THE WAYS

M EN T A L P R A YE R

RY

TH E R T . R EV . DO M VI TAL IS L EHO D E Y
ABBOT O F B I C Q U E BEC ,
R O C .R .
.

T R A NS L AT E D F R O M THE F R E NC H

BY

A M ON K O F M O U NT M E L L E RA Y
fi i bil O b s t at t
J O A NN E S WAT E R S .

Em p r i m i T o t es t

D u b lim d ie
°
M ar ni 1 9 24 .
’

,
20 ,
S AI NT THER ES E OF THE C H IL D j E SUS
AND OF THE HO L Y FAC E

THE LI TTLE FL O WE R OF [ E S US

TH I S TRA N S LATI O N
IN TH E F I RM H OP E TH AT AL L I TS R EAD E R S
M AY G ET A S H AR E O F H E R

S HO WER OF R O S E S

IS D E D IC ATE D

BY

THE TR A N S L ATO R
 BR E F DE 5 . S . P IE X

D I LE CTO F I L I O V ITA L I LE H O D E Y

A BBA TI EX O R D I NE C IS T E R C I E NS I U M R E F O R M A TO R U M

P IU S P . P . X .

D il e c t e F i l i s al u t e m
, e t a p o s t o l ic a m b e n e d ic t io n e m .

l i b e r d e L es Vo z es d e I o r a z so n m e n t a l e , uj u s
'
’ '

Is t u n s '

N o b is d e d is t i ex em p q ua mq uam in arg u m e nt o s ac r is
l a r,

au c t o r ib u s u s itat o v e r s a t u r n o n tu t a m e n r e m s u p e r
, ,

v a c a n e a m fe c is t i s c r ib e n d o im o v a l d e u t il e m n e c s o l um ,

re l ig io s is h o m in ib u s sed
, e tiam o m n ib u s q u ic u m q u e

p e r fe c t io n e m c h r is t ia n a
e v i t ae a s s e u i c o n t e n d u n t
q C e rt e .

‘
d e o p e r e ist o ta l e in t e l l ig e n t iu m e s t ju d ic iu m q u i b u s ,

tua e t d o c trina e t p e rit ia j u r e p r o b a t u r N o s i g i tu r .

c u m g r a t i a s t i b i a g im u s tum g ra t u l a m u r ; e t q u o s e x
,

l a b o r e t u o fru c tu s c o mmun i s p ie t a t is e x pe c t a s u u t ,

u b e re s s e q u an t u r e x o p t a m u s D iv in o r u m aut e m m u
.

n e r u m a u s p ic e m e t b e n e v o l e n t iaa N o s t ra
, e t e st e m t ib i , ,

d il e c t e fil i, a p o s t o l ic a m b e n e d ic t io n e m
p e r a m a nt er im
r t im u s .
p e

D atum R o m ae a
pu d S . P e t r u m , d ie X I II D e c c m b ris
M C M V I I I , P o n t ific a t u s N o s t r i ann o se x t o .

P IU S P . P . X
 (TR A N S L A n o w)

BR I E F O F H I S H O L IN E S S P IU S X.

TO OUR BE L OV E D S ON V ITA L IS LE H O D E Y

A BB O T O F TH E O RD E R OF REFOR MED C IS TE R C IA NS

P IU S X . POP E

B e l o v e d S o n h e a l t h and a p o s t o l i c b e n e di c ti o n
, .

Yo ur b o o k On t he Ways of M e n t a l P r aye r o f whi c h ,

y o u ha v e s e nt u s a c o py t r e at s o f a s u b j e c t fa m il a r t o
,

s p iritua l writ e r s .Ne v e rth e l es s b y writin g i t yo u hav e

,

no t l ab o ur e d i n v ain ; o n t h e c o ntrary yo u have ,

ac c o m p l i sh e d a w o r k v e ry u s e fu l n o t o n l y t o r e l i g i o u s
, ,

b u t t o al l w h o i n any w a l k o f l i fe a r e s t ri v in g aft e r
, ,

c hri s tian p e r fe c ti o n S u c h a s s ur e d l y is t h e j ud g m e nt
.
, ,

whi c h a l l e n l i ght e n e d p e r so n s w h o d o j u s ti c e t o y o ur
,

k n o w l e d ge and e x p e ri e n c e mu s t pa s s u p o n thi s b o o k
, .

We th e r e fo r e b o th than k and c o n g ratu l at e yo u and

, , ,

it is O u r e arn es t d es i r e that yo u r w o r k may pr o du c e

ab undant l y a l l th o s e fruit s yo u e x p e c t fr o m i t fo r t h e ,

s p i ritua l ad v anta e o f a ll
g .

As a p l e d ge o f t h e D i v in e fav o u r and i n t e s tim o ny ,

o f O u r b e n ev o l en c e We im part t o yo u with a l l O u r
,

h e art d e ar s o n O u r a p o s t o l i c b e n e di c ti o n
, , .

G i v e n at R o m e at S t P e t e r s thi s 13 t h day o f
,
.
’

D e c e m b e r 1 908 in t h e s i x th ye ar o f O u r P o n t ific a t e
, ,
.

Piu s P o n ,
X
 L ET T E R O F T H E M O S T R EV . A U G U S T I NE M A RR E
B I S HO P O F CO N S T AN C E
A BB O T GENE R A L O F THE R E FORM E D C I S T E R C I AN S

R I G H T R E V E R EN D F A T HE R ,

We l e arn with p l e as ur e that y o ur tr e ati se On t he

Ways of M en t a l P raye r is at l e n g th a b o ut t o b e p r i nt ed .

We hav e n o n e e d t o ap p ro v e thi s w o r k whi c h h as ,

a l r e ady r e c e i v e d t h e a pp r o b ati o n and t h e p rai se o f

o u r G e n e ra l C ha p t e r ; b u t w e wi s h o n c e ag ain t o
c o n g ratu l at e y o u u p o n thi s b o o k in s p i r e d b y an
e n l i g ht e n e d z e a l a n d w e fe r v e nt l y pray that i t may
,

c o ntri b ut e t o r e v i ve t h e s irit o f ray e r in t h s o u l s o f

p p e

it s r e ad e r s.

AU GU S TINE M A RR E ,

Bi t /t op of Co nst an ce, Ab b o t Gen er a l .

’
L E TT E R OF THE R I G H T RE V J O S E P H G U E R A R D
.

BI S H O P OF C O U T A N C E S A ND A V R A NC H ES

C O U TANCE S ,
e 7th Oc t o b e r , 1 90 7 .

R I GH T R E V E R E N D F A T HE R ,

I fe e l v e ry ha ppy in g i v in g yo u t h e app r o b ati o n

w hi c h yo u a s k fo r y o u r w o r k .

Th e R e ve r e nd F ath e r S u p e ri o r o f t h e D i o c e s an
'
S e minary wh o m I c o mm i s s i o n e d t o e xamin e it writ e s
‘

to me
“
Thi s wo rk , t he d o c trin e of whi c h a pp e ars to me to
 A P P R O BA T I O N S Ix

be
'

irre p ro a c ha b l e c an b e v e ry u s e fu l n o t o n l y t o t h e
,

r e l i g i o u s fo r wh o m i t h a s b e e n writt e n b u t a l s o t o ,

p ri e s ts and t o a ll s o u l s c a l l ed b y Go d t o a l ife o f

p e r fe c ti o n
.

I a m g l a d o f thi s t e s tim o n y and I s in c e r e ly h o p e

,

that yo u r w o r k m ay b e a p p r e c iat e d a s it d e s e r v e s a n d ,

ha v e a ra p id and “ id e s p r e a d su c c e s s .

R e c e i v e R i g h t R e v e r e nd F at h e r t h e r e n e w e d a ss u r
, ,

an c e o f my m o s t r e s p e c t fu l a ffe c ti o n and p ray fo r u s

,
.

i ‘
J O S E P H ,

B ish op o
f Co u l a n ces
.

L ETTE R O F T HE R IG H T R E V A L E X AN D E R L E
. RO Y

BI S HO P O F A LI N DA
SUP E RI O R G ENE R A L O F T H E C ON GR E GA TI ON O F
TH E HO L Y G HO S T

L H A Y (S E IN E) ,
’
C IIE V I L L Y
‘

P AR

1 81k Oc t o b e r , 1 90 7 .

RI G H T R EV E R E ND A ND E R Y D EA R F A T HE R
V ,

ha v in g r e a d yo u r w o r k
m y s e l f and g i v e n it t o o th e r s t o r e a d I am o f O p ini o n
, , ,

a l o n g with th e s e c o m p e t e nt j u d g e s t h at i t is e x c e ll e nt
, ,

an d that many r e l i g i o u s m any p ri e s t s and man y

, ,

o f t he s i m le faith f ul wi ll o w e o a r e at d e b t o f
p y u g
g ratitud e fo r ha v in g O p e n e d t o th e m o r m ad e e a sy for

Yo u wi sh e d t o c o m p o s e a fu l l tr e ati s e whi c h m i ght

furni s h t h e s o u l at e v e r y t a g e o f t h e s u p e r n a t u ra l l i fe
,
s
,
 A PP R O BA T I ON S
w ith a g uid e and s u pp o rt t o e na b l e h e r t o r e c o gni s e
h e r p ath t o p e r s e v e r e in it t o l o o k fo rward and t o
, ,

a s c e nd s ti ll hi gh e r Yo u ha v e s u c c e e d e d
. .

It is a h a n d b oo k yo u s ay
-
Ye s i t h a s t h e c hara c t e r
.
,

is t ic s o f a hand b o o k : i t is p ra c ti c a l and p u r p o s e ly
-
,

a v o i d s c o ntro v e rt e d and p ur e ly s p e c u l ati v e q u e s ti o n s ;

it s m o d e o f e x p o s iti o n is v e ry c l e ar and r e nd e r s t h e
hi g h e s t t e a c hin g s a c c e s s i b l e t o t h e hum b l e s t r e ad e rs ;
fina ll y it s d o c trin e is p e rfe c t l y s a fe g r o und e d as it
, ,

a l way s is u p o n t h e m o s t c o m p e t e nt auth o riti e s .

P u b l i s h y o u r w o r k and may Go d g i v e it h is b l e s s
,

in g ! In thi s ag e o f hat r e d o f t yranny o v e r c o n s c i e n c e s

, ,

of s e n s ua l it y , mat e ria l i s m and fo lly i t is w e ll t o ,

attac h o ur s e l v e s t o H im w ho is fo r H e a l o n e is e ve r
l a s tin g .

R e c e i v e Ri ght R e v e r e n d a n d v e ry d e ar F ath e r t h e
, ,

re l i g i o u s h o ma g e o f m y m o s t a ff e c ti o nat e r e sp e c t .

I
’‘ AL E X A N D E R LE R O Y,
B ish op Ge n C
’

f
o A l z a d a , S up . . .

L E TT E R O F M O NS IG N O R L E G O U X
P R OTONOT A R Y AP O S T OLI C

P A R IS ,
1st D e c em b e r ,

RI G H T RE V E R E ND FA T HE R ,

Yo ur d e e p d e v o ti o n t o war d s h e r w h o m w e S ha ll ,
~

s o o n c a ll
“
Th e B l e s s e d M ary M a g da l e n an d
~

o u r fri e n d s hi p fo r t h e hum b l e a u th o r o f h e r
"
y h Life
‘
,
 A P P R O BA T I O N S i
X

in d u c e d yo u t o a s k a fe w l in e s fr o m m e u p o n y o ur
w o rk , The Ways of M e m a l P r aye r ’
.

Yo u r d e s i r e e v i d e nt l y w a s t o o b tain fo r y o u r r e ad e r s
and fo r y o u r s elf a s p e c ia l b l e s s in g fr o m that h e ro i c
Lo v e r o f o u r S av i o ur wh o s e wh o l e l i fe l i k e that o f h e r
, ,

“
D i v in e M a s t e r w a s o n e p e r p e tu a l ra r ’i

, p y e . I co n

g ratu l at e y o u and than k y o u in h e r n am e w ho ,

ind e e d b e tt e r than s h e c o u l d und e r s tand and r e l i s h

,

a w o r k s o pi o u s and s o l e arn e d
H o w o ft e n whi l e h e r w o nd e rfu l c au s e w as un d e r
e x aminati o n h o w o ft e n whi l e wri tin g t h e s t o ry o f
“
,

”
h e r l i fe , ha v e I n o t r e g r e t t e d that h e r in v in c i b l e
humi l ity m a d e h e r o b s e r v e an a b s o l u t e s i l e n c e c o n
c e rnin g t h e s p e c ia l wa ys b y w h i c h O u r D i v in e Lo rd

g uid ed h e r in h e r int e ri o r l i fe ! W hat a p o w e rfu l

c harm a n d w hat a p r e c i o u s in s tru c ti o n in fa c t t h e
k n o w l e d g e o f h e r inward l i fe w o u l d ha v e pr o c ur e d u s !
No w whi l s t r e adin g yo u r w o r k with m u c h p l e a s u r e
, ,

I s e e m e d t o di s c o v e r o n e v e ry p age t h e k e y t o t h e
mys t e ri e s o f th e h o l in e s s o f that l i fe “
, uni q u e in it s
”
k ind : i t is thu s s ai d I t o my s e l f m any a tim e that
, ,

s h e mu s t ha v e p raye d , s in c e i t is thu s s h e l i v e d .

S tartin g fr o m thi s p rin c i p l e yo u r b o o k s e e m e d t o m e

,

a r e a l m o d e l c a p a b l e b y it s s i m p l i c i ty it s c l e arn e s s and
, ,

it s m e th o d o f s e r v in g a s a g u i d e n o t o n l y t o th o s e w h o
,

a re m e re b e g inn e r s i n thi s h o l y e x e r c i s e o f m e nta l

p yra e r , b u t a l s o t o s o u l s t h e m o s t e x p e ri e n c e d in t h e

s e c r e t s o f t h e m ys ti c a l l ife .

B e tt e r s ti l l : t h e m u l titud e o f M anua l s and O I

”
M e th o d s o f m e nta l p ra ye r whi c h h a v e b e e n p u b

l is h e d u n t o t h e p r e s e nt a d w i th wh i c h thr o u g h d ut y
,
n ,
 A P P R O BA T I ON S
rtunity I b ec am e a c q uaint ed n e v e r g ave m e s o
'

or O o
pp , ,

c l e ar s o s i m p l e an id e a o f t h e n e c e s s ity a n d t h e fa c i l ity
,

o f p e rfo r m in g thi s i m p o rtant e x e rc i se a s d o e s thi s

w o r k and I am p e r s u ad e d that i t is d e s tin e d t o p r o
,

d u c e t h e s am e im p r e s s i o n u p o n a ll w h o s ha ll ha v e t h e

g o o d fo rtun e t o r e ad it , t o s tu d y i t and t o u s e i t as

th e ir o r d inary m anua l . J u s t as all th o se wh o m ,

P r o v id e n c e w i ll fa v o u r with t h e g ra c e t o r e ad t h e l i fe
o f t h e V e n e ra b l e M ary M agda l e n P o s t e l wi ll b e c o m e
,

a l m o s t o f n e c es s it y b e tt e r an d m o r e d e s iro u s o f
ad v an c in g in t h e p ath o f c hri s tian and r e l i g i o u s p e r
”
fe c ti o n , s o th o s e w h o k n o w y o ur b o o k wi l l f e e l th e m

s e l v e s drawn t o t h e l o v e and p ra c ti c e o f m e nta l ra r

p y e ,

and o f th o s e s u b l im e v irtu e s o f whi c h it is t h e b e s t

s cho o l .

M ay t h at V e n e ra b l e S e r v ant o f Go d d e i g n t o b l e s s
and t h an k yo u h e rs e l f fo r t h e g o o d yo u hav e d o n e
me , an d o b tain fo r yo u the l e g itimat e s ati s fa c ti o n
”
o f se e in g what yo u c a ll y o ur m o de s t wo r k k n o w n
and r e l i sh e d b y a ll .

I a m Ri g ht R e v e r e nd F ath e r with p r o fo u nd r es p ec t
, ,

a n d m o s t s i n c e r e a ff e c ti o n ,

Yo u r ve ry hu m b l e
A . M . L E GO U X ,
L ET T E R O F T H E R E V . FA T H E R AUG . POU L AIN , S .
J .

A U T HO R O F THE “
GR A C E S OF PR A Y E R

P ARI S , I st O ct ob er , 1 907 .

R IG H T R EV EREND FAT H ER ,

Th e p eace o f O Ur L o rd b e wi t h yo u .

Yo u a re p e rf o rm i n g a gre at ac t o f h u m i l i ty w h e n
y o u as k m e t o plac e a t t h e h e ad o f y o u r b o o k a
:

l e tt e r i n tr o d uci n g i t t o t he p ub l i c A b i sh o p
.

wo u ld i n su ch a ca se b e qu a l i fie d t o speak ; w h e n
, ,

pr o n o u nci n g j u dgm e n t he m i g h t h o pe fo r a spe cial

,

a ssist an ce o f t h e H o ly G h o st A s fo r m e w h o am
.
,

o f s uc h s mal l c o n se qu e n c e i n t h e C h u rc h o f C h r i st ,

I c a n h ardly re ck o n u p o n a n yt h i n g m o re t h a n my
n atu ra l l i g h ts I w i l l try h o w ev e r t o m ak e u se o f
.
, ,

t he m .

No w t h ey a ss u re m e t h at y o u r w o rk is a n e xc e l
,

l e n t o n e Yo u r des cri pt i o n s o f d i vi n e g race s a re

.

e x act ; i t is e as i ly e rc e i v e d n o t n ly t h at o h a v e
p o y u

c o n s u lte d b oo k s ; b u t t h at yo u h ave al so c o m e i n c o n
tact wi th fav o u red so u l s w h i c h is a n i n d i sp e n sabl e
,

co rre cti v e o f th e o re tical k n o wl e dg e Y o u r a sc e tic .

c o u n sel s a re v e ry so l i d Y o u u n ce as i n gly u rge

.

y o u r reade r s t o ab n e gati o n t o d e t ac h m e n t fro m t h e

,

cre atu r e t o t he l o v e o f Go d an d t o t he vi rtu es

,
 A P P R O BA T I ON S

wh i ch a re it s c o n se qu e nc e F i n al ly t h r o u gh o ut
.
,

y o u r w o rk th e r e re i gn s a t o n e o f p i e ty wh i ch w i ll
,

e l ici t r e s p o n s ive e ch oe s i n e v e ry so u l .

I n sp i t e o f t h e u nfav o u rab l e c o nj u nctu r e s i n

wh ich y o u r w o rk is be i n g p ub l i s h e d I h o p e th at i t
,

wi l l h av e a w i d e ci rcu lati o n Wh e n t h e C h u rc h is
.

u n d e rg o i n g su c h ru de a ssau lt s i t see m s v e ry dari n g

,

t o i nvit e so u l s t o c o n t e m plat i o n B u t M o se s d i d
.

n o t c o n s i d e r i t u se l e s s t o re mai n i n act iv e w i th h is ,

arm s rai se d u p o n t h e m o u n tai n w h il st h is p eo p l e

, ,

w e re figh ti n g val i an tly u p o n t h e plai n A n d t h e n .

,

th e r e a re so man y so u l s that n ee d t o b e c o n so l e d fo r
t h e a ffl i cti n g s p e ctacl e s o f t h e p r e se n t ti m e ! Yo u
wi l l b e h o ld c o m i n g t o yo u th o se w h o a re s icke n e d
by t h e hatr ed a n d i nj u stic e o f o u r adv e r sari e s ,

sadd e n e d by t h e e ff e m i n acy o f c e rtai n C h ri s ti an s ,

an d by t h e c o m p r o m i ses a n d ap o s ta sy o f o th e r s ‘
.

F ly i n g fr o m e arthly c o n t e n t i o n s th e y wi l l c o m e t o
,

a sk o f y o u r b o o k t o s p e ak t o t h e m h e av e n l y w o rd s ,

an d t o e n ab l e th e m t o ge t a gl i m p se o f t h e h eav e n ly
J e ru sa l e m t he C i ty o f p e ace
, .

I b e g o f yo u R i gh t R e ve re n d F at h e r t o acc e pt
, ,

t h e e xp r e s s i o n o f my p r o f o u n d r e s p e ct a n d t o k i n dly
,

se n d m e o u r h o ly bl e ss i n g
y .

AU G . P O U LAIN, S .
J
 P RE F A C E
‘V

ST . A LP H O NS U S re l at e s 1 t h at S t T e re sa w o u l d h av e .

wi s h e d t o a sc e n d t o t h e t o p o f a h i g h m o u n tai n, a n d
b e abl e t o mak e h e r v o ic e h e ard by t h e wh o l e w o rl d ,

fo r t h e so l e p u r p o se o f cry i n g o u t t o i t : P ray ,

pray p ray , S h e ha d ri ghtly u n d e r s t o o d t he

.

w o rd s O u r L o rd addre sse s t o e ac h o f u s We o u g h t
” 2
a l way s t o p ray a n d n o t t o fai nt .

In t h e s p i ri tu al l i f e th e r e a re t w o gr e at p r i n ci p l es
w h i c h s h o u l d n e ve r b e fo rg o tt e n : Wi t h o u t grac e
w e ca n d o n o th i n g ; 3 wi th i t w e ca n d o al l t h i n g s 4 .

S o m e ti m e s i t a n t i ci pates o u r d e s i r e s ; o rd i n ari ly ,

Go d wait s ti l l w e ask fo r i t T h i s is a g e n e ral law

.

t h u s e xp r esse d by O u r L o r d : A sk a n d i t S hall ,

” 5
b e giv e n t o yo u P ray e r is th e re f o r e n o t o n ly
.
, ,

a p r ece pt i t is a n e c e ss i ty Go d pl ace s t he tr e a s u r e
, .

o f H is grac e s at o u r d i s p o sal a n d it s key is p ray e r , .

Yo u d e s i r e m o re fai th m o r e h O pe m o r e l o v e ; a sk
, , ,

”
an d i t S ha l l b e gi v e n t o yo u-

Y o u r g o o d r eso l u.

ti o n s r e m a i n ste ri l e r e s u lti n g a lway s i n t h e s am e

,

St . Lig u o r i, Tr u e Sp o u se f j esu s
o Ch r is t , xx.

O p o r t e t s e m pe r o r a r e e t no n d e fi c e r e . Lu k e , x v iii. I .

3 S in e m e ih il p o t e s t is fa c er e
n o hn , x v 5
. J . .

O m n ia p o s s u m in e o
q u i m e c o n fo r t a t P h il ip, iv . . I3.
5 P e t it e et d a b it u r vo b is . M a t t he w , v ii. 7
XV
 x fi P R E F AC E

fai l u r e s a sk an d i t sh all b e g iv e n t o yo u ,
.

P r e c e pt s a re n u m e r o u s v i rtu e pai n fu l t e m ptat io n , ,

se duct iv e t h e e n e my ru th l e ss t h e wi l l w e ak
,
ask , ,

a n d i t sh a l l b e g i ve n t o yo u P ray e r w i l l d raw .

d o w n i n t o y o u r so u l t h e o m n i p o t e n c e o f Go d it ,
” 1 —
is s tr o n g e r t h an a l l t h e d e m o n s B u t I p ray .

an d I d o n o t O btai n I t is b ecau se yo u ask

” 2—
am i ss I h av e b e e n a s k i n g n o w fo r a l o n g
.

“ 3
ti m e . A s k agai n see k k n o ck r e a n i m ate
, ,

y o u r d es i re s i m p o rtu n e h e av e n m ak e t h e v o ic e o f
, ,

y o u r so u l l o u d a n d sh ri l l as a p i e rci n g c ry an d , ,

p ro v i d e d th at y o u r p ray e r p o sse sses t h e n e c essa ry

“
c o n di ti o n s o u s h al l ask w h at e v e r yo u w i ll a n d
y , ,
” 4—
i t shal l b e d o n e u nt o yo u The M a s e r o f grac e .
t
,

Tru th it se lf h a s pl e dg e d H is w o rd fo r i t a p r o m i se ,

s u p re m e ly e n c o u rag i n g t h e o n ly r e p r o ac h H e ,

m ak es u s is that w e d o n o t ask e n o ugh ; 5 a

p ro m i se t o o wh i c h l e ave s fa i n t he a rt e d ne sS n o
,
-

e xcu se ; fo r w e can alway s p ray a n d n o th i n g is ,

eas i e r Th e m i n d r e mai n s w i th o u t l i gh t b e cau se

.
,

i t d oe s n o t draw n i gh t o Go d ; 6 t h e h e art is d ri e d u p
be cau se t h e so u l h as f o rg o tt e n t o e at he r b re ad 7 ,

an d t h e w il l is hard as i r o n a n d re s i st s g rac e ,

b e cau se w e h av e n e g l e ct e d t o h e at i t i n t h e fire o f
praye r Th i s is t he d o ctr i n e wh i ch S t A ugu st ine
. .

“
pr e ac h e s The b o dy is n o u ri s h e d by m at e ri al
°

St . B e r n a rd D e , m o d o b en e v ia . O r a t io d ae m o n n s o m n ib us

m a l is p r aev a l e t , c. 49 .

9
Jac. , iv 3 . .
5 Jo a n . , x v i. 2 .
4
3 M a t t h , vi 7 . . . Ps .
, xxx iii 6 , . and J ac
‘

. i 5 . .

Jo an .
, x v.
7 .
7 Ps .
, c i. 5 .
 P R E FA C E xv ii
” 1
f o o d an d t he i n t e ri o r m a n by p ra y e r
,
St . .

“
C h ry so st o m d e cl a r es w i t h n o t l e s s e n e rgy As t h e
b o dy ca n n o t l i v e with o u t t h e so u l so t h e so u l ,

“
wi th o u t p ray e r is de a d an d fe ti d 2 A n d S t . .

L i gu o ri g i ve s u s t h i s m e m o rabl e ad m o n i ti o n He
w h o p ray s S h al l c e rtai n ly b e s av e d h e w h o d o es n o t ,

” 3
p ray sha l l c e rta i n ly b e dam n e d .

Th e o rd i n ary C h ri stia n m u st h av e r e c o u r se t o
raye r in o rd e r t o fu lfil h is du t i e s a n d t o c o n qu e r
p ,

te m ptati o n M uch m o re m u st a r e l ig i o u s g i ve
.

h i m se l f t o i t fo r i n a d d i ti o n t o t h e o rd i n ary
,

r e c e pt s h e h as t o o b se rv e h is v o w s a n d h is ru l es
p , ,

an d h as b o u n d h i m se lf t o t e n d t o p e rf e ct i o n by e v e r ,

se e k i ng t o d ie t o s e l f an d so t o advan ce e v e r i n v i rtu e
,

an d i n h o ly l o v e S u ch an e n t e rp r i se t h e n o b l est
.
,

an d m o st fru i tfu l o f al l b u t al so t h e m o s t e l evat e d ,

ab o v e t h e re ac h o f h u m an we ak n ess re qu i r e s a ,

b r o ad a n d c o nt i n u o u s fl o w o f gra ce s a n d c o n se ,

qu e n t l y a s u p e rab u n da nc e o f p ray e r B es i d e s is i t .
‘

n o t m ee t a n d j u st that a s o u l c o n s e c rat e d t o Go d
'

s h o u ld se e k t h e p r e se nce a n d t h e c o n v e r s ati o n o f

he r D iv i n e S p o u se ? T h i s is tru e fo r e v e n t h e
act iv e r e l i gi o u s O rde r s ; h o w m u c h m o r e is i t S O fo r
a c o nt e m plativ e O rd e r l i k e o u r s al l wh o se O b se rv ,

a u ce s a re Ordai n e d wi t h a v i e w t o a l i fe o f p raye r l
S ic u t e s c is a l it u r c a r o , it a o r a t io n i b u s h o m o in t e r io r n u t r it u r

S t Au g D e S a l do a ,
. .
, . c. ii 8 . .

S ie u t c o r p u s s in e a n im a non p o t e s t v iv e r e , s ic a n im a s in e
.

o r a t io n e m o rtua e st c t g rav i t e r o le n s . S t C h r ys , D e o r a t io n c
. . .

D b. . 1s t .

3 St Lig u o r i Gr ea t Jif ea iz s f S a l v a t zo n ,
'

c . x at e nd .
'
. . o
xv iii P R E F AC E

No n e hav e ma ny m o tive s an d m e an s as w e t o
so ,

m ak e u s c o n c e i v e a n a ffe ct i o n fo r p raye r gi v e o u r ,

se lv e s t o i t wi th l o v e an d see k ab o v e al l th i ng s , ,

u n i o n wi th Go d Th e w o rl d ala s ! ab so rb e d by
.
,

it s p u r s u it s an d it s pl e a s u r es h ardly e v e r th i n k s
,

o f Go d .M artha o v e rb u rd e n e d wi th t h e p i o u s
,

l ab o u r s t o w h i c h sh e d e v o t es h e r se lf al l day l o n g i n
t h e se rv ice o f Go d a n d o f so u l s h a s b ut l ittl e l e i s u re
,

fo r re p o se a n d c o n t e m plati o n O u r v o cati o n is
.

that o f M ary w h o k e e p i ng at O u r L o rd s f ee t
, ,
’
,

l o o k s u p o n H i m l o v es H i m l i ste n s t o H im an d
, ,

s p e a k s t o H i m ; o u r fu ncti o n i n t h e h o u se o f Go d is

t o b e attach e d t o t h e p e r so n o f O u r D i vi n e M a st e r ,

t o h av e fr e qu e n t an d fam i l ia r i n te rc o u r se wi th H i m ,

t o b e u n it e d t o H i m i n a l i f e o f p ray e r ; w e a re

c o nt e m p l ati v es by t h e p ecu l iar d uti e s o f o u r p ro fes

si o n .C a n a n y l o t b e m o r e sw ee t o r m o re d es i r
abl e ?
It is tru e t h at w e are al so p e n it e n t s B u t p e na nc e .

an d c o n t e m p l ati o n a re so fa r as w e a re co nc e rn e d
, ,

as c l o se ly c o n n ec t e d a s o u r t w o e y e s o r o u r t w o

han d s We hav e n e e d o f o n e an d w e can n o t

.

d o w i th o u t t h e o th e r Th e y a re l i k e t h e t w o
.

tabl s o
e f t h e law : i t is i mp o ss i bl e fo r u s t o p lea se
1

Go d w i th o u t o u r au ste ri ti e s and n o t l e ss i m p o ss i b l e
,

t o b e acc e ptab l e t o H i m w ith o u t o u r l i fe o f p ray e r ;

an d o f c o u r se i t is n o t e n o ugh t o g i v e t o Go d o n ly
, ,

t h e h al f o f wh at w e h a v e p r o m i se d Th e y a re t h e t w o .

wi n g s wh ich c a n rai se u s fr o m earth an d h ear u s

F or Ci t i f w h m th
s e rc an s, o th
o i p a k i
e au
g hor — T ms s e n e re ra .
xx P R E FA C E

to c o rr ect o u r fau lt s t o gr o w i n v i rtu e an d t o do

,

w h at eve r Go d wi l l s ; du ri ng o u r act i o n s w e wi ll b e ,

in t o uc h w i th Go d b ecau se pray e r s hal l h av e fil l e d

,

o u r m i n d an d o u r h e art w i th H i m Th u s i t w as .

t h at f o rty day s c o n v e r sati o n w i th t h e L o rd u p o n

’

t h e h o ly m o u ntai n l e ft u p o n t h e b r o w o f M o se s t w o

ray s o f l igh t ; 1 t h e p r e se nc e o f Go d w it h wh i c h h e ,

w as fil l e d wi th i n be i n g r e fl e ct e d u p o n h is c o u n t e n
,

a nc e an d d o ubtl e ss al so i n h is w o rd s an d w o rk s
,
.

S u c h o ug h t w e o u r se lv es t o b e a n g e l s at p ray e r ,

a n d m e n o f Go d i n o u r c o n duct S t P e te r o f . .

A lcan tara s tr o n gly re p r o v e s t h o se w h o afte r ,

h av i n g e xp e ri e nce d t h e i n esti mabl e a d va ntag e s o f

p ray e r a n d ,r e c o gn i se d t h at t h e w h o l e c o n d uct o f
t h e s pi ritu al l i f e d e p e n ds u p o n i t tak e i t i nt o t h e i r ,
'

h e ad s t h at p ray e r a l o ne is ev e ryth i n g ,

a n d g ive way t o r e laxati o n i n al l th e i r o th e r duti e s ,

.

Fo r al l t he o th e r v i rtu e s act as a s u p p o rt t o p ray e r ,

a n d i f th i s f o u n dati o n h a p p e n s t o b e wan ti n g t h e
, ,

w h o l e e d i fic e m u st fal l W h e n a n in st r u
.

m e n t is play e d u p o n i t is n o t a s i n gl e stri n g b u t
, ,

se v e ral so u n d i n g t o g e t h e r w h ich p r o du c es t he,

h arm o ny . A cl Oc k s t o p s alt o g e th e r if a
s i ngl e p i e c e o n ly o f t h e m e c h an i s m is out of
” 2
o rd e r .Th u s t o o t h e sp i ri tual li fe can n o t ge t
, ,

o n i f a S i ngl e w h e e l b e wan ti n g w h e t h e r t h at w h ee l
“

b e p r ay e r o r w o rk s .

Ex o d u s, x xx iv. 29.

St Pe . t er of A l c an t a ra P r ay e r an d M ed i t a t i o n , end
p a r t,
e . v. 7t h c o u n se l .
 PR E FAC E x xi

P ray e r h o u l d t h e re f o re n o u ri s h i n u s fai t h
s , , ,

h o p e a n d c h ari ty d ev e l o p t he o t h e r v i rtu es an d
,

e ff ectual ly te n d t o m ak e u s gr o w i n h o l i n e ss Th i s .

is it s e n d a n d by th i s w e can j u dg e wh e t h e r o u r
,

p ray e r is w e l l m ad e a n d w h e t h e r w e de v o t e e n o ug h
,

t im e t o p raye r B o di ly h e alth re qu i r es t h at n utri

.

m e n t w o rk an d re st sh o u l d b ea r a d u e p r o p o rt i o n
,

t o e ac h o t h e r ; so t o o sancti ty d e man d s that t he

,

so u l b e n o u ri sh e d by p ray e r S h o u l d lab o u r at ,

acqu i ri n g v i rtu es an d S h o u l d h av e res t i n Go d ,

w h o is f o u n d i n p ray e r We k n o w t h at t he b o dy
.

h as al l it wa nt s w h e n i t can d o it s w o rk wi th o ut
,

d i f ficu l ty ; a n d t h e i n t e ri o r m an is s u ffi ci e n t l y
n o u ri sh e d by p ray e r w h e n he s h o ws v i g o u r i n cu lti
,

v at in vi rtu b ari n g tr i al a n d m ak i n g sacri fic s

g e , e s e .

O n t h e c o n trary i f h e h as l o s t h is stre n gth a n d h is

,

e n e rgy i t is f o o d t h at he wan t s ; he r e qu i re s t o p ray

,

m o r e o r t o p ray b ett e r .

I n t h e be g i n n i n g o f t h i s w o rk o n m e n tal p ray er ,

w e d ee m e d i t w e l l t o r e m i n d o u r re a d e r s o f t he

n e c ess i ty o f p ray e r i n g e n e ra l an d o f t h e s u p r e m e ly
,

i m p o rtan t p art i t play s in t he w o rk o f o u r san c t ifi

cat i o n I f w e wi sh e d t o d e scr ib e al l t h e e xer ci ses
.

o f t h e c on t e mplat i v e l i f e
'

i t w o u l d h a v e b een s u ffi
,

ci e n t t o an n o tat e t he s h o r t b u t so l i d tre at i se w h i c h ,

o u r h o ly fat h e r S t B e rn ard o r r at h e r so m e o t h e r
.
, , ,

au th o r h as c o m p o se d o n t h i s s ubj e ct so fu ll o f
,
‘

i nt e r e st fo r u s . O n e d ay w h e n e n gage d i n
,

ma n ual w o rk h e b e g an t o re fl e ct u p o n t h e e x e rci ses

,

o f t h e s p i ri tu al m an a n d f o u r d egree s s u dde n ly
,
x mi P R E FA C E

pr e se n t e d th e m se l v e s t o h is m i n d : re adi n g m e d i ,

t a t io n t h e p ray e r o f p e ti ti o n an d c o n t e m plati o n
,
.

H e r e w e ha v e t he l a dd e r o f t h e dw e l l e r s i n t h e
cl o i st e r by m ea n s o f wh ich th e y a sc e n d fr o m e art h
,

t o h e av e n 1 . R eadi n g s e e ks t h e sw ee tn ess
o f t h e b e at ifi c l i fe m e di t ati o n fin d s i t p ray e r asks
, ,

f o r it c
, o n t e m plat i o n t a s t e s i t S e e k .by r e ad
i n g a n d yo u s ha l l fi n d by m e d itat i o n ; k n o ck b v
,

pray e r a n d t h e d o o r sh al l b e o p e n e d t o yo u b y
,
” 9
c o n t e m p lati o n T h i s w o u l d c e rtai n ly b e a n ia
.

t e re st in g s tu dy b u t v e ry l o n g a n d t o o c o m p l e x fo r
,

a S i n gl e tr eati se We r e f e r o u r r e ad e r s th e r e f o re
.
, ,

fo r i n f o rmati o n c o n c e rn i n g o u r o th e r e x e rci se s o f

p i e ty t o t h e D i r e ct o ry 3 wh ich tr e at s su ffi c i e n tly o f

,

th e m an d i n o rd e r n o t t o e xt e n d t h at w o r k al r eady
,

too lo n g w e th o u ght i t b e tt e r t o tr e at in t h is
'

, ,

se parat e w o rk o f m e n tal p ray e r a n d o f all th e d e

,

velo
p m e n t s so grav e a s u bj e ct i m pl i e s .

M e ntal p ray e r is i n fact t h e so u l o f t h e c o n t e m

, ,

l t iv e l if e I t i th i e x rci wh i c h f rti l i
p a s. s e se e ,
se s ,

an i mat es a n d r e n d e r s t e n t i m es m o r e e fficaci o u s
al l o u r o th e r m ean s o f attai n i n g t o u n i o n w ith Go d .

With o ut th i s t h e D i v i n e O ffic e wh i c h o ccu p i e s so

, ,

co n s i d e rab l e a p o rti o n o f o u r day an d i n w h i ch t h e ,

s am e e xp r ess i o n s so c o n ti n u al ly r e cu r wo u l d ru n ,

so m e ri s k o f pr o du ci n g a m e r e sy s t e m o f r o ut i n e ,

di stracti n g th o ugh t s di sgu st an d w e ari n e ss ; b ut, ,

wh e n o n ce t h e fire o f m e di tati o n h as i n flam e d t h e

St . Be r n a r d S ca l a Cl a u s t r a l i u m , c. i .

1 D i r ec t . Sp i r i t d es Cis t R iff:
. .
 P RE F A C E xx iii

h ea rt t he h o ly l itu rgy is n o l o ng e r a d e ad le tt e r it
, ,

s pe ak s t o o u r m i n d a n d h e art a n d e v e ryt h i n g i n u s
,

S i n g s t h e p r ai ses o f Go d S o l i k e wi se wi th o u t t h e
.
, ,

h u n g e r aft e r Go d de riv e d fr o m m e n tal praye r ,

s p i ritual r e adi n g is frigi d a n d al m o st u n fru i tfu l ;

w i th i t s p i ri tu al b o o k s m o v e u s a n d n o t m e r e ly sh e d
,

th e i r l i g h t u p o n t he i n t e l l e ct b ut mak e it p e n e trat e
,

e v e n t o t h e d e pth s o f t h e h e art an d o f t h e wi l l .

No th i n g is m o r e po w e rfu l th an t h e H o ly S acrific e
an d t h e S acram e n t s ; ye t e ve n th e y n e v e r p r o du c e
so mu ch fru i t as wh e n f e rve n t p ray e r h as t h r o wn t he

d o o r s o f t he so u l wi d e o p e n t o t h e eff u s i o n s o f grac e .

A l i f e O f p ray e r i t is w h ich rai se s a re l i gi o u s ab o v e

,

t h e paltry th o ught s o f e arth a n d t h e p i ti fu l care s o f

.

n atu r e ; th i s i t is wh ic h e stabl i s h es u s i n Go d
, an d ,

m ak es u s l i v e i n r ec o ll e cti o n an d watc h fu l n e ss o v e r
o u r se lv e s ; t h i s it is w h i ch c o m m u n icat e s t o u s t he
,

s u p e rn atu ral s pi ri t o f d e v o ti o n th u s v ivi fy i n g o u r

,

fa st s o u r watch i n g s o u r man ua l lab o u r s a n d al l

, ,

o u r w o rk s ; w ith o u t it o u r O b s e rva nc e s
,
adm i rab l y ,

c o nc e i v e d th o u g h th e y b e w o u l d ru n t he ri sk o f
,

b ec o m i n g a b o dy wi th o u t a so u l .

S i nc e th e n m e n t a l pray e r is so v i tal a n e l e m e n t
, ,

in o u r c o nt e m p l ativ e l if e w e o ught t o e s t e e m i t t o
, ,

l o v e i t a n d t o app l y o u r se lve s t o i t wi th a h o ly
,

ard o u r B u t it is a di v i n e art an d by n o m e an s
.
,

o n e o f t h e e a s i e st t o a cqu i r e B e gi n n e r s r e qu i r e t o
.

l earn a m e th o d o f p ray e r j u st as e v e n t he m o st in
,

t e l lige n t a pp r e n ti c e m u s t b e i n i ti at e d i n t o t h e se cr e t s

o f h is trad e .Th e y wi l l fi n d i t u se ful t o kn o w t h e

xx vi P R E F AC E

vari o u s p r o c e sse s w h i ch may se rve a s sub sti tut es

fo r m e d itati o n i n o rd e r n o t t o r e mai n i dl e wh e n th i s
,

latt e r fai l s t h e m Th o se w h o are m ak i n g p r o gr e ss

. ,

as w e ll as th o se w h o a re st i l l m o r e advanc e d i n t h e

way s o f p raye r h ave n e e d t o k n o w w h e n th ey

,

s h o u l d p ass o n t o a ff e ct iv e p ray e r o r t o act i v e c o n

t e m p l a t io n
,
an d h o w th ey sh o u l d c o n duct th e m
se l ve s th e re i n . Lat e r o n s h o u ld i t p l ea se Go d t o
,

rai se so ul s t o t h e d i ff e r e n t d e g r ee s o f my s t i cal c o n
t e m p l a t io n —
, an d th i s o u gh t n o t t o b e o f rar e
o ccu rr e n c e a m o n gst r e l i gi o u s e s p e ci ally i n a
,

c o n te m p l ativ e O rde r — , th e y w i l l n ee d t o hav e a

cl e ar l i ght th r o wn u p o n th e i r r o ad an d an e x p e ri
e n c e d gu i d e t o d i r e ct t h e i r s te p s . O th e rw i se t h e
so u l w o u ld b e e xp o se d t o a l l k i n d s o f i l l u s i o n s .

'

Th i s is w h at m a ke s m a n v p r o m i s i n g b e g i nn e r s
st a nd s ti ll u p o n t h e r o ad o r k e e p p e rf o rm i ng t h e
,

g oo se st e p u p o n t he sa m e sp o t w ith o ut e v e r a d v a n c
-

i n g ; th ey h av e n o t a s u ffici e n t k n o w l e dge O f th i s
art o f p ray e r wh i ch sh o u ld b e t h e gr o u n dw o r k o f
,

th e i r wh o l e l i fe I t w o u l d b e i n e xact t o say th at
.

t h e e vi l a ri se s wh o l ly fr o m i gn o r a nce fo r t h e we ak
,

n e ss o f t h e wi l l h as a g r e at s har e i n i t ; b u t ig n o r
ance is t h e p ri m ary p e st a n d so t o s p e ak a fu nda
, , ,

m e n ta l e vi l.

It is tru e that g o o d b o o k s tre ati n g o f me n tal

pray e r ab o u n d a n d are i n e v e ryb o dy s h a nd s ’
.

Ne v e rth e l ess t h e gr e ate r n u mb e r o f a uth o r s hardly

,

tre at o f anyth i n g b ut t h e m e th o d o f p r ay e r w h ich is

p r o p e r t o b e gi n n e r s ; an d i t is d i ffi c u l t t o fin d a c l e ar
 P RE FAC E xxv

a nd p re ci se e xpla nati o n o f t he k i n d s o f pray e r

w h i ch wi th o ut ye t l eavi n g t h e c o m m o n way s a re
, ,

s u itab l e t o so u l s m o r e a d van c e d M a ny a u t h o r s
.

ha ve as it w e re wan t o n ly c o n fu se d th i s matt e r
,
.
,

wh ich is n ev e rt h e l ess ve ry s i m pl e ; t h ey h ave

, ,

cr e at e d a d i sc o n c e rti n g c o n fu s i o n by t h e i r parall e l
de scri pti o n s o f acqu i r e d c o n t e m p lati o n a n d i nfu se d
c o n t e m plati o n Th e y a re a l aby r i n t h e sp e ci al ly
.
,

w h e n th e r e is a qu est i o n o f p a ss i n g fro m t he
c o m m o n t o t h e m o r e e l e vat e d way s o f p ray e r Th e .

auth o r s hav e t o b e p ati e n tly stu di e d c o llate d w it h ,

an d c o ntr o l le d by e ach o th e r i n o rd e r t o b ri n g
,

th e m i n t o harm o n y a n d t o di sc e rn t h e t ruth am i d st
,

s uch vari o u s sy st e m s . A s tu dy so ar d u o u s h as all

that is r e qu i r e d t o r e p e l e v e n t h e be st co n sti tu t ed
m i n ds .

The au t h o r o f th i s m o d es t w o rk t h i n k s th e re f o re , ,

h e is r e n d e ri n g a h e l p fu l se rvi c e t o h is b r e th r e n
by o ff e ri n g th e m a cl e ar s i m pl e a n d sh o rt ex p l a
, ,

n at i o n O f all th i s matt e r a l ittl e gu i d e i n t h e way s o f

,

p raye r a h a n db o o k wh e r e i n t h e y wi ll fi n d p racti c al
,

c o u n se l s fo r al l t h e i r n ee d s acc o rd i n g as th e y
,

ad v anc e i n t h e c o m m o n k i n d s o f pray e r an d e v e n , ,

s h o u ld i t so p l e a se Go d i n my s tical c o n t e m lat i o n ;
, p
so that t h e y w i l l h av e alway s at h and b ri e fl y s tat e d ,

t h e i nf o rm at i o n th e y sh o u l d o t h e rwi se hav e t o se e k

fo r i n twe n ty d i ff e r e n t b o o k s .

