An Enncrave Compilation
The following article is an extract from https://www.ourcatholicprayers.com/mental-prayer.html about Mental Prayer. To be honest, I personally, didn’t dig deeper into the subject thinking that my usual vocal prayer was enough. I think I feel there’s an urgency to learn more to be closer to God.
St. Alphonsus Liguori said: “every saint became a saint through Mental Prayer.”
Mental Prayer is a great way to get closer to our Lord! Prayer itself has been defined in part as lifting one’s heart and mind to God to adore Him, to thank Him for His benefits, to ask His forgiveness, and to beg of Him all the graces we need whether for soul or body.
In vocal prayer, more familiar to most of us, we recite fixed prayers such as the Our Father, the Hail Mary, Glory Be, and, happily, countless others, including many found on this website.
While vocal prayer is essential for sanctity, mental prayer is in some ways even more so, in that can “turbo charge” our relationship with our Creator, by diminishing our sinful proclivities and bringing us true peace of mind and happiness, as we draw closer to Him in a kind of loving detachment from worldly pressures and pleasures.
Mental prayer differs from vocal prayer in that you are bringing your own thoughts and ideas before God about a particular passage of scripture or spiritual reading, or some other aspect of our Faith, in what St. Teresa of Avila once called a “heart-to-heart conversation” with God.
Mental prayer is also referred to as meditation, but it is not to be confused with meditation that has Hindu or Buddhist resonances of reciting mantras (as in Transcendental Meditation) and breathing exercises.
If mental prayer is new to you, don’t be dissuaded from trying it, thinking it’s too difficult, or that you might not do it correctly. You don’t have to be a mystic or a religious to engage in it! Various articles and books on various methods of mental prayer can make it sound quite intimidating, but in essence, it’s not all that complicated.
We’ve sought to enhance our introduction to mental prayer here by providing additional information on the subject from St. Alphonsus Liguori, Fr. Bertrand Wilberforce, St. Francis de Sales, and Rt. Rev. Dom Vitalis Lahodey. The links on these pages are excerpts from their writings that discuss mental prayer in greater detail. We also have a page of suggested reading as well as one covering any difficulties you might have.
While we urge you to read the pages on mental prayer linked above thoughtfully, please don’t feel that you have to follow each of the methods they suggest to the letter, or otherwise you’re doing something “wrong”! You’re not. The only wrong thing you can do in mental prayer is giving up on it if you feel too distracted or that you’re not “getting anything out of it”.
Keep in mind, as well, that the methods in mental prayer described below are meant as suggestions, as “training wheels” are on a bicycle, with the important difference that you can use them as long as you find them helpful. There’s no time limit!
In practicing mental prayer, you can take anywhere from 15 minutes to half an hour (more or less, with 15 minutes being a good starting point). The more that you can do this, the better!
If one session seems too dry or pointless (or even several sessions) don’t assume this will always be the rule. If you give up because of dryness or distractions (which all the saints experienced at one time or another) you might very well miss out on other opportunities to experience God’s love and wisdom in ways you never imagined!
St. Teresa of Calcutta once said, in essence, “God does not require that we be successful, only that we be faithful.” That’s what perseverance in one’s spiritual journey is all about.
In mental prayer, we exercise our memory, our understanding, and our will, which have been called the “three powers of the soul”.
THREE PARTS OF MENTAL PRAYER
Speaking of threes, there are three easy-to-remember parts of mental prayer: the preparation, the meditation itself, and the conclusion.
THE PREPARATION
For the preparation, you can start by focusing on placing yourself in God’s presence to put you in a good frame of mind to receive His thoughts and promptings.
If you find it helpful, start with some short vocal prayers. The acts of faith hope, and love are good, as is this short prayer called Suscipe. The act of contrition can help you approach Jesus with true humility and sorrow for your sins, an essential part of mental prayer.
Or you can recite some other short prayers such as those here. Ask God for His insights as well. (The great saint Alphonsus Liguori wrote about all this in more detail with some short suggestions for opening prayers on this page.) Keep in mind, however, that your “warm-up”, using one or more of these suggestions, should be brief.
