simple act of yielding to love.
2. Transformation through Suffering: For Kerin, the intense suffering of her illness was the crucible that forged her faith. Her positive message acknowledges pain but refuses to dwell in despair. The Living Touch assures the reader that trials are merely preparation for deeper purpose—a crucial message for a generation about to face the trenches.
3. The Power of Authenticity: Perhaps the most engaging aspect of the booklet is its authenticity. Kerin wrote from the immediate afterglow of her miracle, carrying with her the undeniable energy of a soul newly awakened. Her language is vibrant and energetic, conveying the sheer joy of her return to life and her new mission to share hope.
A Timeless Message of Light
While her later life would involve decades of formal ministry and the founding of the Burrswood spiritual healing center (in 1948), The Living Touch captures Kerin at her purest: a young woman overwhelmed by gratitude and filled with an urgent need to share her truth.
In an age saturated with self-help manuals and spiritual advice, Kerin’s 1914 work holds unique power because it is pure testimony. It doesn’t offer a step-by-step guide; it offers proof. It is an account of a life irrevocably changed by an infusion of grace.
For modern readers, The Living Touch is more than a historical curiosity; it is an antidote to spiritual stagnation. It encourages us to look past the surface of our daily struggles and to realise that the capacity for radical healing and profound purpose—the ‘Living Touch’—is woven into the very fabric of existence.
Dorothy Kerin’s tiny booklet, born amid personal tragedy and published on the eve of global upheaval, stands today as a testament to transcendent love. It reminds us that the greatest power does not lie in force or knowledge, but in the quiet, undeniable warmth of transformation. It is a beacon of hope that, a century later, still lights the way.
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Read about Dorothy Kerin on Wikipedia.
Read Called by Christ to Heal, by Dorothy Musgrave Arnold, on the Amazon.
Read The Living Touch, by Dorothy Kerin, on the Internet Archive.
Read Fulfilling (A Sequel to The Living Touch), on the Internet Archive.
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Video: Here’s an old Pathe news report of Dorothy giving healing, recorded in 1962, the year before she died: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OKJaoTWq7I
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See also: https://worldwidetempleofaurora.com/2024/12/29/dorothy-kerin-called-by-christ-to-heal/
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