Th i s w o rk is n o t p r e se n t e d as a sci e n tific t re ati se ,

a n d c o n tai n s n o th i n g v e ry n e w e xc e pt p e r h ap s
, , ,

t h e o rd e r i n wh i ch t he s u bj e ct is tr e at e d Th e .
xx v i P R E FA C E

writ e r made u se o f all t h e tr e ati ses o n p ray e r w h ic h

h e w as abl e t o p r o cu r e . S o m e ti m e s h e qu o t es
th e m so m et i m e s he s u m mari se s an d c o mb i n es
,

th e m an d h e h as sai d h a rdly a nyt h i ng o f h is o w n

, ,

l ik e t he b ee wh ich g o es p i lfe ri n g fr o m fl o w e r t o
fl o we r gat h e ri n g it s h o n e y w h e re v e r i t can fi n d i t
,
.

H is s o l e d es i r e is t o e xci te so u l s t o m e ntal
pray e r t o r ecal l t o th e i r m i n d t h e b e ate n track s as
, ,

we l l as t he l ess e xpl o r e d path s w h i ch l e ad t o u n i o n

w i th Go d t o p u t th e m i n m i n d o f t he d i s p o s it i o n s
,

wh ic h se cu r e s u cc ess i n p ray e r o f h o w th e y sh o u ld
,

c o n duct th e m se l ve s i n i t o f t he fru i t th ey s h o u ld
,

dra w fr o m i t o f t h e n ec ess i ty o f mak i n g p e rfe cti o n

,

k e e p pac e with p raye r a n d t h u s t o giv e a fre sh

,

i m p u l se i n o u r O rd e r t o t h e c o n t e m plati v e l i f e a n d
, ,

by it s m e a n s t o th o se l o fty v i rtu es o f wh ich m e ntal

,

p ray e r is t h e be st sch o o l ; fo r i t w as i n m e di tati o n

,

that t he P sal m i st warm e d h is h e art a n d i n fl am ed

h is so u l with t h e fire o f d i vi n e l o v e .

M ay Go d d e i g n t o b l e ss th i s m o d e st w o rk an d
c o m m u n i cate t o i t t h e grac e t o r ev i v e i n m a ny S o u l s
t he i r ze a l fo r m e n ta l p ray e r .

Th e w o rk is di v i de d i n t o th r ee p a rt s i n w h ich
,

w e s h a l l s ucc e s s iv e l y s tu dy p ray e r i n g e n e ral o r d i

,

nary p ray e r a n d my st i cal pray e r

, .
xx v iii CO NTE NTS
P AG E
C HA P . lV .
—TH E L E M E NT S
E OF S U CCE S S
M EN T A L P R A YE R
I -
D i s p o s iti o n s o f t he S o ul
—
.

II . O ur M o na s ti c O b s e r v a n c e s
III .
—M nta l e P raye r It s e l f

C HA P . V .
—
C A US E S OF F A IL U R E IN M E NTA I
P R AY E R

I .
-
D i s tra c ti o n s
II .
— Wan t of S in ce r e D e v o ti o n an d of

S tr o n g
R e s o l uti o n s
[ IL — Ill u s i o n s in M e n ta l P ray e r
IV — B o d i l y Indi sp o s iti o n
.

C H AP . Vl .
—
C O NS O L ATI O NS A ND D R Y NE SS

3} 1 - Th e i r Natur e
II .
- Th e O ri g i n
and Te nd e n c y o f
s o l ati o n s and D e s o l ati o n s

I II —P ra c ti c a l C o ndu c t
.

SECOND P ART

ON O R D I N A R Y M EN T A L P R AY E R 83

C II A P . l .
-
P RA Y E R OF M E D IT A TI ON C OM P END IUM
OF TH E M E T HO D
5
II . C o m pe n d i u m
-
Of t he M e th o d
I II .
—Tw o S h o rt E x p l anati o n s
S IV .
—S o m e C o u n s els
 C O N TE N T S i
xx x

C H AP . ll .
—O P TH E E NT R A NC E IN T O M E D IT A TIO N
Imm e d iat e
'
I .
-
l\ e c e s s it y of the P re
r a t io n
p a

II .
-
F i r s t M ann e r o f M a k in g t he Im
m e d iat e P r e p a rati o n

§ II I .
—S e c o nd Way to nc e o u r
co mme
P raye r O f t h e C o m p o s it io n o f
P l a c e and o t h e r P r e l u d e s

C HA P . llIB O D Y O F THE M E D IT A TI ON —C O N
.
-

S I D E R A TION S
I —O p ti o na l Ac t s w hi c h m ay s e r v e a s an
.

Intr o d u c ti o n t o t h e B o dy o f t h e
M e ditati o n O f Ad o rati o n
II O f C o n s id e rati o n s — th e i r R ifle and
.
-

Ex ten t
5 I I I — P ra c ti c a l Way o f M a k i n g C o n
.

s i d e rati o n s

IV — S e l f E x aminati o n
.
-

C HA P IV —B O D Y OF T H E M E D IT A TI ON (Con t in u ed
. .
) .

AFF EC TION S
I .
-
Th e i r Im p o rtan c e
Il .
-
O f t h e Aff e c ti o n s whi c h A ri s e f r o m
t h e S u b j e c t o f o u r P ra y e r

I II —A ff e c ti o n s F o r e i n t o t h e S u b j e c t
.
g

C II A P . V . BO D Y O F TH E M E D I T A T I ON (Co n t i n u ed ) .

PE TITION S R E S O L UT I O N S

I . P e titi o n s
-

—
‘

II . O f R e s o l uti o n s

Vl C O NC L U S I O N M E D I T A TI O N
’

.
- OF TH E
xx x C ON TE NTS
C H AP . Vl l .
—E Q U I V A LE N I S OF M E D I T A TI ON
I .
—C o n t e m p l ati o n
II .
—App l i c ati o n o f t h e S e n s e s
~

§ I II .
—
E x aminati o n aft e r t h e M ann e r
M e d itati o n
lV .
—V o c a l P raye r M e ditat e d
V .
—M e di tati v e R e adin g

C HA P V III —O F AFF E C TI V E P R A YE R
. .

I —D e s c ri p ti o n o f thi s P raye r
.

II P ra c t i c a l Ru l e s
.
-

C HA P . lX P R A Y E R O F S IM P LI C IT Y
.
-

I What t h e P ray e r o f S im p l i c i ty Is
.
-

II Ac ti v e C o nt e m p l ati o n
.
-

I II —Th e P ray e r o f S im p l i c ity is n o t a

.

S p e c i es o f M y s ti c a l C o nt e m p l ati o n
—
IV Ad v anta ge s o f thi s k ind o f P ray e r
.
~

V Wh e n s h o u l d t h e S o u l pa s s o n t o
.
-

thi s fo rm o f P ray e r
VI Ru l e s o f C o ndu c t
.

§ V II Emp l o ym e nt o f A ff e c ti ve P ray e r
.
-

TH I R D P AR T
ON M Y S T I CA L P R AY E R
C HA P . l .
—U TIL TY I OF T H I S ST UD Y—F R E Q U EN C Y
OF T H I S P R A YE R
C HAP . Il —TH E P A SS A GE FR O M O R D I N A R Y P R A Y E R
To M Y S TI C A L C O NTE M P L A I I O N A C TI V E -
’ ‘

P R E P A R A TION
I —Ne g a ti v e P r e p arati o n
II —
.

P o s iti v e P r e p arati o n
.
 C ON T E N T S xxx i
C HA P . IIl .
-
P A S S IV E
P U RIFI CA TI ON S
AR T I —P a s s i v e P uri fic ati o n o f t h e S e n s e s
. .

I No ti o n o f thi s S tat e
.
-

II — E x p l anati o n o f thi s S tat e

.

§ I II —S u f
f e rin
.
g s o f thi s S tat e

lV Ad v anta g e s o f thi s S tat e

.
-

V C o n d u c t t o b e O b se r ve d
.
-

§ V I — D urati o n o f th e s e Tria l s
.

AR T II .P a s s i v e P urg ati o n o f t h e S p i rit

.
-

I — Wh e n i t ta k e s p l a c e and w hat i t
.

II S u ff e rin g s o f thi s S tat e

.
-

C H AP . IV MYS TI C A L C ON T E M P L A TI ON
.
-
OP

I S u p e rnatura l o r P a s s i v e P ray e r
.
-

II H o w in thi s s tat e Go d is k n o wn in
.
-

a w ay that is in e ff ab l e
§ l l I —H o w Go d i n thi s s tat e is in e ff a
. b ly
l o ve d
§ IV H o w in thi s s tat e t h e p r e s e n c e o f
.
-

G o d is fe l t
V —In flu e n c e o f thi s s tat e up o n t h e s o u l
.

and t h e b o dy
HA P . V .
—D IFF E R EN T KIND S OF M Y S TI C A L
P RAY ER
f
‘

HA P . VI .
—O
ST A T E O F Q U I E T
F TH E

I D e s c ripti o n o f thi s S tat e

.
-

II —In flu e n c e o f t h e s tat e o f Q ui e t u p o n
.

t h e F a c u l ti e s

§ III —Vari o u s F o r m s o f Q ui e t u d e
.

§ IV —G e n e s i s P r o g r e s s a n d C e s s ati o n
.
,

V — P ra c ti c a l D i r e c ti o n
.
xxx ii RCO NT E NT S

C HA P V I I
. .
—
U N IO N OP A LL T H E P O WE R S
‘
OF TH E

C HA P . VIII .
—E C S T A TI C U NIO N

C H AP . IX .
—T R AN S F O R M IN G U NI O N

C HA P . X .
—SPIRIT U A L AD V A NT A G E S OF M YS T I C A L
P R AYE R

C H AP . Xl .
—J OYS AN D S U P P E R IN GS

C HA P . X Il .
-
D A NGE R s AND IL L U S I ONS

I .
-
D an ge r s
II .
- I ll u s i o n s

C HA P . X ML —TH E D E S IR E OF C ONT E M P L A TI O N

C HAP . X IV .
—
C O NC L U S I O N 4 5
0
 FIR S T P A RT

O N P R A YE R IN G E NE R A L

C HAPTER I

O F P RA Y E R A ND E S P E C I A L LY O F V O CA L
PRA Y E R

I .
—NOT IO N OF P RAYER IN GENERAL .

IN it s wi d est n se p ray e r is an e le va ti o n o f t he
’

se ,
” 1
so u l t o Go d T h i s fo rm u la b o rr o we d fr o m S t
.
, .

J o h n D ama sc e n e h as b e c o m e cla ss ical

, .

Th e so u l t h e r e f o re
,
le av e s a s i d e t h e u se l ess
,

th o ug h t s t h e n o th i n g s t he fri v o l iti es w h ich t oo

, , ,

o ft e n i n vad e i t ; i t aba n d o n s t h e t h o u ght s wh ic h

a re g o o d at a n o t h e r t i m e s u ch as al l qu e s t i o n s o f
,

bu s i n e ss o f w o rk o f O ffic e ; i t rai se s it se lf ab o ve
, ,

e arth a n d t h e th i n g s o f e art h ; it s m i n d a n d it s

e ti o n s a s c e n d t o h e ave n ; th e y s t o p n o t e v e n at

c h o i r s o f A n g e l s a n d o f S ai n t s u n l ess i n d e e d , .

o u r p ray e r is di r e ctly add r e sse d t o th e m th e y a sc e n d

n t o Go d t he y r e st i n Go d a s cen su s m en t is in
, ,

Th e r e fixe d i n Go d w e l o o k a ff ecti o nate ly

, ,

As c e n s u s m e n t is in De u m . St . J o hn Da m .
, D e F id e Or t h
I Hi
. . c . 24
 ON P R AY E R IN G E N E R A L

at 1
Go d , w e e n t e r i n t o c o n v er sat io n and d
w it h Go , 2

Go d d e i g n s t o l i s t e n t o u s wi th l o v e as a fath e r t o ,

his ch i l d re n an d t o r e p ly t o u s by grant i n g u s
,

—
i n t e ri o r l ig h t s a n d a ff e cti o n s O h t o wh at a ,

h e i gh t d o e s p ray e r ra i se t he so u l an d what an ,

h o n o u r it is fo r a b e i n g s p ru n g fr o m no th i n g !
P ray e r in it s wi de st se n se d o es f o u r th i n g s : i t
, ,

ado r e s a s k s pard o n gi ve s th an k s a n d b e g s fo r
, , ,

g race s .

1
°
It ad o re s
-
B y p raye r w e k n ee l b e f o r e t he
.

i n fi n it e M aj e sty an d p e rf ect i o n s o f God m ak i n g ,

o u r se lv e s qu it e l i ttl e w e c o n te m p lat e adm i r e , , ,

b e l i e ve h o pe h av e c onfid e nc e l o v e p rai se re
, , , , ,

j o i c e i n t h e gl o ry wh ich Go d fi n d s in H i m se l f a n d
in H is cr e atu re s w e a re a ffl i ct e d t o see Him so
'

l i ttl e k n o wn an d so m u c h o ff e n d e d de s i r e t o gl o ri fy ,

H i m an d m ak e H i m gl o ri fi e d a n d arm o u r se lv e s ,

wi t h a h o l y z e al O r c o n s i d e ri n g Go d as it s
.
,

C r e at o r a n d it s so ve re Ign M a st e r t h e d e v o u t s o u l ,

ad o re s H i m a n d s ubj e ct s i t se l f h u mb l y t o H i m
, ,

i t a d m i re s a n d b l esse s t he way s o f P r ovi de n ce it

'

r e so l v e s t o o b ey a n d e ve n reac h e s t o t h e h e i g h t o f
, ‘

aba n d o n i n g i t se l f wi t h c o n fid e n Ce an d l o v e i n t o t h e
h an d s o f GOd .

° —
2 It as k s p ar d o n R e call i n g a l l it s y e ar s in
.

the b i tt e r n e ss o f a c o n trite an d h u mb l e d h e art t he ,

so u l c o n f e sse s it s fau l t s b e f o r e Go d fee l s sham e ,

a n d c o n fu s i o n e xp r e s se s it s re pe n ta nc e
, ap p e al s to ,

O r a t io e st na m q u e m e n t is ad Deu m a ffe c t u o s a in t e n t io . St .

O r a t io c o n v e r sa t io s e r m o c in a t io q u e '
cu m De o e St S t G re g
—
. ., .

Nyss . Ora t . 1. d c O ra t . D om . Or a t io co ll o q u i e st cu m De o .

S t C h r ys
. , H o rn . x x x. i n Gen .
4 ON P R AY E R IN G E NE R AL

d e ri v e d fr o m t h e c o n ti n u o u s dw e l l i n g u p o n a s i n gl e
o ne than fr o m dw e l l i n g u p o n th e m al l at o n e t i m e .

I n s u ch a ca se w e o u ght t o c o nfi n e o u r se lv e s t o
that o n e wh i c h is m o r e p r o fitab l e w ith o u t try i n g t o ,
”
o th r o u gh th e m a l l i n t h e o n e p ray e r
g .

I t m u s t h o w e v e r b e n o t e d that i f w e c o n fi n e
, , , ,

o u r se lv es t o p rai s i n g t o than k i n g Go d a n d e x
, ,

p r e ss i n g o u r r e p e n tanc e f o r t he pa st w e h av e ,

i n d ee d p e rf o rm e d e xce l l e n t act s o f v i rt u e b u t w e ,

h av e n o t b ee n p ray i n g i n t h e s trict e st se n se o f t h e
,

w o rd fo r t he fi r st t h r ee fu ncti o n s b e l o n g t o p ray e r
,

o n ly wh e n tak e n i n it s w i d es t se n se I n it s st rict e st
.

se n s e ,
it c o n s i s t s i n pe ti ti o n a n d may b e th e n
,

d e fi n e d wi th S t J o h n D ama sc e n e :
. Th e a s k i n g
” 1
o f se e m ly t h i n g s fr o m Go d that is th i n g s wh ic h
, ,

may gl o ri fy Go d a n d d o g o o d t o o u r so u l a n d ,

h e nce wh i c h a re c o n f o rm ab l e t o t h e D i vi n e g o o d
p l ea s u r e I t Is al so d efi n e d a n act by w h i ch t he
. .

i nt e l l i g e n c e as i n t e rp re t e r o f t h e wi l l e xp r esse s a
d es i re o f t h e so u l a n d stri v e s t o i n duce Go d t o
gra n t i t t o u s .

P ray e r c o n s i de re d a s p e t i ti o n c o n s i st s e n ti re ly
, ,

i n e xp ress i n g t o Go d so m e d e s i r e i n o rd e r t h at H e
m ay h e ar i t fav o u rab l y ; a r e al de s i r e is t h e r e fo r e , ,

it s p ri m ary a n d e sse n t i al co n diti o n ; wi t h o u t t h i s ,

w e a re m e r e ly m o v i n g t h e l i p s g o i n g t h r o u gh a
,

fo rm o f w o rd s w h ic h is n o t t h e e x p re ss i o n o f o u r
wi l l ; a n d th u s o u r p ray e r is o n l y a n ap p e ara nce
WIt h o u t re al i ty . Th e way t h e n t o e xci t e o u r
, ,

se lve s t o p ray , t o p u t l i fe a n d f e rv o u r i nt o o u r
praye r an d t o m ak e o f it a c ry w h ich , b r e ak i n g
,

P e t it io d e c e n t iu m a De o . D e F id e O r r/L , 1 iii
. . c . 24 .
 O F V O C A L P R AY E R 5

fo rth fr o m t h e d e pth s o f t h e so u l p e n e trat e s e v e n ,

t o h e av e n is t o c o n ce i v e t h e r e a l d e s i r e m e n ti o n e d
,

ab o v e t o e xci t e i t t o ch e ri s h i t ; fo r t h e f e r v o u r o f
, ,

o u r p ray e r wi ll b e i n p r o p o rti o n t o t h e str e n gth o f

t h e d e s i re w e h av e t o b e h e a rd ; j u st a s what w e

hav e b u t l i ttl e at he art w e as k fo r o n ly i n a half

he arte d way i f e v e n w e ask i t at al l ; so w h at w e
,

de s i r e with o u r wh o l e so u l w e ask fo r wi th w o rd s o f
fire an d pl e ad fo r it b e f o re Go d wi t h an e l o qu e n ce
,

that is ve ry re al .

II —.V O CAL P RAYE R AN D M ENTAL P RAYE R .

L e avi n g a s i d e what e ve r be l o n g s n o t t o o u r
p re se n t s ubj e ct w e w i l l c o nfi n e o u r se lv es t o say i n g
,

that p ray e r is di vi de d i n t o v o cal a n d m e n tal .

V o cal p ray e r is th at w h i ch is mad e by u s i n g

w o rd s o r s ig n s o r p e rhap s m o r e e xact l y by
, , ,

u s i n g so m e app r o v e d fo r m o f w o rd s wh ich w e ,

r e ad o r r e ci te ; s uc h as t he d iv i n e o ffic e t h e b e ad s
, , ,

t he A n g e l u s gra ce b ef o r e a n d aft e r m e al s & c

, , .

M e n tal p ray e r is t h at w h i ch is made wi t h o u t e m

p l o yi n g e i t h e r w o rd s o r f o rm u la s o f an y k i n d .

A larg e s har e is g iv e n t o t h e f o rm e r i n o u r dai ly

ex e rci se s . The l i tu rgi cal p ray e r s a re i m p o se d by
t h e law s o f t h e C h u rc h ; by o u r rul es al so w e a re

e nj o i n e d c e rtai n v o ca l p ray e r s ; an d o th e r s l i k e t h e ,

be ad s a re in s uc h c o n stan t u se am o n g st t he fait h fu l
,

g e n e ra l ly ,t h at a g o o d r e l g i o u s w o u l d n o t wi s h t o
i

o m i t th e m V oc al p raye r is n o t t o b e d e s p i se d
.
,

fo r if w e l l mad e i t pay s t o Go d t h e h o m ag e o f o u r
, ,

bo dy as w e ll as t h a t o f o u r so u l A h e art fu l l o f .
6 O N P R A YE R
- IN G E N E R AL

dev o t i o n p o u r s i t se l f o u t qu it e natu ral l y i n wo rd s

an d s ign s wh ich e xpre ss e xte rn al l y it s i n t e r i o r
s e n ti m e n t s ; o n t h e o th e r h a n d wh e n t h e r e is n ee d ,

t o e xci t e s uch se n ti m e n t s t h e se p i o u s f o rm u la s fix
,

t h e att e n ti o n o f t h e m i n d an d ca l l f o rt h t h e d e v o
,

t i o n o f t h e h e art I t is fo r th i s r e a so n say s S t
.
,
.

Th o ma s 1 w e m u s t i n p ri vate p raye r m ak e u se
, , ,

o f th e se w o rd s a n d s i gn s a s fa r a s t h e y ar e u s efu l

t o ar o u se t h e m i n d i n t e ri o rly ; b u t if t he y s h o u l d

en d b y d is t ra c t in g i t o r cau s i n g it ia n y h i n d ra n c e ,

w e m u st c e a se t o ma k e u se o f th e m a n d th i s is t h e ,

ca se e sp e ci a l l y o f th o se w h o se m i n d is s u ffici e nt l y
~

pr e pared fo r d e v o ti o n w i th o u t t h ese e x te rn al ex "

”
p r e s s i o n
. s

Th i s l as t o b se rvati o n o f S t Th o m a s s h o w s t o .
,

what e xt e n t e ac h o n e o ug h t t o de v o te h i m se lf t o
v o cal p ray e r o u t s i d e p raye r s o f o b l i gat i o n o r t h o se
,
l

pr e scribe d by t h e ru le s A cc o rd i n g t o S ch ram 2 for

.
,

th o se w h o are n o t cal l e d t o a m o r e e l evat e d p ray e r ,

v o ca l p ray e r w e l l m ade may w e l l s u ffice t o e n abl e

t h e m t o l e ad a C h ri s ti an a n d e v e n a p e rfe ct l i fe ,

e s pe ci a l l y i f th e y a re u rg e d t o t h i s by a s pe ci al
—
m o v e m e n t fr o m Go d an i m p u l se wh ic h may b e
Nay m o re s t
'

r ec o g n i se d by it s effe ct s .
, .

B o n av e n tu r e r e c o m m e n d s v o ca l p ray e r s t o t h e
m o r e d e v o u t that th e y may ha ve t h e g oo d cu st o m
,

o f ru m i nat i n g t h e m wh e n t h e I r d e v o t Io n fl a g s .

S t T e r e sa k n e w se v e ral w h o fr o m v o cal pra yer

.

w e re ra i se d by Go d t o a v e ry s ub l i m e d e gr ee o f
”
co nt e m plati o n I kno w say s s h e a p e r so n “

.
, ,

z , q 83 , a 1 2
2, . . .

S c h r a m , The o l M ys t . .,
36 .
 OF V OC AL s r R AY ER
’

w ho n e v e r b e i n g abl e t o p ray o t h e rwi se t h an

~

vo cally w as ye t in p o ss e ss i o n of al l t h e o th e r
,

d e gr ee s o f p ray e r S h e cam e t o m e o n e
'

day mu ch a ffl ict e d at n o t b e i n g abl e t o m ak e

m e nta l p ray e r n o r t o ap p ly h e r se lf t o c o n te m plati o n ,

fi n di n g h e rse lf r e duc e d t o say i n g o n ly so m e vo cal

p ray e r s . I a s k e d h e r what th e y w e re an d I f o u n d ,

t h at w h i l e sayi n g c o n ti n ual ly t he P a t er sh e u se d ,

t o e n t e r i n t o s o h i gh a c o nt e m plati o n t h at i t w a s
e vi de n t O u r L o rd rai se d h e r e v e n t o d iv i n e u n i o n ;

an d h e r acti o n s i n d ee d sh o we d i t fo r sh e l iv e d a ,

h o ly l i f e S o I p rai se d O u r L o rd a n d e n v i e d s uc h
.

” 1
a v o cal praye r . T h at d o es n o t p re ve n t t h e sai n t
fro m str o n gly u rgi n g m e n tal p ray e r u p o n h e r ~

dau g h t er s a n d e v e n t e l l i n g t h e m that t h ey s h o u l d
,

m a ke e v e ry effo r t t o arri v e at my st ical c o n te m pla

i
ti o n f i t s Go d s
i
’
w i ll 2 R e l i g i o u s wi l l g e n e ral ly
.

d e rive m o r e p ro fit fr o m p rac t i s i n g m e n tal p raye r all ,

t h e m o re b e cau se a c o n s i d e rab l e part o f th e i r ti m e

is al r eady d e v o t e d t o t h e e x e rci se o f v o cal p ray e r i n

co m m o n A t al l e v e n t s i t is be tt er t o r e ci te f e w e r
“
,

vo cal p ray e rs an d t o say t h e m wit h re c o l l e ct i o n

,

an d de v o ti o n tha n t o t ry t o get th r o u g h a gr e at
,

n u m b e r h ast il
y ; n e it h e r s h o u l d w e tak e U p o n u s so
“
many as t o e n d by b e i n g di s gu st e d A n d if .

duri n g v o cal p ray e r say s S t

, F ra n ci s o f S al e s 5
.
,

g jy
t
o u f ee l y o u r h e art draw n a n d i n vi t e d t o i nt e ri o r

m e n tal p ray e r r e fu se n o t t o f o l l o w th i s a t t rac

,

n but a l l o w y o u r th o u gh t s t o flo w fr e e l y i n that
,
-

W y of
a P erf ec t io n , x x x i.

I b id .
, x v iii.

3 D ev o n ! Life , 2n d p a rt , c . i . n.
8 ON P R AY E R IN G E NE RAL

di re cti o n a n d b e n o t tr o ub l e d at n o t h avi n g
,

fi n i sh e d t h e v o ca l p ray e r s wh ich yo u had i n te n d e d

t o say ; fo r t he m e n tal p ray e r wh i ch yo u w i l l m ak e
i n th e i r st e ad wi ll b e m o r e agr ee abl e t o Go d a n d
”
m o re u se fu l t o y o u r so u l Vo cal p ray e r s o f o bl i .

a t io n h o we v e r a re alway s t o b e s ai d
g , , .

[ IL —A TTE NTIO N IN V O C AL P R AYER S .

We m u st c o nfi n e o u r se lv e s t o r e ci ti n g t h e
no t

w o rd s wi th o u r l i p s ; i t is n e ce ssary that w e sh o u ld
rai se t o Go d o u r m i n d by att e n t i o n o u r h e art by ,

d e v o ti o n a n d o u r wi l l by s ub m i ss i o n
, I f an y .

” “
o ne , say s St Th o ma s is v o l u ntari l y d is
.
,

tract e d i t is a s in an d th at h i n d e r s t h e fru i t o f t he
,

p ray e r ” 1
. We m u st h e r e i n b e al l t h e m o r e watch
fu l o ve r o u rse lv e s b e cau se hab i t eas i ly be ge t s ,

r o u ti n e I t is n o t h o w e v e r o f o b l iga t io n p in fact
.
, ,

i t is m o rally i m p o ss ibl e th at t he att e n ti o n o f t h e ,

”
]

m i n d b e alway s actual I t is s u ffici e n t s ay s .

,

M R ib e t 2 th at t h e wi ll pe r se v e r e s an d t he w i ll
.
“
, ,

t o p ray is S u s p e n d e d o n ly by a d is t rac t io n fre e l

'

y
”
c o n se n t e d t o .

Nay m o r e acc o rdi n g t o S t Th o ma s 3 in orde r

, , .
,

that v o ca l p raye r b e m er it o r io u s a n d o b ta i n it s
e ff e ct i t is n o t n e c e ssa ry that t he a tt e n ti o n re m
, ai n s
actual t o t h e e n d ; i t s u ffice s t o ha v e b eg u n wi th an
att e n ti o n wh i ch is n o t aft e rward s re tract e d by a n y
v o l u n tary di st racti o n B u t p ray e r so mad e d oe s .

S . Th .
, 2, 2 . q . 83 , a . 13 , a d

M R ib e t , A s cet Ch r é f
' ’
c
. . u . x x v.
7 .

l 8 Th. .
, 2 , 2.
q 83 ,
. a . I ';
 o r
: V O C AL ‘
P R A YE R 9

n ot no u ri sh t h e so u l wi t h t h e sap o f d e v o ti o n .

S o m e b ri n g f o rward as a n o bj e cti o n t o th i s t h e
w o rd s o f S t 1
G re g o ry :
. Go d l i s t e n s n o t t o h i m
”
w h o wh i l e p ray i n g l i st e n s n o t t o h i m se lf St .

T h o ma s t each es that th i s h o ld s g o o d o n ly w h e n
p ray e r is be gu n a n d c o nt i n u e d w ith o ut att e n ti o n .

Acc o rdi n g t o t h i s c o n so l i n g d o c t rin e w he n w e ,

.

b e gi n w e l l an d aft e rward s i n sp i te o f u s o u r m i n d
,

wa n d e r s t h e p ray e r wh i ch w e c o n t i n u e t o say w i th
, ,

t h i s i n v o l u n tary d i stracti o n wi l l n o t b e e n ti r e l y ,

d e v o i d o f m e ri t a n d e ffe ct B u t th e n i t m u st b e .

ad m i tt e d t h at i f t h e so u l c o u ld o n ly k ee p h e r se lf
m o r e atte n ti ve t h e m e ri t a n d fru i t w o u l d b e gr e ate r .

I t is th e r e f o r e o f gr e at i m p o rtanc e t o c o m m e nc e
, ,

v o cal p raye r w e l l an d t o p re se rv e alway s a n actua l

,

atte n ti o n Fo r t h i s r e a so n i t is w e ll t o p u t o n ese l f
.

at fi r st i n t he p r e se nc e o f Go d i n o rd e r t o w it h draw ,

al l t h e p o w e r s o f t h e so u l fr o m e xt e ri o r th i n g s t o ,

r e c o l l ect t he m w ith i n o n e se lf a n d t o fix t h e m u p o n ,

Go d I t is al so v e ry u se fu l t o r e n e w o n e s att e n ’
.

ti o n at c e rtai n fix e d ti m es F u rt h e r o n 2 w e w i l l .

p o i n t o u t d i ffe r e n t way s o f r e c o l l e cti n g o n e se lf .

We m i ght i f w e l i ke d k ee p o u r eye s fix e d u p o n
, ,

t h e h o ly tab e rn acl e o r l o o k at a crucifix o r so m e

,

pi o u s p ictu r e re p r ese n t t o o u r se lv e s Go d i n
,

H e av e n o r O u r L o rd i n t h e C r ib at Nazar e th
, , ,

duri n g t h e P a ss i o n u p o n t h e c r o ss & c an d sp e ak
, , .
,

t o H i m a s if w e sa w H im .

S t T e r e sa 3 tre at i n g o f v o c a l p ray e r (o r rath e r o f

. ,

3 . Gre g .
, 1
. 2 2, M o ra l , c. 13 .
2
Cf : z u d p a r t , c. ii . ii .
, p . 1 06 .

S t T e r e sa
. . Wy a , x x ix . and xxx .
to ON P R AY E R IN G E NE R A L

vo cal p ray e r m e ditat e d ) a n d star t i n g fr o m t he ,

pri nci pl e that Go d dwe l l s i n t h e j u st so u l a s i n a

magn i fic e nt pa l ac e a n d a l i ttl e paradi se h igh ly ,

prai se s what sh e ca l l s t h e praye r o f a ct i ve rec o l le c

.

ti o n ; 1 We cl o se o u r b o d i ly e ye s ; a n d th e s o u l .
,

c o ll ec ti n g t o g e th e r al l h e r p o we r s e nte r s i n t o he r ,

se lf w it h Go d S h e c e a se s n o t t o l o o k u p o n H i m
.

i nte r i o rly wh i l e t h e l i p s are re cit i n g so m e p i o u s

pray e r a n d k n o wi n g fo r ce rtai n th at H e is qu it e
, ,

n e ar a n d that sh e h as n o nee d t o cry o u t al o u d

, ,

s h e s pe ak s t o H i m l o v i n gly an d n o i se l e ss l y a s t o

h e r F ath e r h e r B r o th e r he r S p o u se h er L o rd
, , , .

S i n c e Go d is e v e r wi t h i n u s t he s ai n t e x h o rt s he r
daug h t e r s n o t t o l e av e s u ch a n au g u st c o m pan i o n
al o n e ; sh e wi sh e s t h e m t o l o o k at H i m wh i l e s pe ak
i n g t o H i m ; i t is t h e m e an s t o e xci t e att e n ti o n t o ,

i n fl am e d e v o ti o n a n d t o p r e par e t he so u l fo r a
,

h igh e r k i n d o f p raye r S h e d e clar es t h at she h er .

se lf n e v e r k n e w what it w as t o p ray w i th sa t isfac

t i o n u n ti l t h e day that Go d t au gh t h e r t o act i n ~

t h i s way T h i s is a m e th o d w h ich d e p e n d s o n o u r
.

wi l l a n d t h o u gh w e h ad t o s p e n d s ix mo n t h s o r a
,

wh o l e y e ar i n acqu i ri n g i t n e i th e r o u r ti m e n o r o u r
tr o ub l e w o u l d b e l o st .

S t I gn ati u s 2 t e ach e s a m an n e r o f p ra yi n g
.

v o cal l y w h ich co n s i st s i n say i n g so m e p ray e r

ve r y s l o wly l e av i n g t h e s pac e o f a fu l l b re ath
,

f Recol lect ion

o , a sh o rt t r e a t is e (p p . b y t he R t . Re v .
J am e s

C h a d w ic k , Bis p o f He x h a m an d N e w c a s t l e , p u b lis h e d by
M essrs Bu rns
. O at e s —Tra n s.

S In g s E x " 3 rd
'

. .
, r. . m an ne r o f p r a ye r .
 C H AP TER I I

M E NTA L P R A YE R —ITS O BJ E C T

I .
—
O F M E NTAL P RAYE R IN G ENERAL .

M E NTAL p ray e r i n g e n e ra l is a n nte r i o r a n d s i l e n t

I

p raye r by wh ich t h e so u l ra i se s i t se lf t o Go d
,

wi th o u t t he a i d o f w o rd s o r fo rm u la s i n o rde r t o ,

di scharge it s duty t o ward s H i m a n d t o b e c o m e

b e tt e r .

Th e r e is o rdi n ary m e n tal p ray e r an d my stical

m e n tal p ray e r ; i n o t h e r t e rm s acti v e p ray e r a n d
,

p a s s iv e p ray e r .

P ray e r l i k e e v e ry o t h e r m e rit o ri o u s act r e qu i r es

G o d s grac e a n d man s c o —
, ,
’ ’
o p e rati o n ; b ut so m e

ti m e s t h e so u l s e ff o rt is m o re m an i f est so ni e t im e s
’
,

t h e d I v in e act i o n .

I n acti v e p ray e r t h e so u l s e ffo rt p re d o m i n ate s

’
,

G o d s acti o n is l e ss e v i d e n t ; t h e s u pe rnat u ral

’

t h o u gh v e ry re al r e m ai n s lat e n t
, .

I n pa ss iv e p ray e r G o d s acti o n is str o n ge r an d

’

g oe s so far a s t o r e duc e t h e so u l t o a c e rtai n pa ss i v e

s tat e, m o r e o r l e ss acc e n tuat e d acc o rd i n g t o t h e _

de gr e e o f my st i ca l u n i o n ; an d wh e n th i s is we ll
mar k e d t h e s u p e rnatu ra l is pl ai n l y p e rc e ptibl e
,

al m o st pa l pab l e Th i s pa ss i v e c o n d iti o n h o w e v e r
.
, ,

i nt e rf e r e s wi th o n l y c e rtai n o p e rat i o n s o f t he m i n d
a n d o f t h e se n se s ; t h e so u l u n d e r G o d s acti o n
,
’
.

re m ai n s fr ee an d capab l e o f m e r iti n g e v e n i n t h e
12
 M E NTA L P R AY E R — ITS
‘

O BJ E CT 13

st ate o f e c sta sy an d it is alt o g e th e r o ccu pi e d i n

,
'

co nt e m plat i n g a n d l o vi n g Go d so m e ti m e s wi t h a ,

marv e ll o u s i n t e n s i ty .

F u rth e r o n w e wi l l s pe ak o f t h e se my s tical k i n d s
,

o f p ray e r ; fo r t h e p r e se n t w e s h a l l c o nfi n e o u r se lv es
,

t o t h e o rdi n ary k i n d s o f m e n tal p ray e r aft e r h av i n g ,

made so m e g e n e ral c o n s i d e rat i o n s appl icab l e t o

b o th .

II .
—O E O R D INAR Y M ENTAL P R AYE R .

A ctiv e p ray e r is a k i n d o f m e ntal p ray e r I n w h i c h

a p e r so n rai se s h is m i n d t o Go d by c o n s i d e rati o n s
o r by a s i m pl e l oo k an d h is w i ll by p i o u s a ffec
,

ti o n s p e ti ti o n s an d re so l ut i o n s
, , .

Go d gi ve s H i s I n t e ri o r a n d h i dd e n grac e an d '

t h e so u l e n d e av o u r s t o tu rn t o ward s H i m A cc o rd .

i n g t o t h e sa yi n g o f S t T e resa t h e so u l i n th i s
.
,

s tag e is l i k e a gard e n e r w ho wi th m uch l ab o u r

, , ,

d raw s t h e wat e r u p fr o m t h e d e pth s o f t h e w e ll t o

,

wat e r h is plant s an d fl o w e r s .

T h e se effo rt s o f t he so u l c o n s i st o f t w o o pe ra
ti o n s ; o n e b e l o n g s t o t he t h i n k i n g faculty wh ich
appl i es t h e i magi n ati o n t he m e m o ry t h e u n de r , ,

sta n di n g t o c o n s i d e r so m e tru t h o r my s t e ry t o tu rn ,

it o v e r a n d o v er t o c o n v i nc e i t se lf o f i t a n d t o
,

p e n etrate i t T h i s is w h at is cal l e d t he c o n si de ra
.

ti o n o r t h e m e di ta ti o n L at e r i t w i l l c o nc e n trate
.
,

t he m in d s att e n ti o n u p o n Go d wi th o u t t h e r o u n d
’

ab o ut way s a n d tu rm o i l o f r e a so n i n g s an d th i s ,

wil l b e t h e s i m pl e l o o k o f c o n te m plat i o n Th e .

o th e r o p e rati o n is d e p e n d e n t o n t h e wi ll a n d mak e s ,

u s l o v e d e s i r e a sk t h e g o o d r o p o se d by t he m i n d
, , p ,
 O N P R AY E R IN G E NE RA L
“
'

[ 4

an d make r e so l uti o n s t o arri ve at i t ; th i s is p ray e r .

m e ntal p raye r p ro pe rl y so ca l l e d .

Th e c o n s i d e rat i o n s a re n o t a m e r e s p e cu lat iv e

s tudy ; th e y a r e n o t mad e i n o rd e r t o l e ar n o r t o

k n o w bu t t o i nfl am e t h e h eart a n d se t t he VVIIIFin
, ,

m o ti o n Th e m i n d s eye is fix e d u p o n so m e
.
’

tru th i n o rd e r t o b e l i e v e it up o n so m e v irt u e in
,
t . .

o rd e r t o l o v e an d se e k it u p o n so m e du ty t o ful fi l
,

i t u p o n m o ral e vi l t o d e te st an d fly fr o m it u p o n
, ,

so m e dan g e r t o av o i d i t I n a w o rd m edi tati o n

.
,

ought t o l ea d t o l o v e an d t o acti o n .

I n t h e e arly stag es o f t h e sp ir it u al l i f e c o n
’

s i d e rati o n s o ccu py a large plac e b e cau se w e h a ve

”

n ee d t o st re n gth e n o u r fai t h ; lat e r o n in p r op o rt i o n ,

a s t h e p racti ce o f m e n tal p ray e r an d o f v i rtu e h as

pe n e trat e d t he so u l w i t h p r o fo u n d c o n v icti o n s c o n
'

s i d e rati o n s p r o gr e ss iv e ly d i m i n i sh an d e n d b y ,
-

giv i n g pl ac e t o a s i m pl e th o u g h t t o a s i m pl e
“

,
'

atte nt iv e l o o k O n th e o th e r h an d
. at ,
,

fi r st ra re a n d w o rdy go o n i n cr e a s i n g ; th e y ga i n
,

a l l t h e gr o u nd t h at c o n sid e rat io n s l o se ; th e y t o o a re
'

, ,

afte r a ti m e s i m p l ified b e c o m i n g sh o rt e r an d mo re
,

n u m e r o u s an d t he so u l e n d s by attach i n g it se lf t o
,

a fe w a ff ecti o n s o n l y w h i c h s u fli ce fo r it s n e e d s a nd f ”

it s attracti o n s .

[ I L— O E TH E E ND or M E NTAL P RAYE R .
.

m e ntal p ray e r acti ve o r pa ss iv e whate ve r b e

'

All , ,

it s o bj ec t f o rm o r m e th o d h a s fo r it s e n d t o
'

, ,

g l o r i fy G o d ,
a n d i n o rd e r t o t h i s a s w e hav e ,

al re ady se e n 1 it m ay p e rf o rm t h e fo u r fu n cti o ns o f
, ,

C i 5 I st , p
. . .
 M E N 1 A L P RAYE R —ITS O BJ E C T r5

praye r , m e o f t he fo u r o r o n ly o n e a cc o rdi n g
o r so , ,

t o t h e a t tracti o n o r n e e d o f t h e scu l But in .

,

add i ti o n t o t h i s a n d w e b e g o u r r e ad e r s t o pay
,

s pe ci a l at t e n ti o n t o t h i s r e mark i t h as alway s fo r ,

it s e nd t o m a ke us b e t t er .

We mak e m e n tal p ray e r in

rd e r t o b e c o n v e rte d o

fr o m e v il t o g o o d fr o m g oo d t o b e tt e r fr o mb e tt e r
_ , ,

t o pe r fec t io n as w e h av e p r o m i se d
g
, , Th i s c o n stan t .

an d p r o gr e ss i v e co n v e r s i o n o r t h i s t e n di n g t o p e r,

fe c t io n a s it is n o w cal l e d is t he c h i e f p o i n t o f o u r
, ,

ru l e s t h e o bj e ct t o ward s w h i c h sh o u l d te n d all o u r
,

o b se rvanc e s A l l o u r s p Irit u al e x e rci se s w it h o u t

.
,

e xc e pt i o n a re di re ct e d t o t h i s e n d
,
. an d h ave n o ,

ot h e r ; b u t m e nta l p ray e r by it s v e ry natu r e a n d

it s d ive r s act s Is p r e—
,

e m i n e n tly t he so u rc e o f th i s
,

tran sfo rmat i o n

T h o se w h o a re as ye t o n ly at t he b e gi n n i n g o f t h e
s p i ritu al l i f e s h o u l d p r o p o se t o t h e m se lv e s as t h e

r e su lt o f th e i r m e n tal p ray e r t h e e xti rpati o n o f ,

so m e s rn o r so m e d e f e ct , ab o v e al l o f t h e i r p re -

d o m i n an t v i c e ; t h e v ict o ry o ve r so m e t e m ptati o n ,

t h e c o rre cti o n o f so m e bad i n cl i n at i o n t h e g o v e rn ,

.

i n g o f su ch an d s uc h a pa ss i o n W h e n o n e e vi l Is .

co rr e ct e d t h e y s h o u l d tu rn th e i r p ray e r agai n st
an o t h e r fo r as l o n g as m ay b e n e c e ssary i n o rd e r t o
tri u m ph o v e r i t ; a nd t h u s m e ntal p r ay er wel l
practi se d w il l p u ri fy th e i r so u l s .

Th o se w ho are m ak i n g S p I r It u al p ro gress s h o u l d ,

wit h o u t aban d o n i n g a l t o g e th e r t h i s st ru ggl e agai n st

pl o y t h e i r p ray e r ch i e fly in cu lt i v at i n g t he
e s pe ci al ly t he fu n dam en ta l v i rtu es o r ,.

o st n ee d ; a b o ve a ll ,
 ‘

I 6 ON P R AY E R IN GE NE R A L

t he s p i ri t of fai th h u m i l i ty se l f r e n u n ciati o n
, ,
-
,

o b e d i e n ce ,
r e c o l l e cti o n a n d t h e l if e o f p ra v e r i n ,

o rd e r t o arri v e at pe rf e ct l o v e .

Th o se w h o a re al r eady u n it e d t o Go d i n sp i ri t ,

h e art a n d wi l l sh o u l d e m pl o y th e i r praye r i n
, ,

s tr e ngth e n i n g th i s u n i o n T h e y s h o u ld l o v e i n
.

o rd e r t o d e v e l o p h o l y c hari ty ; th e i r p ray e r s h o ul d

c o n s i st c h i e fly of l o v e c o n fid e nce c o n fo rm ity a nd
, ,

aban d o n m e n t t o t h e d iv i n e w i ll parti cu larly ,

am i d st t h e cro sse s se n t by P ro v i d e nc e .

I t is th u s that o u r p ray e r w i l l attai n it s e n d I t s .

p ri n ci pal o bj e ct is n o t t o i n st ruc t u s p i o u s r e adi n g ,

w o u l d s u ffi c e fo r that ; it is rath e r t o i n flam e t h e

h e art t ha t i t may d i sc h arg e b e tte r it s du ty t o ward s
,

Go d a n d es p e ci al ly t o c o n f o rm o u r wi l l t o th at o f
,

Go d so that p raye r m ay d e tac h u s fr o m e v e ryth i ng

,

e l se , attac h u s t o H i m al o n e a n d so tran sf o rm o u r
,

hab it s an d o u r l i f e .

D u ri n g p raye r p i o u s c o n s id e rat i o n s r e pl ace o u r

,

h u man t h o ugh t s wi th th o u gh t s m o r e d iv i n e ; t h e
e n t e ri n g i n t o o u r se l v e s p ut s b e f o r e u s a m i r r o r i n

wh ic h w e c o nte m plat e o u r d e f e ct s ; a ff ecti o n s an d

p e ti ti o n s u n i t e u s t o Go d an d draw d o w n t h e grace
wh ich c l o th e s u s w i th str e n gth fr o m o n H i gh We .

l e a v e o ff th i s c o m m u n i n g w i th Go d i n a cl o se r r e l a
ti o n wi th H i m Th e se a re a l re ady so ma ny fru it s
.

ri pe an d gath e r e d fo r H e av e n B u t al l th i s t e n d s .

fu rth e r t o g o o d re so l u ti o n s wh ich as ye t a re o n ly
,

fl o we r s a n d sh o u l d b e c o m e fru i t s
, .

A ft e r p ray e r h as e n de d al l is n o t yet d o n e
, It .

is n o t a draw e r fr o m wh ich w e tak e o u t du ri n g h a l f

.

an h o ur c o n victi o ns an d a ffe cti o n s a n d th e n sh ut i t .

 M E NTA L P R A Y E R — ITS O BJ E C I
'

17

u p fo r t h e r e st o f t h e day . L i ght s h av e b ee n
r ece i v e d t o wh i ch w e s h o u l d h e n c e fo rt h striv e t o
,

co n f o rm o u r t h o u ght s an d c o n d uct ; w e r e ti re fr o m
pray e r wi th a p e rfu m e o f d e v o ti o n wh ich w e m u st
n o t all o w t o e vap o rate ; w e h av e mad e g o o d r e so

l ut i o n s a n d a s k e d t h e h e l p o f G o d s g rac e t o k ee p
’

t h e m ; it n o w r e mai n s t o p u t th e m i n p ractice I n.

a w o rd m e ntal p raye r p r e par es u s fo r acti o n ; a l if e

,

o f p ray e r ca l l s fo r a l i f e e m i n e n t i n al l v i rtu es .