THE MEDITATION
Then, for the meditation itself, reflect on a scripture passage, some good spiritual reading (with some important suggestions here), or some concept such as our Lord’s Passion. (That’s where memory and understanding come into play). Don’t feel these have to be complicated, or even lengthy!
(Indeed St. Teresa of Avila once spent an hour in meditation just on the words “Our Father”, not the prayer itself, contemplating the various ways in which God is a Father to us!) We have some further comments on this below.
Then, with Our Lord’s help (with the Holy Spirit), you can gain insights to become a better Christian and advance in Sanctity. (Resolving to make His will yours as well constitutes the “will” part of your meditation.)
THE CONCLUSION
This leads to the conclusion, of some constructive resolution to do better on your part, even if it’s only for that day or for a day at a time. This resolution can be as simple as deciding not to snap at an ornery co-worker or your spouse in a difficult situation; or in foregoing some bad habit to increase in virtue.
FR. JON BARTUNEK’S “FOUR C’s”
For another perspective, Father Jon Bartunek., in his excellent guide to meditation on the Gospels entitled The Better Part, defines four important things (all conveniently starting with the letter C) we need to do in meditation: We’ve found these “four C’s” to be a great memory aid! They are as follows:
Concentrate (Focus on being in God’s presence.)
Consider (Think about what the scripture text or subject matter is saying to you.)
Converse (Engage in your own spontaneous “dialogue” with God about what you’ve learned.); and, last but not least:
Commit (Think about whatever resolutions you might wish to apply from your meditation to help your spiritual growth.)
What our Saints said about Mental Prayer:
St. Alphonsus Liguori said: “every saint became a saint through Mental Prayer.” Do your Mental Prayer in a completely quiet room or church to block out distractions. Your mind may jump around everywhere to worries, tasks you need to do, or fears, but you simply train it back to your topic of meditation.
Note: There are links to the references indicated above in “blue” which you can access for more details.
Meanwhile, below are the videos to help you in your journey.
GENERAL METHOD OF MENTAL PRAYER
- RECOLLECTION i.e. Immediate Preparation (A few seconds to several minutes)
- Make an act of Humility
- Invocation to the Holy Spirit
- Prayer to St. Michael and Guardian Angel
- Act of faith in the presence of Mary… imagine yourself in Mary’s presence.
- Act of faith in the presence of God… imagine yourself in Christ’s presence.
- CONSIDERATION i.e. Reflection or meditation… utilize the imagination.
(Don’t get hung up on this. Relax) The consideration is like wood for the fire. Stir it up.
- Select a Scene from the Gospels, the Passion, a mystery of the Rosary, or a
theological truth. (If necessary read the text and then do your reflection.) - Reflect on Who, What, Why… try to imagine the scene as if you are there.
- Put yourself in the scene or imagine as it’s happening in front of you.
- Talk to Christ or His Mother there in that scene or about that scene.
- CONVERSATION i.e. THE MOST IMPORTANT THING
- Talk to Christ about what is on your mind and heart. Get it all out.
- Petition Him for the graces you need. Petition for others.
- Be still. Be silent. Look at Him and let go.
- Let Him respond. Let him teach you.
- If the conversation falters return to the consideration
“to put another log on the fire.” Then return to your conversation.
-Make resolutions with Christ. Ask for the grace to follow through and keep
his presence.
REMEMBER: Mental prayer is a framework for an encounter with Jesus Christ. The main point is that you love Christ and spend time with him. The method is a guideline. If at any point God gives you His grace and begins to work… let go and follow his lead. Try to use your imagination, but it’s okay if it’s a vague image. Daily mental prayer is essential. Recollection is essential in all prayer and for the practice of the presence of God in your daily duties.
https://www.ourcatholicprayers.com/alphonsus-liguori-on-mental-prayer.html#:~:text=
Other resources:
A Beginner’s Guide to Mental Prayer
https://www.ourcatholicprayers.com/alphonsus-liguori-on-mental-prayer.html#:~:text=
https://www.merton.ox.ac.uk/socially-isolated-spiritually-connected/reflection-annunciation#:~:text=
https://www.ocarm.org/en/item/4036-st-teresa-of-avila-speaks-on-mental-prayer#:~:text=
St Teresa of Avila : The necessity of Mental Prayer
What Is Mental Prayer | St. Teresa of Avila
EXAMINATION OF CONSCIENCE
Rite of Reconciliation
1.“Forgive me Father for I have sinned. It has been
_ since my last Confession.”