O t he rwi se m e n tal p ray e r h as n o t p r o duc e d al l it s

,

fru i t ; i t h as b r o u ght f o rt h fl o we r s i n abu n da nc e ;

l e t u s take car e t h at th e se fl o w e r s ri ch i n p r o m i se
, ,

b e n o t bla st e d b y t h e icy b r e a t h o f d i ss i p ati o n ,

ro u ti n e an d t ep i d it y
, .
 C H AP TER III

A D V A NTA G E S A ND N E C E S S ITY O F
M E NTA L P R A Y E R

As we s hal l p o i n t o u t l at e r o n t he hap py eff e ct s

o f a ff e cti v e p ray e r an d o f c o n te m plat i o n w e s ha l l ,

h e re m o r e e sp e c i al ly k ee p 111 V Ie w th o se o f m e dita
ti o n.

Th e t e ndi n g t o p e rfe ct i o n wh i c h s u m s u p al l o u r
,

o bl i gati o n s m e e t s wi t h o b s tacl e s i n u s b o t h o n t h e
, ,

part o f t h e u n de r sta n di n g a n d o n t h e part o f t h e

wi l l.

I — ON
. TH E P ART o r TH E U ND E R S TAND ING .

On t he part of u n d e r stan di n g th ere 15 1

t he °

i gn o ra nc e o f t h e s u p e rn atu ral l i fe Th e re m e dy is .

t he w o rd o f Go d wh ich w e ca n fin d in i n structi o n s

an d i n p i o u s r eadi n g To l i ste n att e n ti ve ly t o t h e

.

w o r d o f Go d o r t o re ad i t care fu l ly is al r eady a
b egi n n i n g o f m e di tat i o n .

Th e r e is 2 wa n t o f r e fle cti o n l e v i ty r o uti n e in
°
, , ,

adv e rt e n c e t o t h e truth s o f fai t h t h at m i l de r f o rm o f ,

fo rg e tfu l n e ss wh ich mak es s uc h h av o c e v e n am o n g st

u s re l i gi o u s ; a ban e fu l p e s t wh ich d ri e s u p d e v o ti o n
,

an d de str o y s t h e e n e rgy o f t h e so u l a n d wh ich S t , .

B e n e d i ct e xh o rt s u s ab so l ut e ly t o av o id 1 T h i s is .

R e g S Be n
. . . , c . V II .
, I st d e g re e o f h u m il it y .

IS
 20 O N P R AYE R IN G E NE RA L

s l uggi sh n ess i f n o t t h e practice o f m e n tal p ra y e r ?

,

L i tt l e by l i ttle m e nta l p ray e r we l l mad e wi l l re n d e r

,

o u r fai th m o r e l i v e ly wi l l s tre n gth e n o u r c o n vi e

,

t i o n s w i l l p e n e trate u s dee p l y with t he thi n g s o f

,
.

Go d w i l l k ee p t h e s u p e rn atu ral alway s pre se n t t o

,

ou r mind A n d th e n th e r e wi l l b e n o m o re f o rg e t
.

fu l n e ss n o m o r e s l ee p I t wi l l th e n b e ea sy fo r u s
,
.

t o l i ve by fai th t o f e ar t o h o p e t o l o ve an d t o act
, , ,

a s w e o u ght be cau se t h e e ye o f o u r fai t h w i l l b e

,

alway s o p e n .

Th e r e is 3 i gn o ra nc e o f o u r se lv e s S e lf l o v e
°
.
-

b l i n d s u s ; h u m i l iat e d by o u r m a ny m i se ri e s an d
d i sc o u rage d by t he d i ffi cu l ty o f r e m e dy i n g t h em ,
w e p re f e r t o s h ut o u r e y e s H e n c e n o l o n g e r se e i n g
.
,

t h e fau lt s w e h av e t o c o rr e ct a n d t h e e n e m i e s w e ,

hav e t o co m bat w e e i th e r ce a se t o fight o r m e re ly

, ,

b eat t h e ai r S o a l so i f w e h ardly k n o w t h e v i rtu es

.
,

w e wan t t h e we ak p o i nt s w e sh o u ld s tr e n gth e n
, ,

o u r s p i ri tual l i fe wi l l d rift away ai m l e ss ly at t h e

‘
,

m e rcy o f e ve ry pa ss i n g i m p u l se .

T h e r e m e dy fo r th i s p e s t is t h e e xam i n ati o n o f
c o n sci e nc e e sp e c i al ly t h e se lf e xam i n at i o n wh ich is
,
-

mad e du ri n g m e ntal p raye r F o r afte r s h o w i n g u s .

,

t h e i de a l w e s h o u l d f o l l o w m e n ta l p ray e r i nv i te s u s , .

t o c o n s i d e r t he r e f o rm s w e hav e t o mak e Th u s .

i t is t h e t o rch wh i ch i l l u m i n e s o u r s p i ri tu al w o rk ,

i t is e sp e ci a l l y t he sch o o l o f h u m i l i ty H e wh o
’

n e gl e ct s m e nta l p raye r h as n o h o rr o r o f h i m se lf ,

b e cau se h e fee l s n o t h is m i se ri e s 1 ; o n t h e o th e r
.

ha n d m e n tal p ray e r e nabl e s u s t o p ut o u r fi n g e r

,
-

u p o n t h e m u lt it u d e o f o u r fau lt s defe ct s an d i m , , .

S . Be r n .
, D e Co n sid . I i
. . c . 2.
 A D V A NTAG E S O F M E NTA L P R AY E R 2I

perf e cti o n s ,
cl ea rly h o w p o o r w e are in
to see

v i rtu e s a n d m e rit s w h at p i tifu l cr e atu re s w e a re

, ,

w h e n c o n tra st e d w i th t h e sai n t s w h o a re t he g l o ry
o f t he C h u rch a n d o f t h e C i s t e rci a n O rd e r a n d ab o v e ,

all t o r e a l i se o u r n o t h i n g n e ss a n d wre tc h e d n e ss
b e fo r e H i m w h o is gr e at n e ss a n d sa ncti t y i t se l f .

Th u s m e n tal p ray e r b e c o m e s t h e grav e o f p r ide ’

.

II —ON
. TH E P ART o r TH E W I LL .

I
°
.
-
The b stacl e t o o u r p r o gr ess is t o b e
fi r st o

f o u n d in o u r aff ect i o n s ; i t is a ce rt a in w earin ess o f

‘

Go d w h ic h mak e s u s c o l d a n d lan gu i d i n H is se r
vi c e w h i l e at t he sam e t i m e w e are i n a fe v e r o f
,

an x i e ty fo r al l w h i c h is n o t Go d S in h as draw n .

u s a s i d e fr o m o u r e n d a n d tu r n e d u s t o wa rd s t h e

cre atu r e The r e m e dy is m e n tal p ray e r wh ic h

.
,

d e tac h e s u s fr o m o b stacl e s an d u n i t e s u s t o what ,

h e l p s u s I t de tach e s u s fr o m s in fr o m p e ri shab l e
.
,

g o o d s fr o m t h e w o r l d ab o v e all fr o m o u r se l v es ;
, , ,

an d i t u n ite s u s t o t h e o n e a n d o n ly G o o d .

F i r st it d e tac h e s u s fr o m sin
, T h i s i t is .
,
“
say s F r C rasse t. w h ic h le ad s u s d o wn i n s p i ri t
,

t o h e l l t o b e h o ld o u r p lace th e re ; w h ich b ri n g s u s
,

t o t h e grav e y a rd t o b e h o l d th e r e o u r ab o d e ; t o
-
,

h e av e n t o be h o ld th e r e o u r t h r o n e ; t o t h e val l e y o f
,

J o sa phat t h e r e t o b e h o ld o u r j u dge ; t o B e th l e h e m
, ,

th e re t o see o u r S av Io u r ; t o Thab o r t h e r e t o ,

be h o ld o u r l o ve ; t o C al va ry t h e r e t o c o n t e m pl at e ,

o u r m o de l .

It d e tach e s u s fro m pe ri sh ab l e g o o d s s uch as .

ri c h e s h o n o u r s b o di l y c o m f o rt o f a l l w h ich t h i n g s
, , ,
22 O N P R AY E R
"
IN . G E NE R A L '

it is a sy t o m ak e a n i l l u se I t sh o w s u s t h e
‘

so e .

v a n it y o f all that ca n n o t sa t i sfy a h e art h u n ge ri n g

'

aft e r Go d t h e i n c o n st a n ey a n d frai lty o f al l tha t

'

- -
,

pa sse s away t h e a nx i e ti es an d da n g e r s th ese f al se

,

g o o d s b ri n g wi th th e m a n d th e i r utt e r w o rth l ess

»
,
:

n e ss i n c o mpari so n w it h w h at l as t s fo r e ve r A n d “

i f i t re n d e r s th e se th i n g s so c o n te m pti bl e in o u r
e y es i t d e tach e s u s st i l l m o r e fr o m th e m by te ach
,

i n g u s t o l o v e Go d H o w e m pty a p p ear s t h e
.

e art h t o h i m wh o c o n te m plat e s h e a ve n ! How

it s j o y s an d h o n o u r s l o se all t h e i r ch arm o nce t h e
s o u l h a s ta s t e d Go d !

I t de ta c h e s u s fro m t h e w o rl d I t te ach e s u s t o . ,

m ak e n o acc o u n t o f t he w o rl d s p r o m i se s o r th r e at s ’
,

o f it s e st ee m o r it s c o n t e m pt ; fo r t h e w orl d c a n
;
.

n e i th e r mak e u s h app y n o r vi rtu o u s ; w e are n o

be tt e r b e cau se it e xt o l s u s t o t h e cl o u d s n o r a ny
-
, ,

w o r se wh e n it t ra m p l es u s u n d e r f o o t We are
‘

, .

w o rth o n l y j u st wh at w e a re w o rt h i n G o d s e y e s ‘
.

M e ntal p ray e r mak es u s d r e ad t h e c o rru pti o n o f t h e

w o rld t he dan g e r o f it s p rai se s t h e p e rfid io u sn ess
, _
,

o f it s c ar e sse s fa r m o r e than it s i m p o t e n t f u ry ;
, It
m ak e s u s u n d e r sta n d tha t Go d al o n e is t o b e co n ‘

s id e re d ; t h at n o o th e r s an g e r i s t o b e fe are d
’
no y
’
o th e r s e s tee m t o b e de s i re d that th e r e is n o o th e r
-

fri e n d sh i p o n wh i ch t he h e a rt ca n se cu r e ly r e st l
,

A b o v e al l i t de tach e s u s fr o m o u r se lv e s
, Th e .

grav e o f p ri d e as w e h av e ca l l e d i t i t 15 al so th at o f
, ,

se n s u al i ty I t s ub sti t u t e s t he sp i ri t fo r t h e fl e sh “

.
,
’
t h e so u l s d e l igh t s fo r b o di ly pl e a s u r e s : I f t h e r e is
a n y fact e v i d e nt i n t h e h i st o r y o f C h r i st i an an d
re l i gi o u s l i fe it is t hat th e l o ve of m o rt ificat io n
.
 AD V ANT AG ES OF M E NTA L P R A Y E R 23

k ee p s p ac e i n a so ul w i t h t he l o v e o f m e n ta l p raye r .

Th i s e x e rci se al so e n ri c he s Wi th tre a s u r e s o f pati e nc e

th o se w h o se ri o u s ly giv e t h e m se l ve s t o i t Th ey ~
.

b e ar p ai n s a n d a ffl ict i o n s wh e n c e so e v e r th e y m ay ,

”
c o me wit h o u t a m u rm u r a n d e ve n w i t h jo y 1
’

.
, ,

F i n ally m e ntal p ray e r u n i t e s u s t o Go d

,
.
De .

t ac h ed fro m a l l th i n g s t h e so u l is n o l o n g e r h e l d
'
-

back b y a ny t h i n g ; i t is so th o r o u gh ly e m pt i e d that
Go d h ast e n s t o fi l l i t w i t h H i m se lf th e re t o e stab
’

l i sh H is K i n gd o m What tr ea s u r es w h at a
.
,

d e l ive ra nc e w h at a h app i n e ss a so u l e nj o y s i n p r o
, ,

p o rt i o n a s t h e h ab it o f m e n tal p ra y e r wi t h d raw s h e r

fr o m be n e at h t he sway o f h e r pa ss i o n s a n d s ubj e ct s
.

he r t o h e r»g oo d M a st e r fir st by f e ar aft e rward s by

.

, ,

ho pe a n d la stly by l o v e ! A d ay c o m e s w h e n t h e
,

he art is tak e n capt i v e ; t h e n i t is a m u t u al fri e n d

sh i p t h e sw e e t e st: i n t i macy
,
The so u l k n o w s Go d .

an d H is i n fi n i t e c h arm s a nd t h i s v i e w e nchan t s
,
'

a n d in fla m es he r ; e v e ryw h e r e i n n atu re a n d i n
'

grace , i n O u r L o rd s l ife a n d i n h e r o w n sh e see s

’
, ,

a tho u san d t o u c h i n g p r o o f s o f t h e m e rci es a n d o f

t h e l o v e o f H i m w h o rav i s h e s h e r h e art No t w it h .

s tan d i n g h e r n o t h i n g n e ss a n d h e r fau lt s s h e dar e s ,

t o r ai se t o ward s a Go d so h i gh a n d so h o l y t h e e y e s
'

o f h e r h e art an d t o ask f o r a re tu rn o f a ffe cti o n sh e

‘

l o v e s Go d a n d is b el o v e d by H i m Go d d o es n o t
,
.

d i sd ai n t o l o w e r H i m se lf e v en t o he r an d o fte n ,

sh e is a st o n ish e d at t h e t e n d e rn e ss wh ich h e r Go d
’

m an if e st s t o ward s he r O h h o w c o n so l i n g an d
.
,

st re n gt h e n i n g a re t h e se p r e c i o u s bu t a l l t o o s h o rt - -

m o m e n ts ! H o w sup e rab u n dan tly th e y c o m p en

F r C h a ig n o n , M éa
'
. . re l .
, I st . vo l .
, p . Io » .
24 O N P R AY E R IN G E NE R A L

sat e fo r al l pa s t s u ff e ri n g s a n d giv e c o u rag,

e t o fac e

n ew trial s ! B e cau se t h e so u l l o v e s and wi sh es t o

b e l o v e d s he ca n n o t e nd u r e th at a nyth i n g i n h e r
,

s h o u l d o ffe n d t h e m o st p u r e eye s o f h e r W e l l
B e l o v e d an d so l o ve watc h es w i t h a j e al o u s e ve
,

o ve r t h e p u ri ty o f t h e h e a rt W h at sacrific e s .

wo u l d sh e n o t mak e t o p re se rv e o r t o b ri n g back
t h e v i s it s o f H i m w h o is h e r al l ? The m o r e w e
l o v e t he m o r e w e f o rg e t o u rse lv e s an d t he m o r e w e ,

le av e o u r se lv e s in o rd e r t o go t o Go d We see k .

Go d al o n e a n d th e r e f o r e w e w o u ld th i n k o n ly o f
, , ,

Go d s pe ak o n ly o f Go d l iv e al l t he day l o n g o n ly
, ,

wi t h Go d s pe n d o u rse lv e s a n d s u ff e r fo r H i m a n d
, , ,

afte r hav i n g e m pl o y e d all o u r e n e rgi e s i n se rv i n g

H i m s ti l l th i n k w e h a d d o n e n o th i n g
, No w .
,

m e n tal p raye r is t h e so u rc e w h e nce s p ri ng s th i s

h o ly l o v e : M y h e art g re w h o t wi t h i n m e ; a n d I n
” 1
m y m e di tat i o n a fire sh al l fl am e o u t .

L o u i s o f B l o i s th u s d e scri b e s th i s tra n sfo rmati o n

o f t h e s o u l by m e nta l p ray e r : Th e so ul p utti n g ,

o ff e v e ryth i n g h u m an a n d p u tti n g o n w h at is
,

d i v i n e is as i t w e r e tra n s fo rm e d an d ch an ge d i nt o
, , ,
-

Go d as i r o n plac e d i n t he fu r n ac e r e c e i v es t h e f o rm
,

of fi re a n d is cha ng e d i n t o fire S o t he .

so u l w a s c o ld b e f o re b u t n o w i t h a s b e c o m e a l l i n
,

flam e d ; it w as i n dark n e ss b e f o re b u t n o w i t ,

s h i n es ; i t w a s hard be fo r e b u t n o w i t h as bec o m e
,

so ft . It s e n ti r e b e i n g ta k e s o n a c e l e st i al a spe ct ,

b e cau se it s e sse n ce is al l p e n e t r at e d by t he di vi n e
e sse n c e .No w that t h e so u l h as f o u n d Go d i t
Ps . x x x v ii i .
, Co r m e u m c o n c a l u it in t r a m e at in m e d it a t io n e
m e fie x a r d e sc e t ig n is .
 A D V ANTA G E S OF M E NTA L P R AY E R 2
5

w i l l i n gly r e n o u n ce s cr e atu res S h e p o sse sse s i n .

fact l i g h t str e n gt h p e ace jo y l i b e rty ; fo r in

, , , , ,

fi ndi n g Go d S h e h as f o u n d all g o o d
,
.

Th e se c o n d o b stacl e wh i ch t h e w i l l o ff e r s t o
o u r p r o gress re gard s o u r re so l uti o n s ; i t is s lu ggi s h

ne ss w e ak n e ss c o w a rdi c e i nc o n s tan cy
, ,
Th e so l e ,
.

re m e dy fo r t h i s e v i l is G od s g race w it h o u t w h ic h ’
,

w e ca n d o n o t h i n g a n d w i th wh ic h w e ca n d o al l ,

t h i n gs No w n o w h e re is i t ask e d fo r so we l l as i n
.
,

m e ntal p ray e r w h e n m e d i tati o n h as made u s fee l

,

t h e n e e d o f i t a n d t h e h e art is i nfl am e d wi th h o ly
,

aff ecti o n s ; w e h av e th e n t h e e l o qu e n ce o f a p o o r
ma n w h o is se n s ibl e o f h is m i se ry an d p raye r as , ,

a l o u d cry b u r st s f o rt h fr o m t he d e pth s o f t h e so u l
, .

Th e n i t is that w e gai n m o r e str e n gt h t o d o vi o l e n ce

t o G o d s m e rcy w h o wan t s t o b e i m pl o r e d
’
, w ho ,

w i s h es t o b e c o nst rai n e d w h o w i l l s t o b e o v e rc o m e ,

by a k i n d o f i m po rtu n i ty o n o u r p art 1 .

[ I L —W H AT TH E S AINTS H AV E T H O UGHT or

M E NTAL P RAYER .

T he y h ave de v o t e d t o i t l o n g h o u r s day an d
n i g h t a n d n o a rgu m e n t is e qu a l t o that M a ny
, .

am o n g st th e m have p ra i se d i t v e ry h i gh l y i n th e i r
e t I n gs .

St B o n ave n tu re qu o t e d o r a n aly se d by S t P e te r
.
, .

o f A lca n tara 2 mak es t h e f o l l o wi n g p o e ti c e u l o gy

,
“
of i t I f yo u w o u l d s u ff e r wi th pati e n c e t h e
ad v e r s It Ie s a n d m i se ri e s o f th i s l if e b e a m an o f ,

S . Gre g .
, in P S .
p oe m t 6 .

St . Pet e r o f Al e . Trea t is e on P ra
ye r, I st p a r t , c. i .
 O N P R AYE R INU GE N E RA L
'
26
'

p ray er. I f yo u w o u ld o btai n co u rage an d s tre n gt h

t o c o n q u e r t h e te m p tat i o n s o f t h e e n e my b e a m an ,

o f pray e r I f yo u w o u l d m o rt ify y o u r o w n w il l
'

wi th al l it s i nc l i n ati o n s an d app e ti t e s b e a man o f ,

p ray e r If yo u w o u l d k n o w t he w i l e s o f S atan a n d
.

u n mask h is d e ce i t s b e a man o f p ray e r I f yo u ,

‘

wo u l d l ive i n jo y an d w al k p l easan t l y i n t h e way s '

o f pe n a nc e b e a man o f p raye r I f yo u w o u ld
’

.
,

ban i s h fr o m y o u r so u l t h e t r o ub l e so m e fl i e s o f v ai n
th o u gh t s a nd ca r es b e a m an o f p raye r ,
!
I f yo u .

wo u l d n o u ri s h y o u r so u l wi th t h e v e ry sap o f
d e v o ti o n a n d k ee p i t alway s fu ll o f go o d tho u ght s
,
‘

a n d g o o d d e s i r e s b e a ma n o f p raye r If yo u
, .
-

w o u l d s tre n gth e n a n d k ee p u p y o u r c o u r ag e i n t h e
way s o f Go d b e a m an o f p ray e r I n fine if yo u
, .
,

w o u l d u p r o o t al l vice s fr o m y o u r so u l and plan t al l

vi rtu es i n th e i r p l ace b e a m an o f p raye r I t is in , .
-

p ray e r th at w e re c e ive t he u n cti o n a n d g race o f t h e .

H o l y Gh o s t w h o t each e s al l th i n g s I say m o re
, .

i f yo u w o u ld rai se y o u r se lf t o t he h e i gh t s o f co n ’

t e m p l a t io n an d e nj o y t h e s w e e t e mb ra ces Of th e

S p o u se p racti se m e n tal p ray e r

,
I t is t h e way .

by wh i c h t he so u l is rai se d t o t h e c o n t e mplati o n
”
an d e n j o ym e nt o f h e av e n ly t h i n g s .

”
I n m e n tal p ray e r add s S t P e t e r o f A lca n
, .
-

mm .
1
t h e so u l is p u ri fi e d fr o m it s S i n s n o u r i sh e d ,

w i th chari ty c o nfirm ed i n fai t h a n d str e n gth e n e d

, ,

i n h o p e ; t h e m i n d e xpan d s t h e a ffe cti o n s d i l ate , ,

t he h e art is p u ri fie d truth b e c o m e s e v i d e n t ; ,

t e m pt a ti o n is c o n qu e re d sadn e ss di s p el l e d ; t he
,
-

se n se s a re r e n o vat e d ; t he dr o o i n g p o w e r s r e vi v e
p ;
St P eter of Al e Tr ea t is e iP e
ray r , I s t i
or
p a rt , c.
. .
.
28 O N P R AY E R IN G E N E R AL

If w e C o sel agai n st H i m th i s d o o r i n v ai n w o u ld ,

H e se e k t o e n t e r t h e so u l t o take h is de l i ght th e r e
an d t o fl o o d h e r wi th jo y b e cau se H e fi n d s n o way
,

”
O pe n .
1 T h e d e m o n see k s by e v e ry m e an s t o t u r n
u s away fr o m p ray e r ; h e w e ll k n o w s t h e tra i t o r , ,

that a so u l that p e r se v e r e s i n p ray e r is l o st t o h i m

fo r e v e r ; yo u may b e l i ev e m e s h e will ,

” 2
arri ve at t h e harb o u r o f sa lvati o n Th e s ai nt
r e l ate s that d u ri n g l o n g y e ar s
, s he w a s l e ss
,

ab so rbe d by u se fu l an d h o ly r e fl ex i o n s tha n by t he
l o n gi n g t o h e ar t h e cl o ck a n n o u nci n g t h e e n d o f
p ray e r ti m e
- s he w o u l d h av e p r e f e rre d t h e
se ve re st p e n an c e t o t he t o r m e n t o f h av i n g t o
r e c o l l e ct h e r se lf ; o n e nt e ri n g t h e p lac e o f p ray e r ,

she w as se iz e d wi t h a m o rtal sadn ess b u t w hen

s he h ad c o n qu e r e d h e r se lf s h e ta st e d m o re pe ac e
,

an d de l i gh t tha n o n c e rtai n o t he r day s w h e n h e r

” 5
i ncl i n ati o n h ad l ed h e r t o p ray e r S h e re lat es
.

al so h o w t he d e m o n tr i e d t o p e r s u ad e h e r that he r
i m p e rfe cti o n s re n d e re d h e r u nw o rthy o f gi v i n g so
m uc h t i m e t o p ray e r an d t h at S he o u ght l i k e t h e
, ,

o th e r s , t o b e s at i sfi e d w i t h t h e ti m e a ll o tt e d t o t h at
e x e rci se by t he r u l e W h e re w e re my wi t s ?
.

What f o l ly t o fly t he l ig h t t o stu mbl e at e v e ry ,

s te p i n t h e d ark ! W h at a p ro u d h u m i l ity t h e
d e m o n k n e w h o w t o s u gg est i n o rd e r t o in d u ce m e ‘

”
t o aban d o n m e n tal p ray e r that p i l la r that sta ff
, , ,

o f wh i c h I h ad so gre at a n ee d I n my o p i n i o n .

i t is t he gre at e st da n g e r I i n cu rred i n m y w h o l e
” 4
l i fe. L e t t h o se t he n w ho h ave be gu n t o w a l k
, ,

L if e, viii.

Ib id .
, x ix.
 A D V A NTAG E S OF M E NTA L P R AY E R 29

i n th i s way c o n ti n u e t o ad v a n c e alway s n o ,

mat t e r what o b stac l e p r e se n t s it se l f n o matt e r wh at ,

d i fficu l ty cr o p s u p o r wh at trib u lati o n th e y m u st

,

e n du r e h o w e v e r m uch th e y may b e blam e d a n d

,

re v i l e d what e v e r fai nth e art e d n ess t h e y m ay f ee l o n

,

t h e r o ad whate v e r u n c e rtai n ty th e y may e xp e ri e n c e

,

as t o th e i r arriv i n g at t h e g o al h o w e v e r appa re nt i t
,

may b e i n th e i r ca se that th e y can n e ve r su p p o rt so

many lab o u r s ; i n fin e th o u g h th ey s h o u l d d ie i n
,

c o n se qu e nc e th o u gh t h e wh o le w o rl d a n d a l l i t c o n
,

tai n s w e re t o p e ri s h w i t h th e m le t t h e m n e ve r st o p
,
” 1
advan ci ng o n th i s pat h .

S i nc e m e n tal p raye r s ay s , St F ra n ci s o f .

” 3
S al es , b ri n g s o u r i n t e l l ec t t o t h e l i g h t o f Go d ,

an d kee p s o u r wi l l e xp o se d t o t h e flame s o f di v i n e
l o v e th e r e is n o t h i n g wh i c h can b e tt e r di s pe l t h e
,

d ark n e ss w i t h w h ic h i gn o ranc e an d e rr o r ha v e
o b scu r e d o u r i n t e l l i g e n c e n o r b e tt e r p u ri fy
, our

h e art s fr o m all o u r d e p rav e d a ff ecti o n s I t is t h e .

wate r o f be n e di cti o n wh i c h sh o u l d se rv e t o wa sh
away t h e i n i qu i ti e s o f o u r s o u l s t o r e fr e s h o u r h e art s
,

co n s u m e d by t he t h i rst o f o u r C u p i d ity a n d to ,

n o u ri s h t h e fi rs t se e d s wh ich V i rtu e h as th e r e
”
plant e d an d w h i c h are g o o d d es i r e s
, .

St. P hilip Ne ri w i th h is u n c o m p ro m i s i n g
,

e n e rgy ,say s that a r e l i gi o u s w i t h o u t m e nta l

pray e r is an a n i mal w i th o u t re a so n that is th a t ,

h e ce ase s t o l i v e by fai t h t o wal k by t h e S p i ri t i n

, ,

o rd e r t o b e c o m e t h e s l av e o f h is se n se s .

3
A cc o rd i n g t o S t L i gu o ri
. as l o n g as a so u l
,

Wy a , xxu .

D ev o u t L ife , 2 n d p a r t , c. i
,

Tr ue S p o u s e , x v I . .
 ON P R AYE R IN G E N E R AL

giv es h e r se l f t o m e n ta l p ray e r yo u w i l l b e h o ld h e r
a m o d e l o f m o d e sty o f h u m i l i ty o f de v o t i o n an d
, , ,

o f m o r t ifi c a t io n ; l e t h e r aban d o n m e n ta l pray e r
‘

an d so o n t h e m o d esty o f he r l o o k s di sap p e ar s h e r ,

p ri de w il l b u rst f o r t h at t he l e a st w o rd wh i c h
’

o ff e n d s . S h e w i l l scarc e ly th i n k a n y
l o ng e r o f m o rti fy i n g h e r se lf o n t h e c o n t rary yo u
, ,

w i l l b e h o l d h e r i n l o v e wit h van iti e s a m u se m e n t s , ,

a n d e a rth ly pl e as u re s Why ? Th e wat e r o f grace

.

fl o w s i n t o h e r n o l o nge r she wan t s l i fe ; she ,

has aban d o n e d m e n tal p ray e r t h e gard e n is p arc h e d

,

up ,
an d t h e e v i l g ro w s dai ly w o rse ”
We
see so m e w h o r e ci t e t h e
‘ f
,ad d s t h e h o ly d o cto r ,

r o sary t h e Offi c e o f t h e B l esse d V i rgi n a n d giv e

“

, ,

th e m se lv es t o o th e r e xte ri o r p ractic es o f p i e ty an d ,

n e v e rth e l e ss c o n ti n u e t o l i v e i n S in ; b u t w h e n a ny
‘

o n e c o n s ta ntly p racti se s m e n tal p ray e r i t is im p o s

s ib l e fo r h i m t o c o n ti n u e t o l i v e i n s in H e al sO
.

g o e s i
so far a s t o d e clar e m e ntal p ray e r t o b e

m o ral ly n ec e ssary I t is es p e ci al ly i n d i spe n sab l e

.

fo r th o se w h o a re t e n d i n g t o p e rf e cti o n all t h e sa i n t s ,

h ave arrive d th e r e by th i s w ay; i t is t he S h o rte st

rea d t o i t acc o rdi n g t o S t I gn ati u s o f L o y o la
, . .

Th i s m o ral ne c ess it y h o w e ve r is i n cu mb e nt o n l y
, ,

o n s o u l s that a re n o t i n c a pa b l e o f m ak i n g m e n tal
‘

p raye r S h o u l d the r e b e f o u nd m i n d s fo r w h o m t h is
.

w as r e ally i m po ss i bl e Go d w o u l d s u p ply it s plac e by

,

p i o u s r e ad i n g a n d v o cal p ray e r we ll mad e an d th i s ,

w o u l d s u ffi c e t o l e ad th e m e v e n t o p e rfe cti o n B ut .

w e m u st b e v e ry car e fu l n o t t o tak e d i ffi cu lty fo r an

i m p o ss i b i l i ty n o r o u r o w n n e gl i ge nc e fo r a n ex
,

c u s in g cau se Wh e n w e k n o w h o w t o re fl e ct u p o n
.
-
 A D V ANTAG E S OF M E NTA L P R AY E R 3I

our w o rk o u r o ccu p at i o n o n a t h o u san d tem p o ral

, ,

a ff ai r s can i t b e p o ss ib l e that i t is o n l y o n t h e
,
“

th i n g s o f h e ave n a n d o u r e t e rn al i n te r est s th at w e
can n o t t h i n k Th e re is n o n ee d o f fin e p h ra ses n o r
o f l o fty c o n c e pti o n s I t s u ffice s t o r e fl e ct o n t h e
.

t h i n g s o f Go d i n o n e se l f an d fo r o n e se l f al o n e as
s i m ply as o n e pl e a se s B o o k s t o ai d u s a re n o t
.

wan ti n g a n d i t is a sci e n ce w h ic h is acqu i re d b y

, .

s tu dy an d p racti c e I t may se e m t r o ubl eso m e at

.

fi r st b u t e xpe ri e nc e wi l l m ak e it ea sy
, .

We b eg t he re fo r e o u r b r e t h r e n i n re l i gi o n t o
, ,

mak e w e l l t h e m e di tati o n s p r esc ri be d by t he ru l e ,

bu t n o t t o b e s ati sfi e d w i th t hat A s t h e m e mb e r s .

o f a c o m m u n i ty h av e n o t al l t h e s a m e ta s t e s n o r t h e

sa m e a p ti tu d e o u r c o n st i tu ti o n s i m p o se o n ly a
,

mi n i m u m acc e ss i bl e t o e ve ry o n e a n d t h i s is t h e ,
-

m ea su re i n di cat e d by S t L i gu o ri Th e c o n f ess o r
.

at fi r st sh o u l d n o t p r escrib e m o r e t h a n h alf a n
h o u r a ft e rw ard s h e ca n m o r e o r l ess i ncre a se t h e
,
” 1
ti m e acc o rd i n g t o t h e so u l s s p i ri tu al p r o gr e ss ’
.

O u r c o n sti tu ti o n s e x p e ct th at wh e n th e W o rk o f °

Go d 2
, wh i ch tak e s p r e c e de n c e o f e v e ryth i n g is
:
,

e n de d t h e m o n k s d u ri n g t he h o u r s n o t a ssi gn e d
, ,

t o man ual lab o u r s h o u ld o c cu p y th e m se lv es i n

,
”
pray e r o r S pi ri tu al re adi n g T h ey advi se u s .
,

wi th o u r H o l y F at h e r S t B e n e dict t o ap ply o u r .
,
”
se lve s fr e qu e n t l y t o ray e r -
an d th y p rm i t v ry
p e e e e ,

o ne , o u t s i d e t h e ti m e o f t he c o m m on e x e rci se s t o ,

gi v e h i m se l f t o p ray e r i f d ra w n t o it b y t h e i n s p i r a
,

” 3
ti o n o f d i v in e grac e .

S t L ig , P r ax is , I 2 3
. . .

S o t h e D iv in e O ffi c e is c a l le d b ySt . Be ne d ic t . Tr a m
-
.

3 Co n s O C R
. . . .
, 83 8 4 .
, 9 2.
3: O N P R AY E R IN G E N E R AL

D o yo u w i sh t o k n o w why o u r h o u se s a re n o
l o n ge r pe o p l e d wi th sa i n t s a s th e y w e r e i n t h e
h e r o ic ag e s ? We watch w e chan t w e fa st w e , , ,

w o rk p re tty m uc h as o u r F ath e r s di d ; bu t w e a re
'

n o t t o t h e s am e e xte n t as th e y w e r e m e n o f p ray e r ;

th e y tram pl e d t h e w o r l d u n d e r f o o t b e cau se th e i r
” 1
c o nv e r sat i o n w as i n h e av e n .

The h o ly A bb o t S t A n t o ny s p e n t t h e w h o l e n i gh t
.

i n p ray e r a n d c o m plai n e d t h at t h e d ay cam e t o o

,

so o n t o i nt e rru pt h is c o nv e r se wi th Go d S t R o se . .

o f L i ma S p e n t tw e lv e h o u r s i n p ray e r dai l y St . .

F ranci s B o rgi a u se d t o sp e n d e i ght h o u r s i n

p ray e r a n d t o b e g
, as a fav o u r ye t a n o th e r
”
mo men t . S t P h i l i p Ne r i pa sse d w h o l e n i g h t s i n
.

p raye r . Th e R e v F r T o rr e s i m p o se d o n t h e
. .

re l i gi o u s w h o m he d i rec t e d a n h o u r s m e n tal p raye r ’

i n t h e m o r n i n g a se c o n d h o u r du ri n g t h e d ay an d
, k

half a n h o u r i n t h e e v e n i n g u n l e ss th e y w e rp o th er
,

w i se h i n d e re d A ft e r qu o t i n g th e se e xam pl e s S t
.
, .

L i gu o ri a dd s : I f th i s se e m s t o yo u t oo m uch I ,

advi se yo u t o mak e at l e a st o ne h o u r o f me n tal

” 2
p ray e r b es i d es that m ad e i n c o m m o n I t is .

tru e w e have ma ny o th e r p i o u s e x e rci se s b u t w e a re ,

“
co n t e m plati ves by p r o f e ss i o n ; le t u s th e n a l l o w
n o o n e t o s u rpa ss u s i n t h e l o v e o f Go d s i nc e w e
”
m o r e t h a n o th e r s a re o bl ige d t o l o v e H i m 3 ; The .

w o rld t o o n e e d s o u r p ray e r s so badly

, ,

L e t u s c o nc l ud e with a c o u n se l o f S t P e te r o f .

“
Al can tara : Th e se rva n t o f Go d s h o u l d r e se rv e
P h il . i ii . 20.

S t L ig , Th e Tr u e Sp o u s e,
. .
xv . 2.

Id S c r m t o O r d i n a n d i
. . .
 AD VA NTA G E S or M E NTA L P R AY E R 33

to h i m se lf ce r t ai n m o m e n t s wh e n l ay i n g a s i d e al l
, ,

o ccu pati o n s e v e n h o ly o n e s (
,
t h e n e c e ssary p e rm i s

s i o n b e i n g p re s u pp o se d )
- he wi l l d e v o t e h i m se lf
,

e xclu s iv e l y t o s p i ri tu al e x e rci se s an d gi ve t o h is ,

so ul a m o r e ab u ndan t s p i ri tual n o u ri s h m e n t wh i ch

may re pa i r t h e da i ly l o sse s an d p r o cu r e fo r h i m ,

n e w s tre n gth t o advan c e s ti l l m o r e A n d i f th i s b e .

tru e o f o rdi nary day s h o w m uc h m o r e so o f gr eat

,

feas t s a n d o f ti m e s o f tribu lat i o n an d tri al ? I t is

al so advi sa bl e t o d o th i s aft e r l o n g j o u rn ey s an d
c e rtai n a ffai r s w h ic h d i stract an d d i ss i pat e t h e
he art ; th i s is t h e tru e m e an s t o r e gai n r ec o ll e ct i o n
” 1
o f s p i ri t .

St . Peter of Al c a n t . , P r aye r an d M ed ia, z ud p .

, v. , st h c o u n s el .
 C HAP TER IV

TH E E LE M E NT S OF S UCC ES S IN
M E NTA L P R AYE R

A LTH O UG H my s tica l k i n d s o f m e n ta l
t he n o n-

p raye r a re acc e ss ibl e t o al l wi th p e rh ap s so m e ,

v e ry rare e xce pti o n s yet acc o u n t m u st fi r st o f all

,
(

b e tak e n o f t h e wi l l o f Go d w h o d i st ri b ut e s H is,

gift s as H e p l e a se s S ti l l th e r e a re di v e r s e le m e nt s
.

o f s ucce ss th at d e p e n d o n o u r o w n wi ll S o me o f .

th e se re gard t h e di sp o s iti o n s o f o u r so u l o th e r s o u r ,

m o na sti c O b se rvanc es o the r s i n fin e m e n ta l p ray e

,

it se lf
.

5 I .
— D I S P O S ITIO NS O F TH E S O UL .

Le t us p ut i n t he fi r st place t h e d e gre e o f pu ri t
t o wh ich t h e so u l h as atta i n e d Th e re wi l l alway s
.

a rath e r stri ct p r o p o rti o n b etw ee n h o l i n e ss o f l

a n d t h e d e gr ee o f m e ntal p ray e r o ne h as arri v e d
Th ese t w o th i ng s ru n pa ral l e l an d give e ac h o t ,

m u tu al s u pp o rt ; th e y pr o gr e ss t o g e th e r o r
away t o ge th e r M e di tati o n fo r i n stan ce pr o d
.
, ,

l i ttl e by l itt l e pu ri ty o f h e art an d th i s latte r p ,

d i sp o se s t he so u l t o c o nt e m p l ati o n .

I t is th e r e fo re o f s u p re m e i m p o rtan c e t o ac q u
, ,

t h e f o u rf o l d pu ri ty o f t h e c o n sci e n ce o f t h e he a ,

o f t he i n t e l l e ct an d o f t he w i l l
, .

31
36 O N P R A YE R IN G E N E R AL

th e re fo re ba n i sh th e nc e e ve ry cu l pabl e a ff e cti o n
, ,

se v e r e v e ry t ie o f wh ich t he D iv i n e M a s t e r is n o t t h e

b e gi n n i n g a n d t h e e n d a n d wh ich is n o t re gu lat e d
,

acc o rd i n g t o H is wi ll A s l o n g as w e a re attach e d
.

t o a nyth i n g cr e ated w e hav e n o l o n g e r t he sa m e fr ee

,

d o m t o rai se o u r se l v e s t o Go d ; t h e a ff e ct i o n s o f t h e
h e art e n gr o ss t h e th o u gh t s a n d d i stract t he m i n d ;
a n d th e n th e se th o ught s a n d a ff e cti o n s draw u s fa r
away fr o m O u r L o rd t o ward s t h e o bj e ct o f o u r l o v e .

I f o n t h e c o ntrary t h e h e art b e l o ng s t o Go d al o n e
, , ,

o u r th o u ght s an d a ff e cti o n s m o v e a t e a se i n p ray e r ,

as a fi s h d o e s i n wat e r The h e a rt carr i es t he so u l t o

.

Go d a n d th e n e v e ryt h i n g e l se b ec o m e s t o i t i n s i pi d ;
,

a n d wh i l st i t is mak i n g an d m u lti ply i n g act s o f l o v e

, ,

i t h o ld s t h e m i n d capt iv e a n d k e e p s i t st e adi ly fixe d

u p o n Go d l i k e t o a m o th e r w h o pa ss i o n at e l y l o vi n g
, ,

h e r ch i ld fi n d s n o di ffi cu l ty i n th i nk i n g o f h i m i n
, ,

gaz i n g u p o n h i m fo r w h o l e day s t o g e th e r ; i n fact ,

t o l o o k u p o n h i m an d t o l o ve h i m is h e r v e ry l i f e ;

an d t o sacri fic e he r se l f fo r h i m is h e r happ i n e ss .

P u ri ty o f m i n d T h i s is t h e c o n tr o l w e
.

e x e rci se o v e r t h e w o rk i n g o f o u r i magi nat i o n o ur ,

m e m o ry a n d o u r th o ugh t s i n o rd e r t o ban i s
, ,

whate ve r s u l l i e s o r e n d a n ge r s t he so ul a n d e v e ,

what m e r e ly di ssi pat e s o r u n du ly e n gr o sse s i t .

F i r s t th e n th e re a re bad o r dan ge r o u s t h o u ght s

, ,

i magi nati o n s an d m e m o ri e s ; all fo r i n st anc e t h a

, ,

is c o n tra ry t o t he h o l y v i rt u e to charity ,

h u m i l i ty & c ; all t h at re cal l s t h e r e al o r im ag

, .

s ucc e ss i nj u ri e s o r p rai se w e m e t wit h in t h e

, ,

a l l that n o u ri s h e s r e se n tm e n t b itt e rn ess o r

, ,

te n de r affe cti o n ; whate v e r c o u l d attract a

 S UC C E S S IN M E NTA L P R AY E R 37

u s, s uch as b e auty a n d pl ea su r e ; i n a w o rd what ,

e v e r w o u l d s tai n t he p u r i ty o r tr o ub l e t h e p e ac e o f

t h e so u l .

Th e r e a re al so u se l e ss th o u g h t s w h i ch d i s t ract t h e
m i n d ; idl e at fi r st th e y so o n b e c o m e dan g e r o u s an d
,

cu l pab le .

F i n ally t h e r e are t h o u g h t s g o o d i n th e m se lv es
, ,

but w h i ch c o m e at a wr o ng ti m e o r ab so rb t o o ,

muc h o f o u r atte n t i o n ; t h e y r e gard fo r i n stan c e , ,

o u r w o rk o u r o ffic e o u r stu d i es ; bu t i t is n o t n o w
, ,

t h e ti m e t o att e n d t o t h e m ; o r i f i t b e i n st ead
, ,

o f adm itti n g t h e m o n ly a s far a s d u ty r e qu i r es ,

w e all o w th e m t o i n va de p re o ccu py o r e v e n wh o lly

,
-
,

ab so rb u s O r t he y m ay b e th o u g h t s c o n n e ct e d
.

wi th v i rtu e b u t i n s uc h a way as t o cau se

,

agitat io n a n d tr o ub l e as h app e n s in t he ca se o f
,

I f w e wi sh t o b e c o m e m e n o f p ray e r w e m u st
re gulate a n d d i sc i p l i n e t h e m i n d ; fo r wh ate v e r
s ul li es tr o u bl e s o r d i s tract s i t ca n o n ly b e harm fu l
, ,

t o u n i o n wit h Go d A l l t h i s is a n o b stac l e t o
.

reco ll e cti o n an d att e n ti o n sti fl e s d e v o t i o n p ara

, ,

ly se s g o o d re so l u ti o n s a n d cau ses a m u t ual c o l d

,

n e ss be tw ee n Go d an d t h e so u l Go d w i ll i n gly .

co m m u n icat e s H i m se lf t o h ea rt s th at are p u r e t o ,

m i nd s that k ee p s i l e n ce i n o rd e r t o l i st e n t o H i m ;
He l o v e s n o t t o rai se H is v o i ce i n t h e m i d st o f
tu m u lt ; an d an u n m o rt ifie d so u l i s e xp o se d t o t he
turm o i l an d n o i se o f a th o u sa n d vari o u s t h o ught s .

To aban d o n o n e se lf h ab itu a l ly t o e v e ry cap ri c e o f

m i n d a n d t o a s p i re at t he sa m e ti m e t o
,

e a man o f pray e r is t o d e s i r e t he im p o s
,
38 O N P R AY E R IN G E N E R AL

s i ble ; yo u m i gh t j u st a s r e a s o nab l y se l e ct a s y o ur
l f p ray e r t h e m o st cr o wd e d S t ri fe ! o f o n e o f
' ’

p a c e o

o u r gr e at ci ti es .

Wh e n o u r h e art h as be e n th o r o u gh ly pu rifi e d ,

t h e d i so rd e r o f o u r th o u ght s w i l l cau se u s 1e ss
~

tr o u b l e i t w i l l h ardly h a v e a ny h o l d u p o n u s
,
.

M e anwh i l e w e m u st c e a se l e ss ly watch a n d c o m bat

,
.

S t B e rnard 1 p o i n t s o u t t o u s t h e m e a n s t o g a i n
.

t h e vict o ry . P lace at t h e d o o r O f y o u r m e m o ry
a p o rte r ca l l e d t h e r e m e mb ran ce o f y o u r p r o f e ss i o n ,

an d wh e n y o u r m i n d f ee l s i t se lf o v e rwh e l m e d by
we i gh t o f sh am e fu l th o u g h t s l et i t r e p r o ac h it se l f ,

i n th e se t e rm s : C o m e n o w o u g h t yo u t o th i n k o n
, ,

s uch th i n g s y
, o u w h o a r e a p ri e st
yo u w h o a re a ,

cl e ri c yo u w h o are a m o n k ? D o e s i t b ec o m e a
,

se rvan t o f Go d a fri e n d o f Go d t o dw e ll u p o n s u c h
'

, ,

th o u g h t s w e r e i t o n ly fo r a n i n stan t ? S o a l so at t he
’

d o o r o f y o u r w i ll w h e re carn al d e s i re s u s ua l l y dw e ll
,

l i ke a fam i ly at h o m e plac e a se n ti n e l nam ed t he

,

m e m o ry o f y o u r h eave n ly c o u n try ; fo r i t has t h e

p o w e r t o e xp e l e vi l d es i r e s a s o n e w edg e dr iv es o u t
an o t h e r F i n a l ly b e s i de r e a so n s c o uch
’
.
,

y o u m u s t p o s t a guardi an so i n e x o rabl e that h e

s par e s n o o n e an d th i s gu ardi a n is t h e
,

”
b ra n ce o f H e ll Th e m e m o ry o f t h e P a ss i o
. .

a n d a l so that o f b e n e fit s r e ce i v e d a re l ikew i
e xc e ll e nt d o o r k e e p e r s ; b ut t h e m o st v i gi lan t w
-

e v e r b e t h e l o ve o f Go d .

P u ri ty o f t h e wi ll O u r wi ll is pu r e whe n
.

no l o n g e r d e s i r e s a nyth i n g b u t t h e wi l l o f
It is p u r e i n it s i n t e ri o r di s p o s it i o n s wh e n
'

St . Be r ii a r d S e r m 3 2 d:
, .
'
a iv .
 S U CC E S S IN M E NTA L P R AYE R .

39

th o r o ugh ly re so lve d t o s ub m i t t o t h e law s o f Go d

(

an d o f H is C h u rch t o o u r ru l e s t o t h e o rd e r s o f
’

, ,
"

s u p e ri o r s t o t h e gu i da n c e O f P r o v i d e nc e ; i n a
‘
'

»
w o rd w h e n i t is r e ady t o d o alway s w h at Go d
,

w i l l s in t h e t i m e an d ma n n e r t h at H e w i l l s a n d
, ,

fo r t h e m o t i v e s that pl e a se H i m Go d t h u s b e i n g
.
,

m ast e r o f o u r w i ll i n it s i nt e ri o r d i sp o s i ti o n s wi l l ,

al so b e m as t e r o f it s e xt e rn al act s ; t he so u rc e w i ll
co m m u n i cate it s o w n pu ri ty t o t h e s tr e am .

We m u st ab o v e al l take care t o m a i ntai n o u r wi l l

, ,

in t h i s hab itu al t e n d e n cy a n d wh e n w e m us t pa ss
-

o n t o acti o n s e s pe ci ally i f t h e y fl att e r so m e a i n

, p ss o ,

o r i f th e y a re in h ar m o ny wi t h so m e natu r al i n cl i n a

ti o n w e m u st watc h o ve r o u r i n t e n ti o n s t o p u rify
,

th e m a n d mak e t h e m s u pe rn atu ral a n d o v e r o u r

‘

acti o n s th e m se lv e s l e st t h e y d e vi ate fr o m t he
strai g h t pat h a nd e n d i n se lf l o v e - .

Th e p u r ity o f t h e wi l l c o nt rib u te s t o t h e s ucc e ss

Of m e n t al p ray e r j u st as d o e s p u ri ty o f c o n sci e n c e ,

o f wh ic h i t is t h e so u rce B e tw e e n t h e so u l a n d
.

Go d u n i o n o f wi l l s p r o du ce s u n i o n o f h eart s an d
a h o ly fa m i l iari ty ; o n t h e c o nt rary d i sagr ee m e n t ,

o f w i ll s b r e ak s o ff t h i s i n ti m ate u n i o n a n d re
p l ac e s i t by c o n stra i nt a n d c o ld n e ss W h e n t h e .

so u l is r e ady t o d o what e v e r Go d w i l l s s h e h as n o ,

di fficu lty i n u n d e r sta n di n g wh at h e r d uty is a n d

re so lvi n g t o pe rf o rm it ; wh i l st any attac h m e nt
o u r o w n j u dgm e n t an d o u r o w n w i l l b li n d s
e y e s o f t he i n t e ll e ct h i n der s g o o d re so l ut i o n s
, ,

s t e ri l ize s m
'

e n t a l p ray e r wh ich fa i l s t o
'

pr i n c i p al e n d i f i t d oe s n o t br e a k o ff th i s
'
40 O N P R AYE R IN G E NE R A L

To su m u p pu ri ty o f c o n sci e n ce draw s Go d t o
,

u s ; pu ri ty o f m i nd c o n trib u t e s t o r e c o l l e cti o n an d

a tt e n ti o n ; p u ri ty o f h e art t o d e v o ti o n ; p u ri ty o f

w i l l t o e ffi caci o u s r eso l uti o n s Wh e n a so u l is th u s

.

p u ri fi e d S h e h a s Go d al o n e i n t h e m i n d Go d al o n e ,

i n t h e h e art Go d al o n e i n t h e wi l l ; n o w that sh e
,

h as re m o ve d t h e o b stacl e s sh e c o nv e r se s qu it e
natu ral ly w i th h e r G u e st an d fi n d s i n h e r p ray e r
,

gre at faci l i ty re al p r o fit an d so m e ti m es e v e n
, ,

del i gh t .

We d o no t re qu i re t h i s p u rifi ca ti o n t o b e al r eady
acc o m pl i sh ed i n o rd e r that t h e so u l may e n t e r u p o n
,

t h e way o f m e di tat i o n an d t ak e it s fi r s t st e p s w ith

s ucc ess ; o n t h e c o n tra ry w e a re p e rfe ctly w e ll

,

aware t h at m e d itati o n is o n e o f t h e gr e at m ea n s t o
arriv e at th i s p u ri ty We m e r e ly m e an t o sa y that
.

p u ri ty o f l ife a n d m e n tal p ray e r trav e l h an d in

han d a n d l e n d e ac h o th e r a m utu al s u pp ort ; an d
,

that t he gr e at p re parat i o n w e m u st b ri n g t o m e n tal

pray e r is s t e ady p r o g r ess i n p u ri fy i n g o u r so u l s by
p ray e r by o u r p e n i te n ti al l i fe a n d o th e r o rd i nary
, ,

m e an s H appy w e s h o u l d i t pl ea se Go d t o p e rfe ct
.
,

th i s p u ri ficati o n at so m e fu tu r e day i n t he c r uc ibl e

,

o f pa s s i v e p u rgati o n l

II .
—
O U R M O NAS TI C O B S E RV ANC E S .

E n cl o s u re cut s o ff t h e n o i se s o f t h e w o rl d an ,

fav o u r s so l i tu d e o f h e art an d m i n d ; o u r au st e ri
by d e tach i n g t h e so u l fr o m se n s ibl e pl e a s
l e ave i t free t o rai se i t se lf t o Go d ; al l 0
O b se rva nce s wh e n w e ll k e pt c o n tri b u t e t o d
, , p ro u
 S UCC E S S IN M E NTA L P R AY E R 4 I

th at fo u rf o l d pu rity wh ich is t h e s i ste r o f m e n tal

. .
1
pray e r S t B e r nard i n parti cu lar say s that fa st
ing “
i m part s de v o ti o n a n d c o n fid e nc e t o pray e r .

A n d so w e see ho w we l l fa s ti n g a n d pray e r go
to g e th e r acc o rdi n g t o what is wri tt e n : Wh en a
,

br o t he r is h e l p e d by a b r o t h e r b o t h shall b e co n ,

2 P ray e r o btai n s t h e str e n gth t Ofa st an d

’
s l ed
o .
,

fa st i n g m e ri t s t h e grace o f p ray e r F a st i n g .

S tre ngt h e n s p ray e r p ray e r san c t ifie s fa sti n g a n d

,
”
o ffe r s i t t o t h e L o rd Tw o o f o u r O b se rvanc es
.
,

s il e n ce nam e ly a n d t h e g o o d u se o f o u r fre e
, ,

ti m e h av e a m o r e i n t i m ate re l ati o n t o m e n tal

,

praye r .

H o w ca n a r e l i gi o u s n e gl e ct t o O b se rv e s i l e n ce
an d b e al so a man o f p ray e r ? B e s i d e s m u l ti p ly
i ng act s o f di so b e d i e nc e s m al l scan dal s a n d s i n s
, ,

o f t he t o ngu e h e S h o w s by h is talkati v e n e ss t h at
,

Go d is n o t e n o u gh fo r h i m that h e k n o w s n o t h o w ,

t o ab i d e w i t h h i m se lf an d watc h o v e r h is i nte ri o r ;

by s pe ak i n g he is c o n stan tly lab o u ri n g t o e mpty

,

h i m se lf o f Go d t o l o se t h e p e rfu m e o f p i e ty t o
, ,

e xti n gu i s h al l d e v o ti o n ; by l i st e n i n g t o fill h is ,

so u l wi t h d i ss i pati o n an d t o d e l i v e r i t u p t o t h e

de m o n o f cu ri o s i ty an d l e vi ty So St Jo h n . .

C l i macu s say s th at m uc h s p e ak i n g dr i es u p t he
t ear s o f c o m p u n ct i o n de str o y s t h e cu st o dy o f t h e
,

h e art r e n d e r s m e d itat i o n d i st ract e d c o o l s a n d

, ,

fr eez es d iv i n e fe rv o u r w e ak e n s o r rath e r k i l l s
'

pray e r B u t o n t h e c o n trary s i l e nc e is t h e
.
, ,

fa th e r o f p ray e r t he m as t e r o f c o n te m p l at i o n
, ,

St . B e r na rd , S e rm .
4 , on Len t .

P ro v . x v iii. I 9.
4:
“

ON P R AYE R IN G E NE RA L

the guard ia n o f d i v i n e fe rv o u r t h e S e cr e t ,

p a t h by wh i ch t h e so u l a sc e n d s t o Go d t h e l o ve r ,
” 1
o f t e ar s e t c
,
.

E xt e rna l S i l e nc e o f t o ngu e an d ges tu r e is n o t

s u ffi c i e n t if t h e m e m o ry an d i magi n ati o n m ay
’

,
'

p rattl e away a n d fil l u s wi th di stracti o n s O u r .

.

s i l e n c e i t se lf o ugh t t o b e o ccu p i e d w i th Go d an d , ,

t h e m o r e S i l e nt w e a re t o ward s m e n t he m o re ,

s u stai n e d o ugh t to b e o u r co nv e r sati o n with ,

H i m S i l e n c e th u s k e pt mak e s o f o u r m o na st e ri es
‘
‘

. .

i n S p i te o f n u m b e rs a so l i t ud e as s ti l l as t h e d e se rt
, ,

an d o f t he h e art o f e ach r e l igi o u s a S i l e n t san ctuary ,

wh e r e i n is h eard o n ly t he p ray e r wh i ch a sc e n d s t o
‘

God an d t he v o ic e o f Go d lo v i n gly an sw e ri n g t h e
so u l .

I n l i k e man n e r t he g o o d u se o f o u r fr ee ti m e
,

fav o u rs m e ntal p r ay e r A s so o n a s t h e b e l l
’

r
.

an n o u n ce s t h e e n d o f w o rk let u s ha s t e n , u n l ess
,

o b e d i e n c e wi th h o l d s u s , t o t h e plac e o f p i o u s re ad

i ng as a h u n gry m an b e tak e s h i m se lf t o a w e ll
,

se rv e d tabl e F o r a f e rv e nt r e l i gi o u s O ugh t alway s

.

t o h av e a h u n ge r fo r Go d an d du ri n g t he fr ee
,

ti m e t o r e pl en i s h h im sel f w it h H i m ; Wh e t he r h e
p r e fe r s t o p ray o r t o e m p l o y t h e ti m e i n p i o u s
’

. .
.

re adi ng h e s ub stitut e s fo r t he gr o sse r t h o u gh t s o f

,
'

wo rk th o u ght s m o r e di vi n e ; if he had b ee n so rn e
what d i ssi pat e d he n o w re tu rn s t o Go d a n d
,
.

pl u n g e s o n ce m o r e i n t o t h e su p e rn atu ral i n t o h o ly .

th o u ght s an d p i o u s a ff e cti o n s B y re ad l
.
.

l e arn s an d acqu i r e s a tr e a su r e o f safe a n d ab u ‘

sp i ri tu a l k n o wl ed g e an d th u s acc o rd i n g t
, ,

La dd er , D e g r e e 4 and
44 O N P R AY E R IN G E N E R AL

k e pt i t o n, itw o u l d o n ly hav e e n cu mbe r e d h i m a nd

le d t o h is ru i n ; h e t o o k it o f
f r e l i e,d u p o n h is s l i ng ,

a n d t ri u m ph e d A n o pp o s ite a n d n o t l e ss fatal
.
,

m i stak e c o n s i st s i n w i sh i n g t o co n fi n e o n ese lf t o
,

me di tati o n fo r o n e s w h o l e l i f e ; fo r aft e r so m e ti m e
’

i t h as p r o duc e d it s e ffe ct a n d th e n be c o m e s u h
,

p r o fit a b l e ; t o p e r s i st i n i t th e r e fo re w o u l d m e an t o
, ,

b e pe rp e tu al ly r e c o m m e nci n g a w o rk al re ady d o n e ,

a path a l r e ady trav e r se d L e t e v e ry o n e k ee p t o t he

.

ki n d o f p ray e r that su i t s h i m ; a nd o f c o u r se in , ,
f

s uch a d e l i cat e matte r t h e adv ic e o f a wi se d i r e ct o r

is e sp e ci al ly n e c e ssary .

We sh o u ld ch o o se a subj e ct s u itab le t o o u r
n ee d s . To tak e u p a b o o k o f m e d i tati o n s e v e n t he ,

v e ry b e s t ,a n d t o go th r o u gh al l it s m e di tati o n s o n e
a ft e r an o th e r ,wh e t h e r th e y s u i t t h e stat e o f o u r
so u l o r n o t ,is t he v e ry way o fte n t o mak e e ntirely
u se l ess m e d itati o n s . I n a g o o d m e di tat i o n b o o k -

th e r e are re m e di es fo r al l il l s ; b u t n o O iie i n a
pharmacy w o u l d th i n k o f tak i n g t h e re m e di e s i n
t h e o rd e r i n wh i ch th e y are p lac e d o n t h e s h e lv e s

t o— day t h e fi r s t b o ttl e t o m o rr o w t he se c o n d t h e n
,
-
,

t he th i rd . Th e re a re t o o l s fo r fa sh i o n i n g al l t h e
vi rtu es ; t he ch o ice o f t h e m s h o u l d b e mad e acc o rd i n g
t o t he w o rk an d p u rp o se w e ai m at acc o m p l i s h i n g .

No w (I ) t o e ve ry o n e i t is p r o fita b l e t o f o ste r o r
, ,

r e v ive t he g e n e ral d es i r e o f p e rf e ct i o n A ll .

a gai n , e xce pt t he m o s t advanc e d o u gh t t o c o m e t o

,

a r e so l u ti o n w h ich is part icu lar a n d s u i te d t o t h e i r

n ee d s as fo r i n stanc e t h e p racti cal way t o e xt i rpate
, , ,

s u ch a vice t o cu l tivate s uch a v i rtu e

, .

Th ese p ri nci pl e s b e i n g l ai d d o w n be gi n n e r s ,
 S U CC E S S IN M E NTA L P R AY E R 45

h av i n g fo r
t h e i r o bj e ct t o p u rg e th e m se lve s fr o m
S in t o r e p e n t t o at o n e t o c o rr e ct th e m se l v e s ;
, ,

and h avi n g t o fi gh t agai n st t e m ptat i o n s pa ssi o n s , ,

a n d e vi l i ncl i nati o n s ; c o m bat b e i n g th e i r e l e m e nt ,

fe ar th e i r m ai n S p ri n g S h o u ld u n le ss t h e y b e
-
, ,

scru pu l o u s c h o o se fo r th e i r o rdi n ary s ubj e ct s

,

o f m e d itat i o n t h e gr e at tru t h s o f salvati o n , e v e ry

th i n g in fact wh ic h may e xci t e th i s fe ar w h ich is

th e i r m o ti v e p o w e r The M ax im s o f E t ern it y 1
.

of S t . L i gu o ri fo r i n stanc e w o u ld b e fo r th e m a n
. ,

e x ce l l e n t man ual .

T h o se w h o a re m o re a dva n c e d— t h e p ro fic ie n t s
alt h o u g h th e y may n o t aba n d o n t h e fi g h t h av e , ,

h o we v e r fo r t h e i r p ri n ci pal o bj e ct t h e acqu i s it i o n
,

o f vi rtu e s es p e ci al ly o f fai th a n d h o p e wi th o u t
,

fo rge tti n g o b e di e n ce h u m i l i ty an d se lf d e n i al
, ,
-
.

W h at s u sta i n s o n e i n th i s l o n g a n d ru gg e d path is ,

fir st o f al l t he h o p e o f e te rn a l g o o d s an d t h e
, ,

e xam pl e of O u r L o rd T he se th e n S h o u ld .
, ,

ge n e rally l e ave a s i d e t he gr e at t ru th s u n l ess , ,

i n d ee d t h ey m e di tat e u p o n t h e m u n de r a n ew l i ght
, ,

n am e ly i n o rd e r t o e xci t e t h e m se lv e s t o t he p ractic e
,

o f vi rtu e a n d S h o u ld hab i tu al ly c h o o s e s uch s ubj e ct s

,

a s H e av e n d ivi n e grac e an d gl o ry t he val u e o f

, , ,

t h e m v s t e r ie s o f O u r L o rd s
’
e ff o rt s a n d sacri fice s ,

l if e a n d de at h t he o bl i gat i o n s o f t h e i r stat e vi c e s
, , ,

an d v i rtu e s &c ; t h e n th e r e w i l l c o m e a ti m e wh e n
,
.

th e i r attracti o n w i l l b e t o m e d itat e o n t h e tru th s

wh ic h a re a p t t o i n fl am e l o v e The gr eat e r n u mb e r .

i nd ee d o f m e d i tat i o n b o o k s see m wri tt e n fo r pr o

-

fic ie n t s .

‘
Mo re fu l l y d e v e l o p e d in h is “
P re p a r a t io n f or D ea t h .

C e n t e n a r y Ed Vo l I - Tr a n s.
. . .
46 O N P R AY E R IN G E NE R A L

In t he u n i ti ve way Go d h as bee n f o u n d is
,
‘

p o ssesse d an d at t i m es is e nj o y e d wi th d e l i ght
,
.

Th e re re ma i n s sti l l a stru gg l e t o b e mai nta i n e d ,

a n d p r o gr e ss t o b e mad e ; b u t t h e o rd i n ary stat e o f

t h e so u l is t h at o f a l o v i n g u n i o n wi th Go d Fe ar .

h as b e c o m e m o r e fi l i al ; h o p e o n t h e S i d e o f se lf ,

i n t e r e s t is o ft e n a s i t w e r e u n c o n sci o u s ; l o v e it is
‘

wh ich n o w ru l es ; i t is it wh ich n o w h as m o st p o w e r
t o m o v e an d m o s t c h arm t o o c cu py t h e so u l Th e
“

t i m e o f p ray e r is n o w p as se d i n S i m pl e an d b ut
l i t tl e vari e d act s o f l o v i n g u n i o n ; t he so u l th i n k s
u p o n Go d with l e ss r ea so n i n g i t l o o k s u p o n H i m ,

rath e r th a n re a so n s ; a n d ab o v e al l i t mak e s act s

of l o v e p rai se ad m i rati o n h u mb l e a d o r at i o n
, , , ,

d e v o ti o n se lf aban d o n m e n t &c The sa m e l o v e

,
-
, .

wh ich ma k es o u r p ray e r a n e ff u s i o n o f t h e h e art

b e fo r e Go d c o m m u n i cate s at t h e sa m e t i m e t o t he
,

c o n sci e nce m o re d e l icacy , t o t h e wi l l m o r e g e n e

ro s it y t o t he h an d m o re e n e rgy
, I t b e c o rrie s t h e .

m ai n so u rc e wh e n ce sp ri n g a ffe cti o n s an d acti o n s .

S o u l s arri v e d at th i s p o i n t w i ll find h ard l y an y

p r o fit in m e d i ta t i o n b oo k s -
.

J e s u s C h ri st b e i n g o u r al l t he b e gi n n i ng t he , ,

way an d t h e g o al i t is o n ly ri gh t that H e S h ou l d
, ,

b e t he c h i e f est o bj e ct w h i ch oc cu pi e s u s i n p ray e r .

S o m e wi l l m ed itate o n H is ch i l d h o o d o t h e rsfio n ,

H is h i dde n l if e H is di v i n e H e a rt t h e H o ly
, ,

E uchar i st &c S t L i gu o ri advi ses m e d ita

,
. .

ti o n e s p e cial l y o n t he P a ss i o n Th e parti cu lar .

my st e ry is o f s ma l l c o n se qu e n c e p r o v i d e d t h at ,

t h e re O u r L o r d is f o u n d S t F ran ci s o f S a l es l
. .
’

St F r a n c is of S a l e s , Th e D er b u t Life, an d
-
c. i.
p
‘
. .
,
 S UCC E S S IN ME NTA L ,
P R AYE R

re c o m m e n d s m e d i tat i o n s m ad e u p o n O u r L o rd s ’

Li fe an d P aS S Io n ; l o o k i ng u p o n H i m by fr e qu e n t
m ed itat i o n s y o u r wh o l e so u l w i l l b e fil l e d wi th
H i m yo u w il l l e arn H is d e m e a n o u r a n d m o de l
, ,

y o u r acti o n s u p o n H is ; y o u w i l l l e arn wi t h ,

t he a id o f H is grac e t o S p e ak act , a n d w i l l l i ke
, ,
.

Him . I n al l o u r p ray e r s a n d actio n s t h e

S av i o u r sh o u ld b e m e d itate d c o n s i d e r e d so u ght
, , ,
”
afte r ,
t h at o u r so u l may b e n o u ri sh e d by t he
b r e ad wh ic h h as c o m e d ow n fr o m H e av e n .

What w e h av e j u st sai d is r ath e r a d i re cti o n

t h a n a n i nvariab l e ru l e ; th e r e are ce rtai n fe a st s an d
c e rtai n c i rcu m s ta n ce s w hich w i l l d e t e rm i n e d i ff e r
.

e n t l y t h e s ubj e ct o f o u r p ray e r 1 B e s i d e s acc o u n t

.
,

m u s t b e tak e n o f o u r S pi r i tu al l e an i n g s ; an d ,

fi n al ly acc o rd i n g t o S t L i gu o r i .
2 t h e g o o d ru l e
, . ,

is t o m e d i tat e by p r e f e r e n c e u p o n t h e trut h s a n d t h e
my st e ri es wh i c h a ff e ct u s m o re p o w e rfu l ly an d ,

wh ich p r o cu re fo r o u r so u l t h e m o st abu n dan t ?

n o u ri sh m e nt
”
.

B e gi n n e r s espe c ral l y are adv i se d t o p re par e

“
t he s u b je ct o f t h e m o r n i n g m e di tati o n t o co n ,

se crat e t o it t he l a st t h o u g h t s o f t h e e v e n i n g b e f o r e

an d t h e fi r st th o ught s o f t h e n e xt m o r n i n g
Acc o r di ng t o t h e m o st r e n o w n e d ma st e r s w h o
“

h av e tr e at e d o f m e n tal p ray e r t he s ubj ec t S h o u ld

,

b e de t e rm i n e d u p o n fr o m t he e v e n i n g b e f o re at ,

l eas t i n it s ge n e ral l in es a n d t h e l e ss that is l e ft t o

'

acc ide n t a n d t o m e n t al e ffo rt at t h e t i m e i t se l f o f

.
-

m e di tati o n t h e m o re secu r e wi l l b e o u r p raye r .

Ne gl i g e n c e i n p r e p ari n g t he p o i n t s is m e n
Cf" an d par t c i , I . .. S t L ig T
. . Sp é c x
.
, ru e ou s , . v.
 '

48 O N P R AYE R IN G E N E R AL

t io n e d a s o n e o f t h e ca use s wh i ch c o m m o n l y r
p o
” 1
duc e ari di ty .

T h i s p r e parati o n is i n di s p e n sabl e wh e n w e hav e

t o mak e o u r m e ntal p ray e r i n t h e dark b u t may ,

st i ll b e fru i tfu lly made e v e n wh e n w e a re t o u se a

,
.

l i g h t b e cau se w e S hal l th u s bri n g t o o u r p raye r

,

a m in d fu ll o f t h e s u bj e ct I t w o u l d h o w e ve r b e
.
, ,

t o o m uc h t o e xact i t fo r e v e ry m e d i tati o n w h ich w e

may make du ri n g fre e ti m e Wh e n tr eat i n g o f t h e .

p ray e r o f s i m p l i ci ty w e w il l p o i n t o u t w h o t h o se a re
th at m ay o m i t al l p r e parati o n o f t h i s k i n d .

A n o th e r e l e m e n t o f s ucc ess u p o n wh i c h S t , .

2
Te r esa s tr o n gly i n si st s is a de t e rm i n e d w i l l t o
,

p e r se ve r e i n p ray e r in sp i t e o f t e m ptati o n s ,

tr o ubl e s a n d ari di ty Fo r t h i s t h e sai n t gi ves

.

th r ee r e a so n s Go d w h o h eap s H is fav o u r s u p o n u s
, ,

w e l l d ese rv es t h at w e S h o u l d gi ve u p t o H i m a l i tt le
o f o u r ti m e Th e d e m o n fe ar s n o th i n g so m c h as
.
u
s tr o n g a n d r e so l u t e S o u l s ; h is c o ward ic e p r e v e n t s

h is attack i n g th o se w h o a re o n th ei r gu ard t h e ,

m o r e S O as w h at h e d o e s t o i nj u r e t he m tu rn s t o
th e i r p r o fit a n d h is o w n d isc o m fit u re ; bu t i f he
fi n d s a so u l w h i ch h as n o t a wi ll d e te rm i n e d t o
p e rse v e r e h e n e v e r l e av e s i t at p e ace he agi t at e s
, ,

i t by a t h o u sa n d fe a r s an d pu t s b e fo re it s e y es
,

nu mbe rl ess d i fficu lt i es F i nal ly w e c o mbat m u c h

.
,

m o re g e n e r o u s ly w h e n w e h av e a fixe d re so l ut i o n
n e v e r t o y i eld To b e c o m e t h e re fo re m e n o f
.
, ,

pray e r w e m u st b e arm e d w it h c o u rag e a n d co n

,

s t a n c y.

R ib e t , Ch r ist ia n A sc et ic zr m ,
’

p . x xx vi i i. , 6
W
.

a y, c x x iii
. .
 CHAP T ER V
“

C A U S E S O F FA I L U R E IN M E NTA L P R AY E R

WE hal l n o t i c e di st ract i o n s t e p i d ity o f t h e w i l l

S , ,

vagu e n e ss o f re so l uti o n s i ll u s i o n s a n d i n d ispo s r

, ,

ti o n s .

I .
—D I S TRACTI O N S .

S o me th e re wh ic h c o m e fr o m t h e e n e my
a re .

P raye r is t h e gr e at battl e fie l d
“
Th e war t h e
-
.

”
e n e my wag es agai n st u s s ay s t he h o l y A bb o t
,

Ni l u s ” h as n o o th e r O bj e ct t h an t o m ak e u s
,

aba n d o n m e ntal p ray e r ; p ray e r is as o d i o u s a n d

'

i n s u p p o rtab l e t o S ata n as i t is sa l utary fo r u s .

H e wi l l l e t u s app ly o u r se l v e s t o o u r fa s t s o u r ,

m o rt ific a t io n s t o whate v e r m ay fl atte r p ri d e b u t

, ,

he can n o t e n du re m e n tal p ray e r wh e re by t he so u l , ,

by h u m bl i n g a n d tra n sfo rm i n g it se lf gl o r ifie s ,

GOd H e see k s t o draw O ff e l se wh e r e o u r th o u gh t s

“

an d a ffe cti o n s t o ti r e u s o u t w i t h a t h o u san d

,

friv o l o u s m e m o ri e s wi th da n ge r o u s o r e v i l
,

t o o v e rwh e l m u s wit h pai n fu l t e m p tati o n s ;

a gi tat e s u s ; t h e n h e wi l l p e r s u a d e u s

that w e h av e n o apt i tu d e fo r m e n tal pr ay e r that ,

we a re l o s i n g o u r t i m e at i t t h at by it w e O ff e n d
,

an d tha t i t w o u l d b e b e tte r t o o m i t it ‘

y th an t o mak e i t so i l l B u t t o ab a n d o n i t .

b e t o fall c o m pl e te ly i n t o t h e s n ar e ; t h e
49
50 ON P R A YE R IN G E NE RAL

chan n e l o f gr ac e b e i n g o n ce cu t O ff o u r so u l c o u ld ,

o n ly with e r a n d d ie .

M an y o f th e se d i s tracti o n s c o m e fr o m o u r se l v es .

D is t ra c t io n s d u e t o l ev i t y —If I de l ib e rat e l y giv e

.

fu l l l ib e rty t o my ey e s t o l o o k t o my t o n gu e t o ,

sp ea k ,t o my e ar s t o h e ar w i l l n o t d i stracti o n s i n
,

cr o wd s e n t e r th r o ug h my i l l guard e d se n se s as -

th r o ugh so many o pe n d o o r s ? H o w can w e

‘

r e stra i n t h e I magi n ati o n i n p ray e r i f e v e ry w h e re ,

e l se w e y i e l d t o it s cap ri c e s ? I f w e hav e t h e u n fo r
t u n a t e hab i t o f all o w i n g o u r m e m o ry t o d rift ab o u t

aft e r e v e ryth i n g it r e cal l s a n d o u r l i ght fic k l e a n d

, , ,

i m pr essi o n ab le m i n d t o fl utt e r away l i k e a b u tt e r

fly in al l d i r e cti o n s afte r it s e v e ry capri c e h o w
, , ,

c a n w e b e c o m e s u dd e n ly att e n ti ve i n p ray e r aft e r

.

be i n g th u s c o n ti n ually d i ss i pat e d ? I n st e ad o f
that w e a re s u re t o re ap th e n t h e cr o p o f d ist rac
,

ti o n s wh ic h w e have b ee n so wi ng al l t h e day‘ l o ng .

D is t r c
a t i o n s d u e to p a s s i on — Th e h e art draw s
.

t h e m i n d afte r i t and o u r t h o u gh t s o f th e m se lv e s
,

f o l l o w aft e r o u r a ffe ct i o n s an ti path i e s a n d p ass Io n s

, .

I n t h e ag itati o n s cau se d by a n ge r j e al o u sy , ,

an i m o s i ti e s a n d o th e r i rr e g ular a ff ecti on s t he
, ,

so u l , l i k e a S k i ff t o sse d u p o n a st o rmy sea n o ,

l o n g e r o b ey s t h e h e l m .

D is t ra c t i o n s d u e t o em pl o ym en t s —M an ua l wo r k .
,
‘

st u d i e s p ub l i c O ffic e s esp e ci al l y i f w e aban d o n

, ,

o u r se l v e s to th e m wi th o u t m e a su re an d wi th
“

pa ss i o n a re w o n t t o r e cu r t o o u r m i n d s an d
,

b e s i e ge u s i n t he qu i e t ti m e o f p ray e r so m e ti m e s ,

wi t h a v iv id n ess a n d c l ea rn e ss w h ich a re n o t t o b e
.
f

fo u n d i n t h e n o i se o f acti o n .
52 O N P R AYE R IN G E NE R AL

it s ve ry d e p t h s o n ly rai se s m o r e m u d ; an d
,

b e s i de s e v e n th o u gh o u r wh o l e p ray e r b e pa sse d i n
,

r e p e l l i n g di stract i o n s as o ft e n as th e y attack u s w e
t

S ha l l n e ve rth e l e ss ha v e p l ea se d Go d as di d ,

A braham wh e n h e dr o v e a w a y t h e b i rd s fr o m h is
s a c r ifi ce 1 .
3 N o.t t o e xp o s e o u r se l v e s t o fre sh
ram bl i n g s by e x a m i n i n g t o o m i n ut e ly wh e nc e th e se
di stracti o n s c o m e a n d wh e th e r w e hav e c o n se n t e d
,

t o th e m .G e n e ra l l y spe ak i n g i t is b e tt e r t o d e fe r
,

t h i s e xa m i n ati o n t o a n o th e r t i m e .

E v e ry di st racti o n w e l l c o mbat e d fa r fr o m
, ,

i nj u ri n g u s i n cr e a se s o u r m e ri t s an d h a st e n s o u r
,

p r o gr e ss ; h o w man y act s o f h u m i l i ty pati e n c e , ,

a n d r e si gnati o n th e y mak e u s p racti se ! E v e ry

e ff o rt w e m a k e t o r e tu rn t o Go d is a p re fe r e nc e w e

gi v e H i m o v e r t h e o bj e ct s wh ic h draw a w a y o u r
th o u ght s a v ict o ry gai n e d o v e r t h e d e m o n a n d
, ,
'

n e w m e ri t acqu i re d fo r H e av e n .

II .
—WANT OF S I NC ERE D E V O TI O N AND O F

S TR O NG R E S O L U TIO NS .

We ar e no t h e re
p e ak i n g o f ari di ti e s bu t O f
s ,

lu k e warm n e ss o f t h e w i ll o f S p i ri tu al sl o th i n m e ntal
,

praye r .

I t c o st s an e ff o rt t o e stab li s h o n e s so u l in t h at ’
x

fo u rfo ld pu ri ty wh ich agr e es so w e l l w i t h a l ife o f

p ray e r ; it c o st s so m e t h i n g t o k ee p t o r e gu larity ,

s i l e n ce, re c o l l e cti o n se ri o u s r e ad i n g ; it c o st s so m e
,
’
th i n g t o k e e p o n e s m i n d fix e d o n Go d in s p it e O f
'

t h e d i st ract i o n s wh ich b e se t u s ; i t c o st s a g r e at
‘

Ge n . x v. II .
 F A IL U R E IN M E NTA L P R AYER
'

53

to pe r se ve r e in p i o u s a ff e cti o n s a m i d st t he w e a rm ess
o f ari d i ty ,
an d t o e l icit fr o m a h e art pl u n g e d i n
d e so lati o n so m e d ry a n d fr i gi d act s a n d p et i ti o n s :
’
i t c o st s a de al t o s u b m i t o n e se l f t o G o d s w i l l a n d ,

t o fo rm a r e so l u ti o n w h ic h l ays t he ax e t o t h e r o o t
o f t h e e vi l .H e nc e i t is t h at l i k e t he S l uggard , ,
”
w e wi l l a n d w e wi l l n o t 1 A car e l ess l ife h as
.

p r o duc e d d i ss i pat i o n o f m i n d e n e rvati o n o f w i l l , ,

l u k e warm n e ss o f h e art A ft e r h av i n g e l ici t e d

. .

so m e fe w a ff e cti o n s i n a half h e art e d way a n d -

,

wit h o u t c o n vi cti o n a n d fo rm e d so m e v a gu e r e so l u
,

ti o n s w h i ch a i m at t h e cu r e o f n o e v i l at t h e p ra o ,

tic e o f n o v i rt u e w e m ak e ha st e t o qu i t p raye r t o
, ,

d i v e rt o u r m i n d in acti ve w o rk an d t o f o rge t o u r ,

re so l uti o n s al m o st as so o n as m ad e A n d w e call .

t h at a p ray e r ! A la s ! h o w ma ny s uc h w o u ld b e
r e qu i r e d t o c o n v e rt a so u l ! O r t o s p e ak m o r e ,

c o rr ectly t he m o re w e m u lti p ly s u ch l i k e p raye r s

,

t he m o re te pi d w e b e c o m e ; S l o th st e r i l i se s p i e ty ,

an d c o n v e rt s t h e b est o f re m e d i e s i n t o a dan g e ro u s
p o i so.n
S u c h pe r so n s h av e gr e at n ee d t o S h ak e o ff th e i r
t o rp o r a n d t o r e gai n wi th t h e h e l p o f p ray e r an d
,

S p i ritual d i re cti o n m o r e c o u r ag e m o r e e n e rgy

, , ,

m o r e so u l an d l if e A b o ve al l l e t th e m pray a nd
.
,

pray agai n l e t th e m wit h l o u d cri e s b e g fo r th i s

, , ,

d e v o ti o n wh i ch n o o ne ca n o f h i m se lf attai n t o ;
,

fo r Go d mak e s
“
wh o m so e ve r H e wi ll s r e l i gi o u s ,

an d i f such had b e e n H is g o o d pl e a su r e H e c o u ld
, ,
"
ha v e made t h e u n g o dl y S amari tan s d e v o u t 2 H e .

P ro v . x i ii. 4 .

S t Am b
. ., i n L u c a ix .
54 O N P R AY E R IN G E N E R A L

wi ll l i st e n wi ll i n gly t o a pe ti ti o n so we l l calc u lat e d

t o pl e a se H i m Th e se so u l s S h o u ld m o r e o v e r co
. , ,

O p e rate wi th t h e d ivi n e acti o n a n d wit h t h e aid, ,

o f d ivi n e grace n e gl e ct n o th i n g n ee dfu l i n o rd e r t o

,

p re par e th e m se lv es a n d t o p ray w e l l ; t h e y hav e a

particu l a r n e e d O f u n d e rst a n d in g t h o r o u gh l y t h e
'

val u e o f de v o ti o n o f ap p re ci ati n g t h e m i se ry o f
,

th e i r car e l e ss n e ss an d o f t e awak e n i n g t h e i r
,
‘
-

fe rv o u r by m e an s o f f e ar o r h Ope o r l o v e
, , .

I I I — I L L U S I O NS
. IN M E NTAL P RAYE R .

We S ha l l p o m t out b ri e fl y so m e fe w o f th ese
i l lu s i o n s in o rd e r t o av o i d hav i n g t o r e p ea t o u r
se lv e s .

It is a n i l l u s i o n t o p re t e n d t o b ec o m e a ma n o f
p ray e r with a lax c o n sc i e nc e a d i ss i p at e d m i n d a , ,

h e art fu l l o f attach me n t s a n d a w i l l e n sl av e d t o
,

se lf .

I t is an i l l u s i o n fo r th o se w h o a re e m p l o y e d i n
ab so rb i n g d uti e s t o w i s h t o pa ss di re ctly fr o m t he
,

tu m ult o f b u si n ess t o t h e r e p o se o f m e n tal p raye r ;

i t is ge n e ra l ly n e c essa ry t o ta k e so m e l ittl e ti m e t o
g e t ri d o f p re O ccu
-
pat i o n s t o al l o w agitati
,
'

o n s t o

sub s i de a n d t o r e gai n t h e p r e se n c e o f Go d Oh
'

, . -
,

ho w p r e ci o u s i n o u r e y es S h o u l d b e t h e free ti m e
b e twe e n ma n u a l w o rk a n d t h e D i v i n e O ffic e !
I t is an i l l u si o n at l e a st fo r a be gi n n e r n o t t o
, ,

c h o o s e h i s su b je c t n o t t o r e ad i t o v e r att e n t iv e l y
, ,

o n t h e p r e te xt th a t th e r e w i l l b e l i g h t a nd he can

u se a b o o k . A t t h e c o m m e n ce m e n t o f t h e S p i r i tua l
 F A ILU R E ‘ ”
IN M E NTA L P R AYE R 55

l ife , we , n e e d o f t h e se p r e cau t io n s a n d w e a re
h a ve .

too h asty i n th i n k i ng o u r se l v e s su ffiC Ie n t l y

advan c e d t o l e ave th e m a s i de .

I t is a n i ll u s i o n t o wan t t o e n te r a t o n c e o n t h e ,

b o dy o f o u r pray e r wi th o u t fi rst p u tti n g o u r se l v es

,

th o r o ug h ly in t h e p re se nc e o f Go d u n l e ss w e a re ,
,

j ust aft e r e n di n g a n e xe rci se w h i ch h as alr eady

made u s re c o l le cte d o r w e be l o n g t o that cl ass o f
,

pe r so n s w h o h ar dly e v e r l o se t h e se n se o f t he
D i v i n e P r e s e nc e .

I t is a n i l lu s i o n t o qu i t t o o ea s i ly t h e s u bj e ct w e
‘

h ad p re par e d n o t i n o b e di e n ce t o t he S p i ri t o f
,

Go d w h o b r e a t h e t h w h e re H e w i ll s b u t o u t o f
'

cap ri c e a n d i n c o n sta ncy .

I t is an i l l u s i o n t o w ish t o l ea v e o ff O u r m eth o d
'

t oo soo n o r t o b e a S lav e t o i t
, M et h o d is n o t p e r .
;

fec t io n it is n o t e v e n p ray e r ; i t is a m e r e in st r u
,

m e n t t o b e u se d as I o n g a s i t is se rvi ce abl e t o b e
-
.

l a i d a s i d e as so o n as i t c e a ses t o b e u se fu l m i l ch ,

m o r e so w h e n it b e c o m e s h armfu l No w I n t h e .
,

c o m m e n ce m e n t m e th o d is at i t we re i n d i sp e n sabl e a ,

b egi nn e r is t oo m u c h o f a c h i l d t o wa l k w ith o u t
l e adi n g stri n g s ; l at e r o n i t w ill lo se it s u se fu l n ess ;
.
I

b es i d e s t h e H o ly G h o st h as H is Ow n w o rd t o say
,

i n t h e m at t e r a n d is u n d e r n o o bl igati o n t o r e gu late
-
,

H is i n spi rat i on s acc o rdi n g t o o u r m e t h o d Wh e n .

t he p ray e r o f S i m pl i ci ty o r my s tical c o nt e m plati o n

is r each e d m e t h o d m igh t b e a n i m pe d im e n t .

LJ t is a n i l l u s i o n t o gi v e t o o m u c h ti m e t o c o n
'

sid e ra t i o n s P ray e r t h e n b e c o m es a m e re s p e cu la
. .

tiv e stu dy a lab o u r o f t he i nt e l l e ct ; a ff ecti o n s

, ,

p e titi o n s r eso l uti o n s wh i c h a re t he mai n p o i nt a re

, , ,
56 ON P R AY E R IN G E N E RA L

n e g l ect e d ; c o n se qu e n tly th i s e x e rci se r e m ai n s ,

barr e n a n d hard l y a ny fau l t is c o rre cte d

,
.

I t is a n i l l u s i o n t o g iv e t o o l it t l e ti m e t o c o n s i d e ra
ti o n s an d t o lau nch o n e se lf at o nc e wh o l ly an d
,

so l e l y i n t o a ff e cti o n s I n th i s way w e ru n t h e ri sk
.

o f n e v e r h av i n g a ny we l l gr o u n d e d o r th o r o u gh -

c o n vi cti o n s a t l ea st u n l ess w e su pply t h i s wa n t b y

,

s e ri o u s s pi ritual r e adi n g A n d wi th o u t re fl e c ti o n s
.

h o w l o n g wi ll o u r p i o u s affe cti o n s la s t ? L e t u s .

t h e n d e v o t e t o c o n s i de rat i o n s a s u itable ti m e ;
,

m o r e is n e c e ssar y i n t h e b e gi n n i n g l e ss wi l l b e ,

r e qu i r e d i n p r o p o rt i o n as w e a dva nce b u t i t is o n ly ,

wh e n w e are su ffi ci e ntly p re par e d fo r t h e p ray e r o f

S i m p l i ci ty that t h ey o u gh t t o b e la i d a s i d e
, .

I t is a n i l l u si o n wh e n w e h av e f o u n d d e v o ti o n
, ,

t o l eav e o ff t o o so o n t h e act s wh ich hav e p r o c u r e d

i t a n d t o pa ss o n t o o t h e r s o n t h e p re t e x t ao f
,

fo l l o wi n g o u t o u r m e t h o d We m u st ha lt th e r e
.

as l o n g as t h e i u a ff e cti o n la st s e v e n t h o u gh it
p o s ,

S h o u ld o ccu py t h e wh o l e t i m e o f o u r m e d i tati o n ;

fo r d e v o ti o n b e i n g t h e e n d o f t h i s e x e rci se i t
, ,

w o u ld b e a n e rro r t o se e k fo r e l se w h e re w ith an ,

u n c e rta in h o p e w h at w e a re c e rtai n o f havi n g

,
” 1
al r e ady fo u n d .

I t is a n i l l u s i o n t o c o n fi n e o u r p ray e r t o o n e
s ma l l c o rn e r o f t he day an d aft e rwa rd s t o t h i n k n o
,

m o r e ab o u t it No d o u bt i t pr o du ce s at t h e v e ry
.

t i m e i t is made a part o f it s e ffect t h e m i n d is ,

e n l i ght e n e d a ff e cti o n s an d pe t iti o n s a re m a d e al l

, ,

wh ich h as it s o w n va l u e ; b u t thi s pi o u s e xe rc i se d o e s
St P e ter f Al c a n t On P r aye r M ed i t a t io n ;
a nd
p a rt ,
. o .
, I st
c . x ii , . I s t c o u n se l
.
 FAILU R E IN ME NTA L P R AY ER 57

not i e ld u s a l l it s fru i t u n l ess i t r e s u lt s i n a p rac

y ,

tical r eso l uti o n w h ic h c o rr e s p o n d s t o o u r n e e d s a n d ,

wh ic h dw e l l s i n t h e m e m o ry i n o rd e r t o b e p u t i n
practice A p ray e r wh i c h d o e s n o t re s u lt i n th i s
.
, ,

is l i k e a r e m e dy t h at is n e ve r ap pl i e d an in s t r u ,

m e n t t h at is n e v e r u se d a sw o rd that r e mai n s i n t h e
,

scabbard .

I n fin e it is an i l lu s i o n t o tak e s cru p u l o s ity fo r

,

d e l i cacy o f c o n sci e nce a n d it s fu ti le p re o ccu pat i o n s -

fo r a g o o d p ray e r O n t h e c o nt rary th i s is o n e o f th e
.
,

gre at e st O b stacl es t o u n i o n w i t h Go d ; a n o b stac l e ,

b e cau se it h i n d e r s t ra n qu i l i ty o f m i n d an d att e n ti o n
t o Go d ; an o b stacl e be cau se it c o n tract s t h e h e art
,

wit h sad n e ss sti fl e s c o n fid e nc e a n d l o ve p araly se s

, ,

t h e wi l l , i ncl i n e s u s t o fly fr o m Go d B e s i de s .
,

what p ray e r ca n t h e re b e i n a h eart t o sse d ab o u t by

scru p l e s ? I n st e ad o f ad o r i n g it is e xam i n i n g it s,

co n sci e nce ; i n st e ad o f than k i n g i t is p r o b i n g it s ,

so r e s, i t a sk s n o pard o n i t is t o o b u sy in v e st iga t
,

i n g it s gu i l t it b e g s fo r n o grac e i t is t o o m uch
, ,

o ccu p i e d in se lf i n s p e cti o n
- I t h as n o t t h e n m a d e
.

any p ray e r i t w as t o o b u sy w ith se lf t o h av e a ny

,

ti m e t o s p eak t o Go d ; o r i f i t h as d o n e so i t w as
, ,

a p ray e r wi t h o u t c o nfid e n ce wi t h o u t a ny e xpan d ,

i n g o f t h e h e art ; fe ar has ban i sh e d t h e fam i l i a r

i nt e rc o u r se o f p ray e r a nx i e ti e s hav e de str o y e d cal m
,

a n d p e ac e . S cru p u l o s i ty is n o t re p e n tan c e i t is ,

me r e l y t ro ubl e ; i t is n o t d e l icacy o f c o n sci e nc e bu t ,

it s u n h e althy c o u nt e rfe i t Th e re fo r e w e m u st
.
,

dri v e i t away by av o id i n g s uc h s ubj e ct s fo r m e di

,

t a t io n a s a re calcu late d t o au gm e n t a f e ar a l r e ady

t o o m uch d e ve l o p e d by ch o o s i n g s uc h tru t h s a s a re
,
 ”

33 O N P R AYER IN GE N E R AL

m o s t apt t o str e n gth e n o u r Co nfide n ce b y le av i n g ,

”

a s i de an xi o u s m i n ute a n d d i s qu i eti n g e x a m i na
, ,

ti o n s a n d es pe cia l l y by b l i n d o b e di e nc e t o o u r
,

su pe r Io r o r o u r d i r e ct o r .