2. My Sins are…Be concise and to the point. Mortal
sins must be confessed in kind and in number as best
as you can remember. Then confess a few
predominant venial sins. It is recommended to confess
grave sins first. If you do not have any mortal sins
simply confess your predominant venial sins….For
these and for any sins I might have forgotten.
- Listen to the priest’s words.
- Make an act of contrition:
“Oh my God, I am heartily sorry for having
offended Thee, and I detest all my sins because I
dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell; but
most of all because they offend Thee, my God, who
are all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly
resolve, with the help of Thy grace, to confess my
sins, to do penance, and to amend my life.” - Receive absolution and then go outside of the
confessional to do your penance.
Prayer before Confession
By: St. Leonard of Limousin
O most adorable Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, my
God, worthy of all my love, I prostrate myself before you.
Mercifully regard a most miserable sinner who would
gladly be reconciled to you by a good confession. But, O
my God, as I can do nothing if not aided by you, I implore
you by the compassion of your tender mercy to enlighten
me, that I may know all my sins; make me understand all
their malice and hideousness that I may detest them with
my whole heart.
Jesus, never failing fountain of compassion, I approach you,
that you may cleanse me from all my iniquities. Son of
Righteousness, send the bright beams of your divine grace
into the dark recesses of my soul. Divine Physician, heal
your infirm creature. O infinite Love, enkindle the flames of
your love in my soul that it may love nothing but you. And
may this confession I am going to make be all that you
would wish it. May it bring about in me an entire change of
life, so that I may be fully reconciled to you, my God, my
Hope, my Love; for you are my Savior, and without you
there is no peace for my erring soul.
GUIDE TO A GOOD CONFESSION – The Commandments
First Commandment:
Idolatry, Divination, Sorcery, going to mediums, witch
doctors, tarot cards, acts of sacrilege, ouija board, Charlie Charlie, calling upon demons, making deals with the devil/demons.
Second Commandment:
Blasphemy, Perjury, False Oaths, Curse the name of
Jesus, Mary, Saints. Purposely break statues.
Third Commandment:
Knowingly/Willingly Missing Mass on Sunday/Holy Days
of Obligation. Willingly not fasting 1 hour before
communion. Purposely coming late to mass. Looking at your
phone during Mass. Purposely not paying attention. Not
praying as you should. (If extreme could be mortal).
Fourth Commandment:
Cursing at Parents, extreme anger towards parents,
wishing parents were dead. Disobeying/deceiving parents
in serious matters. Being rude, not obeying promptly,
and disobedience to minor items.
The Fifth Commandment:
Murder, abortion, euthanasia, suicide, scandal, drug
abuse, alcohol abuse, terrorism, extreme anger, extreme
desire for revenge, hatred, extortion.
Sixth & Ninth Commandment:
Enjoying sexual passions outside of marriage is a grave
matter. Examples include Adultery, Fornication (sex
between the unmarried), oral sex, masturbation (alone or
with others), prostitution, pornography, rape, and incest.
Divorce. *Knowingly and *willingly exciting the passions
in another with your words, actions, writing, or immodest
dress.
Seventh Commandment:
Theft. Stealing is usually a mortal sin unless the harm done is
extraordinarily light. (Also…stealing $1 from a beggar who
has nothing might be like stealing $10 from a normal person.
When in doubt confess it anyway.) Unfair wages, taking
advantage of the poor.
Eighth Commandment:
Lying, Cheating, and bearing false witness is usually grave
matter unless the circumstance is unusually insignificant,
but it should still be avoided.
The 7 Deadly Sins:
- Pride • Envy • Gluttony • Lust • Anger • Greed • Sloth
https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/library/progress-through-mental-prayer-12610
Life's Chronicle 