—
‘

5 IV . B O D I LY I N D I S P O S ITIO NS
S t F ranci s de S a l e s ,1
’

S o m e t i m e s, ay s d i sg u s t
'
“

s . ,

s t e ri l i ty
n
dry n ess S p ri g fr o m b o d ily i n di sp o s i ti o n
, ,

a s wh e n th r o u gh e xc ess iv e watc h i n gs lab o u r s an d ,

fa s ts w e a re o v e rwh e l m e d with dr o w s i n e ss l a ss i
, ,

tu d e h e av i n e ss a n d o t he r s u c h in firm it ie s wh ich
, , , ,

alth o u gh th ey d epe n d o n t he b o d y d o n o n e t he
'
‘

l e s s i nc o nv e n i e nce t h e m i n d o n a cc o u n t o f t h e c l o se
u n i o n wh ich e xi st s b e t w ee n b o dy an d so u l
Th e r e m e dy i n t h i s c o nj u nctu r e , is t o re s t o r e o u r
,
”
c o rp o ral stre n gth .

T h e sai n t s h o we v er so ught fo r t h e f e r v o r a n d
, ,

d e l i ght s o f p ray e r i n t h e m i d st o f t h e i r au st e ri ti e s .

F a r fr o m l i ste n i n g t o t h e d e m o n w h o assu m I n g , ,

t he r b l e o f o u r m e d i cal advi se r pl ead s

‘

o u r c o n s t itut i o n a n d d i n s l o u dly i n t o o Ur jea rs t h e

,

in fir m it ie s w h ich r e l igi o u s o b se rva nc e if k e pt may , ,

e n ge n d e r 2
; w e S h o u ld o n t h e c on trary c l i n g t o , ,

o u r au st e ri ti es as t o t h e w i l l o f Go d an d k e e p o u r
“

,
,

rul es With a j e al ou s car e as o u r b e st i n h e ri ta nc e an d

o u r t ru e t r ea s u r e B u t as i n d is cr e t io n i n p e n i t e n tial
.

e x e rci se s i nj u r e s c o n t e m p l at i o n i f o u r b o dy is ,

e xhau ste d an d o u r m I n d i n e rt l et u s ma k e k n o wn ,

t o o u r s u p e ri o r s o u r c o n di t i o n a n d ab i d e b v what ,

St . F r a n c is d e S a l e s , Tire D e vo u t L if e 4t h pa r t ,
, c . xv
:
Hu g . o f St . Vic t o r , D c Cl a us . l i c ii
. .
 CH AP TER v1

C O N S O LA T IO NS A ND D R YN E S S

O NE of t he m o st c o m m o n a n d d e p l o rab l e i l l u s i o n s
c o n s i st s i n j udgi n g o f o u r p ray e r by t h e c o n so lati o n
o r d ry n e ss w e m e e t w ith th e r e i n ; i n th i n k i n g i t g o o d

b ecau se acc o m pan i e d by c o n so lat i o n bad if c h i ll e d , ,

by d e so lati o n NO n o s uch is n o t t h e ca se Th e
.
, ,
.

b e s t p ray e r w e r e i t e ve r SO d ry is that wh ich l e ave s

, ,

u s m o re h u mbl e m o r e d i sp o se d t o r e n o u n c e o u r
,

se l ve s,
t o practi se o be di e n c e t o l iv e t h e l i f e O f
,

d e p e n d e nc e wh ich o u r s tat e re qu i re s t o b e ar with ,

o u r b reth re n ,a n d n e ve r t o b e a b u rth e n t o o th ers ;

i n a w o rd t o d o i n al l t h i n g s t he w i l l o f Go d O n
, .

t h e o th e r h an d o u r p ray e r
, w e r e i t a n oc e a n o f
,

s w ee t n e s s is barre n a n d e v e n ban e fu l w h e n i t l e av e s
,

u s m o r e fu ll o f Ou r se lv e s m o re attach e d t o o u r c o n
,

s o l ati o n s ; fo r o u r e n d h e r e b e l o w is n o t e nj o ym e n t ,

b ut e v e r t o te n d t o p e rfe cti o n .

S i n c e c o n so lati o n s a n d a ri dit i e s may se rv e o r

i nj u r e u s acc o rdi ng t o t h e u se w e mak e o f th e m ,

l e t u s e xam i n e th e n what t h e y are wh e n ce th ey ,

c o m e wh ith e r t h e y te n d an d h o w w e a re t o mak e
, ,

u se o f th e m . We wi l l he r e S p e ak c h i e fly o f t he
c o n so lat i o n s a n d ari di ti e s w h i c h a re m e t wi th in
o rd i n a ry p ray e r as w e m e a n t o gi v e late r o n a n
,

e xp l an at i o n o f t he pa s s i v e
p r ific a t io n s a n d t h e j o y s
u

o f my stica l c o nt e m plati o n .

60
 C O NS O LATI O NS AN D D R YN E S S 6I

—T H E IR
'

I . NATU RE .

De v o ti o n is t h e p r o m ptitu d e wi th wh ich t h e w i l
t e n ds t o t h e se rvic e o f Go d t o p ray e r a s w e l l as t o
,

o th e r duti e s The w h o l e s ub sta nc e a n d marr o w o f

.

d e v o ti o n c o n s i st s i n th i s p r o m pti tu d e qu ick n e ss , ,

agi l ity h o l y ard o u r g e n e r o s ity an d d e v o te dn e ss o f

, , ,

t h e wi ll Wi th th i s di s p o s it i o n o f so u l w e p o ssess
.

t h e e sse n ce o f de v o ti o n w i th o u t it w e h av e o n ly it s
p h an t o m ; an d th i s is why th i s r e ad i n ess o f wi ll is
call e d s ub stan ti al d e v o ti o n .

G e n e ral ly S p e ak i n g i t is se a so n e d wi th a c e rtai n
,

ch arm a n d swee t n e ss ; w e t e n d wi th l o v e an d k ee n
r e l i sh t o t h e t h i ng s o f Go d w e are w e l l w ith H i m
,

t h e so u l is i n p e ace t h e h e art j o yfu l an d d u ty is

, ,

eas
y . Th i s s w e e tn e s s is n o t d e v o ti o n ; fo r wi th o ut ,

i t t h e wi l l m ay b e pr o m pt i n t he se rv i ce o f Go d ;
,

b ut b e i n g s u p e radde d t o d e v o ti o n as acci d e n t t o
s ub sta n ce i t is call e d acci de n tal d e vo ti o n
, .

I f i t r e mai n i n t h e so u l wi th o u t pa ss i n g i n t o t h e
se n s e s w e hav e acci d e ntal s p i ri tu al d e v o t i o n ; i f it
,

s pr e a d fr o m t h e so u l t o t h e se n ses l i k e t h e o v e rfl o w

o f a v e s se l wh ic h is t o o fu ll w e th e n hav e acci d e ntal

,

se n s ibl e d e v o ti o n o r t o e xp re ss i t m o r e c o nci se ly
, , ,

se n s ibl e d e v o ti o n . T h e n t he h e art is d i late d wi th

o
j y , a n d b e at s w i t h m o r e l i fe t h e e y e s gl i s t e n an d
,

m o i st e n w it h t e ar s t h e face is radi an t t he v o ic e fu ll
, ,

o f emo t i o n a l l t h e se n se s fill e d wi t h swee t i m pre s

,

S Io n S . A n d th i s so m e ti m e s r e ach e s e v e n t o a k i n d
o f tran s p o rt an d o f s p i ri tual i n e b riati o n .

S o m et i m es o n t h e o t h e r han d a l t h o u gh t he wi l l
, ,
62 O N P R AY E R IN G E N E RA L

d o e s it s duty wi th ge n e r o s i ty t h e se n se s a re n o t ,

a ff e ct e d t h e so u l is n o t pe r v a d e d by th i s sw ee tn e ss
, ,

it fee l s it se l f aban d o n e d ; t he m i n d is e m pty an d h as

n o i d e a s t h e h e art is c o l d a n d c o n c e i v e s o n ly aff e c
,

ti o n s with o u t r e l i s h an d t h e wi l l re mai n s w ith o ut

,

e n e rgy Th i s is ari d i ty d ry n e ss ab a n d o n m e n t
.
, , ,

de so l ati o n .

A cc o rdi n g t o S t L igu o ri say s F r D e su r m o n t 1

.
, .
,

th e r e a re t h r ee ki n d s o f o rd i nary m e n tal p ray e r .

The fi r st is ea sy pr a yer i n w h i ch t he so u l ai d e d by , ,

grac e p r o d uc e s (at l ea st wi th e a se an d so m e ti m e s
, ,

wit h swee t n e ss) t h e vari o u s act s p e cu l i ar t o c o nv e r

sati o n wi th Go d Th e se c o n d is dr y pra ye r du ri n g
.
,

wh ich t h e so u l can o n l y ma k e p e ti ti o n s an d h u mb l e .

a n d r e s i g n i t se lf Th e th i rd is t h e prayer o f deso la;

.

t io n i n wh i ch t h e so u l ca n h ardly do m o r e th an
'

,
”
utte r a cry o f a l arm .

A cc o rdi n g t o th i s te ach i n g th e n c o n so lat i o n s , ,

a r e n o t d e v o ti o n ; fo r t he pr o m p t wi ll wh i ch is t h e ,
.

e s se n c e o f d e v o t i o n may v e ry w e l l s ub si st with o ut
,

c o n so lati o n s o r b e alt o g e th e r wa nti n g i n S p i te o f

,

th e i r p re se nc e .

St . F ranci s Of S al e s gi v e s as a n e xam p le a c h il d
2

w h o w ee p s t e n d e r l y o n se e i n g it s m o th e r bl e d
“

bu t n o n e t he l e ss r e fu se s t o gi v e he r t h e appl e it
h o ld s i n it s h a n d ; so so m e so u l s e xp e ri e n c e gre at
te n d e rn ess o f h e a rt u tt e r s i gh s an d s h e d t e ar s
, ,

w h e n m e di tat i n g o n t h e P a ss i o n b u t wi l l n o t sa cri ,

fic e t o O u r L o rd so m e tri fl i ng a ff e cti o n d e l i ght o r , ,

Th e D i v i n e A r t o
f M en fa l P r a er
y .

St . Fr a n c is d e S a l e s D e v o u t L if t
. , p a r t iv . , c . x iii .
 C O NS O LAT IO N S A ND D R YN E S S 63

s ati sfacti o n wh ich He wi s h es t o tak e fr o m th e m

,
.

S uch pe r so n s h av e i n d ee d so m e fe e l i n g s b ut
, , ,

the y h av e n o d e v o t e dn e ss ; th e i r se n s ib i l i ty al o n e is
t o uc he d th e i r wi ll is n o t d e v o t e d t o Go d
,
Ah ! .

’
al l that is o n ly ch i ld r e n s fr i e n d s h i p t e n d e r i n d ee d , ,

but w e ak fa ncifu l a n d with o u t e ff e ct

,
D e v o ti o n .
,

t h e re fo re d o e s n o t c o n s i st i n t h e se te n d e r fee l i n g s
,

an d se n sib l e a ffe cti o n s .

’

O n t h e o th e r han d dry n e ss d o e s n o t alway s p r o v e

,

a wan t o f d e v o ti o n Ce rtai n ly i f t h e wi l l face s it s

.
,

duty fe e bly i f i t ha s b ec o m e c o wa rdly a n d w i t h o u t

,

e n e rgy wi th r e gard t o o b e di e n c e m utu al f o rbe ar ,

anc e h u m i l iat i o n s & c ; i f i n t i m e o f p ray e r i t

, , .

mak es h ardly a n y e flOrt agai n s t d i st racti o n s an d ,

d o es i t se l f n o v i o l e n c e t o k ee p u n i te d t o Go d ; t he
so u l h as l o s t n o t o n ly t he s w ee t n e ss o f d e v o ti o n b ut

d e v o ti o n i t se l f B ut i f t h e wi l l r e m ai n s p ro m pt
.

and g e n e r o u s i n fu lfi ll i n g it s du t i e s i f i n pray e r , , ,

it d o es w ha t i t c an t o r e mai n u n i t e d t o Go d e v e n ,

th o u g h i t may hardly s uccee d i n so d o i n g t h e so u l ,

h as l o st o n ly se n s ib l e d e v o ti o n b u t h as p rese rv e d,

s ub stanti al d e v o ti o n an d h as n o t ce a se d t o b e l o n g
,

t o Go d a n d t o pl e a se H i m .

II .
— TH E O RIG IN AN D T E N D E NCY OF C O N S O LA
TI O N S AN D D E S O LATIO N S

C o n so l ati o ns an d d e so l at i o n s may c o m e fr o m
od, fr o m n a t u re o r fr o m t h e de m o n
, .

I n o rd e r t o attract t h e so u l t o S pi ri tual g o o d s .

wit h t h e m i l k o f i n t e ri o r c o n
64 O N P R AYE R IN G E NE R A L

so lati o n s with an ab u n danc e o f hap py t e ar s Th i s

,
.

is n o t a pr o o f that t h e so u l is str o n g an d de v o u t ,

b ut ra th e r that i t is we a k s i n c e Go d t r e at s it a s a
,

ch i l d ; i t is Go d w h o is g o o d an d n o t o u r se lv e s
, ,
.

H e lavi sh e s u p o n u s H is c o n so lati o n s a n d ca r e sse s

u s t o t h e e n d t h at th o se h i gh e r j o y s may ban i s h

fr o m o u r m i n d t h e c o ar se de l i ght s o f th i s e arth .

that o u r h e art m ay b e w o n by H is g o o d n e ss a n d ,

t h at w e may l o v i n gly e mb rac e H is w i l l by o u r

o b e d i e nc e a nd fid e l i ty B u t ala s ! th e se b o u nt i e s
.
,

o f Go d i n s p i r e u s wi th a se cre t se lf c o m plac e ncy -

,

wh i ch is di sp l ea s i n g t o H i m a n d w e se i z e u p o n ,

t h e se S pi ri tual sw e e t s wi th a gr e e d i n e ss wh i ch S t .

J o h n o f t h e C r o ss ca l l s s p i r itu al gl utt o ny so that ,

“
w e see k t h e c o n so lati o n s o f Go d as m uch an d

p e rhap s m o re th an w e d o t h e Go d o f c o n so lati o n s ;
a n d if t h i s sw ee tn e ss w e re se parabl e fr o m
,
” 1
w e w o u ld aba n d o n l o v e t o k ee p t h e s w ee t ne ss .

H e nc e i t is that as so o n as w e are capabl e o f

,

s u pp o rt i n g t h e w ith drawal o f th e se c o n so lati o n s ,

with o u t aban d o n i n g vi rtu e Go d tak e s th e m fr o m

,

u s b e cau se w e m ak e a bad u se o f th e m
, .

H e wi th draw s th e m b e cau se w e h av e fai l e d t o

,

e m pl o y t h e m i n p r o duci n g th o se fru i t s O f vi rtu e a n d

se lf sa c r ifi
- ce wh ich H e e xp e cte d fr o m o u r u se o f

th e m .

H e wi t h d raw s th e m be c au se w e h av e b ee n n e gl i
,

g e nt in re c e i v i ng th e m a n d S O w h e n w e ge t u p t o
,

gath e r t h e m an na be h o l d i t is m e lt e d away
, ,

He w ith d raw s th e m be cau se w e ca n n o t a t l t h e

St . F r a n c is of S a l e s , Lo v e o f Go d , b . ix . c . x.
 C O NS O LAT IO NS AND D RYN E S S 65

s am e t i m e e nj o y t h ly an d
h eav e n ly d e l i ghts
ea r .

Th e s eé kin g o f o u r o w n sat i sfacti o n d Iso rde rl y

‘

attac h m e n t t o cr eatu r es d e l ib e rat e ve n ial S in an d , ,

e sp e cial ly a h ab i t o f s uc h s i n s e ff ectual ly dry u p ,

de vo ti o n .

He wit hd r aw s t hem a dd s S t B e r nar d ; o n

, .

acc o u n t o f o u r p ri d e ; w h e t h e r i t b e t h a t w e h av e

alr ead y fal le n i nt o t h i s v i c e o r t h at w e sh o ul d , ,

wi t h o ut t h i s w i t hd rawal fal l i n t o i t Th e t ak i n g
, .

away o f grace is a p r oo f o f p ri d e
, P ri de .
,

e i t h e r al r ea d y e xi sti n g i n t h e so u l or t o b e ap p re ,

d in t he fu tu r e is alway s a cau se o f t he w i t h
,
” 1
grac e .

n
g t o F r F ab e r t h e
. t i m e O f p r a
,y e r is

o r p u n i sh i n g u s fo r o u r fau lt s Then .

t h at o u r v e n i al s i n s o u r S l i g h t i n fide l it ie s o u r
, ,

d in at e fri e n d sh ip s our w o rld ly attac h m e nt s

,

u p a gai n st u s an d w e m u st pay t h e p enal ty o f

,

2 I t w o u l d p e r h ap s b e m o re e xact t o say
t h at Go d awa it s u s t h e r e i n o r d e r t o a d m o n i sh u s o f
o u r fau lt s t o c o rr e ct u s l i k e a fat h e r a n d t o b ri n g
, ,

u s back t o Ou r d u ty .

fi l l n s h o rt th e n by se n d i n g u s d ryn ess Go d
, , ,

me an s t o h u mb l e u s t o de tac h u s fr o m cre atu re s t o

, ,

co m p l et e t h e pu rificati o n o f o u r so u l t o l ea d u s t o ,

a be tt e r ap p re ci ati o n o f H is gi ft s t o a m o r e ar d e nt ,

desi re o f t h e m a n d t o a gre at e r re adi n e ss t o mak e

,

Isac r ifi c e s i n o rd e r t o see k th e m I t is o ne o f t h e .

! w ay s o n e o f t h e art ifice s o f G o d s l o v e t o mak e

’
,

St . B e rn a r d , In can t . ser m . , 54 , n
°
10.

Fr .
F a b e r, Gro w ”
: in H o l i n ess , xv,
66 O N P R AY E R IN G E N E R AL

H i m se lf l o v e d t o u n ite H i m se lf m o re cl o se ly w i t h
,

a so u l h u n ge ri n g a n d p a n ti n g wi t h t h e de si r e o f
Him a n d t o make i t i n t h e m ea n t i m e p racti se m o r e
, , ,

h e r o i c a n d m o r e m e ri t o ri o u s act s o f v i rtu e .

Th e d e m o n h as n o p o w e r t o e n t e r di re ctly i n t o
"
o u r i nt e ll e ct a n d w i l l bu t he ca n e x e rt a gr eat
,

i nfl ue nc e o ve r t h e bl o o d t h e h u m o u r s t h e n e rv e s
, , ,

t h e i magi n ati o n an d t h e se n ses S o m e ti m es h e

,
.

e xci tes i n u s f e e l i n g s o f sw e e tn e ss a n d c on so lati o n ;

he t h u s u rg es t h e so u l t o i n d i scr e t i o n I n au st e re
!

p ractic e s i n o r d e r t o r e n d e r i t u se l ess by ru i n i n g
,

it s h ealth o r t o dri v e i t lat e r o n i n t o d i s c o u rag e m e nt

, ,

by t h e fati gu e cau se d by a b u rde n w h ic h is t o o

h e avy ; he e n ti c es it t o tak e a se cr e t c o m p lace n c e
-

i n it s o w n v i rtu e o r t o c o n c e i v e an i n o r d i n at e l o v e o f
,

th e se s p i ri tual swee t s Wh i l st e n gagi n g h e r i n th i s

.

tr each e r o u s gam e h e h i d es fr o m t h e so u l de f e ct s
,

a n d fau lt s w h ic h sta n d i n m uc h n ee d o f c o
h e t ri es t o p e r s uade h e r t h at S h e is r e mark e d
adm i r e d ; h e u rg es h e r t o de s i r e su p e r n at u ral fav o u rs
that m ay se t he r o n a pe destal o f h o n o r ; h e s ee k s i n ,

a w o rd t o t h r o w h e r i n t o p ri d e a n d se n ti m e n tal i s m
, ,

at t h e e x pe n se o f tru e s p i ri tual p r o gr e ss w h ic h ,

e v e r so l i d l y ba se d o n h u m i l i ty a n d ab n e gat i o n .

S o m e ti m e s agai n t h e d e m o n cre at e s d ry n ess

t h e so u l t o cau se di s u n i o n b e tw e e n h e r an d Go '

an d t h at t o o i n p ray e r i t sel f w h o se e n d is t o fo st
, ,

d iv i n e u n i o n H e fatigu es t he m i n d by a m u l
.

tu d e o f i m p e rti n e n t t h o u g h t s ; h e aggravat es t
ap p are nt st e ri l i ty o f h e r p ray e r by te m ptati o n s
al l so rt s ; he o v e rw h e l m s t h e s u ffe r e r wi t h 5 1
sa d n e ss , v exati o n ; he su gg est s ab o m In
68 O N P R AYE R IN G ENE R AL

T h e r e a re al so so m e se n s i tiv e an d i m p re ss i o n abl e
natu re s w h o se e m o t i o n s a re ar o u se d by a m e r e
n o th i n g Wh e n th e y c o n s i d e r t h e b e n e fit s
. ,

m e rci e s a n d p e rf e cti o n s o f Go d o r t h e my st e ri e s o f
, ,

o u r S av i o u r s l i f e a n d d e ath e s p e ci al ly o n f e a st
’
,

day s th e i r h e art s a re fu l l o f l o v e a n d t h e i r t ear s

,

flo w r e adi ly .

O n t h e o t h e r h an d th e r e a re day s w h e n n at u re is
,

w e i gh e d d o w n by fat i gu e s u ff e ri n g s a n d ca re s ; , ,

wh e n t he m i n d is e m pty t h e h e art i n se n s i bl e t h e
, ,

e y e s dry an d t h e w h o l e so u l w i th o u t l if e ; t h e n
,

pray e r b ec o m e s a pai n fu l lab o u r i f w e t ry t o u n de r ,

tak e t he ta sk .

G i v e n t h e c o rru pti o n o f n atu re o u r so u l i n t h ese , ,

alte rn a t i o n s o f sad n ess a n d jo y is acc e ss ibl e at o n e ,

t i m e t o t h e d e m o n o f vai n c o m plac e n c e an d
sp i ri t u al gl utt o ny at an o th e r t o t h e d e m o n o f dis
,
-v

c o u ra ge m e n t ; b u t Go d is th e r e a n d w e ca n a
‘
,

re s i s t an d gai n t h e v i ct o ry .

B y t h e ab o v e S i gn s i t may b e see n w h e n c e c o m
o u r c o n so lati o n s a n d d e so l ati o n s To t h r o w m or .

l i gh t h o w e ve r o n t h i s s ubj e ct l e t u s add
, ,
“
w o rd s fr o m S t F ra n ci s o f S al e s 1
. S i nc e .

a re se n s i bl e c o n so lati o n s w h ic h a re g o o d a n d
,

fr o m Go d a n d ye t o t h e r s wh ich are u s
,

da n g e r o u s a n d e ve n p e r n i ci o u s c o m i n g fr o m
, ,

nat u r e , o r e v e n fr o m t h e e n e my h o w ca n I ,

t in gu ish t h e m fr o m e ac h o th e r so a s t o k n o w ,

bad o r u se l e ss fr o m t h e g o o d ? Th e g e n e ral
i n g my d e ar P ll il o t h ea c o nc e r n i n g o u r aff
, ,

St . F r a n c is of S a l e s D e vo u t L if e , 4 t h p a rt .
, c .
 C O NS O LAT I O NS AN D D R Y NE S S 69

an d pa ss i o n s is that w e a re t o k n o w th e m by t h e i r
fru i t. I f s w ee tn ess t e n d e rn e ss a n d c o n , ,

so lati o n s r e n d e r u s m o r e h u mbl e p ati e n t tractab le , , ,

chari tabl e a n d c o m pa ss i o n at e w i t h r e gard t o o u r

,

n e i ghb o u r m o r e fe rv e n t i n m o rti fy i n g o u r c o n
,

c u p isc e n c e an d e v i l i n cl i n ati o n s m o re c o n s ta nt i n ,

o u r p i o u s e x e rci se s m o r e m a nag e ab le an d pl iabl e

‘

i n t h e h an d s o f th o se t o wh o m w e o w e o b e d i e nc e ,

m o r e S i m pl e i n o u r Co n du ct t h e r e is n o d o ubt , ,

P h i l o t h e a b u t t h at th e y c o m e fr o m Go d
, But if .

t h ese sweet s h av e swe e t n e ss o n ly fo r o u r se lve s a n d ,

i f t h e y re n d e r u S cu ri o u s b i tt e r p u n cti l i o u s im , , ,

p ati e n t o
, b s ti n at e h au ghty p
, r e s u m ptu o u s har s
, h ,

t o ward s o u r n e i gh b o u r an d i f th i n k i n g o u r se l ves
, ,

al re ady l i ttl e sai nt s w e ar e n o l o n g e r w i l l i n g t o b e

,

s ubj e ct t o di r e ct i o n o r c o rr e cti o n i n dub i tab ly t h e y ,

a re fal se a n d pe r n i ci o u s c o n so lati o n s
(A n d by .

t h ese sam e p ri n ci pl e s w e m u st al so f o r m o u r j u dg
m e n t o f ari di ti es ) A g o o d tr e e p r o d uc e s o n ly g o o d
.

”
fru i t s .

I II .
—P RACTICAL C O N D U CT .

On t h e par t f o t h e in t e l l ig en c e
Let u s co m
m e nc e by e xam i n i n g o u r c o n sci e n c e by t h e l i gh t Of
t hese p ri nci pl e s i n o rd e r t o see wh e n c e c o m e o u r
,

c o n so lati o n s a n d d e so l at i o n s a n d e sp e ci al ly w h at ,

eff e ct s t h e y r duc i n so u l s B ut r e mark

p o e o u r .
,

P h il o t h ea
-
s ay s S t
, F ran ci s o f S al e s 1 .
“
t h at w e ,

st n o t mak e th i s e xam i n ati o n w i th di s qu i e tu d e

St . F r a n c is of Sa l e s, D ev o u t L if e, 4 t h p a r t , c . x Iv .
7 0 O N P R AY E R IN G E N E R AL

an d t o o m uch cu ri o s i ty A ft e r havi n g car e fu l l y

.

c o n s i d e r e d o u r exc e sse s i n th i s r e sp e ct i f w e fi n d ,

t h e cau se o f t h e e vi l i n o u r s e lv e s w e o ugh t t o thank

,

Go d fo r t h e d i sc o v e ry ; fo r t h e e v i l is half cu re d
w h e n w e have di sc o v e r e d it s cau se I f o n t h e c o n .
,

t ra ry yo u fi n d n o th i n g i n particu lar wh ich see m s

,

t o hav e cau se d th i s ari di ty d o n t am u se y o u r se lf

’
,

s e e k i n g i t o u t m o r e cu ri o u s ly b ut w ith al l S im
,

p l ic it y an d w i th o u t fu rth e r e xam i n i n g i n t o par

”
t ic u l a rs d o w h at I w i l l t e l l yo u
, .

F i r s t o f all w e m u st i f n e c e s sary se t ri gh t o u r
, , ,

i d ea s ab o u t c o n so lati o n s a n d d eso lat i o n s Eve n .

th o ugh th ey S h o u l d b e t h e fru i t o f natu re o r an

arti fice o f t h e d e m o n b o th m ay sti l l b e v e ry u se fu l t o
,

u s i f w e o n ly k n o w h o w t o mak e a righ t u se o f th e m ;

w h ic h is t o u se c o n so lati o n s i n o rde r t o u n i t e o u r
,

se lv es wi th Go d a n d d eso l a ti o n s t o d e tach o u r se l v e s
, ,

fr o m e v e ryt h i n g a n d esp e ci ally fr o m o u rs e lv es

,
.

T h o u g h t h ey b e t he w o rk o f Go d th ey wi l l i nj u r e ,

us , i f w e tu r n t h e m away fr o m th e i r e n d ; t he
fo rm e r i n o rd e r t o n o u ri sh o u r p ri d e a n d S p i ritual
,

gree d t h e latt e r so as t o b e c o m e di sco u rag e d an d

, ,

t o aba nd o n Go d a n d pray e r C o n so lati o n s ar e n o t

.

s ub sta n ti al d e v o ti o n n o r d o d e so l ati o n s c o n s ti tut e

,

th e wan t o f i t ; b o t h are i n t he d esi gn s o f Go d

, ,

p o w e rfu l m ea n s o f sa n c t ific at io n I t is On ly
.

th r o u g h n atu r e s d e prav i ty an d S ata n s mal ice t h at

’ ’

t h e y b ec o m e r o c k s o n wh i ch w e m ay f o u n d e r .

On t h e pa rt o f t he w i l l — T h e r e a re th r e e t h i n g s
.
~

t o b e do n e — To r es ign o u r se lv e s w ith c o nfide nce ;

t o av o id dan ge r s ; t o c o rr e s p o n d wi th t h e de s ig ns o f

Go d .
74 O N P RA Y E R IN G E N E R AL

h u m i l ity a n d s ub m i ssi o n t h at th i s b itt e r c h al ic e m ay

p a ss away ; b ut fo r o u r p art w e p r e fe r a tru stful
, ,

a n d fil ial aban d o n m e n t t o d iv i n e P r o v i d e n ce .

“ ” l “
I n v o k e Go d , s ay s S t f
F ranci s o S al e s
. and ,

b eg o f H i m t o i m par t t o yo u H is glad n e ss .

A way t h e n 0 barr e n n o rt h w i n d t h at dr i est u p

, , ,

my so u l ! an d c o m e ye sw e e t an d graci o u s b ree z es
o f c o n so l at i o n a n d b r e at h e u p o n t h e gard e n o f my

he art ! A ft e r al l i n s uc h dry n e ss a n d
,

S t e ri l i ty n o t h i n g is so p r o fitabl e n o t h i n g so fru i t
,

fu l as n o t t o cl i n g o r b e attach e d t o o u r d es i r e o f
,

b e i n g d e li v e r e d fr o m it I d o n o t say t h at w e m ay
.

n o t wi s h fo r d e l iv e ranc e b u t I d o s ay t h at w e o u g h t
,

n o t t o se t o u r h e art u p o n i t ; b ut rat h e r t o y i e l d o u r

se lv e s u p t o t h e p u r e m e rcy a n d s p e cial P r o vi d e nc e

o f Go d t h at H e m ay mak e u se o f u s as l o n g as H e
,

p l e a s e ,s s ay i n g wi th o u r w h o l e h e ar t an d .

a p r o f o u n d r e s i gn at i o n : Th e L o rd gav e me c on
s o lati o n s t h e L o rd h ath tak e n th e m a w ay ; b l e sse d
,

b e H is h o ly Nam e 2 F o r i f w e p e r se ve r e i n t h i s
’
.
,

h u m i l i ty H e w i ll re st o r e u s H is d e l ig h t fu l fav o u r s
,
”
a s H e di d t o b
J o .

L e t u s av o id t h e dan g er s — I n c o n so lati o n s .

b e war e o f p ri d e .

Go d a ttract s u s by H is l o vi n g k i n d n ess H e ,

fo rg et s al l o u r pa st o ff e n ce s o u r p re se n t w e ak n e ss
, ,

t o se e o n ly o u r n e e d s an d H is o w n l o v e ; t h i s is w h y
w e ad m i r e a n d
p a Ise H is m e rci e s b u t le t u s n o t
r ,

fo rg et o u r m i se ri es an d l e t u s aba se o u r se l ves all

,

D ew it t L ife, 4t h p a rt , c . x iv.

Job i
. 21 .
 C O NS O LAT I O NS AN D D R YN E S S 73

the m o r e i n p r o po rti o n as He car esses u s ; fo r t h e

h i g h e r w e are rai se d t h e m o re fatal w o u ld b e a
,

fal l L e t u s av o i d al so b ec o m i n g a t t ac he d t o c o n
.

so l ati o n s . To day w e h av e a n ab u n da nc e o f th e m
-
,

t o m o rr o w w e m ay b e i n di r e wa n t ; n o m att e r p ro
-
,

v id ed that w e fi n d Go d Le t u s see k H i m o n ly l et
.
,

u s b e attac h e d t o H i m o n ly a n d l e t u s b eware o f
,

fix i n g o u r h eart u p o n t he c o n so l ati o n s w h i c h h e l p
Us o n Ou r Way t o H i m ; a trav e l l e r d o es n o t attac h

h is h ea rt t o t h e c a rr iag e o r b o at w h ic h is c o n v e y i n g
h im
F i n al ly , le t u s, as far as d e pe n d s o n u s m o de rat e ,

o u r c o n so lati o n s w h e n th e y go t o o far S t T e r esa . .

c o m pare s t h e j o y s o f c o n t e m p lati o n t o a h eav e n ly

”
wat e r . H o w e v e r ab u n dan t i t m ay b e S h e say s , ,

it c an n e v e r b e e xcess i v e b ecau se t h e r e c ann o t b e

,

c i n w h at c o m e s fr o m Go d an d w h e n H e
an
y e x e s s ,

g iv e s t h i s l i vi n g wat e r t o a so u l i n gr e at qu an ti ty H e ,

al so i n cr e a ses it s ca p aci ty t o dr i n k ab u n dan tly o f i t .

B u t as t he d e m o n an d n atu r e may m i n gl e t h e i r wi l es
,

wit h t h e se c o n so lati o n s an d r e n d er t h e m i m p etu o u s

,

an d v i o l e n t e v e n t o i n di scre ti o n t h e sai n t c o u n se l s
,

us , w h e n ev e r w e f ee l that o u r b o di ly str e n gt h is
b e gi n n i n g t o fai l o r th at o u r h e ad is ac h i n g t o
, ,

m o d e rat e th ese e m o t i o n s what e v e r c o n so l ati o n w e

,

may b e e nj o y i n g e i t he r by a chan g e o f s ubj ect o r

, ,

by ab ri dgi n g t h e ti m e o f o u r p ray e r (p r o vi d e d i t b e
no t p r e s cri b e d by ru l e ) ; fo r d i s cr e t i o n is n e c essa ry

i n e v e ryth i n g .
1 In d ry n ess av o i d d i sc o u rag e m e nt
,

an d pu s i l l an i m i ty . H o w e v e r p r o f o u n d an d p e r s i s

St . Te re s a , Wy a f
o P e rf ect io n , x ix .
74 O N P R A YE R IN G E NE R AL

t e n t b e t h e a ri d i ty w i th w h at e v e r t e m ptati o n s i t b e
,

aggravat e d ,
th o u gh al l h e l l b e l e t l o o se t o hara ss
t h e se n ses an d i magi nati o n l e t u s n e v e r l o se
,

c o u rag e Go d tri e s u s i n o rde r t o pu rify u s an d

.
,

d oe s n o t wi sh o u r d e s t r uct i o n ; H e is a fat h e r n o t ,

a j u dg e ; H e is a d i re ct o r w h o se o bj e ct is t o p u rg e
,

t h e so ul t o st ri p i t o f al l it s attach m e nt s in o rd e r
, ,

t o r e n d e r i t b e tt e r F r o m t h e m o m e n t w e m ake
.

se r i o u s e ff o rt s t o c o mba t te m p tati o n s an d in sp it e , ,

o f o u r ar id iti e s t o o ccu py o u r se lv e s wi th Go d wi t h
,

a g oo d wi l l , alb e i t wi t h o u t re l i sh o r e nt h u s i a sm ,

t h e t e m ptati o n s w h ic h agitat e t h e i m a gi n at i o n a n d
d i stu rb t h e se n ses a re m e r e ly f e ar s t o rm e n t s ,

i n fl icte d o n t h e so u l a ssau l t s o f t h e d e m o n b u t are

, ,

no t v o l u n tary act s n o r S i n s I f yo u wi sh t o
.
’

” 1 “
k n o w say s S t L i gu o ri
, . t h e t ru e stat e o f y o u r
,

so u l a sk i t wh e th e r i n t he hei gh t o f it s d eso lati o n

, ,

i t w o u ld c o m m i t a s i n gl e d e l i b e rat e v e n ial s in a n d i t ,

w i ll a n swe r wi t h o u t h e s i tat i o n that i t is r ea d y t o

s uff e r n o t o n e b u t a t h o u san d d e at h s rat h e r t h an
”
o ff e n d t h e L o r d I f yo u are th u s d i sp o se d b l e ss
.
,

Go d an d r e mai n i n p e ac e ; yo u a re d o i n g al l t h at H e
e xpe c t s fr o m alt h ug h yo u f ee l i t n o t ; yo u
y ou o
,

p o ssess t h e l o v e o f Go d an d tru e d e v ot i o n yo u ,

w a n t o n ly it s swe e t n ess O n t h e o th e r han d if yo u

.
,
-
v

pe rc e i ve th at i n t i m e o f d e so lati o n y o u r w i ll
, ,

p r o n e t o m u rmu r i n g t o b itt e r n ess t o r e la

, ,

that i t av o i d s Go d an d is s l o v e n ly i n p ray e r c o rr e ,

at o nc e th e se an d o th e r s uc h de fe ct s ; fo r t h e e vi l
in y o u r wi ll a n d t h e ari d i ty is o n ly it s Occa s i o n
,

St . L ig u o r i Lo w .
f / esu s Ch rist ,
o v i.
7 6 O N P R AY E R I N G E N E R AL

S h o w t h e m t o Go d an d t o mak e th e m t h e s ubj e ct o f
,

o u r c o nv e r s at i o n w i th H i m an d so t o c h an g e i n t o
,

a p ray e r t h e v e ry a ssau lt wh ich t h r e at e n s t o sti fl e

o u r p ray e r ?

T h i s is al so t h e p r o p e r t i m e t o p racti se t h e
“
p ray e r o f pati e nc e B u t I am c o nt i n u al ly d is
.

”
tract e d F r Gr asse t mak e s t h e so u l say 1
,
. If yo u .

”
a re v o l u ntar i ly s o h e a n sw e r s o u a re O ffe n d
, y ,

i n g Go d b u t i f i t is aga m st y o u r w i ll yo u a re
, ,

h o n o u ri n g pl e a si n g l o v i n g H i m ; fo r e v e ryt h i n g is
, ,

pl ea s i n g t o Go d e xc e pt S in a n d th e r e can b e n o S in
,

wh e r e th e r e is n o wi l l t o sin A m e d itat i o n.
,

a e d i n s u ff e ri n g is b e tt e r t h an o ne s pe n t
p s s ,

i n c o n so lat i o n i t is a s w ee t s m e l l i n g p e rfu m e
-

w h i c h a sc e n d s t o h e av e n a n d d e l i gh t s P arad i se .

C a n yo u at p re se n t d o a ny b e tt e r t h a n fyo u
are d o i n g I f yo u can why d o yo u n o t d o so ? I f
,

o u ca n n o t , why a re yo u tr o u bl e d ? I n h e av e n w e
y
S h al l e nj o y t h e e mb rac e s o f a Go d o f p l ea s u r e b ut ,

h e re b e l o w w e m u st o u r se lv es e m b rac e a Go d o f ‘

s u ff e ri n g . O u r u n i o n wi th Go d i n t h i s l i f e sh o u ld
re se mbl e tha t o f t h e h o ly H u ma n ity wi th t h e
W o rd ; i t w as hap py i n t h e s u pe ri o r part b u t s u ff e r ,

i n g i n t h e i n fe r i o r ; i f a ny dr o p o f c o n so lati o n f e ll
u p o n t h e se n s i b l e part i t dri ed u p i m m e d iat e ly ;; H is
p o o r h e art w as c o n ti n u al ly i m m e r se d in a n o c ean of
”
b i tt e r n e ss .

L e t u s c o ncl u d e wi t h S t F ra n ci s o f S al e s 2
. .

F i n ally P h i l o th e a am i d st al l o u r dry n e ss a n d
, ,
”
barre n n ess l e t u s n o t l o se c o u rag e b u t pe r se v e r e ,

F r Gr a s s e t , On P
. ra
ye r.

St . F r a n c is o f S a l e s D ev o n ! L ifl , 4 t h pa rt ,
, c . x iv.
 C O NS O LATI O NS AND D R YNE S S 77

g e n e r o u sly in m e n tal p ray e r an d t h e p racti c e o f

vi rtu e ; i f w e a re n o t abl e t o gi v e o u r de ar S p o u se
j u i cy p r ese rv es l e t u s o ff e r H i m dri e d fru i t s ; i t is
,

al l o ne t o H i m p r o vi d e d that t he h eart w h i ch o ffe r s

,

th e m is pe rf ectly fix e d i n it s reso l u ti o n o f l o v i n g
Him . O u r acti o n s a re l i k e r o se s w h ic h , ,

w h e n fr esh h av e i n d ee d m o re b eau ty ye t w h e n dry

, ,

h av e m o r e st re n gt h an d s we e tn e ss A cc o rd i n g t o .

t h e sam e s ai n t a n o u nc e o f p ray e r m ade i n t h e

, ,

m i d st o f d e so lati o n s w e i gh s m o r e b e f o r e Go d t h an
,

a h u n dr e d p o u n d s w e i g h t o f i t mad e i n t h e m i d s t o f
” 1
c o n so lati o n s .E v e ry o n e k n o w s t h at d e l i gh tfu l
p age w h e re t h e sam e sai n t c o m pare s t h e so u l i n t h e
,

b i tt e rn ess an d qu i e t o f ari d i ty t o a statu e w h i ch it s , ,

o wn e r h as plac e d i n a n i c h e a n d w h ic h h a s n o d e s i r e
,

t o se e n o r t o s pe ak n o r t o walk b u t o n ly t o p l e a se
'

, , ,

it s p ri n c e an d t o o b e y it s b e l o v e d M a s t e r 2
, .

To c o r r espo n d w it h t h e d esign s o f Go d .

Le t u s e nte r i n t o G o d s v i e w s by p r o fiti n g o f
’

o u r c o n so lat i o n s an d d e so lati o n s t o adva n ce i n t h e

S p i ri tu al l i fe .

H av i n g h u mbly r ec e i v e d t h ese c o n so lati o n s ,

“
sa y s S t .F ranci s o f S al e s 3 let u s e m p l o y t h em
,

car e fu l ly acc o rd i n g t o t h e i nte n ti o n o f H i m w h o

giv es th e m No w why t h i n k yo u d o e s Go d g iv e
.
, , ,

u s t h e se sw ee t s ? I n o rd e r t o r e n de r u s m e e k
t o ward s e v e ry o n e a n d l o v i n g t o ward s H i m se lf A .

m o th e r gi v e s h e r ch i ld a s u gar pl u m th at h e may -

h e r a k i ss i n r e tu r n ; l et u s th e n e m b rac e t h i s , ,

i n g S avi o u r w h o car e sses u s w ith H is c o n so la

Q
’

uo ted b y S t . L ig u o r i P
, r ax z r, I 2 5.

St . F r a n c is o f S a l e s. Lo v e f Go d
o . b . v i. , 0. x i.

Ib id .
, D ev o n ! L ife, 4 t h p a r t . c . x iii.
.
7 8 O N P R A YE R IN G E NE R AL
ti o n s No w t o e mb rac e o u r S av i o u r is t o o b ey Him
. , ,

t o k e e p H is C o m mandm e n t s t o d o H is wi ll
, to ,

fly o u r o w n d es i r e s ; I n S h o rt t o fo ll o w H i m l o v i ngly
,

wi th o b e di e nc e an d fid e l i ty Wh e n th e re f o r e w e
.
, ,

have rec e iv e d so m e sp i ri tual c o n so lati o n w e m u s t ,

o n that day b e m o r e d i l i g e n t i n w e l l d o i n g an d i n
-

h u mb l i ng o u r se lv e s . Th i s is al so t h e ti m e t o ‘

acc o mpl i sh t h e sacrific e s wh ich h av e h i th e rt o d is

may e d u s ; carri e d by grace w e S hal l have l ess
,

tr o ubl e i n o v e rc o m i ng O b stac l es B es i d e s se n sibl e

.
,

grac e s a re o ft e n t h e f o r e ru n n e r s o f gr eat e r tri al s

-

an d pre par e u s fo r t h e m w e S h o u l d try t h e n t o lay

u p a st o re o f co u rag e a n d t o h o ld o u r se lv es In read i
n e ss fo r whate v e r Go d w i l l s .

D e so l ati o n s a re t h e m o st fav o u rab l e so i l f o r t h e

gr o wth o f h u m i l i ty d etac h m e n t an d o t h e r so l i d
, ,

vi rtu e s
O f h u m i l ity. T h e y fo rc e u s t o re c o g ni se o u r
h e l pl ess n ess an d t h e fu n d o f m i se ri e s wh ic h is
,

wi t h i n u s ; th e y are a n e v i d e n t an d pal pabl e p r o o f

of t h i s a n d e xp e ri e n ce it se lf w i l l fu l ly co n
,

v i nce u s o f th i s tr uth Le t u s ack n o wl e dge wi t h

.

s i n c e ri ty that w e hav e d e se rv e d th e se trial s an d e v e n

m o re pai nfu l o n e s an d that w e s tan d i n n ee d o f

,

t h e m i n o rd e r t o d iv e s t o u r se lve s o f se lf A re t h ey .

n o t t h e r e m e dy e i th e r t o cu r e o r t o p r e v e n t o u r
, ri
p e d
a n d o th e r in fir m it ie s ? Le t u s fe e l sham e a n d
abh o rr e nc e o n ly fo r o u r sp i r itual maladi e s a n d n o t ,

r e j e ct what is m e an t t o b e t h e i r cu re
O f de tach m e nt . ~
We w e re accu st o m e d t o s ,

o u r se lv e s e v e n i n t h e p racti ce o f p i e ty ; b ut i f ,

l o n g t i m e we an e d fr o m t h e sw ee t s o f c o n
 80 O N P RAY E R IN G EN E R A L

Why t h e n b e t r o u bl e d ? Why l o se co u r ag e ?
, ,

Why aba nd o n m e n tal p ray e r ? 1

A la s ! I k n o w n o t h o w t o th i n k o n G O d — Be . .

"
sati sfie d t h en t o l o v e H i m
, ,
I n h
h av e o a t G i v e
e r — .
-
o
.

t o Go d y o u r wi ll I have n o c o n so lat i o n — IS i t i n
.
-
.

o r d er t o h av e c o n so lati o ns th at w e b e tak e o u r sel ve s

i

t om en tal p rayer — I d o n t k n o w w h e th e r I
’ -

—
l o v e Go d o r n o t C an i t b e th at yo u d o n o t l o v e
.

H i m wh e n yo u are pati e n tly s u ff e ri n g fo r H i m ?

IS i t p o ss ib l e t h at yo u a re n o t be l o v e d by H i m ,

w hen ,am id st so m any s u ffe ri n g s yo u aba n d o n ,

y o u r se lf t o H is g o o d p l e a su r e wi ll i n g o n ly w h at
“

H e w i ll s
‘

A cc o rdi n g t o F r F ab e r o u r b a d m e d itati o n s
.
, ,
‘

wh e n w e have n o gr o u n d s t o attrib u t e th e m t o o ur
o w n fau lt a re g e n e ral ly t he m o s t fru itfu l
, 1 .

Go d o ft e n se n d s u s back as a ma st e r t u rn s bac k a
"

b o y t o re e xam i n e o u r c o u r se a n d t o d isco v ér l i ttl e

,
-

f o rg o tt e n in fide l it ie s fo r w h i c h w e h av e ne ve r d o n e
,

p e nanc e . I t I s n o l ittl e t h i n g t o b e abl e

t o e n d u r e o u r se lv e s a n d o u r o w n i m p e rf e cti o ns .

O n t h e c o ntrary i t is a fine act o f h u m i l ity a nd

, ,

d raw s u s o n t o ward s pe rf e cti o n I n g o o d tru th .

,

w e may mak e o u r bad m e ditati o n s an

p y
a u s

Usu ri o u s int e r e s t i f w e ch o o se ,
2

T h e r e is gr e at n ee d i n c o n so lati o n s as w el l as ,

i n d eso lati o n s o f b e i n g v e ry o p e n wi t h a n e x p e r i
,
a

eh ce d d i r ect o r a n d o f al l o wi ng o u r se lv e s t o b e
,

g u i ded Th e se pat h s a re so c o m pl i cat e d t h at i t is

.

F r C r a s s e t , On M en t al P r a yer
'

. .

7
F r Fa b e r , Gro w t h in H o l i ness
.
, x v.
 C O NS O LATI O NS A ND D R YN E S S

eas y to a stray i n t h e m B e s i des w e h ave n e e d

go .
,

at o n e ti m e o f b e i n g h u mb l e d at a n o t h e r o f b e i n g
”

en c o u rag e d ; at o n e p o i n t o f o u r j o u rn e y o f b e i n g
re stra i ne d fr o m lau nch i n g f o rt h i n t o i n di scr e e t
fe rv o u r at a n o th e r o f b e i n g u rg e d f o rward l e st w e
,

fal l i n t o di sc o u rag e m e n t an d lan gu o r .

To S u m u p t h e n t h e l i n e o f c o n duct t o b e
‘

, ,

p u r su e d by t h e so u l is t h e sam e i n c o n so lati o n s a n d
de so lati o n s The s am e c o n fid in g s ub m i ss i o n t o
.

D i vi n e P r o v i d e n c e Th e sam e S h o al s t o b e
.

av o i d ed — n am e ly sati sfi e d p ri d e w h ich tak e s c o m

, ,

p l ac e n ce i n se lf o r d i sap p o i n t e d p ri d e w h ic h
, ,

fr e t s m u rm u r s b e c o m e s d i sc o u rag e d ; se n su al i ty
, , ,

w h i c h g ree d i ly see k s e nj o y m e nt o r bau l k e d ,

se n s ual ity w h ic h c o m p la i n s o f fi n di n g n o sat isfac

,

ti o n Th e sa m e z ea l t o e n t e r i n t o G o d s v i e w s by
.
'

t h e p ractice o f h u m i l i t y de tac h m e n t an d t h e o t h e r
, ,

so l i d v i rtu e s s o m e ti m e s i n a b u n dan c e
, so m e ti m es ,

i n wan t ; t h e sam e l o ve o f Go d wh i c h w e cu lt ivat e ,

in c o n so lati o n by l o v i n g arde n tly i n d eso lati o n by ,

se lf sac r ifi
-
ce C i rcu m stanc e s may ch an ge b u t t h e
.
,

i n t e ri o r di sp o s i ti o n s S h o u ld r e ma i n t he sam e .

We ca n th e r e f o r e a l way s d e ri v e p r o fit C o n
, , .

so lati o n s a re sw ee t e r d e so lati o n s m o re n e c e ssary

, ,

be cau se w e ch i e fly n e e d t o d ie t o o u r se lv e s H e nc e .

S jo h n o f t e r o s s te ac h e s
t
. h C 1 t h at tru ly sp i ri tual
p e r so n s se e k rath e r w h at is b i tt e r t h a n w h at is
sav o u ry ; th e y i n cl i n e t o s u ff e r i n g m o r e tha n t o c o n

so l at i o n t o b e i n wan t o f e v e ryth i n g fo r t h e l o v e o f
,

Go d rath e r t h an t o p o ssess t o ari di ty a n d a ffl ict i o n s

,

St . J o hn of t h e C r o ss , Th e A sce n t f
o Ca r m el b , . II . c . V I I.
82 O N P R A YE R IN GE NE RA L
'

rat h e r than t o t he e nj o ym e n t o f i n te ri o r swe etn ess .

I t is so ea sy t o se e k o n ese l f wh e n w e wi sh t o hav e
a l way s th ese s p i ri tual d e l i ght s ! Fo r th i s r ea so n
t he wi se st c o u r se is t o aban d o n o u r se l ve s i n to t he
h and s o f D ivi n e P r o vi d e nc e r eady a l i k e fo r de so
,

l at io n s o r c o n so l ati o n s b u t fi rm l y r e so l v e d t o p r o fi t
,

o f e v e ryt h i ng in o rd e r t o a d vanc e in t h e way o f

pe rfe cti o n .
84 O N O R D I NA R Y M E NTAL P R AY E R

adva nce s gradua l l y t o wa rd s a k i n d o f activ e p ray e r

wh i ch is l itt l e m o r e tha n a l o v i n g atte n ti o n t o Go d
,

an d a n a ff e ct i o n at e co n v e r sat i o n wi th H i m
.

We shal l tre at so m ew h at m o r e at l e ngth o f m ed i

t at io n wh ic h b e i n g t he pr ay e r o f be gi n n e r s h as a
, , ,

gr e at e r n ee d o f m e th o d an d ru l es.
 C HAP TER I
P R AY E R OF M E D ITAT IO N— C O M P E N D I U M
O F TH E M ET H O D

I .
—G ENERAL I D EA .

TH E p ray e r o f m e di t ati o n is a m e n ta l p ray e r c o m

p o s e d O f c o n s i de rati o n s a ffe ct i o n s p eti ti o n s an d
, , ,

r eso l uti o n s .

I t is cal l e d s i m ply m e ntal p ray e r b e cau se i t is ,

t h e p o rti o n o f a v e ry gr e at n u mb e r 1 an d t h e fir s t ,

s tag e i n t he way s o f m e n tal pray e r I t is cal l e d .

a l so m e d itati o n d i scu r s i v e p ray e r p ray e r o f r e a so n

, ,

i n g o n acc o u n t Of t he i m p o rtan t part wh ich c o n

,

s i de rati o n s h av e i n i t a n d t o i n dicat e that t h e m i n d

,

p r o c ee d s t h e re i n n o t by a S i m p l e l o o k b u t by t he ,

r o u n dab o u t way s O f r e a so n i n g .

L e t u s n o te first 2 t h at al l t h e part s o f m e n tal

, ,

pray e r o r m e di tat i o n o u g h t t o c o n v e rge t o o n e

s i ngl e e n d t h e d e structi o n o f a vi ce t h e acqu i s i ti o n
, ,

o f a v i rtu e o r s o m e s p i ri tu al p racti c e wh i c h m ay
,

se rv e as a m e an s t o th i s We sh o u l d o ccu py o u r .

S t Te r e s a
.
(L if e xu. ) even s a ys t h a t i t is t h e p o rt io n o f t h e
fir s t w a t e r , u n d e r
"
“
g r e a t e r n u m b e r ; b u t s h e in c l u d e s in h e r
t h e n a m e o f m e d it a t io n , a ll in d s o f k no n m ys t ic a l p r a ye r .
(Cf!
an d
pa r t , c . vm .
)
I st pa rt , c . n. 3, p . I 4.
86 O N O R D INA R Y M E NTA L P R AY E R

se lve s ch i e fly ab o ut o u r p r e d o m i n a n t s in o r v ice ,

abo u t so m e fu n d am e n tal vi rtu e o r so m e m o r e

,

e s se n tial p ractic e . O u r s ubj e ct o u r c o n s i de rat i o n s

, ,

o u r a ff e ct i o n s a n d p e ti ti o n s , s h o u ld b e ch o se n an d

r e gu lat e d i n vi e w o f th i s o n e o bj e ct .

Le t e ac h o ne th e n acc o m m o date h is m e d itat i o n t o

t h e s tat e o f h is so u l t he attracti o n s o f d ivi n e grac e
, ,

a n d h is o w n p r ese n t n ee d s A s i n n e r a n d e v e n t h e
‘

. .
,

gr e at e st O f s i n n e rs ca n mak e h is m ed itati o n b u t
, ,

l e t h i m t r e at wi th Go d o f h is sad stat e i n o rd e r t o
b e c o m e c o n v e rt e d ; t he m an o f ba d wi l l ca n a n d
s h o u ld p ray , b u t l et h i m c o n v e r se w i th Go d p re
c ise l y ab o u t h is bad wi ll i n o rde r t o b e d e l i v e r e d
.

fr o m i t Th e t e p i d so u l s h o u l d p ray i n o rd e r t o
.

aban d o n ve n i al s in ; t h e f e rv e n t sh o u l d p ray t h e
p raye r o f t h e fe rv e n t i n o rde r t o l o v e m o re an d t o
,
“

p e r s e v e r e ; t h e so u l b u f
f e tt e d by tri al s t h e p ray e r O f
”
t he tri e d so u l that h u mb l e s an d s ubj e ct s i t se l f u n de r
,

t h e h an d o f Go d i n o rd e r t o r e c o v e r p eace
‘

Th i s acc o m m o dat i n g o f o u r p ray e r t o o u r p r ese n t

stat e re n d e r s i t p r o fitabl e a n d e fficaci o u s sw ee t an d ,

e a sy ; what can b e m o r e c o n so l i n g a n d m o r e ea sy

t h a n t o c o n ve r se w i th O u r L o rd ab o u t w h at w e a re
a n d w h at w e are at p re s e n t e xp e ri e nci n g ? O n t he
o th e r h an d , i f o u r p ray e r is n o t acc o m m o dat e d t o )
,

t h e p r e se n t s tat e o f o u r so u l d o es i t n o t b y t he
, ,

v e ry fact l o se t h e gr e at e r part o f it s attracti o n an d

,

ut i l i ty ?
I t is b e tte r at l e a st fo r b e gi n n e r s t o p r e par e t he
, ,

m o rn i n g m e ditati o n t h e e v e n i n g b e f o re d u ri n g t h e
la st free ti m e Le t t h e m c h o o se a subj e ct wh i c h
.
,

t h e y may div i d e i n t o se v e ral po i n t s e ach c o n ta i n i n g

,
88 O N O R D INA R Y M E N TA L P R AY E R

pl e n ti fu l ly se rv e d tabl e su ffici e n t w e h o p e fo r t h e
-
,

v a ri o u s t a s te s an d n ee d s an d wh en c e e ach o n e can
'

p i ck a n d ch o o se i f h e d o e s n o t wan t t o tak e all B u t .

,

fo r gr e at e r c l e ar n e ss w e s h a l l b e gi n by g i v i n g a n
,

ab ri dg e m e n t o f t h e m e th o d wh ich wi l l i n cl ud e
'
,

o n ly t h e n e ce ssa ry a ct s ; i t w i l l b e s h o rt si m p le , ,

e a sy y
, e t fu l l W e .s hal l add a c o u p l e o f b ri ef

e xp lanati o n s t o c o n v ey a b e tt e r u n d e r s tan d i n g O f

t h e m e c han i s m o f t h e m e th o d ; t h e d e tai l s wi ll
c o m e aft e rward s .

II .
—
C O M P E ND I U M OF TH E M E TH O D .

M edi tati o n c o m p ri se s t h r e e par t s ve ry u nequal ,

In I m p o rtan c e a n d du rat i o n ; t h e p r e parat i o n t he

'

b o dy o f t h e m e d i tati o n a n d t h e c o n cl u s i o n
, .

I Th e p r e parati o n o r e n tran ce i n t o c o nye rsa

.
,

t i o n re qu i r es a fe w m i n u te s at m o st I t e sse n
, .

’
t ia l l y c o n s i s t s i n p laci n g o n ese l f i n G o d s p r e se n c e ,

Wh o 15 l o o k i n g u p o n u s an d l i st e n i n g t o u s I t .

is b e c o m i n g t o b e gi n o u r c o n v e r sati o n w it h a Go d
so gr e at a n d so h o ly by act s o f p r o f o u n d ad o rat i o n
,

of H is M aj e s ty o f tru e h u m i l ity at t he s igh t o f o u r

,

n o th i ng n e ss a n d o f s i nc e re c o n triti o n fo r o u r s i n s
, .

We th e n b eg t he grac e o f Go d w it h o u t w h ic h w e ,
-

ca n n o t p ray .

I f t h e so u l is a l r eady r ec o l l e cte d ; fo r i n stanc e ,

wh e n w e h ave j u st e n de d an o th e r p i o u s e x e rci se (as

g e n e ral l y ha p p e n s iii t h e c ase o f t h e m e di tati o n s
p r e scri b e d by o u r ru l e ) t h e p r e parat i o n Is s u ffi
,

c ie n t l y m ad e by t h e v e ry fact a n d w e c a n e nt e r at
,

o n ce i n t o t he b o dy o f t h e
p r ay e r u n l e ss w e p r
, e f e r
 P R AY E R OF M E D ITAT IO N 89

to e m pl o y a m o m e n t in r e a n i mati n g o u r fai t h i n
t h e p r ese nce o f Go d a n d in a s k i n g H is grace i n
,

o rd e r t o p ray w e l l .

I I Th e b o d v o f t h e m e d i tati o n is t h e c h i ef p art o f
.

t h i s e x e rci se an d i t o ccu p i e s al m o st it s wh o l e ti m e
,

I t co n s i st s o f f o u r act s wh i c h f o r m t h e -e sse nc e O f
,

m e di tat i o n ; th ese are c o n s i de rati o n s a ff e cti o n s

, ,

p eti ti o n s a n d r eso l ut i o n s
, .

We r efle ct o n a gi v e n subj e ct w e tu r n i t o v e r
,

i n o u r m i n d agai n an d agai n o n e v e ry s i d e i n o rd e r
t o gra s p i t w e l l a n d t o b e c o m e th o r o u gh ly im
pr esse d by it ; w e d raw t h e c o n cl u s i o n s a n d m ak e
t h e p ractical appl icat i o n s wh i c h flo w fr o m i t Th is.

is t h e m e d itat i o n p r o p e rly s o ca l l e d I t is n o t a
.

m e r e s p e cu lati v e st u dy st o p p i n g s h o rt at t h e
,

k n o wl e d ge o f p ri nci p le ; it s re m o te e n d is t o
s tre n gth e n o u r c o n vi cti o n s i n t h e c o u r se o f ti m e ,

a n d it s i m m e d iate e n d is t o cal l f o rt h a ff ect i o n s ,

pe tit i o n s a n d r e so l ut i o n s
, .

We t h e n ex am in e o u r se lv es w it h r e gard t o t h e
s ubj e ct o n wh ich w e a re m e di tat i n g t o see wh e th e r
,

o u r c o n du ct is c o n f o rm e d t o i t i n what w e fai l an d
, ,

what r e m e d i e s w e a re t o e m pl o y .

T h i s w o rk o f t h e m i n d is n o t ye t p raye r i t is o n ly
,

in t r o d u c t o r y
. A l o n g w i th t h e p r e parati o n it
o ugh t n o t g e n e ral ly t o o ccu py m o r e th a n ab o ut h al f

t h e ti m e o f t h e wh o l e e x e rci se ; t h e o th e r half is

r ese rve d fo r act s o f t h e w i l l wh ich c o n sti tut e t he

pray e r p r o p e r ; t h e se are a ff ecti o n s p e ti ti o n s a n d
, ,

r e so l ut i o n s
.

C e rtai n a ff e ct i o n s ari se o f t h e i r o w n a cc o rd
fr o m t h e r e fl e ct i o n s w e h av e b ee n iu st mak i n g ;
90 O N O R D INA R Y 1 M E NTA L P R AY E R

th u s, h e ll r u ses re pe n tan ce an d av e r s i o n fro m

a o

sin ; h eav e n c a ll s fo rt h t h e c o n t e m pt o f t h i s w o rld

an d t h e th i r st afte r e te rnal g o o d s ; O u r S av i o u r s ’

P a ss i o n e xcit es l o v e grati tu de c o nfid e n c e c o n

, , ,

t rit io n h u m i l i ty &c Th e e xam i nati o n o f o u r

, , .

se lv e s g iv e s ri se t o r e gr e t fo r t h e pa st c o nfu s i o n fo r
,

t h e pre se n t s tr o n g re so l u ti o n s fo r t h e fu tu r e
, We .

may add at wi ll many o t h e r a ff ecti o n s se l e cte d p re ,

ferab l y fr o m am o ng st t h o se t h at are fu n dam e n tal .

We sh al l m e n ti o n in th e i r o w n plac e t h o se t h at a re
m o st r e c o m m e n d e d .

P e tit i o n is a n i m p o rtant p o i n t an d w e sh o u ld
,

d we ll u p o n i t fo r a l o n g t i m e w it h fait h an d c o n fi
d e n ce h u m i l i ty a n d pe r sev e ranc e wh i l e at t h e
, , ,

sam e ti m e u rgi ng t h e r ea so n s l i k e ly t o m o v e O u r
,

L o rd an d i nv o k i n g t h e ai d o f t he H o ly V i rgi n a nd
,

t h e sai n t s We sh o u l d fi rs t ask t h o se grace s wh ic h

.

t h e s ubj ect o f o u r p ray e r s u gg e st s an d t h en i t is ,

we l l t o a d d p eti ti o n s fo r d ivi n e l o ve fi nal p e r sev e r

,

an c e t h e we lfar e o f t h e C h u rc h o u r c o u n try o u r
, , ,

o rd e r , o u r h o u se o u r re lati o n s
, s i n n e r s, so u l s i n
,

p u rgat o ry & c , .

R e so l ut i o n s e n d t h e b o dy o f t he m e d it ati o n .

O n e s i n gl e re so l uti o n pr e ci se an d t h o r o u g h ly p rac
,

t i cal s u ffi c e s p r o v i de d o n ly t h at i t b e k e p t
, , ,
.

I I I Th e c o ncl u si o n c o n s i st s i n t h an k i ng Go d fo r
x

t h e grac e s H e h as grant e d u s d u ri n g o u r p ray e r ,

i n a sk i n g par d o n fo r o u r fau lt s an d n egl ige nc es .

F i nally w e may agai n r ec o m m e n d t o H i m o u r

,

re so l uti o n t h e c o m i n g day o u r l if e a n d o u r d e ath

, , , .

To su m u p t h e n aft e r havi n g p lac ed o u r se l v e s in

,

t h e D iv ine p re se nc e w e re fl e ct u p o n a p i o u s s u b j e ct
~

, ,
9 2 O N O R D INA R Y M E NTA L P R AY E R

a b e i n g o f so l o fty a m aj esty P o w e rl e ss t o p ray as

.

sh e s h o u l d s h e r e p r e se n t s h e r i ncapaci ty t o Go d
, ,

an d b e g s t h e H o ly G h o st t o h e l p h e r t o p ray w e ll .

Th e p r e l u d es o u gh t t o b e sh o rt i n o rd e r t o c o m e
,

qu i ckly t o t h e p r o p e r O bj ect o f t h e i n t e rvi e w t h at—

is t o t h e b o dy o f t h e m e d i tat i o n
,
.

Th e w o rk o f t h e c o n s id e rati o n s is t o s h o w h o w
d e s i rab l e t h e s p i ri tu al g o o d w e have in v i e w is a n d ,

that O f t h e e xam i n at i o n t o sh o w h o w m uch w e stand

i n n ee d o f i t T h e y m ay b e mad e as an i nt e rnal
.

so l i l o quy a so l itary m e di tat i o n

,
i n wh ich w e lab o u r
,

t o c o nv i nc e o u r se lv es i n o rd e r t o e xci t e al o n g w ith ,

re p e nta nc e an d c o n f u s i o n ard e n t d e s i r es fe rv e n t
, ,

p e ti ti o n s an d s tr o n g r e so l uti o n s
,
I t is m o
. r e b e c o m
’
i n g ; h o w e v e r as w e are i n G o d s p r e se nce n o t t o b e
, ,

s o i n t e n t o n o u r o w n re fl e cti o n s as t o n e gl e ct H i m ,

b u t t o mak e o u r c o n s i de rati o n s as th o u gh s p eaki ng

wi th H i m a n d t o m i n gl e wi t h th e m p i o u s a ff ecti o n s
, .

In t h i s way o u r p ray e r w i ll b e a d e v o u t p l e ad i n g
, ,

wh e r e i n t he so u l w h i l st u rgi n g it s r e a so n s b efo r e
,

Go d b e c o m e s i n flam e d w i t h a l o v e fo r vi rtu e a
, ,

h o rr o r o f v ic e u n d e r stan d s t he n ee d i t h as o f p ray e r
, ,

an d b e g s wi t h a l l t h e ard o u r o f c o nvi cti o n t h e gr ac e

i t wan t s w h i l s t at t h e s am e ti m e i t lab o u rs t o
,

p e r s u ad e Go d t o t o uc h H is h e art t o o p e n h is
, ,

h an d by m e an s o f t h e m o st p o w e rfu l m o ti v es it
,

can t h i n k o f .

We cam e t o ask a d efi n it e sp i ri tu al fav o u r an d w e ,

s h o u ld u rg e th i s re qu e s t i n a p r e ss i n g man ne r b ut
;
w e sh o u l d n o t f o rg e t th at Go d w h o 15 l ib e ral al m o s t
,

t o e xce ss l o v es t o fi n d e m pty v e sse l s i n t o w h ic h H e

, ,

may p o u r H is gi ft s t o m ee t wi th h an d s O p e n i n g
,
 P R AYE R O F M E D ITATI O N 93

w i de t o r e ce i v e th e m ; a n d t h e m o re h e is a sk e d fo r
t he be tt e r p l e a se d H e is s u ch jo y d o e s i t g i v e H i m
,

t o b est o w g o o d gi ft s o n H is c h i l dr e n We s h o u ld
p r o fit , t h e n o
, f t h i s a u di e n c e t o e x p o se o u r o t h e r
n ee d s , t o ask fo r a ll so rt s o f fav o u r s g e n e ral a n d ,

p art icu lar .

Go d h as gi v e n H is grac e w e m u st n o w c o ,

o p erate wit h it H e nce w e f o rm a r eso l uti o n w h i ch

.

w i l l mak e t h at grac e b e ar fru i t .

Th e au di e nc e e n d e d w e t h an k Go d fo r H is g o o d
,

n ess , ap o l o g i se fo r o u r o w n awkw ard n e s s as k a ,

fin al b l essi n g a n d wi t h draw
,
.

I I A cc o rdi n g t o t h e b e a u ti fu l d o ctr i n e o f M
. .

O l ie r m e n tal p raye r is a c o m m u n io n w i t h t h e
,

i n te rn al d i sp o s iti o n s o f O u r L o r d .

The w e ll b e l o v e d M a st e r is at t h e sam e ti m e b o t h
-
, ,

t h e Go d w h o h as a r igh t t o o u r h o mag e a n d t h e
m o d e l w h o m w e s h o u ld i m i tat e I t is i m p o ssible t o
.

pl ea se t he F at h e r wi t h o u t re se mb l i n g t h e S o n ; a n d
e qual ly i m p o ss ib l e t o r e se mb l e t h e S o n w i th o ut
pl e a s i n g t h e F ath e r Fo r a re li g i o u s w h o is see k
.
,
“

i n g Go d a n d t e n d i n g t o p e rfe cti o n al l m ay b e re ,

d u c e d t o h is ad o pt i n g t h e i n t e ri o r se n t i m e n t s o f
O u r L o rd f o l l o w i n g H is t e achi n g a n d c o py i n g H is
,

exam p l e . A so u l is p e rf e c t wh e n i t is a n e xact c o p y
o f t h e d ix in e m o d e l No t h i n g t h e n is so i m p o r
.
, ,

tan t as t o kee p H i m c o n ti n ual ly b e f o r e o u r e yes i n

o rd e r t o c o nt e m p l ate H i m i n o u r h e art s i n o r d e r
,

t o l o ve H i m i n o u r ha nd s i n o rd e r t o i m itat e H i m
, .

T h i s is t he wh o l e e c o n o my o f m e ntal praye r ,

acc o rdi n g t o M O l i e r . .

I f I wa n t t o m e d itat e u p o n h u m i l i ty my o bj e ct ,
94 O N O R D I NA R Y M E NTA L P R AYE R

in t he a d o ra t i o n w ill h o n o u r t h e h u m i l ity o f
b e to
'

O u r L o rd in t he c o m m u n io n t o attract i t i n t o my
,
’

h e art a n d by t h e ao o per a tio n t o r e p r o duc e i t i n

,
-

my c o n duct .

I p lace my se lf th e n car e fu l ly i n p re se nc e o f
, , ,

my di v i n e m o d e l ; I c o n t e m plat e H is i n t e ri o r se n
t im e n t s b e f o r e t h e i nfi n i t e gr e at n e ss o f H is F ath e r ,

w h i l e be ari n g t h e s ham e o f o u r s i n s ; I l i ste n t o t h e

t e ach i n g s by wh ic h H e p re ach es h u m i l ity t o u s ;
,

I f o l l o w H i m fo r a m o m e n t th r o ugh o u t t h e mys
fe ri e s i n w h ich H e m o st a n n i h i lat e d H i m se l f .

Th i s ca n b e d o n e rap i dly I ad o r e my i nfi ni t e l y
.

g r e at G o d i n H is aba se m e n t s I ad m i,
r e an d p rai se

H is s ubl i m e a n n i h i l ati o n s I than k H i m fo r H is

,

h u m i l iat i o n s an d H is e xam pl e I l o ve H i m fo r so ,

m uch g o o d n ess I r ej o i c e i n t h e gl o ry w h ic h Go d
,

t h e F ath e r r e ce i v e s a n d i n t h e grac e wh ich c omes

,

t o u s i n c o n se qu e n c e I c o m pa ss i o nat e t h e s u ff e r
,

i n g s o f o u r h u m i l iat e d L o rd Th e se vari o u s
.

act s f o rm t h e a d o ra t io n t h e p ri mary d u ty o f
,

p ray e r .

Th e r e is n e xt qu esti o n o f d raw in g in t o myse lf

t h e i nt e ri o r se n ti m e n t s an d ext e ri o r l if e o f h u m i l ity
wh ich I hav e j u st ad o r e d i n O u r L o rd Th i s is t he .

c o m m u n io n a n d i t is acc o m pl i sh e d ch i e fly b v
,
:

p ray e r I shal l n e e d a n ard e n t de s i r e so th at I

.
,

may o p e n ve ry wi d e t h e m o uth o f my so u l an d a ,

p ray e r ba se d u p o n a d e e p c o n v icti o n so as t o
, ,

r ec e i v e i n t o my h e art n o t t h e b o dy O f O u r L o rd ‘

bu t H is i n te ri o r d i sp o s iti o n s I sh al l h u n g e r fo r
.

th e m a n d ask th e m as I o u gh t if I fi r st u n d e r sta n d
,

th at t h e se d i sp o s i ti o n s a re fo r m e s o v e r ei g n ly
.
96 O N O R D IN A R Y M E NTA L P R AY E R

e xa mi nat i o n e a s i ly e xcite s so rr o w fo r h av i n g
i m i tat e d h i m so i ll i n t h e pa st s ham e fo r my ,

m i se rabl e p ri d e i n t h e p re se n t a n d a w i l l t o d o ,

b e tt e r fo r t h e futu r e .

Th ese c o n s i d e rat i o n s an d th i s e xam i n at i o n wi ll

mak e m e e st ee m l o v e a n d d e s i r e t h e h u mbl e d is
,

p o s i ti o n s o f O u r L o rd I t is ch i e fly pray e r t h at
.

attract s th e m i n t o my so u l i t is by i t t h at p r o p e rly
, ,

s p akin g
fl

, t h e c o m m u n i o n is e ff e ct e d I s h al l .
,

t h e r e f o r e dw e l l u p o n i t w i t h spe c ial i n s i ste nc e

, ,

s tri vi n g t o mak e m y p e titi o n h u mbl e c o n fid in g , ,

ard e n t a n d p e r sev e ri n g ; I s hal l p ray an d i m pl o r e

,

O u r L o rd t o i m part t o m e H is d i s p o s i ti o n s ; I s h al l
place b e f o re H i m t h e r e a so n s wh ich see m t o m e
t h e m o st m o v i n g a n d s h al l i n v o k e i n my fa v o u r
,

t he i n t e rc e ss i o n O f H is b l esse d M o th e r an d o f t h e

s ai n t s
.

I t n o w r e mai n s t o tra n s m i t t o my h an d s — d c to ,

tra n s m u t e i n t o w o rk s t h i s s p i ri t Of O u r L o rd w h i c h
,

I h av e j u st draw n i n t o m y so u l Fo r se n ti m e n t s .
,

t o b e O f a ny val u e m u st l ead t o acti o n

, I t ak e .
,

th e re f o r e t h e r e so l ut i o n t o c o rr e sp o n d wi t h t h e
,

l i g h t s an d grac e s re c e i v e d i n my p ray e r by I m i tat ,

i n g O u r L o rd i n s u c h o r s u ch a p ractic e o f
h u m i l i ty ; th i s is t h e ao o pera t io n I t h en te r m i
-
. ~

n ate my p ray e r as b ef o r e .

IV . S O M E C O U N S EL S
-
.

As h av al r ady p i n t e d
we e e it is as o out, 1

m u ch a n i l l u s i o n t o d e sp i se m e th o d as t o b e e n
s lav e d to it B e gi n n e r s i n e xp e r i e n c e d in t h e
.
,

Cf: I st p a rt , c. v 53 p 55
. . . .
 P R AYE R O F M E D ITA I I O N
’

97

way s o f m e ntal pray e r ha ve n eed o f a gu id e t o

,

l ead t h e m by t h e h a n d Wh e n w e hav e b ec o m e
.

fam i l i ar w i th t h e d ivi n e a rt o f c o nv e r s i n g wi th Go d ,

an d o u r h eart d esi r es t o e xpan d m o re fr e e ly a ,

m e th o d m ight b e a n o b stacl e ; i t w o u ld e sp ecial l y

e mbarr ass u s i n t h e p ray e r o f s i mpl ic ty an d b e an
i ,

i mp o ssib i l i ty i n my stical c o n t e m plati o n We .

mu st th e re fo re h av e t he c o u rag e t o f o ll o w i t as
, ,

l o n g as i t is o f se rv ic e a n d t h e wi sd o m t o di sp e n se
,

wi t h it w h e n it b ec o m es a n o b stacl e .

I t is n o t n ec essary i n t h e s am e m e d i tati o n
t o go t h r o u g h al l t h e act s o f o u r m e t h o d Th o se .

wh ic h w e h av e b ri e fly i n d i cat e d an d w h i c h w e ,

wi l l n o w d escri b e i n d e tai l a re s u ffi ci e n t t o

,

e n ab l e a s o u l w i t h a tu rn fo r m e d i tati o n an d ,

w h o is n o t p l u n g e d i n ari d ity t o o ccu py h e r se l f

,

wit h o u t m u c h d i fficu lty fo r h o u rs i n p ray e r ,

w h e re a s t h e t i m e a ss i g n e d by o u r ru l e t o e ac h
e x e rc i se is rat h e r s h o rt A re yo u p e n e trat e d
.

wit h a l iv e ly f ee l i n g o f t he divi n e p r ese n c e in y o u r

pr eparati o n R e ce iv e i t as a grac e a n d tak e car e ,

n o t t o pa ss o n so l o n g as it is d o i n g
y o u go o d A .

c o n sid e rati o n t o uc h e s yo u an d e xci t es p i o u s affec .

t i o n s l e av e o th e r re fl ecti o n s a s i d e so l o n g as th i s
,

o ne is n o u ri sh i n g y o u r so u l ; a p i o u s act say o f ,

divi n e l o v e o f c o n tri t i o n o f grati tu d e attract s an d

, , ,

o ccu p i e s
y o u ; d o n o t l e av e i t t o pa ss o n t o o t h e r s ;

y o u h av e f o u n d
, ce a s e t o g o o n s e e k i n g N e v e r .

t he le ss , i t is alway s t o a ff ecti o n s p e ti ti o n s a n d ,

re so l uti o n s w e sh o u l d m o re particu larly app ly

o ur se lve s as b e i n g t h e p ri nci pal e n d o f p ray e r 1
,
.

Cf : Tke M et h o d
'

f
a S t S u l p z ce
. .
98 O N O R D I NA R Y M E NTAL P R AY E R

Fo r a str o n g e r reaso n t h e r e is n o n e ce ssity

t o mak e t h e act s i n t h e o r d er mark e d o u t ab o v e .

We had o f c o u rse t o d escrib e t h e m i n t h e i r

, ,

l o gi ca l sequ e nce ; b ut if a m o v e m e n t o f grac e

,

u rg e s yo u t o ad o pt a d i ff e re n t o rd e r f o l l o w t h e n ,

t h e g u id a n c e o f t h e H o ly Gh o st ; t h e m e t h o d is
,

m e an t t o ai d an d n o t t o e mbarra ss u s St
’

. .

F ra nci s o f S al es i n s i st s m uch o n t h i s advice 1

A lth o ug h i n t h e u s ual c o u r se o f th i n g s c o n
, ,

s i de rat i o n o u gh t t o p r e c e d e a ff e cti o n s a n d re so l u

ti o n s ye t i f t h e H o ly Gh o st gra nt s yo u aff e cti o n s

,

b e fo r e c o n s id e rati o n yo u o u gh t n o t t o see k fo r
,

c o n si d e rat i o n s i nce it is u se d o n ly fo r t h e p u r po se
,

o f e xci ti ng t h e affe cti o n s I n sh o rt w h e n e ve r

.
,

affecti o n s p rese nt t h e m sel ves t o yo u yo u sh o uld ,

adm i t t h e m a n d make r o o m fo r t h e m w h e t h e r t h ey ,

c o m e t o yo u be fo r e o r aft e r a ny c o n si d e rati o n .

A n d t h i s I say n o t o n ly w i t h r egar d t o
,

o th e r affe cti o n s b u t a l so w i t h r e sp ec t t o tha n k s

,

gi v i n g o blati o n an d p e ti ti o n wh ic h m ay b e
’

, ,

m ad e am i d s t t h e c o n s i d e rati o n s B ut . .

as t o re so l uti o n s t h e y sh o uld b e m ad e afte r

,

t h e a ff e cti o n s an d n e ar t he e n d o f t h e w h o l e
”
m e d itat i o n .

L e t u s app l y o u r p o we r s e n e rg et ical ly t o
p raye r o u r m i n d by a fi rm a n d s u stai n e d a t te n
,

t i o n o u r wi ll by an i mat e d a n d e n e rge tic act s Th e re

, .

is a va st d i ff e r e n c e b e twee n t h e p ray e r t o w h ic h
w e wh o l ly d e v o te o u r se l ve s an d that t o w h ich
,

apply o u r se lve s o n ly lan gu i dly B u t as w e m

.

Th e D evo id L ife, 2n d
pa rt , c . vu i.
 100 ON O R D I NAR Y M E NT AL P R AYE R

t he wi ll a n d th u s o u r w h o l e so u l wi l l b e u p rig h t
,

an d s i nc e r e b efo re God .

I magi nati o n se n s ib il i ty e m o ti o n s a re by n o
, ,

m e an s re qu i r e d n o r are th e y s u ffi ci e n t fo r th i s
,

w o rk .I t is t h e w i l l t h at m ake s t he pray e r .

Th o ug h o u r h e art b e i n d eso lati o n an d c o ldn ess ,

an d d ev o i d o f al l fe el i n g ye t as l o n g as o u r , ,

p ray e r p r o c ee d s fr o m an u p ri g h t a n d r eso l ute wi l l ,

i t is pl ea s i ng t o Go d w h o b e h o ld s o u r i n t e ri o r
,

di sp o s i ti o n s .

Le t u s n o t p r o l o n g o u r p ray e r so l e ly fr o m
t he m o t ive t h at i t is c o n so l i n g ; t h i s w o u l d b e t o
see k o u r s e lv e s rath e r t h an God A way w i th vai n
‘

co m p l ac e nce an d sp i ri tual gl u t t o n y l L e t u s
rec e iv e se n s ibl e d ev o ti o n w it h h u m i l i ty a n d d e tach
m e n t fo r t he p u rp o se o f u n iti n g o u r se lv es m o r e
cl ose ly t o Go d an d o f b e i n g e nabl e d t o m ake fo r
,
f-

H i m th o se sacrific es w h ic h w e h av e h i th e rt o re fu se d
H i m L et u s mak e u se o f i t an d n o t b e it s s lave s
. .

I n o rde r t o h i de i t b e n e ath t he v e i l O f h u m i l i ty a n d ,

t o p re se rv e o u r h e alth agai n st it s e xc e ss iv e ardo u r ,

le t u s m o de rat e i f n ec e ssary , th o se e m o ti o n s O f
,

t h e h eart an d th o se n o t u nc o m m o n m o v e m e nt s o f

d ev o ti o n wh ic h t e n d t o b r e ak o u t i n t o e xte rn al
,

man i f estat i o n s an d see m as i f th e y w o u ld su ff o

,

cat t h s ul 1 R e a so n s h o u l d h o l d t h e
'
‘

e e o .

re i n s i n o rde r t o gu i de th ese i m p e tu o u s m o ve
m e nt s b ecau se n atu r e may hav e it s s hare i n th e m ;
,

an d i t is t o b e fe ar e d that th e re is a g o o d d e al o f
i m p e rf ect i o n m i n gl e d w ith th e m an d t h at s u c h ,

‘
t S t. Te r e sa , L if e, c . x x ix.
 P R AYE R O F M E D IT AT IO N IO I

m o v e m e n t s a re i n gre at pa rt t h e w o rk o f t he
se n se s ,
w h at e v e r is m e re ly e xte ri o r o u g h t
”
t o b e car e fu l ly av o i d e d Te ar s a l t h o u gh g o o d
.
, ,

a re n o t alway s p e rfe ct T h e re is e v e r m o r e se cu
.

ri ty in act s o f h u m i l i ty m o rt ific at io n de tac h m e n t

, , ,
” 1
a n d t he o t h e r v i rt u es .

L et u s n ev e r i m i tate t h o se i n d i scree t p e r so n s ,

w h o t h r o u g h t h e grac e o f de v o t i o n h av e r u i n e d

t h e m se lv es be cau se t h e y w i sh e d t o d o m o r e t h a n
,

t h e y c o u l d n o t w e ig h i n g t he m e a s u re o f t h e i r o w n
,

l ittl e n e ss b u t f o l l o w i n g t h e a ffe cti o n s o f t h e i r

,
” 2
h eart rat h e r t h a n t h e j u dg m e n t o f re a so n .

O n t he o t h e r h a n d l e t u s n o t s h o rt e n o u r ,

p ray e r s o l e ly b e cau se i t is fu l l o f d e s o lati o n A .

du ty in w h i c h w e fi n d n o p l ea su re is n o n e t he l ess
'

a duty . To p l e a se Go d t o d o g o o d t o o u r o w n ,

so u l , is t he e n d o f p ray e r ; i f c o n so lati o n is w it h
h e l d e v e n ti l l w e r eac h h e av e n t he re ward w i l l b e ,

o n ly al l t h e gr e at e r H e nc e le t u s n o t y i e ld t o
.
,

w e ari n ess d i sgu s t m u rm u ri n g o r d i sc o u rage

, ,

m e n t ; b u t l e t u s be gi n by e xam i n i n g o u r selv es .

P e r h a ps t h a t f o u rf o l d pu ri ty o f w h ic h w e sp o k e 3 , ,

h as b ee n c o v e r e d wi t h so m e du st ; pe r h ap s w e h ave
be e n o b st i n at e in o u r o w n O p i n i o n o r y i e l d e d t o
se lf w i l l
-
, o ffe n de d c h ari ty by so m e an ti pat h y or ,

e n t e r t a i ne d so m e i n o rdi n at e attac h m e n t b r o k e n ,

si l e n c e , o r giv e n w ay t o d i ss i p ati o n c o m m i tt ed ,

m o re pe tty fau l t s tha n u su al o r m u l t ip lied o u r

’

i rre gu lari t i e s Th e h a n d o f Go d as m erc ifu l as I t

.
,

S t Te r e sa ,
. Wy a , x v iii.

I m i t at ion , b . iii . 0 . v ii. 2.

3 Cf . Is t par t . c. iv p 34.
. .
 O N O R D INA R Y M E NTA L P R A YE R
~

10 2

is j u st p u n i s h e s o u r fai l i n g s a n d r e cal l s u s t o o u r
, ,

d uty ; le t u s ad o r e wi th s ub m i ss i o n H is fat h e rly

se ve ri ty an d n o t su l k Wi th u n r e p e n t i n g p ri d e
,
.

P e rha p s Go d w i sh e s m e r e ly t o p r e se rv e u s i n
d e tach m e n t an d h u m i l i ty t o t es t t h e so l i d ity o f o u r
,

fa i t h t o try t he c o n sta n cy o f o u r d e v o t i o n t he
“

, ,

str e n gt h o f o u r wi ll t h e d i s i nt e r e ste dn e s s o f o u r
,

Se rvic e .O r p e rhap s th i s d e so lati o n is b u t t h e '

p r e l u d e t o gr e at e r g rac e s H o w e v e r
. t h at m ay b e ,

l e t u s n e v e r d o ub t t h e l o v i n g h e art o f o u r F at h e r ,

Wh o cha st i se s u s be cau se H e l o v es u s ” 1
Fa r .
'

fr o m aban d o n i n g o u r p ray e r l e t u s c o n t i n u e it
wi t h c o u rage T h e so l d i e r r e mai n s at h is p o st i n
.
,

sp i t e o f dan g e r a n d fatigu e; t h e pl o u gh man b e n d s .

o ve r h is fu rr o w d e s p it e t h e i n cl e m e n cy O f t h e ‘

we at he r T h e r e is i n fact n o th i n g l e ss tr o ub le
.
, ,

so m e t h an t h i s p o w e rl e ss n e ss o f t h e m i n d a n d th i s

d e so lati o n o f h eart w h e n t h e so u l h as t h e c o in ag e
, ,

e it h e r t o s u p r e ss w h at may b e t h e i r v o l u n tary
p
cau se o r t o e mb race th i s cr o ss w i t h l o v e a n d t o
, ,

p e r se v er e i n pray e r wi th pati e n t e n e rgy ; D u ri n g

l o n g y ea r s S t T e r e sa so u gh t i n v ai n f o r a l ittl e
‘

.
,

c o n so lati o n i n p ray e r S h e p e r se v e re d h o w e v e r
.
, ,

a n d as a r e ward Go d i n u n dat e d he r so u l w it h H is
, ,
'

fav o u r s an d rai se d h e r e v e n t o t he h e i gh t s o f c o n
,
.
‘

t e m p l at io n a n d o f p e rf e cti o n O u r L o rd d e i gn e d
.

o n e day t o s a
y t o h e r w i th a n acc e n t o f t h e m o st
te n d e r aff ecti o n : Be n o t a ffl i cte d my dau ghte r ; ,

i n t h i s l ife so u l s ca n n o t alway s b e i n t h e sam e stat e ;

'

so m e ti m e s
yo u w i l l b e f e rv e n t so m e t i m e s with ,o ut
fe rv o u r ; so m e ti m e s i n p e ac e so m e ti m e s i n tr o u b l e ,

P rov . iii . 12.

104 O N O R D INA R Y M E NTA L P R AY E R

t h o se w h o O ff e n d m e I w il l see k o n t h i s v e ry
,

a n O p p o rt u n i ty Of m ee ti n g t h e m an d wi ll k i n dly
,
” 1
sal ut e t h e m ; I w i ll r e n d e r th e m so m e l it t l e
se rv ic e
,
I wi l l spe ak we l l o f th e m i f pe rm i tt e d t o
,

s p eak ; I wi l l p ray fo r th e m a n d ca r e fu lly av o i d

cau si n g t h e m a n y pai n .

S t Fr a n c is
. of S a l e s, D ev o u t L ife, z ad p t , c. viii.
a r
 CHAP TER II

O F THE E NTR ANC E I NT O M E D ITATI O N

I . NE C E S S ITY
-
O F TH E I M M E D IATE P R E P AR ATI O N .

U NL E S S t he so ul al r e a d y r e c o l l e ct e d e v e ryt h i n g
be ,

s h o w s t h at i t is a du ty t o m ak e so m e i m m e diat e

r
p p e arati o n fo r p ray e r — I
°
T. h e maj e s ty o f G od ,

Wh o clai m s o u r r espect ; t o c o m e be f o r e H i m w i th ,

o u t tak i n g t h e m e a n s t o ar o u se o u r att e nt i o n an d

d e v o ti o n w o u l d b e t o i n s u l t H i m
, . T he i m p o r
ta nc e o f t h e matt e r s o f w h i c h w e h av e t o tr e at .

O rat o r s p r e p ar e th e i r s p e ech e s ; wi se m e n b e f o r e a ,

c o n v e r sati o n o f grave c o n ce r n o r a d i fficu lt n eg o

t iat io n r e fl e ct se r i o u sly i n o rd e r n o t t o c om p r o m i se
,

it s s u cc ess . No w w h at is gr eat e r m o r e n o b l e
, , ,

m o re i m p o rtan t t h an tr e ati n g wi t h Go d t h e au t h o r
, ,

o f o u r bei n g a n d m a st e r o f o u r de sti ny ab o u t t he
, ,

aff ai r o f o u r e t e r n al s alvat i o n ? Th e d iffi c u l

ti es w h ich p ray e r i t se lf o ff e r s The h u ma n mi n d
.

rai ses i t se lf t o Go d o n ly w i t h di ffi cu lty ; i t is n o t

e a sy fo r i t t o e n t e r t h e s u p e r n at u ral w o rld a n d t h e re

tr eat ab o u t sp i ri tu al t h i n g s w i t h i nvi s ibl e b e i ng s

t h e de m o n h at e s p ray e r a n d d o e s al l h e c a n t o
h i n d e r it o r t o r e n d e r i t ste ri l e ; m e n fo r t h e m o s t
part espe ci al ly b e gi n n e r s are h ab itual ly d i ss i
, ,

p at e d a n d fu l l o f p r o fan e t h o ught s an d p re o cc upa -

ti o n s ; o f t e n t h e i r h eart is a gi ta t e d by pass i o n ,

105
 106 O N O R D INA R Y M E NTAL P R AY E R

th e i r wi l l b o u n d t o t h e e arth by attac h m e n t s ; t h e y
h ave t h e re fo r e m uc h n e e d t o d i se n tan gl e th e m
, ,

se lv e s fr o m th e se tram m e l s be f o r e han d an d t o ,

bri n g th e m se lv e s i nt o a stat e O f r e c o l l ect i o n s i l e nce ,

a n d p e ac e acc o rdi n g t o t h e p r e c e pt o f t h e H o ly
,

G h o st B e f o re p ray e r p r e pare thy so u l an d b e

, ,
” 1
n o t l i k e a man that t e m pt e t h Go d .

II .
-
F IR S T M ANNE R OF M AK ING TH E I M M E D IATE
P R E P AR ATI O N .

The p r o xi mate p r e parati o n by w h ic h w e b e g i n

m e d i tati o n c o n s i st s o f th r ee act s I
°
To plac e -
.

o n e s e lf i n t h e p r e se n c e o f Go d To c o n fe ss that
.

w e are u n w o rthy o f be i n g all o w e d t o ap pe ar b e f o r e

Him . To ask fo r grac e w it h o u t w h ic h w e ,

ca n n o t p ray w e l l .

To pla ce o u rs el v es in t he pr es en ce o f G od .

M e d itati o n is n o t a so l itary O ccu pati o n l i k e stu dy ,

o r r e adi n g wh e n t h e so u l is al o n e wi t h it s b o o k s
,

an d it s th o u g h t s
“

I t is a c o n v e r sati o n w i th Go d
.

or wi th O u r L o rd so m e ti m es al so w i t h ; o u r
,

h e av e n ly b r e th re n Th e m o m e n t w e sp ea k t o t h e
.

m o st H o ly V i rgi n t o a n an g e l o r t o a sa i n t th o se
, ,

w e add r e ss a l l i nv i s ib l e as t h e y a re
, h e ar u s a n d , ,
-
.

t h e c o n v e rsat io n is as r e al a s wh e n w e c o nv e r se w i th
'

a n ab se nt p e r so n by te l e p h o n e A s t o Go d l i k e t o .
,

t he d e af a n d t h e b l i n d w e ca n n o t h e r e b e l o w e i th e r
.
,

s ee o r h e ar H i m ; bu t fai th gi v es u s t h e m o st
p e rf ect c e rtitu de t h at H e is h e r e p re se nt I t is w e .

o u r se lv e s w h o a re n o t pr e se n t w h e n r e c o l l e ct io n Is
,

E cc li . x v iii. 2 .
3
 108 O N O R D I NAR Y M E NTA L P R AY E R

s ay s S t J o h n C l i macu s he w h o w h i l e p ray i n g
.
, , ,

is fi l l e d w ith t h e t h o u ght o f a n e v e r p r e se n t Go d -
,
” 1
r e mai n s i n p raye r l i k e a n i m m o vab l e p i lla r .

S h o u l d o u r m i n d wa n de r du ri n g p ray e r we ,

m u st b ri e fl y r e call it t o t h e p r e se nc e o f Go d by ,
“
say i n g ,
fo r i n sta nc e w i th Jac o b , Tru ly t h e °

L o r d is i n t h i s p lac e a n d I k n e w i t n o t
—
.
,

Th e w ay t o pla ce o n es e lf in Go s pr en ce d A
’
e s

c h o ic e m a y b e m a d e am o n g st se v e ral m et h o d s ,

so m e o f w h ic h a p p e al t o s i m pl e fa it h o t h e r s t o t h e ,

e y e s a n d t o t h e i magi n ati o n
, .

By sim pl e fa it h — f
S t F ranci s o S al e s .
2
p o i nt s

o u t d iv e r s c o n s i d e rati o n s

G o d s p r e se nc e e v e ryw h e r e H e is in
’
.

e v e ryt h i n g an d i n e ve ry p lace n o r is t h e re an
y ,

place o r t h i n g i n t h i s w o rld wh e r e i n H e is n o t by
a m o st r e al p r ese n ce so that as t h e b i r d s m
, ee t
alway s wi th ai r wh it h e r soe v e r t h e y fly so w e , ,

w h it h e r soe v e r w e may go alway s a n d e v e ryw h er e ,

fin d Go d th e r e . T h i s w as D avi d s ’

t h o u ght wh e n he exclai m e d I f I a sc e n d i n t o
h e av e n T h o u art t he r e ; i f I d esc e n d i nt o h e l l
, ,
”
Th o u art p re se n t 3 .

“
Tru l y Go d is n o t far fr o m e v e ry o ne o f u s ;
” 4
fo r i n H i m w e l i v e an d m o ve a n d are He .

s u rr o u n d s an d e n v e l o p s u s o n al l s i d es w e are ,

i m m e r se d i n H i m as fish i n wat e r .

H is p r e se n c e i n u s — A s t he so u l b e i n g
“
.

di ffu se d th r o u g h o u t t h e w h o l e b o d y is p r e se nt in
F r Ch a ig n o n , M ed r el , t 1 , p 16
. . . . . .

S t F r a n c is o f S a l e s, D ev on ! L ife, 2n d a r
.
p t , c. ii.
3 P s c x x x v iii 8
. . .

Act . e . x v ii. 2 7 , 28.

 O F TH E E NT R ANC E INTO M E D ITATI ON 109

all it s part s so Go d p e n e t rat e s o u r w h o le b e i n g

,

an d dw e l l s i n it s e v e ry part i m part i n g t o u s l i fe
,
“
an d m o ve m e n t A n d . a s t h e so u l re

s i d es n e v e rth e l ess in t he h e art in a m o re s pe ci al

m an n e r so Go d is i n a m o st particu lar man n e r in

,

y o u r h eart a n d i n t h e v e ry ce ntr e O f y o u r s p i ri t
, ,

w h i c h H e v iv ifie s a n d a n i m ate s b e i n g as i t w e r e , , ,

t he h e art o f y o u r h e art a n d t h e sp i ri t o f y o u r
” 1
s p i r it. A n d i f w e a re i n t h e state o f grac e o u r ,

so u l is a san ctu ary w h e r e i n t h e H o ly Tri n ity dw e l l s ,

i m pa rt i n g t o u s a d iv i n e l i f e t he p o w e r t o d o ,

d i vi n e w o rk s l i g h t a n d h e l p t o e n ab le u s t o act
,

aft e r a di v i n e m an n e r We h av e t he n n o n e e d t o
.
, ,

see k Go d v e ry far away s i nc e H e fil l s o u r b o dy

,

a n d o u r so u l w i t h H is m o s t h o ly p re se n c e .

The t h i r d m ea n s is t o c o n s i d e r o u r S avi o u r ,

w ho , in H is h u m an n atu re l o o k s d o w n fr o m ,

h e av e n u p o n al l p e r so n s i n t h i s w o rld b u t par ,

t ic u l arl y u p o n C h ri sti a n s w h o a re H is ch i ldr e n ,

an d m o r e e sp e cial ly u p o n th o se w h o a re e n gage d
i n p ray e r w h o se acti o n s an d d e p o rtm e n t H e
,

m i n ut e ly o b se rv e s No w th i s is n o m e r e fl i gh t o f
.
,

t h e i magi n ati o n b u t t h e v e ry tru th ; fo r alth o u gh

w e se e H i m n o t y e t fr o m , ab o v e H e b e h o ld s u s .

I t w as th u s S t S t e phe n saw H i m at t h e m o m e n t
.

o f h is ma rtyrd o m 2 .

By t h e e yes an d t h e im agin at i o n Th e f o u rt h .

way c o n s i st s i n mak i n g u se o f s i m pl e i magi nati o n ,

r e p r ese n ti n g t o o u r se l v es O u r S av i o u r i n H is
sacr e d h u ma n i ty as th o u gh H e w e re b e s i d e u s j u s t

St F. ci f S l
ra n D s o t L if a es, d p t c II
ev o u e, 2 n ar , . .

Ib i d
'
.
1 10 O N O R D INA R Y M E NT A L P R AYE R

as w e a re wo n t
r e p r ese n t t o o u r se lv e s an ab se nt
to
fri n d
e .
”1
We m ay p ictu re H i m t o o u rse lv es as i n
t he C rib i n H is i n fan cy i n H is h i dd e n o r p ubl i c l i fe
, , ,

o n H is cr o ss a m i d st t he sp l e n d o u r s o f H is gl o ry
, ,

a cc o rdi n g as i t d o e s u s m o r e g o o d p r o v i d e d that ,

th i s b e d o n e w i t h o u t any v i o l e n t strai n i n g an d ,

that w e d o n o t c o n f o u n d t h e r e al i t i e s o f fa ith wi th
t h e cre ati o n s o f o u r o w n i magi n at i o n We may .

a l so mak e u se o f a statu e o r a ny o th e r p i o u s i mag e ,

t o draw o u r so u l away fr o m t h e e art h an d fix i t i n

Go d .

B u t w h e n w e are mak i n g o u r me d itati o n b e f o re

t h e B l e sse d S acram e n t t he m o st n atu ral man n e r
,

t o p lac e o u r se lv e s i n G o d s p r ese n c e is t o rai se o u r

’

e y e s t o t h e tab e rn acl e F o r t h e m o r e a d vance d

.

t h i s w i l l su ffi ce t o fix th e i r att e n ti o n l o v i n gly u p o n

H i m Wh o “
s tan d e t h b e h i n d o u r wal l l o o k i ng ,

th r o u g h t he w i n d o w s l o o k i n g t h r o u gh t h e ,
” 2
latti c es . He is t h e i r W e l l B e l o v e d t h e i r Go d -
, ,

t h e i r Al l ; th e y wi l l c o n t e m plat e H i m t h e y w i ll ,

l o ve H i m . A s fo r t h o se w h o are b e gi n n i n g o r ev e n ,

h av e al r eady mad e so m e p r o gr ess t he y may n ee d ,

t o re an i mat e t h e i r fai t h by p i o u s c o n s i d e rati o n s .

H e is t h e re I see H i m n o t b u t I am m o r e ce r
, ,

t ai n O f i t t h a n if I b e h e l d H i m wi t h my
fai t h r eve al s H i m t o m e H e h as H is e ye s u p o n .

me t o o b se rv e a l l t h e m o v e m e n t s o f my so u l an d ,

t o fat h o m t h e di sp o s i ti o n s o f m h art He
y e .

b e h o ld s h o w I ke e p my b o dy i n a m o d e st p o stu r e ,

my m i n d r ec o ll ected an d my wi l l d e v o u t H e
, .

S t F r a n c is
. of S a l e s , D ev o id Life, an d pa r t , c . 11.

Ca n t f Ca n t z cl es
'

. o ii 9
. .
112 O N O R D INA R Y M E NTAL P R AYE R

maj e sty c o n tri te an d h u mbl e d by t he m e m o ry o f

,

o u r s i n s i n p r e se n c e o f so p u re a san cti ty We .

m ay e xp r e ss th i s sec o n d p o i n t o f o u r p r e parati o n
i n so m e s uch t e rm s as t h e se I b e l i e ve O L o rd
, ,

that Th o u art h e r e re a l l y p r e se nt t h at I d u st a n d
, ,

a sh e s am g o i n g t o sp e ak t o my L o rd an d my Go d
, ,

that Th i n e ey e s a re u p o n m e a n d t h at T h o u
d e ig ne st t o l i st e n t o m e T h o u art my Go d I
.
,

h u mbly ad o r e The e ; T h o u art m y S o v e r e i g n

M a st e r I s ub m i t my s e lf t o T h y ab so l u t e au t h o ri ty
,
.

D e i gn t o l o o k u p o n m e m e rci fu lly a n d t o be ar wi th
m e i n du lg e n tly fo r I am m o s t u nw o rthy t o ap pe ar
,

i n Thy p re se nc e ; u n w o rt h y b e cau se T h o u art

,

i nfi n it e ly gre at a n d I am b u t n o th i n gn ess ; u n
,

w o rthy es p eci al ly b ecau se Th o u art h o l i n ess

, ,

it se lf a n d I p o o r s i n n e r have so o ft e n o ffe n d e d
, , ,

Thy D i v i n e M aj esty e sp e ci ally by s uch o r S uch a

,
‘

fau lt ; e v e n sti l l I h a v e s u ch o r s uch a de fec t w hic h

,
‘

I h ave n o t c o rre ct e d s uch o r su c h a bad i n cl i n at i o n

,

wh ic h p u t s m e t o S h am e To ap p ear i n T h y p r e se n ce
.

I o ught t o b e as p u r e as a n a n g e l O h ! h o w far
.

fr o m i t a m I I b u t Th o u k n o w est t h at I l o v e n o t my
fau lt s a n d s p i ritu al m i se ri e s ; I am a sham e d Of t h e m
b e fo r e T h ee I b e g Thy pard o n fo r th e m I w i l l
, ,

c o rr e ct th e m wi th t h e ai d Of Thy H o ly grac e an d ,

i t is e v e n fo r th i s p u rp o se that I c o m e t o Th ee ,

h o p i n g that Th o u wi l t n o t de s p i se a c o n tri t e an d
’
h u mbl e h e art ; a nd if I am n o t s u ffici e n t l y
,

p e n e trat e d w i th t h i s sal utary c o m p u n ct i o n d e i gn

,

Th o u t o p o u r i t i n t o my so u l an d I s hal l h av e i t .

P u ri fy my h e a rt an d my l i p s O O m n i p o t e n t Go d
, ,

w h o di d s t p u r ify t he l i p s o f I saia s wi th a b u rn i n g
 O F TH E E NTR ANC E INTO M E D ITAT I O N 1 13

c o al a n d th e n I s h all b e l e ss u n w o rt h y t o co n
,
’

ve r se w i th Th ee .

Y o u may say t h e C o n fi t eo r .

A s O u r L o rd is o u r m e di at o r i t is g o o d t o u n i t e
o u r se lv es w i th H i m i n t h e f o l l o wi n g way fo r e x
, ,
.

am pl e I d o n o t de se rv e O L o rd Go d th at Th o u
, ,

sh o u ld st pay a ny att e nt i o n t o m e ; b ut t h e pray e r

an d t h e m e ri t s o f T h y S o n T h o u can st n o t r ej ect .

No w H e p ray e d fo r m e a n d sti ll p ray s fo r m e i n

,

h e ave n an d i n t h e h o ly tab e r n ac l e H e o ffe r s t o ,

Th e e H is h o m age pl e adi n g fo r m e w ith H is l i p s

,

an d H is h e art by H is pa st lab o u r s H is t e ar s a n d
, ,

H is bl o o d H e ad o r es Th ee H e tha n k s T h ee H e
.
, ,

i m pl o re s T h y m e rcy a n d b e g s grac es fo r m e .

What e v e r H e say s t o Th ee I say t h e sam e ; I mak e

,

all H is h o mage m i n e o w n by j o i n i n g H i m i n in t e n
ti o n I t is w h i l e i n v o k i n g H i m h o l d i n g H i m by
.
,

t he h an d an d s h e l t e r i n g my se l f u n de r H is m e ri t s
, ,

that I dar e t o p r ese n t my se lf b ef o re T h ee wi th a

”
fi rm c o n fid e nc e o f b e i n g h e ar d .

We m u s t ac kn o w l edge o u r se lv es in c a pa b le o f
p y g f
r a in o o u r s e l v es a n d in
, v o k e t h e H o l y Gh o st .

O L o rd I a m n o t o f m y se lf capabl e o f h av m g
,

a g o o d th o u gh t b u t my s u ffici e n cy is fr o m
,

T h ee 1 . I am n o t ab l e t o c o n c e n trate my
th o u g h t s i f Th o u d o s t n o t c o n tr o l th e m n o r t o ,

rai se my h e art t o T h ee u n l e ss Th o u d o s t att ract

,

i t ; n o r t o l o ve Th ee i f Th o u d o s t n o t i nflam e m e ;
,

n o r t o f o rm a g o o d r e so l u ti o n s t i l l l e ss t o p u t i t i n
,
“
practi c e i f T h o u d o st n o t gi v e m e t o wi ll a n d t o
,

II Cor
. . iii 5
. .
 ”4 O N O R D I NA R Y M E NT A L P R AYE R

” 1
cc o m pl i s h
a I re n o u n ce th e r e f o r e my o w n
.
, , ,

t h o ught s w h i c h are n o t capab l e o f gu i di n g m e

,

ari ght as t o what c o n ce r n s my sa l v ati o n a n d my ,

o w n a ff e ct i o n s wh i c h a re w o n t t o t e nd t o ward s e v i l
,
.

C o m e th e n O D i v i n e S p i r it h av e c o m pa ss i o n o n
‘

, , ,

my i n d i g e n c e I aban d o n my se lf t o Th e e i n o rd e r
, ,

that i l l u m i n at e d m ove d an d gu i d e d by T h ee I
, , ,

may ma k e my m e ditati o n w e l l ; c o m e e n l i ght e n my ,

i n te l l i g e nce i n flam e my h e art an d c o nve rt my wi ll

, ,

that my p ray e r m ay c o n tri b u t e t o Thy gl o ry a n d

”
t o my o w n s p i ri tu al adva n ce m e n t .

N B Th e o bj ect o f th e se la st w o rd s is t o r e m i n d
. .
-

u s o f t h e p u ri ty o f i n te n ti o n w e S h o u l d b ri n g t o

p ray e r i f w e w o u ld se e k Go d a n d n o t o u r se lv e s
, , .

F ath e r C rasse t 2 ve ry j u s t l y re m a r kS : — Be re
”

s ig n e d t o pa ss th i s t i m e ( o f p ray e r ) e i t h e r i n l igh t

or in dark n e ss i n c o n so lati o n o r i n de so l ati o n

, ,

wi th o u t see k i n g a ny o th e r s ati sfacti o n t h a n t h at o f

d o i n g t h e w i l l o f Go d Th i s re s i gn ati o n is im .

p o rtan t in o rd e r t o re c e ive H is grac e a n d t o

, ,

re mai n pe ac e fu l ly i n what e v e r s tat e H e m ay plac e

ou I f o u l e av e O ff y o u r p ray e r w i t h a sati sfi e d
y .
y
m i n d afte r havi n g d o n e what yo u c o u l d t o m ak e i t
,

w e ll i t is a S i gn th at yo u e n t e r e d u p o n i t wi th a
,

p u r e i n t e n ti o n ; if yo u l e ave i t o ff sadd e n e d a nd ca st
d o wn i t is a S ig n th at yo u so u gh t i n i t y o u r Ow n
,
”
s at i s facti o n a n d n o t G o d s w i l l
’
.

P h il . II . 1 3. F r C r a s s e t , M ed pr ep
. .
’
1 16 O N O R D I NAR Y M E NTA L P R AYE R

” 1
e n gr o sse d i n t h e w o rk o f i n ve nt i n g i mag Fo r es . ,

i f th e se r e p r e se n tati o n s d o n o t o ccu r t o u s as i f o f
th e m se lv es a n d wi th o u t e ff o rt i t is b e tte r t o c o n fi n e
, ,

o u r se l ve s t o s i m ply r e cal l i n g o u r s ubj e ct t o m i n d .

Wi th th e se r e stricti o n s t h e c o m p o si ti o n O f plac e
,

can n o t fat i gu e t h e m i n d i t fix es t h e i mag i na t i o n

,

by c o n fi n i ng i t t o a n o bj e ct w h i c h i n te r est s i t a n d ,

th u s h i n de r s i t fr o m wan d e ri n g h i th e r a n d th ith e r ;
o r i f i t d o e s wan d e r
, t o r e cal l t o m i n d th i s m e n ta l
,

p i ctu r e s u ffic e s t o b ri n g i t back .

To th i s p r e l u d e S t I g n ati u s alway s a dd s at l e a st
.

o ne o th e r by wh ich w e ask t h e grace n o t n o w in ,

g e n e ral t o make a g o o d m e d itati o n bu t a sp e cial ,

grac e c o nf o rm ab l e t o t h e fru i t w e w i sh t o de riv e

fr o m t h e m e di tat i o n We ask fo r l i gh t a n d .

s tr e ngt h ; l igh t t o k n o w s tr e n gt h t o w i l l a n d t o
,

acc o m pl i sh La stly wh e n o u r s u bj ect 15 so m e

.
,
'
h i st o rical fact S t I g n ati u s w o u ld h ave u s re cal l
, .

b ri e fly t h e fact i n qu e sti o n b e f o r e t h e t w o p r e l u d es
,

o f wh i ch w e h av e j u st sp o k e n wh i c h make s a t h i rd ,
”
pr lud
e .e 2

T h e se p re l u d es n o t b e i n g r e qu i r e d by al l t h e
m e th o d s th e r e is n o o bj e cti o n t o o u r n o t mak i n g
,

u se o f th e m i f w e fi n d th e m e mbarra ssi n g ; w e
th o ugh t i t ri g h t t o m e n ti o n t h e m fo r th o se w h o
m i gh t w i sh t o e m p l o y th e m I n S h o rt w e m ay .
,

l i m i t t h e wh o l e i m m e d iat e p re parati o n t o placi ng

o u r se lv e s i n t h e p r e se n ce o f G o d ad o ri n g H i m ,

h u mbly a n d a sk i n g t h e grac e t o p ray w e ll Th i s

,
.

h ardly r e qu i re s fiv e m i n u te s B u t sh o u l d w e b e .

St . F r a n c is of S a l e s , D ev ou t L if e , 2n d par t , c. iv .

F r C ha ig n o n , M ed
. r el . . t . i i n t r o d u c t io n
. .
 O F TH E E NTR ANC E INT O M E D IT ATI O N 11
7

s tro n gly i m p re sse d by t he t h o u g h t o f G o d s ’

r s e n c e by s o rr o w fo r o u r s i n s by a f ee l i n g o f t h e
p e , ,

ne e d w e h av e o f gr a ce & c w e s h o u ld aban d o n t h e
, .
,

s ubj e ct w e h av e p re par e d a n d h o l d o n t o t h i s
t h o u g h t w h ic h is d o i n g u s g o o d ; fo r as w e h av e ,

1
al r ea d y re m ark e d i t is u n p r o fitabl e t o c o n ti n u e
,

se arc h i n g w h e n w e h av e al r e a d y f o u n d w h at w e

nee d .

an d a
p rt , c. i 54,
. 2n d c o u n s e l
, p 97.
.
 CH AP TER I II

B OD Y O F T H E M E D ITATI ON

CO NS ID E R ATI O NS

I .
—O P TI ONAL A CTS WH IC H M AY S ERV E AS AN
I NTR O D U CTIO N TO TH E B O D Y O F TH E M E D ITA
TI O N
.
— O F A D O RATI O N .

TH E m eth o d o f S t S u l p i ce e n t e r s u po n t h e b o dy
.

o f t h e praye r by ad o rati o n wh i c h Tro n so n th u s

,

de fi n es “
We cal l t h e fi r s t p o i n t a d o rat io n ,

be cau se i n i t p ri nci pal ly w e d i scharg e o u r du ti e s

t o ward s O u r L o rd w e ad o r e H i m w e l o v e H i m
, , ,

w e than k H i m a n d fu lfil o u r o th e r O b l igat i o n s

,

t o ward s H i m A s ad o rati o n is o n e o f o u r fi r st
.

a n d p ri n ci pal du ti es i t g iv es it s nam e to th i s fi r st
,

po i n t . T h i s p o i nt c o n s i st s i n c o n t e m
plati n g t h e s ubj e ct o f o u r m e di tati o n as i t is i n
J es u s C h ri s t an d u n de r th i s a sp ec t wh i ch is
, , ,

n e c e ssari ly a r e l i gi o u s o n e p e rf o rm i n g t o wa rd s
,

H i m th o se act s w h ic h t h e vi rtu e o f r e l i gi o n re
qu i r e s u s t o p e rfo rm Fo r i n sta nc e w e wa nt t o
.
,

m e ditate o n h u m i l i ty : t h e fi r st th i n g w e m u st
is t o c o n s i d e r h u m i l i ty i n t he p e r so n o f O u r Lo
1 20 O N O R D I N A R Y M E NTA L P R AYE R

II —O F
. C O NS I D ER ATIO NS —T HE IR R OL E AND

E XTE NT .

No w c o m es t h e m e d i tat i o n p r o p e rly call e d i n

so ,

w h ic h w e c o n s i d e r t h e s ubj e ct i n i t se l f by m e an s

o f c o n s i d e rat i o n s an d i n o u r se lve s by m ea n s o f
,

se lf e xam i n at i o n
- . L e t u s fi r s t se e t h e part w h ic h
c o n si de rati o n s play a n d h o w far th e y a re t o b e
e xt e n d e d w e s h al l aft e rwar d s e xam i n e t h e p rac
,

t ical ma n n e r O f mak i n g t h e m .

T h e i r r ol e is t o str e n gth e n i n t h e c o u r se o f ti m e
t he s p i ri t o f fai th a n d t o g iv e r i se In o u r p r e se n t
,

p ray e r t o a f
f e cti o n s p e,t iti o n s a n d r,e so l uti o n s .

S o l o n g as a p e r so n h as n o t b eg u n t o p racti se
m e ditati o n o r it s e qu ival e n t s h is fait h m ay b e al l
,

ri g h t b u t it h as l i ttl e i n fl u e n c e o n h is l i fe b eca u se
, ,

i t re mai n s u p o n t he s u rfac e o f t h e so u l an d do es ,

n o t pe n e trat e i n t o it s d e pt h s I f h e r efl ect s u po n t h e
.

gr eat trut h s o f fai t h at di stan t i n te rval s o n ly t h ese ,

wi l l h av e o n ly a pa ss i n g i n fl u e n ce u p o n h im an d ,

a t o t h e r t i m e s wi l l b e j u s t as i f th e y d i d n o t ex i st at
,

al l .

A l o n g p ractice o f m e d i tat i o n b ri n g s t he m co n
s t a n t l y b e f o re t h e m i n d fixe s t h e m i n o u r m e m o ry
, ,

o b l i g e s u s t o tu rn t h e m o v e r an d o v e r i n e e ry
y
se n se ,t o e xam i n e th e m m i n u t e ly i n o rd e r t o get a
th o r o u g h gra s p o f t h e m a n d t o p e n e trat e o u r
,

m i n d wi th th e m L i ttl e by l ittl e o u r c o n vi cti o n s

.

t h u s b ec o m e d ee p e r an d m o r e v i v i d ; t h ey e x e rt a
c o n ti n u al a n d r e ally e ffe ct i v e i n fl u e nc e o n o u r
“

t h o u g h t s o u r w o rd s o u r r eso l ut i o n s o u r w o rks h
, , ,

an d o u r s u ff e ri n s ; fai t h b c m t h i ri t f
g e o e s e sp o
 C O NS I D E R AT IO NS 12 1

fa i t h w h ic h an i mate s o u r wh o l e l i fe a n d giv e s i t a
s u p e r n atu ral c h aract e r as t h e so u l c o m m u n i cat e s
,

t o t he b o dy n atu ral l i f e an d acti o n .

Th i s fir s t Ope rat i o n O f m e d i tati o n r e qu i r e s y e ar s ,

an d b r i n g s f o rt h it s fru i t s o n ly by d e gr e e s Th e .

e qu i val e n t s o f m e di tati o n may i n de e d e ff e ct t h i s

, , ,

an d s u p p ly fo r t h e wan t o f m e d itati o n : sp i ri
tual re a di ng fo r i n stan c e we l l mad e p r o duces , ,

al m o s t t h e s am e re s u lt s ; b u t m e d i tati o n p r o duc es

t h e m w it h m o re v i g o u r b e cau se t he a ff e cti o n s a n d
,

r e so l ut i o n s f e rti l i se t h e r e fl ecti o n s by mak i n g t he ,

m i n d s c o n vi cti o n s act e ffe cti v e ly u p o n t h e w i l l an d

’

w h o le c o n d uct .

Th e im m e d iat e en d o f m e d i tati o n is t o call f o rt h

affe cti o n s , p e ti ti o n s a n d r eso l u ti o n s ; t h e w o rk o f
t h e m i n d h as fo r o bj ect t o se t t h e wi l l i n m o ti o n .

C o n s i d e rati o n s i n fact a re n o t p ray e r 1 w h ic h is by ,

no me a n s a m e r e stu dy ; w e d o n t m e di tat e t o ’

acqu i re k n o wle dg e as w e s tu dy i n o rde r t o l e ar n .

A lth o u g h fa it h is e n l i g h t e n e d an d o u r c o n v i cti o n s
st r e n gth e n e d by m e di tati o n o u r ch i e f o bj e ct is t o
,

i n flam e t h e w i l l by arde n t a ff e cti o n s an d draw i t t o ,

m ak e ge n e r o u s r e so l u ti o n s by b ri n gi n g b e f o re i t
,

c o n vi n ci n g argu m e n t s I n a w o rd m e ditati o n is
.
,

n o t so m u ch p ray e r as t h e ag e ncy wh i ch m o v e s u s
2
t o p ray .

R o d rigu e z make s u se o f a fam il ia r co m pa r i so n

w h ic h w e l l d e p ict s t h e r o l e m e di tat i o n play s in
praye r I n o rd e r t o sew w e ha v e n ee d o f a
'

n ee d l e ; ye t i t is n o t t h e n ee dl e b u t t he th r e ad wh i ch

S e e b e lo w , 2n d pa r t , 0. iv .
5I p . 13 3 .

S ee 2n d p art , c. i .
i 2 p.89 .
12 2 O N O R D INA R Y M E NTAL P R AYE R

se w s ; a n d a m a n w h o w o u l d s pe n d h is day i n ‘

ru n n i n g a n e e dl e wi th o u t a ny th r e ad th r o u g h a
p i e c e o f cl o th w o u ld b e d o i n g a v e ry u n pr o fitabl e
,

an d ri dicu l o u s w o rk Ye t th i s is al m o st w h at t h o s e
.

d o w h o wh e n p ray i n g m e ditat e a n d r e fl e ct m uc h
, , , ,

wi th o u t e v e r apply i n g th e m se lv es t o make act s o f .

t h e wi l l a n d o f c h ar ity F o r m e di tati o n s h o ul d b e
.

a s i t w e r e t h e n ee dl e ; i t s h o u ld go b e f o r e b u t o n l y ,

i n o rd e r t o draw aft e r i t t h e t h re ad o f l o v e a n d t h e '

a ff e cti v e m o t i o n s by w h ic h o u r w i ll is u n i t e d t o
” 1
Go d . s

Th i s b e i n g so what ti m e m u st w e g iv e t o o u r
,

c o n s i d e rati o n s ? We m u st de v o t e m o r e o r l ess
ti m e t o th e m acc o rdi n g as w e h av e m o r e o r l e ss
n ee d t o stre n gth e n o u r c o n v icti o n s a n d es p eci ally ,

t o e xci t e a ff e cti o n s p e t i ti o n s a n d re so l u ti o n s
, .

I am mak i n g m y m e n tal p ray e r fo r i n stanc e ,o n

“

t h e s h o rt n e ss o f li f e a n d t h e e n dl ess d u rat io n o f

e t e rn i ty o n t he n o th i n gn e ss o f g o o d s wh ic h pa ss
,
.

away a n d t h e i m p o rtan ce o f th o se wh ich a re

e te rn al , &c ; so l o n g as I h av e as yet b ut l ittl e
.

r e fl e ct e d U p o n t h i s cla ss o f i d ea s I sh al l r e qu i r e ,
'

s o m e ti m e t o ge t a gra sp o f th e m I h av e n ee d t o,

tu rn t h e m o ve r a n d o v e r i n m y m i n d t o e xam i n e ,
]

th e m i n a l l t h e i r a spe ct s ; a n d i t is o n l y wi th t o i l -1

so m e e ff o rt t h at th e y p e n e trat e my m i n d an d wi ll 3 .

I n t h e b e gi n n i n g th e re f o r e I sh al l n e e d l o n g co n
, ,

s i d e rat i o n s A fte rward s w h e n h ab i t s h al l h av e

.
, ;

r e n d e r e d the se t h o u gh t s fam i l iar a m o m e n t s re I ,

’

flec t io n p e r h ap s e v e n a m e r e r e m e mb ran c e a rap i d

, ,

g l an c e wi l l su f fice t o mak e t h ese t h o u gh t s tak e

, ,

Ch r is t i an P erf ect io n , O n P r a ye r , 13 . x i .
124 O N O R D I N A R Y M E NTAL P R AYE R

i n w h i ch o u r pray e r b e c o m e s m o r e a ff e cti v e
th an m e di tat i ve w h e n t h e so u l m o re fu l ly p u ri
, ,

fi e d n ee d d o hardly m o r e t h a n k e e p it s i nte r i o r e ye
,

fix e d l o v i n gly u p o n Go d i n o rde r t o c o n v e r se wi t h
H i m h e art t o h e art .

I t is q u it e n atu ral t h at i n m o n a st e ri e s o f o u r
,

o rd e r t h e s o u l sh o u ld fr o m t he b e gi n n i n g h av e l e ss
,

n ee d o f c o n s i d e rat i o n s an d t h at i t sh o u ld atta i n t o
,

a ff e ctiv e p ray e r so o n e r b e cau se o u r fr e que n t sp i ri

,

tu al r e adi n g t h e D i vi n e O flf c e t h e he ari n g o f t h e
, ,

w o rd o f Go d t h e hab i t o f t h i n k i n g o n h e av e n ly
,

th i n g s fil l an d satu rat e t h e m i n d w i t h p i o u s
,

th o ug h t s w h i l st o u r au st e rit i e s by p u r ifyi n g t h e
, ,

h eart faci l i tat e it s u n i o n w i th Go d

, .

We may say in a g e n e ral way o f th o se so u l s w ho

a re sti l l at t h e stag e o f s i m pl e m e d itati o n t h at
so m e th i n g l e ss t h a n h al f t h e t i m e o f t h e i r ray r
p e

w o u ld b e am p ly s u ffici e n t t o d e v o te t o t h e p r e para
ti o n an d t h e c o n s i de rati o n s E v e n fr o m t h e co m
.

m e n ce m e n t i t is p r o fitab l e t o i n te rm i n gle so m e
,

p i o u s a ff e cti o n s a n d p e ti ti o n s w ith o u r c o n side ra o

ti o n s so t h at t he se latt e r m ay b e a b e gi nn i n g o f
,

c o n v e r sati o n wi t h Go d a n d n o t d e ge n e rat e i n t o a
,

m e r e stu dy .

—
[ I L P R ACTICAL WAY O F MAK ING C O N S I D E RA
TI O Ns

C o n s i d e rati o n s d i ffe r e n tly made acc

a re
,

as th e r e is qu e st i o n o f a fact o r se n s ibl e m

wh ic h app e al s t o t h e i magi n ati o n o r o f a ,

s p i ri tual tru t h .

I I f t h e s ub je ct o f t h e m e d i t a t io n is a
.
 C O NS I D E R AT IO NS 12 5

se n s ibl e m y st e ry s u ch as d e at h , j u dgm e n t , ,

h eave n o r h e l l t h e l i fe a n d P a ss i o n o f O u r L o rd
, , ,

a n d s uc h l i ke I sh al l try t o r e p r e se nt t o my m i n d
,

t he s ubj e ct w it h it s d i ff e r e n t ci rcu m st a nc es a s i f t h e ,

fact w as tak i n g p lace b e f o r e m y e y es ; tak i n g car e ,

h o w e v e r n o t t o fati gu e my b ra i n a n d n e rve s by
,

t o o m u c h i n te n s i ty o f t h o u g h t gu ard i n g al so my ,

i magi nat i o n fr o m va i n d r e am i n g a n d d i stracti o n s ,

an d n o t tak i n g al l it s cr e ati o n s fo r re al iti es .

Wh i l st i t re p r o d u c es i n it s e nt i r e ty an d it s d etai l s
t he e v e n t o r t h e my st e ry my m i n d w i ll s tri ve t o
,

draw fr o m t h e m t h e l e sso n s wh ich t h e y c o n tai n ,

an d t h e i r p racti cal app l icat i o n t o my o w n ca se I .

m ay ru n o v e r i n th i s w ay t h e di ffe r e n t ci rcu m
stance s m e n ti o n e d in t he we ll k n o w n Lati n ve r se -
.

Q u is P Q u id P Ub i P Q u ib u s aux i l i zls P Cu r P

Q u o m oao P Q u a n do P
’

Wh o,w h at w h e r e by w h at m e an s w h y h o w w h e n
, , , , ,

I f fo r i n sta nc e I am m ak i n g my p ray e r u p o n
, ,

t h e P a ssi o n I m ay ask my se lf : Q u is ?
,
Wh o is i t
h
w o is s u ff e ri n g ? I t is t h e s o n o f G O d — Q u id ? .

What pai n s is H e e n du ri n g ? H e re I m ay re p re
se nt t o m y m i n d t h e m u l ti tu d e an d i m m e n s ity O f
,

s u f
f e ri n g s — U M ? I n w h at p lace ? I tran s
my se lf i n S p i ri t t o t he d i ff e r e n t plac es wh e r e
O u r L o rd s u ff e re d : t o t he gard e n t h e p r e t o ri u m , ,

to C alvary &c
,
— Q u i b u s au x il iis ?
. By w h at
m e an s ? H is aban d o n m e n t by H is F a th e r H is ,

M o t h e r s de s o l at i o n t h e fl i g h t o f H is A p o stl e s t h e
’
, ,

tr ea so n o f J u da s t h e d e n ial o f S t P e t e r t h e hatr e d
,
.
,

and
p e r fi d y o f t h e j u dg e s a n d wi tn e sse s t he ,
126 O N O R D INA R Y M E NT AL P R AYE R

p o pu lar fe e l i n g t h e w e ak n e ss o f P i l at e t h e rag e o f
, ,
’
t h e e x e cuti o n e r s & c ,
C u r ? Wh y ? O u r L o rd s
.
-

l o v e fo r H is fath e r s gl o rv an d o u r s alvati o n
’

H is hatr e d o f s in o u r fau lt s & c & c

,
— Q u o m o do ?
, .
, .

H o w ? H e v o l u ntari ly aba n d o n s H is b o dy an d
so u l t o s u ff e ri n g H e d e l iv e r s H i ms e lf u p t o H is
,

e n e m i e s o f H is o w n fr e e wi l l a n d ch o o se s t h e
,

—
m o s t i g n o m i n i o u s d e a th & c Q u a n d o ? Wh e n ?
,
.

A t t he P a sc h al ti m e w h e n f o r e i g n e r s t h e in h ab i
, ,

tant s o f J u d e a th o se w h o had h e ard O u r L o rd

, ,

a n d w itn e sse d H is m i racl e s w e r e i n cr o wd s at ,

J e ru sa l e m ,

I t is e a sy t o see th at th i s m e th o d o f c o n s i d e ri ng
t h e s ubj e ct w i t h i t s vari o u s ci rcu m stan c es fu r n i sh e s
an i n e xhau sti bl e fu n d o f m att e r capabl e o f o ccu py
i n g u s fo r w h o l e h o u r s an d o ft e n r e qu i ri n g t o b e
,

di v i d e d i n t o seve ral m e di tat i o n s .

I I I n t h e se c o n d ca se w h e n t h e s u b e c t is
.
j
p u rel
y p s i r i t u a l— I m ak e u se o f my i magi n at i o n at
t h e m o s t o n ly t o r e p r ese n t t o my se lf that I see O u r

L o r d gi v i n g m e t h e e xam pl e a n d t h at I h e ar H i m
,

f o rm u lati n g t he p re ce pt I c o n t e n t my se lf th e r e
.
,

fo re wi t h r ecal l i n g w h at fai t h a n d re a so n t e ach

,

up o n th i s matt e r ; I c o n s i d e r a l l it s vari o u s a sp e ct s
i n o rde r t o gra s p it s wh o l e i m p o rt ; I e n d e av o ur t o
e n grave i t i n my m i n d t o app ly i t t o my actu al
,

n e e d s t o draw fr o m i t p racti cal c o n cl u s i o n s

,
,

w e i g h i n g t he m o ti ve s wh i c h u rg e m e t o i t ,

e xam i n i n g w h at h as b ee n my p as t c o n duct i n t

matt e r a n d what s h o u l d b e my r eso l u ti o n fo r

,

fu tu r e .

Ab b é S d r aa D g r és e. l w
au e . e
p i i t lle b II c iii
a e s r ue . . . . .
128 O N O R D I NA R Y M E NTAL P R AY E R

I t is e a sy t o see t o what a u mb r d l p n e Of ev e o !

m e n t s th e se m o ti v e s m ay g iv e ri se ; an d i t is p ro fit
’
abl e t o dw e l l u p o n th e m a n d t o p e n e trat e o n e s
m i n d wi th th e m B u t n o th i n g o b l i g es u s t o c o n
.

s i d e r th e m all ; o n t h e c o n trary w e m u s t l e ar n t o ,

c o n fi n e o u r th o u ght s t o o n e o r t w o so as t o l e ave ,
“
d u e s pac e fo r t h e act s o f t he wi l l I f yo u r .

” 1
m i n d s ay s S t F ra n ci s o S al es
,
.f fi n d s s u ffi ci e n t ,

r e l i sh l i gh t a n d fru i t i n o n e O f t h ese c o n s i d e rat i o n s

, ,

y o u s h o u l d r e s t th e r e w i th o ut pa ss i n g o n t o o th e r s ;

acti n g i n th i s l i k e t h e b ee s wh ich n e v e r l eav e a

fl o w e r as l o n g as t h e y fi n d o n i t a ny h o n e y t o
gath e r B u t s h o u ld yo u fi n d n o t h i n g t o y o u r ta st e
.

i n o n e o f t h e se c o n s i d e rati o n s (o r wh e n t h at p o i n t
is e xh au st e d ) aft e r h av i n g made a few e ff o rt s a n d
,

tri e d i t yo u S h o u l d p ass o n t o a n o t h e r p o i n t fr o m
,

w h ic h yo u m ay d e r i ve c o n s i de rat i o n s an d affe c
t i o n s a n d so o n
,
.
0

“
L o u i s o f G ran ada a n d S t F ra n ci s o f S al e s .

c o u n se l th o se w h o h ave a d i fficu l ty i n re a so n i n g
t o mak e u se o f a b o o k espe cially i n t h e b e gi n n i n g ; ,

t o re ad t h e fi r st p o i n t a n d i f n o g o o d t h o u ght , ,

o ccu r s t o o ccu py th e i r m i n d t o r e c o m m e nce an d ,

re ad o v e r agai n so m e l i n e s a n d th e n t o ap ply ,

th e m se lv es t o r e fl e ct a l i ttl e t o p r o duc e a ff e ct i o n s ,
(

o f grat itu d e gr i e f h u m i l i ty Wh e n th ey fi n d
”

.
, ,

so m e th i n g w h ic h t o uch e s t h e m t h e y sh o u l d dw e l l ,

u p o n i t i n o rd e r t o draw fr o m i t al l t h e fru i t th ey
” 2 “
can . St T r a d clar es
e e s. e 3 that sh e s p e n t
St . F r a n c is o f S a l e s , D ev o u t L ife , 2n d p a r t , C . v .

F r C h a ig n o n M ea '
r el . , i in t r o d u c t io n
'
. , . t . . .

3 St . Te r e s a , Wy a , x v ii. a n d L ife, iv .
 C O NS I D E R AT IO NS .2
9

m o r e t h an f o u rt ee n ye ar s b e f o r e sh e c o u ld m e di tat e
o t h e rw rse than wh i l s t r e ad i n g ”
We m u st n o t .
,

h o w e v e r al l o w o u r m e d i tat i o n t o de g e n e rat e i n t o a
,

m e re S p i ri tual re ad i n g o r cu ri o s i ty i n r e adi n g
,

an d s l o thfu l n e ss i n re fl e cti n g t o h i n d e r t h e p e r so nal

“
w o rk o f t h e m i n d Go d tak es acc o u n t o f o u r
.

g o o d wi l l a n d r e ward s i t L i ttl e by l i ttl e re fle c

.
~

ti o n s d i m i n i sh an d a ff e cti o n s ab o u n d t he h eart ,

ta st es is n o u ri s h e d is i nfl am e d ; so m e ti m e s a
, ,
”
S i n gl e w o rd s u ffic es t o o ccu py i t fo r a l o n g ti m e .

B ut w he n th i s is t h e ca se w e a re e n t e r i ng u p o n
, ,

a ffe ctiv e p raye r .

T h e r e a re ve ry few m i n d s e xc e p ti n g th o se w h o ,

ha v e pa ssed b e y o n d t h e p ray e r o f m e ditati o n w h o ,

ca n n o t by m e a n s o f t h i s m e th o d fi n d e n o u gh
, ,

m att e r t o o ccu py t h e m We m u st so m et i m es
.

s hak e o ff t he t o rp o r w h i c h b e n u mb s o u r facu l t i es

a n d c o n qu e r th e i r s l u ggi sh n e ss ; b u t what e v e r
c o u rag e may th e n b e n e c essary w e mu st alway s ,
“
try t o av o i d o v e r strai n i n g o u r m i n d Th e se .

re fle c t io n s 1 s h o u l d b e n e i th e r s u btl e n o r s tu d i e d ,
” “
b u t s i m pl e a n d n at u ral .P r o c e e d qu it e g e n tly
a n d S i m ply i n t h i s b u s i n e s s wi th o ut b e i n g i n a ny
”
h u rry say s S t F ran ci s o f S al e s
, . .

I t is str o n gly r ec o m m e n d e d t o make act s o f

fai t h o n t h e subj e ct w e are m e d i tati n g I t is i n .

fact o n t h e man n e r m o r e o r l ess cl e ar wi th wh ich

t he truth is gr as p e d o n t h e m o r e o r l es s l ive l v
,

fait h w h ich is g i v e n t o i t that t h e O p e rati o n s o f t h e

,

i nt e ll ect an d th o se o f t h e w i l l d e p e n d Th i s fi r st .

ex e rci se o f fai th we l l d o n e S h e d s o ve r t h e wh o l e

F C h a ig o M ed el t i i t d c t i
'
r. n n, . r . , . . n ro u on.
13 0 O N O R D INA R Y M E NTA L P R AY E R

matte r o f o u r m e d itati o n a ce rtai n gl o w o f truth ,

w h ich s i n gu larly faci l itate s c o n s i d e rati o n s a n d

” 1
a ffe ct i o n s
.

S uch is t h e ge n e rally acc e pte d m et h o d o f mak i ng

c o n s i de rati o n s .

Th e Re de mpt o ri st s f o ll o wi n g S t L i gu o ri ré
,
.
,

c o m m e n d a n o th e r m o r e s i m p l e m e t h o d b u t w h i ch ,

s ee m s t o u s l e ss s u i tab l e fo r b e gi n n e r s t h a n fo r

th o se w h o afte r a l o n g u se o f m e di tat i o n h av e
, ,

arr i ve d at a ffe ct i v e p ray e r .

We tak e so m e p i o u s t h o u g h t s fr o m m e m o ry o r
fr o m a g o o d b o o k ; fo r o u r t i m e o f m e n tal p ray e r
w h i c h is so s h o rt t w o o r t h r ee w i l l g e n e ra l l y
,

s u ffi ce. We r e p e at t h e m o ve r t o o u r se lv es we

a re s ati sfi e d w i th s ay i n g t h e m o v e r i n t e ri o rly but ,

rat h e r S l o wly i n o rde r t o g i v e o u r se lv e s t he t i m e

,

t o gra s p th e m fu lly ; w e av o i d l o n g a n d ab stru se

re a so n i n g u p o n t h e m i n o rd e r t o c o n fi n e o li rse l ve s
,

t o a k i n d o f att e n tiv e l o o k at t h e m a l o o k s t e adi e d ,

by m a ny act s o f fai t h wh i c h fix t h e tru t h i n t h e

,

s o u l ; an d w e as k o f Go d t h e grac e t o b e d e e ply

i m p re sse d by th e m Fo r i n sta n c e i f I a m m e di
.
,

tati n g o n t h e P a ss i o n I s hal l agai n a n d agai n say

,

t o my s e l f w i th att e n t i o n
;
W h at a p r o di gy o f
l o v e ! J e s u s C h i ist d i e d fo r all fo r m e ; I b e l i e
‘
'

i t ; 0 my Go d mak e th i s b e l i e f p e n etrate my so u l
,

Th e se th o u ght s act s o f fai t h an d p raye r s

, ,

o ccu py ab o u t a t h i r d o f t h e t i m e o f my p ray e r ; a

I s h o u l d r e p e at th e m i f n e e dfu l a s o ft e n as
qu i r e d ; t he n I S h o u ld pa ss o n t o t h e c o nv e r sati
wi t h Go d p r o p e rly S O cal l e d .

F C h ig o
r. a M ed f l t i i t d c t i
n n, . e .
, . . n ro u o n.
13 2 O N O R D I NAR Y M E NTAL P R AYE R

k n o w my d ispo s it io n s w it h re gard t o t h e Obj ect o f

my p ray e r than t o m ak e o u t a l i s t a n d e n u m e rat i o n
,

o f my fau lt s ; I h av e n o t i n v i e w sacram e n tal c o n

fe ssio n b ut t h e acqu i s i ti o n o f a v i rtu e o r t h e c o r

, ,

r e cti o n o f a v i c e ; i t is s u ffi ci e n t t h e r e f o r e fo r m e t o
, ,

see i n wh at I fai l an d w h at fi rm a n d d e fi n i t e res o l u

,

t i o n s I sh o u l d tak e agai n st t h e e v il .

We have sp eci al n ee d o f t h i s e xam i nati o n w h e n

w e wi s h t o e xcit e c e rtai n a ff e cti o n s a n d i t is m o re ,
»

n ec essary s ti l l t o a i d u s i n mak i n g pe ti ti o n s an d
’
r eso l uti o n s I d o n t i n de e d n ee d i t i n o rde r t o ad o re
.

Go d t o p rai se adm i r e l o v e H i m & c ; b u t I shall

, , , ,
.

pay H i m a h i g he r tri b u t e o f gratitu d e i f I fi r s t e n t e r ,

i n t o my se lf t o l e ar n h o w l i ttl e I h av e m e ri t e d t he
fav o u r s wh i ch H e h as sh o w e r e d u p o n m e H o w ca n .

I c o nc e iv e r e g re t fo r t h e pa st c o n fu s i o n fo r t h e
‘

p r ese n t a n d a tru e d es i r e t o l i ve b e tt e r fo r t h e futu re

, ,
‘
i f I hav e n o t r e c o g n i se d h o w wa n ti n g I a m i n t h at
p e rf e ct i o n wh i c h O u r L o rd re q u rre s o f m e a n d ho w ,

far I a m fro m my D iv i n e M o de l ? That h u mble

an d s u pp l i an t p raye r m ay sp ri n g f o rt h fr o m my
h eart a n d my l ip s i t is n o t s u ffi ci e n t that I u n d e r
,

s tan d t h e b e au ty a n d val u e o f a v i rtu e t h e u gl i n e ss ,

a n d e vi l c o n se qu e n c e s o f s u c h o r s uch a fau lt ; it
al so ab o v e a l l th i n g s d e s i rab le that I sh o u l d f u l
,

re al i se t h e e xt e n t t o wh ic h t h i s v i rtu e is wan ti
t o m e o r t h i s v ic e r ei g n s i n my o w n h e art
, .

La stly h o w c a n I tak e a fi rm d e fi n i t e an d p ra
, , ,

ti cal re so l u ti o n i f I d o n o t fe e l a ny n ee d o f i t i f
, ,

d o n o t k n o w e xactly t h e e vi l t o b e r e m e di e d
We m u st t h e r ef o re afte r hav i n g c o n s i de r e d 0
, ,

s ubj e ct i n i t se lf apply i t t o o u r o w n ca se an d t h
, ,

t h e m e ditati o n is c o m l e t e d by se l f ex am in a t io
p -
 C HAP TER IV

B O DY O F TH E M E D ITAT IO N (Co n t in u ed )

A F F E CT IO NS

I — T HE IR I M P O RTANCE
. .

IN t he c o n s i d e rati o n s an d e xam i n at i o n w e have

se e n t h e p ri nci p a l w o rk o f t he i n t e l l e ct . No w w e
h av e t o s peak o f t h e w o rk o f t h e w i ll wh ic h c o n ,

s i st s i n a ff e cti o n s , p e t it i o n s an d r e so l u ti o n s .

H e re w e c o m e t o t h e v e ry h e art o f m e n tal p raye r ,

an d so t o spe ak t h e w h o l e o f p ray e r S o l o n g as I.

a m sati sfi e d w i t h r e fl e cti n g a n d e xam i n i n g , I am

n e i t h e r ad o ri n g ,
n o r t h an k i n g ,
n o r a s k i n g p ard o n

no r s o l ici ti n g a ny grac e ; t h e r e fo r e ,
I h av e n o t b e e n
p ray i n g ; b u t S ti ll a s, I mak e t h e s e c o n s i d e rati o n s

i n o rd e r t o b ri n g ab o u t a ff e ct i o n s p eti ti o n s a n d
,

re so l u ti o n s th e y are t h e i n t r o ducti o n t o p ray e r t h e

, ,

n ee d l e w h ic h s h o u l d draw aft e r it t h e g o l d e n th re ad
o f t h e a ff ecti o n s .H i t h e rt o I h av e m e r e ly u n d e r
st o o d t h e t ru t h , now r e m ai n s t h e m o st n e ce ssa ry
—
act nam e ly t o d o w h at I k n o w t o b e my duty
,
.

Th e i n t e l l ect d o e s n o m o re than mak e a r o u gh

s k e tc h o f d ivi n e u n i o n i t is t h e h e art a n d t h e wi ll
,

p e rfe ct i t ; t o k n o w Go d a n d w h at H e wi ll s
e t o d o is s o m e t h i n g ; t o l o v e H i m a n d attac h

myse l f t o H im is all .
13 4 O N O R D I NA R Y M E NT A L P R AY ER

We m e e t p i o u s p e r s o n s w h o m i s app r e h e n d t h i s

e el m e n tary trut h ; th e y pa s s a wh o l e h alf h o u r i n -

re fle ct i o n s w i th o ut o n c e s p eak i ng t o Go d No .

d o ubt t he i n t e l l e ct h as n o t b ee n a l o n e i n it s acti o n ,

t h e h e art h as b ee n war m e d t he wi l l h as c o nc e i v e d
,

so m e h o ly de s i r e s ; b u t i f t h e S o u l h as n o t
,

u nb o so m e d i t se l f t o Go d by a ff e ct i o n s a n d p e t it i o n s ,

t h e u n i o n is v e ry i nc o m p le t e th e re is o n ly a
,

b e gi n n i n g o f p ray e r a n d s uc h m e d itati o n s a re
,

al m o s t st e ri l e .

”
No o n e , s ay s S t B e rn ar d
.
1 arri v e s at t h e
,

h i gh e st p o i n t at o n e b o u n d ; i t is by cl i mb i ng n o t ,

by fly i n g tha t w e r each t h e t o p o f t h e ladd e r

, .

L e t u s C l i mb th e n as i t w e r e wi t h t w o f ee t v iz
, ,
— .
,

wi t h m e di tati o n a n d p ray e r M e di tati o n sh o w s u s

.

what w e wan t p raye r O bta i n s i t

,
Th e f o rm e r
.

s h o w s t he way t he latt e r l e ad s u s al o n g i t
, By . .

m e di tati o n w e l e a rn t h e dan g e r s wh i ch t h rea té n u s,

”
by p ray e r w e e scap e t h e m .

We S h o u ld th e r e f o r e attach s u p r e me i m p o rtan ce
, ,

to a ff e cti o n s p et iti o n s an d r e so l u ti on s
, We .

S h o u l d d e v o t e t o th e m o n a n av e r a g e n o t l es s than
'

h alf o f o u r p ray e r t i m e I n t he b e gi n n i n g h o w
-
.
,

ev e r w e can n o t ri se t o th i s p o i n t
, b ecau se w e f ee l
,

m o r e n ee d o f re fl e cti o n s a n d lat e r o n t he a ff e ct io n s
,

t e n d t o pa ss b e y o n d th i s l i m it an d t h ey wi l l e n d by
,

o ccu py i n g o ur w h o l e t i m e ; w e S ha l l th e n h av e
r eac h e d a ffe ct ive p ray e r .

St . Be rn a r d , F i rst S er m o n on S t A n d r ew ,
. 11. 1 0.
“
13 6 O N O R D INAR Y M E NTAL P R AY E R

to what O u r L o rd r e qu i r es o f u s ; fo r t h e fu t u r e ,

d e si re arde n tly t o ge t o u t o f th i s state .

A t o th e r t i m e s t h e a ff e ct i o n s a re n o t e xcit e d e i th e r
,

by t h e c o n s i d e rati o n s o r by t h e se lf e xam i n at i o n ; -

i t is t he ab u n dan c e o f t h e h e art wh ich o v e rfl o w s ,

a n d po u r s i t se lf f o rth ; o r i t is t h e wi l l wh ich ,

de l ibe rat e ly se l e ct s s u ch o r s uc h an a ff e cti o n wh ic h

app e ars t o i t p r o fitabl e .

I t is qu it e n atu ral t o b e gi n by mak i n g t h e act s

wh ic h ari se s p o ntan e o u s ly fr o m t he m e di tati o n o r
e xam i nati o n H o w e ve r i t is g o o d t o add o n e o r
.
,

m o r e fu n dam e n tal act s t o wh ich C h ri sti a n p i e ty

,

l o v es t o h av e r ec o u r se e v e ry day ; t h u s o u r a ff ec
ti o n s wi l l n o t b e l e ft t o t he i m p r e ss i o n s o f t h e
m o m e n t b u t wi ll p r o ce e d fr o m a r e a so n e d c h o ic e
,

a nd a fo rm e d h ab i t .

III .
—A F F E CTIO NS E
FO R IG N To TH E S U BJE CT .

We hal l i n di cat e t h e p ri n ci pal o n es f o ll o w i n g

s ,

S t . L i gu o ri 1 I t is n o t p r o fitabl e t o mak e al l th e se
.

act s i n o n e an d t he sam e p raye r ; i t is b e tt e r t o tak e

o n ly a fe w o f th e m a n d t o m ak e th e m t h o r o u gh ly
, ,

dw e l l i n g u p o n each o f th e m u n ti l w e a re p e n e trat e d
wi th i t a n d tak i n g car e n o t t o pa ss o n t o a n ot h e r
,

We
j

a s l o n g a s t h e p re se n t act is d o i n g u s g o o d .

may ch o o se so m e ti m es o ne so m e ti m es a n o t h e r a
, ,

s i n gl e act o r s e v e ral i n s uch a way h o w e v e r t h at

, , ,

n o n e o f th ese fu n dam e ntal act s is h ab i tual ly

o m hwd .

S e e F r D e s u r m o n t , R et o u r
. co n t i n u e! ; D im
8 an d D ivi n e Ari
 AF F E CT IO NS I 37

I . F i r stal l l et u s m e n ti o n act s o f tru e r e p e nt

of
”
ance wh ic h o th e r s cal l spir it u a l c o n fessi o n
,
.

T h i s m e an s To b e g fo r a c o n trit e a n d
h u mbl e h eart fo r i n o rd e r t o re p e n t w e h av e n ee d
,

o f Go d . H u mbly t o c o n f e ss o u r s i n s t o O u r
L o rd Wh o k n o w s a n d d et est s t he m ; I m ean n o t
,
‘

o n ly t h e s i n s w h i ch re lat e t o t h e s u bj e ct o f o u r

p ray e r b u t al l t h e fa u lt s o f o u r pa s t l i fe an d o u r
, ,

p r e se n t m i se ri e s e s p e cial
,
ly o u r p ri nci pal fai l i n g s

an d o u r p r e d o m i nan t v i c e To mak e a se ri o u s
.

act o f c o n tri ti o n an d o f g o o d r eso l u ti o n A cc o rd

, .

i n g t o S t A l ph o n s u s act s o f c o nt ri ti o n an d o f
.
,

cha ri ty are t h e m o st e xc e ll e n t part o f m e d itati o n .

Le t u s e xcit e o u r se lv es the n t o r e p e n tan c e by fe ar

o r by h o p e ; l e t u s a s p i r e e sp e ci al ly t o that so rr o w

w h ic h sp ri n g s fr o m t he p u r e l o v e o f Go d ; an d l et
u s ne v e r f o rg e t t h at i f i t is n e ce ssary t o wa s h away
,

t h e pa s t by t e ar s o f r e p e nta nce o u r p ri n ci p al car e

,

o ug h t t o b e t o mak e s u r e o f t h e fut u r e by a fi rm

an d e fficaci o u s r e so l ut i o n To o ff e r t o Go d i n
.

at o n e m e n t so m e v o l u n tary sacrific e ; ab o v e al l t o ,

acc e p t th o se p e nalt i e s wh ich o u r ru l e s a n d t h e d is

,

p o s i ti o n s o f P r o v i d e n c e m ay i m p o se u p o n u s ; t o
r e n o u nce fo r i n sta nc e s u c h a n i rre gu l ari ty t o
, , ,

r eso lve t o be ar w i th s uc h a br o th e r t o r ece i v e as ,

fr o m t h e h an d o f Go d suc h a n i nfi rm i ty o r s uch a ,

pai n o f m i n d b e cau se w e h av e dese r ve d a m u c h

,

gr eate r cha sti se m e n t T h i s se cr e t a n d i n t e ri o r

.

e xp iat i o n e xc e ll e ntly d i sp o ses t h e so u l fo r t h e

o utward acc o m p l i s h m e n t o f t h e sac r ifi ce To.

i m pl o r e t h e grac e o f pard o n a n d am e n dm e n t St . .

Al p h o nsu s re c o m m e n d s no t h i n m fr u e n tl
g o re e
q y
 1 38 O N O R D INA R Y M E NTA L P R AYE R

th a n t h i s p e ti ti o n ; i n th i s i m i tati n g O u r L o rd, ,

Wh o in t h e P a t er plac e s i t u p o n o u r l i p s an d t h e
, , ,

C h u rch wh ich mak es u s r e p e at i t c o n ti n u al l y Fo r

,
.
,
“
in fact ,
th e re a re s i n s wh ic h a re pard o n e d an d
n o t pard o n e d ; pa rd o n e d s i n c e a b so l u ti o n o r c o n
,

t rit io n h as bl o tte d th e m o u t ; n o t pard o n e d b e cau se ,

” 1
Go d may sti ll h o l d a r e ck o n i n g w i t h th e m e it h e r ,

by i nfl i cti n g te m p o ral p u n i sh m e n t fo r th e m o r , ,

w h at is m o re t o b e f ear e d by wi th h o ld i n g fr o m u s
,

t h e s p e ci al grac e s H e h ad d e st i n e d as a r e ward fo r
o u r fid e l i ty F u l l o f so rr o w fo r h avi n g o ff e n d e d a
.

Go d so w o rthy o f l o v e a g o o d h e art n e v e r w e ari es

,

o f e xp r e ss i n g it s r e gr e t .

S uch is t h e sp i ri tual c o n f e ss i o n o r ac t o f r e p e n t
a nc e i n p ray e r We may at ti m e s c o nfi n e o u r se lv e s
.

t o o n e o r m o r e o f th e se act s at o th e r s e l i ci t th e m
, ,

al l ; i t is v e ry g o o d t o e m pl o y t h e w h o l e t i m e o f
"

’
o n e s m o rn i n g m e d itati o n o n t h e day s w e hav e t o
,

app r o ac h t h e S acram e n t o f P e n an ce i n th i s ex e r ,

ci se o f c o m p u n cti o n ; a n d o n al l o cca s i o n s l e t u s
, ,

b e s i nc e r e l y p e n it e n t i n o u r r e l ati o n s w ith Go d .

T h i s s p i ri tual c o n f ess i o n is part i cu larly s u i tabl e

fo r b e gi n n e r s ; it r e m ai n s s ti l l p r o fitabl e fo r p ro
fic ie n t s an d e v e n fo r t he pe rf e ct ; th ese l a st h o w
, ,

ev e r s i m p l ify i t as th e y s i m pl i fy e v e r th i n I f i t
, y g .

b e a gr e at m i sf o rtu n e t o h av e s i n n e d i t is gr e at ,

wi s d o m t o d raw g o o d fr o m e v i l t o s p r ead by m ea n s , ,

o f t h e se p e n i t e n ti al act s t h e m an u r e o f o u r s i n s o v e r
,

t he fi e l d o f o u r so u l i n o rde r t o f e rti l i s e t h e g e rm s

o f h u m i l i ty m o rt ific a t io n
, g e n e r o s i ty h atr ed o f
, ,

se l f av o i d an c e o f e v e ry th i n g w h i c h s e parat e s fr o m
,

'
. Fr . De s u r m o n t , R et o u r , 2
°
pa r t ,
14 0 ON O R D INAR Y M E NTAL P R AYE R

h as no l o n ge r a ny e n e rgy w e dre ad Go d an d ,

av o i d H i m .

I t is ri g h t t o u n it e t h e se t w o act s an d b u t rar e ly
to se parat e th e m F o r t h e y m u tu al l y p o i se
.
,

c o rre ct an d balan c e each o th e r ; i f o n e b e c o m es

,

e xc e ss iv e t h e o th e r b ri n g s i t back t o t h e g o l d e n

m ea n C o nfide nc e p r e v e nt s h u m i l ity fr o m d ege n e

.

rati n g i n t o d i sc o u rage m e n t an d p u s i llan i m i ty ;

h u m i l i ty h i n d e r s c o n fid e nc e fr o m fal l i n g i nt o p re
s u m pt i o n Th e o ne is n o t a tru e v i rtu e w ith o ut
.

t h e o th e r H u m i l i ty wi th o u t c o n fid e nc e rath e r
.
, ,

i n s u lt s than h o n o u r s Go d ; c o n fid e n c e w i th o u t ,

h u m i l i ty r e se mb l e s se lf c o n fid e n c e rat h e r t h an
,
-
,

c o nfi de nc e In Go d
I t wi l l b e u se fu l t o dw e l l so m e t i m e s o n o n e o f
,

t h e se act s so m eti m e s o n t h e o t h e r acc o rd in g as

, , /
“

s e lf s u ffi
-
c ie n c y o r d iffide n ce i n Go d g i v e s u s m o r e

tr o ub l e .

A l l o u r m o ti v e s fo r h u m i l i ty a re re d ucib l e t o
t w o v iz
, u nw o rth i n ess a n d i n capaci ty : u n w o r t h i
.
,
-

n e ss o n acc o u n t o f pa st s i n s l o s t grac es g o o d
, , ,

o m i tt e d p r ese n t fau lt s a n d bad i n c l i nat i o n s ;

,

radical i ncapaci ty i n t h e o rd e r o f n atu r e w ith o u t

, ,

t h e d i v i n e c o n cu rr e n c e i n t h e s u p e rn atu ral o rd e r
, ,

wi t h o ut grace R e v i e wi n g t h e se d i v e r s m o ti v es i n
.

d etai l o r tak i n g th e m al l i n at a glanc e w e sh o u l d

, ,

s i n c e r e ly re c o gn i se tha t w e a re n o th i n g w e h av e ,

n o th i n g w e ca n d o n o t h i n g w ith o u t Go d ; w e
,

s h o u l d s i n c e r e ly c o n f e ss o u r m i se ry w e sh o u l d ,

h u mbly acc e p t t h e h u m i l iati o n o f o u r Co n d i ti o n .

S o me o f o u r m i se ri e s de p e n d o n o u r o w n wi ll a n d , ,

b e ca u se th e y o ff e n d Go d w e sh o u l d h at e t h e m, ,
 AF F E C TIO NS I4 :

l ab o u r m e n d t h e m an d i n t h e m ea n t im b e ar
to a
s,

p ati e ntly wi th o u r se lv e s O th e r s d e p e n d i n no .

way u p o n o u r w i l l b u t are a p u r e h u m i l iati o n

,

i n h e r e n t t o o u r c o n di t i o n as cr e atu r e s an d as m e n ,

an d t h e r e is n o t h i n g fo r i t b u t h u mb ly t o acc e pt o f
t h e m : t h u s acce pt e d t h e y wi l l gl o r ify Go d
, .

H u m i l ity o u gh t n e v e r t o mak e u s l o se c o n fi de n c e ,

b u t o u gh t rat h e r l ead u s t o tran sf e r i t fr o m se lf a n d

t o p lac e i t i n Go d Tr u e c o nfid e n c e d o e s n o t re l y
.

u p o n o u r w o rt h o u r v i rtu es o u r m e ri t s o r o u r
, , ,

capacity b u t u p o n Go d al o n e ; u p o n H is g o o d n ess
, ,

w h ic h wi sh e s o u r we lfar e ; u p o n H is p o we r an d
wi sd o m w h i c h a re ab l e t o p r o cu re i t ; u p o n H is
,

pat i e nc e wh ich b ear s wi t h u s ; u p o n H is m e rcy

, ,

w h ic h par d o n s u s ; u p o n H is G rac e w h i ch ai d s u s , ,

an d u p o n O u r S av i o u r s m e rit s a nd p r o m i ses ’
.

We sh al l o ft e n th e n m ak e act s l i k e t h e f o l l o w
, ,

ing O L o rd I am a s i n n e r u n w o rt h y t o ap p e ar
,

be f o re T h e e a m e r e n o th i n g i ncapab le o f d o i n g
, ,

a nyt h i n g w i t h o u t T h e e Th o u se es t al l my s ham e fu l
,

d ee d s a n d I c o n f e ss t h e m fran kly ; I am t he m an
,

t ha t see m y po v er t y 1 i t is a grace wh i ch T h o u

gi v e st m e an d I t h an k Th ee fo r i t I l o ve n o t , o n
,
.

t he c o n trary I d e te st my fau lt s a n d m ise r ie s w h i c h

,
e
,

di spl e a se Th ee a n d I d e s i re t o b ec o m e m o r e
,

h u mble m o re m ee k m o r e p ati e n t B u t I can n o t

, ,
.

wi th o u t T h e e C o n v ert u s t o Th e e 0 L o r d an d
. , ,

w e s ha l l b e c o n ve r t e d 2 Th o u h a s t O L o rd t o say
f
.
, ,

o n e w o rd ; S a y i t a n d m y s o u l s ha l l b e ,

l ed .
’
A s t o my in fir m it ie s w h ic h d o n o t o ff e n d ,

J et
“
Lu m .
, iii
. l

Ib z d
’

.
, v . 2 1.
 NAR Y
'

14: O N O RD I M E NTAL P R AYE R

Th e e , such as wa n t o f h e a l th d ul n e s s o f m i n d as , ,

Th o u d o st wi l l th e m so d o I a n d I a c ce p t t h e
, ,

h u m i l i ati o n o f th e m s i nc e i t gl o r ifie s Th e e I am
,
.

bu t n o th i n gn e ss an d m i se ry O my Go d ; b ut I tru st ,

i n T h y i n du lg e n t g o o d n e ss b e cau se fo r w h o m is ,

m e rcy i f n o t fo r t he m i se rabl e an d o n w h om wi lt
,

T h o u h a v e p ity i f n o t o n h i m w h o is d est i tu te o f
I am
,

e v e ry g o o d a n d ab o u n d s i n e v e ry e vi l ?
,

n o t h i n g b u t w e ak n e ss ; b u t i f I ca n d o n o t h i n g ,

wi th o u t Th e e I c a n d o a l l t hin gs in H im Wh o
,
"
st r en g t h e n s m e, 69 °
C.

To h u m i l i ty a n d c o n fid e n ce w e sh o u l d 10m
grati tu d e H u m i l i ty give s ri se t o grat i tu de w h e rea s
.
,

p ri de b e g e t s i n grat i tu d e H o w c o u l d a p r o u d man
.

g i v e t h an k s I t see m s t o h i m th at h e h as n o t h i n g
w h i ch h as n o t c o m e fr o m h i m se l f o r wh ic h is n o t ,

o wi n g t o h is o w n m e ri t s H u m i l i ty o n t he d im
.
!

t ra ry see s i t s o w n po v e rty a n d h e l pl e ss n e ss a n d
, ,

h e nc e r e fe r s al l t he g o o d i t r e c e i v es t o it s au t h o r
wi th s i n c e r e tha n k sgi v i n g E n ri c h e d w i th t he gi ft s
.

o f Go d — gi ft s o f n at u re gi ft s o f grac e g e n e ral gi ft s
v

, ,

an d s p e ci al gi ft s a n d e s p e cially t h e ma ny g rac e s
,

i nc l u d e d in o u r r e l i gi o u s v o cati o n —l e t u s ad m i re
t he d i vi n e l i be ral i ty a n d r e pay so m any b e n efit s by
,

a fr equ e n t trib u t e o f than k s gi vi n g ; th i s is a n ee d fo r y

an d m o r e o v e r grati tu d e char ms t h e
)

n o b l e so u l s
‘

, , ,

he ar t o f o u r B e n e fact o r a n d o p e n s H is h a n d w h i l st ,

i n gratit u d e is a n icy blas t wh i c h bl i ght s H is ‘

-

fri e n d sh i p an d d rie s u p h e str ea m o f H is b e n efit s

‘

T h e se d i ff e r e n t a ff e c t io n s s u it a l l so u l s With o u t
'

e x ce pti o n . Th e y may va ry i n t h e i r e xp r ess i o n and ,

w i l l b ec o m e m o re s i m l e as ti m e g o e s o n b u t th e y
’

p ,
 I 44 O N O R D INA R Y M E NTA L P R AY E R

rich e d wi t h v i rtu es wi ll s ucc e e d b e st i n t h e e x e r

,

ci se o f h o ly l o v e ; n ev e rth e l e ss t h e o th e r s m ay
,

mak e tri al o f th i s way a n d Go d w il l tak e i n t o

,

acc o u n t th e i r g o o d d e s i re s th e i r e ff o rt s a n d th e i r
, ,

r e gr e t fo r n o t b e i n g ab l e t o l o v e H i m b e tt e r .

A ffe c t iv e l o v e i n wh ich t h e h e a rt p o u r s i t se l f
f o rt h i n t o t h e h e a rt o f t h e We l l B e l o v e d A t t h e
- .

s i gh t o f G o d s p e rf e cti o n
’
an d espe ci al ly o f H is
,

b e au ty a n d H is g o o dn e ss t h e so u l is capti vat e d by
,

Go d ; plac e s H i m i n h e r e ste e m ab o v e a l l adm i r es ,

H i m a n d p rai se s H i m (t h e p sal m s are fu l l o f t h e se

di v i n e p rai se s) ; sh e l o o k s u p o n Hi m w i th p l e a s u re ,

s i gh s aft e r H i m see k s H i m l o v i n g l y
,
wan t s H i m
,

a n d H i m o n l y ; s h e r ej o i c es i n H is p e rfe ct i o n s i n ,

t h e g l o ry wh i c h H e fi n d s i n H i m se lf a n d i n H is

cr eatu r es ; is a fflict e d t o b e h o l d H i m m isu n d e r

st o o d ,f o rg o tt e n o ff e n d e d h at e d a n d p e rsec
, ,

an d fi r e d w i th z e al she w o u l d l i ke t o
, ,

w h e l m H is e n e m i e s a n d b r i n g t h e m t o ad o r e
w h o p o sse sse s h e r wh o l e h e art O u r L o rd e sp e
.

ally s h o u l d b e t h e o bj e ct o f th e se act s ; H is d i vi
p e rfe cti o n s r e n d e r H i m i nfi n i t e ly d e se rv i n g o
th e m ; as M a n Go d H e is O u r S av i o u r o u r m o d e l
-
, ,

o u r happ i n e ss o u r al l
, .

Th e sacr e d h u m an i t y b ri n g s t h e div i n i ty w it hi
o u r re ach a n d gi v e s i t a n i nc o m parabl e charm i
,

o u r e y es . Go d i n f act h as b e c o m e o u r b r o th
, ,

o u r fri e n d o u r s p o u se
, t he c o n qu e r o r o f h e art s
, .

B y t h ese a n d s i m i lar act s t h e so u l p o u r s h e r s

f o rt h i n t o t h e h e art o f h e r We l l B e l o v e d ; A s t h
-

wo u l d b e far t o o e l e vat e d fo r b e gi n n e r s th ese ,

at fi r s t c o n t e n t t h e m se l v e s wi t h t h e u s ual
 A F F E C T I O NS 14
5

a n d s ay t o Go d i n al l s i m pl ici ty t h at t h ey l o v e H i m
a n d w o u l d wi sh t o l o ve H i m m o r e an d m o r e .

L o v e in a c t io n o r effe c t iv e l o v e w h i ch t e n d s t o
, , ,

s h o w i t se lf i n o u r c o n duct Th e p r o o f o f tru e
.

a ff e cti o n is t o b e f o u n d n o t i n fine w o rd s o r swe e t

e m o ti o n s, b u t i n d eed s Th i s is t h e r ea so n that
.
,

w h i l e p o u ri n g f o rth o u r so u l i nt o t h e h eart o f O u r
L o rd w e sh o u l d sti l l m o r e e arn e stly stri v e t o b ri n g
,

o u r wi l l i n t o u n i so n wi th H is O nc e w e l o v e Go d
.

w e as p i re t o p l e a se H i m t o gai n H is fri e n d s h i p ;
,

an d t h e tru e m ea n s t o th i s is t o w i l l o n ly what H e
wi ll s a n d n o t t o Wi l l what H e d o e s n o t wi l l We .

s h o u l d s triv e , th e re f o r e t o say t o Go d i n a l l s in
,

ce r it y O m y Go d I l o v e Th e e I wi s h t o pl e a se
, ,

Th ee a n d t o gai n Thy h e art ; a n d fo r th i s r e a so n , ,

I wi l l what so e v e r Th o u w i ll est an d I h ate what ,

so e v e r d i s pl e a se s Th ee S u c h a fau l t s u ch a n i m
.
,

p e rfe cti o n , s u ch a n a ttac h m e n t s uch a bad i

,
n c l i n a
ti o n s ti l l d i s pl e a ses Th e e i n m e I d es i r e wi th Th y ,

h o ly grace t o re m o v e i t fr o m my so u l h e l p m e t o
, ,

do so Th o u d es i r e s t o f m e s u ch a s ac ri fic e I n o w ,

r eso lv e t o make i t giv e m e t h e str e ngth

,
.

A m i d s t t he vari o u s p r e scri pti o n s o f t h e D ivi n e

Wi l l w e sh o u l d l o v e ab o v e al l o u r ru l es an d t he
,

o rde r s o f o u r s u p e ri o r s wh ic h are t h e du ti e s o f o u r
,

stat e ; w e s h o u l d ge n e r o u s ly re s i g n o u r se l ve s t o t h e

di sp o s i ti o n s o f P r o v i d e nc e i mp o s i n g u p o n u s sacri
fic e s s uch as s ic k n e ss i n firm it ie s dry n e ss m o ra l
, , , ,

s u ff e ri ng s & c
, . F o r al l th i s is m o r e i n ti m at e ly an d
p e r so nally t h e D i v i n e Wi l l fo r u s To say t o Go d .

that w e l o v e H i m e nti r e l y a n d at t h e sam e ti m e

, , ,

t o re s i s t H is d e cr e e s is s i m ply t o l ie t o H is fac e an d .
146 ON O R D I NA R Y M E NTA L P R AY E R

to ch e r i sh an i ll u s i o n No ; s uch an a ff e ct i o n is n o t
.

u n r e se rv e d w e l o v e Go d o n ly by m e a su re an d w e
, ,

w an t t o ma k e a bargai n w ith H i m ab o u t o n “

de v o te dn e ss B u t i f w e wi l l a l l that H e w i l l s
. ,

an d as H e wi l l s b ecau se w e d e s i r e to re j o ic e an d t o
,

pl ea se O u r L o rd th i s l o v e is a th o u san d ti m es m o r e
,

r eally l o v e than t h e m o st t e n de r e m o ti o n s o f m e re
a ff e cti o n .

“
C o nf o rmably t o t h i s d o ct ri n e s ay s F at h e r ,
“
De s u r m o n t an d t o c o m pl et e t h e c o nv e r si o n o f
,

t h e h e art by pray e r o u r sai n t (S t L igu o ri ) re qu i r es

, .

u s t o add t o t h e act o f l o v e p r o p e rly so ca l l e d ,

o t h er act s wh ich m o r e i m m e diat e ly attack t h e

wi ll re n u n ci ati o n r e s ign ati o n c o n f o rm i ty an d
, ,

o blat i o n ; so t h at t h e s o u l may say : O L o rd I -

,

l o ve Th ee I r e n o u nc e my o w n w ill I r es i g n my se lf
, ,

t o Th i n e I wi l l al l that Th o u w i ll e st I o ff e r my se l f
, ,

e n ti r e ly t o Th e e di sp o se o f m e acc o rd i n g t o .T h y
,
”
g o o d pl ea su r e 1 .

P ray e r th u s mad e is fu n dam en t a l p ray e r ; t h e

hab i t o f sp i ri tual c o n fe ss i o n re m o v e s s in ; a l o n g
p ract i ce o f tru stfu l h u m i l i ty u p r o o t s se l f su ffic ie n c y -

an d d i ffld e n c e ; l o v e an d c o n f o rm i ty wi l l w it h ti m e
e xti rpat e se lfi sh n e ss an d se lf wi l l an d th u s t h e-
,

so u rc e o f e v i l s ha l l b e dri e d u p .

R em a r ks : — I
° “ No t h i n g ca n b e m o r e sa l u
.

t a ry than t o i n t r o d u c e i n t o o u r pra y er so m e
c t ica l c as e an d t o apply t o th i s ca se t h e act s w e
p r a ,

ha v e se l e cte d I f fo r i n stan c e yo u h appe n t o

.
, ,

m ee t wi th a h u m i l iati o n make i n y o u r p ray e r t h e

. ,

ac t o f h u m i l i ty wh ich a pp l i e s t o th i s h u m i l iat io n ;
‘

F r D e s u r mf mt , A rt d i v i n e dc l
’
. or . m en t a l e , 5 m ax
°
._
1 48 O N O R D I NAR Y M E NTAL P R AYE R

o ur m o t he r o r t o o u r m o st i n ti mate fri e n d
, If .

y o u accu st o m y o u r se lf t h u s t o a p e rf e ctly e a sy a n d

qu i te o rd i nary t o n e a gr e at d eal o f t h e d i fficu lt y

,

o f m e n tal p ray e r w i l l b e s m o o th e d away If on .

,

t h e o th e r ha n d yo u r e mai n t h e s l ave l i k e so man y

, ,

o th e r s o f a cravi n g t o e xpe ri e nce l iv e ly e m o ti o n s

, ,

y o u ,
l i k e s o m an y o th e r s al s o w i ll
, fi n d th i s ex e r

ci se v e ry di ffi cu lt an d ru n so m e ri sk o f aban d o n i n g
,

i t a l t o ge th e r P ray th e r efo r e m u c h t o Go d t o
.
, ,

grant yo u t h e gi ft o f h o ly s i m pl i ci ty fo r i t is a ,
” 1
gr e at grace .

Fr D e s u r m o n t , R el aa r
. co n t i n u el d D ieu , 2' p a rt . i x.
 C H APT ER V

B O DY O F T H E M E D ITAT IO N (Con t in u ed)

P ETIT I O NS —R E S O L U TI O NS

I .
—P ETITIO Ns .

A FTE R t he a ff e cti o n s c o m e t he p et i ti o n s A t all .

ev e n t s th i s is th e i r l o gical p lac e i n t h e an aly s i s o f

,

t h e act s o f m e n tal p raye r . P ray e r s p ri n g s fr o m

d e e p e r c o n v icti o n s d e s i r e is m o re k ee n l y e arn est
, ,

wh e n t h e m i n d is e n l i ght e n e d by re fl e ct i o n s a n d
t h e h e art warm e d by a ffe cti o n s B u t n o th i n g
.

o b l i g e s u s t o f o l l o w th i s o rd e r i n p ract ice ; i t is

e v e n d e s i r ab le t h at t h e c o n s i de rati o n s b e al r e ady

se a so n e d by p i o u s a ff e cti o n s a n d th at p e ti ti o n s b e
,

s pri n kl e d o v e r t h e wh o l e c o u r se o f o u r p ray e r ; as

b re at h i n g acc o m pa n i e s e v e ry o n e o f o u r b od ily
act i o n s .

Th e i m p o rtanc e o f p e ti ti o n s is th u s s i gn al i se d by
S t L i gu o ri
. I t is e xtr e m e ly u se fu l an d p e r
,

hap s p r e f e rabl e t o e ve ryth i n g e l se by fr e qu e n t ,

p e ti ti o n s t o b e g o f Go d H is grac es wi th h u m i l ity
an d c o n fid e n c e
Th e V e n e rabl e F at h e r P au l S e gne ri r e lat e s t h at
b e fo r e h e h ad s tu d i e d th eo l o gy h e u se d i n p raye r
t o e m pl o y h i m se lf ch i e fly i n ma k i n g r e fl e cti o n s an d

e xciti n g a ff e cti o n s ; b u t at l e n gth add s h e Go d

, ,
’
,

o p e n e d my e y e s an d i f th e re is in m e any g o o d I ,
, ,

we
i so O N O R D INAR Y M E NT A L P R A YE R

r e gard i t as o wi n g t o t he h ab i t I ad o pt e d o f im p l o r
i ng G o d s h elp an d p r o t ecti o n
’
1 .
’

A s t o t h e so u l s d i s p o s i t i o n s th ese p ray e r s o f
’
,

p e t i ti o n re qu i r e ab o v e a l l faith a n d c o n fid e nc e
, ,
; .

H e wh o se ai d w e i m p l o r e is n o t far away fr o m u s
, ,
.

He is a b e i n g tru l y l i vi n g a n d tru ly p r e se n t w h o ,

s e e s al l o u r has t h e p o w e r t o re l i e v e
th e m w h o h as t h e w i ll t o d o so b u t w h o ge n e rally
, ,

wai t s fo r u s t o ask fo r H is a ss i sta nce H e is h e r e .

qu i te n ear u s l o o k i n g l o v i n gly u p o n u s att e n tiv e

, ,

t o o u r s u pp l i cati o n s m o r e d e s i r o u s o f gran ti n g
,

t h a n w e a re o f r e c e i v i n g H is fav o u r s Th e m o m e n t .

w e as k g o o d an d p r o fitabl e t h i n g s H is w o rd is ,

p l e dg e d We have o n ly t o k no ck an d H e wi ll
.

o pen fo r u s O u r S avi o u r c o m plai n s that w e

.
;

have h i th e rt o a sk e d n o th i n g : ask th e re f o r e an d , ,

y o u s h al l r e ce i ve 2 H e s e e m s .t o l o n g fo r t h e jy
o

o f g ivi n g .

A la s ! o u r gr eat m i sf o rtu n e i n p ray e r i s that w e

k n o w n o t h o w t o tr e at wi th Go d as s ee in g H im , ,

” 3
w h o is in v is i b l e
“
no r ho w a sk i n faith
“

, to ,

n o th i n g wa v e ri ng alth o u gh O u r S avi o u r h as
so l e m n ly p r o m i se d : 5 ! I f yo u sh a l l h a v e fai t h
a n d stagg e r n o t an d i f yo u s hal l say t o
,

th i s m o u ntai n ; tak e u p an d c ast thy self i nt o t h e

sea , i t sha l l b e d o n e A n d al l th i n g s w hat so ev e r .

hal l as k i n p ray er b l i v i n g h ll
"

o u s e
y e y o u ,s a ,
”
re c e i v e .

S t Lig u o r i, Tr u e Sp o u se
.
f j em s
o Ch r i s t , xv z

St . J
o hn xvi 24 . .

3 H e b x i 27. . .

4 St . J
am e s i 6 . .
15 2 O N O R D IN A R Y M E NT A L P R AY ER
r e fu se t o give th e m Wh e n l o n g d es i r e d th e y a re
. ,

r ece iv e d wi th gr e at e r p l e a s u r e ; wh e r e a s if grant e d
wi th o ut d e l ay th e y a re l ess e ste e m e d A sk se e k
,
.
, ,

p e r s i st i n a sk i n g an d see k i n g B y a sk i n g an d .

se e k i n g y o u r d es i r e t o o btai n gr o w s gre at e r Go d .

wi t hh o ld s fo r a t i m e w h at H e d o es n o t wi s h t o
g ran t at o nc e i n o rde r t h at yo u m ay l earn t o d es i r e
,
” 1
H is gre at gi ft s w ith a gr e at d e s i r e .

We m u st p ray fo r o u r se lv es a n d fo r o u r n e ig h
bo u r .

F o r o u r se lve s i t see m s be st t o b e gi n wi t h t h e
p e ti ti o n s wh ic h t h e s u bj e ct o f o u r p ray e r su gg est s ;
t h e i ncr e a se i n s o m e v i rtu e t he av o i dan c e o f s o m e
,

fau lt t h e grace p r o p e r t o so m e my ste ry acc o rd i n g

, ,

t o t h e c o n s i d e rati o n s a n d a ff e ct i o n s w it h w h ich w e ,

h av e j u st b ee n o ccu p i e d .

A s th e r e are c e rtai n fu n dam e ntal act s (tru s tfu l

h u m i l i ty c o n triti o n a n d l o v e ) w h ic h it is w e l l t o
, , ,

mak e i n e ve ry p ray e r th e r e a re al so fu n dam e ntal

,

pe ti t i o n s w h ic h i t is u se fu l n e ve r t o o m i t T h i s is
,
.

why S t L i gu o r i c o u n se l s u s e v e ry t i m e w e p ray
.
, ,

t o ask fo r fi n al p e r se v e ran c e an d fo r chari ty ,

b ecau se th i s is t h e e n d o f o u r b e i n g .

S t F ra n ci s o f S al es u se d t o say that i n o btai n

.
,

i n g D iv i n e L o v e w e o btai n al l grac e s ; fo r a xso u l

w h ich tru ly l o v es Go d w ith it s w h o l e h e art wi l l o f
i t se lf av o i d wh at ev e r m ay di spl e a se O u r L o rd a n d ,
“
wi l l stri v e t o ple a se H i m i n al l th i n g s C hari ty .

is a qu e e n i n w h o se trai n f o l l o w al l t h e o th e r
vi rtu es a s u p e r e m i n e n t gi ft wh ic h is o bta i n e d o n ly
,
-

S t A u g u s t in e , D e Ve r b i s D o m
. .

S t Lig u o r i, Tr u e S po u se of j esu r Ch r is t ,
. x v.
 P ET IT IO NS R E S O L U T IO N S 1 53

as a n a l m s ye t o f al l ce l esti al tr e a s u r e s that wh ich

, , ,

Go d g i v e s m o st w i l l i n gly ; a n d w e n e v e r ha v e
e n o u gh o f i t s i n ce what w e h av e c a n alw ay s b e
,

i ncr e a se d .

F i nal p e r se v e ran c e is al so a grace an d e ve n t h e ,

“ ”
gi ft o f gi ft s . I c o nj u r e t h e r e ade r s ay s S t , .

“
L i gu o ri,
1 n o t t o gr o w w e ary w h e n h e se es t h at
,

I a m u n ce a s i n gly a sk i n g fo r l o v e a n d p e r se v e ran c e .

I t is b e cau se th ese t w o gi ft s i ncl u d e al l o t h e r s ; a n d

”
w h e n th ey a re o btai n e d al l is o btai n e d .

S o m e t i m es t h e se pe ti t i o n s are g e n e ral o ft e n t h e y ,

wi ll ap ply t o pa rticu lar ca ses Fo r i n stan c e i f w e

.
,

a re p u r s u e d by a t r o ubl e so m e t e m ptati o n w e m ay ,

say t o Go d : G ra n t m e t o c o n qu e r i n t h i s c o mbat ,

i n o rd e r t o m ak e my p e r se ve ran c e se cu r e ; w h e n w e
h e s i tat e i n t h e p re se n ce o f so m e sacri fic e w e m ay ,

ask o f Go d t he grac e t o l o v e H i m so as ge n e r o u s ly

t o re n o u nc e t h i s pl e a s u r e fo r H is sak e .

A l l th e se p e tit i o n s are fo r o u r se lv e s b u t w e o ugh t

,

al so t o r e c o m m e n d t o Go d t he C h u rc h it s H e ad
, , ,

it s p ri e st s a nd r e l i gi o u s o u r h o u se o u r c o u n try
, , ,

o u r fam i ly a l l t h o se fo r wh o m w e are i n a ny way

,

b o u n d t o p ray t he j u st s i n n e r s t he so u l s i n
, , ,

P u rgat o ry &C
, T h i s u n iv e r sal i t y in p ray e r is
.

Ch arity i n acti o n ; n o th i n g ca n b e m o r e agr ee abl e t o

Go d o r i n cl i n e H i m m o r e e ffic ac io u sl y t o gran t o u r
p e r so nal d e s i r es .

I n o rde r t o p e r se v e re fo r a l o n g e r ti m e i n t h e se
p eti ti o n s n o t h i n g n e e d p re v e n t u s fr o m r e p eat i n g
,

th e m a gr e at n u mb e r o f ti m es o r fr o m add i n g e v e n
,

so m e v o cal p raye r s T h ese r e p e ti ti o n s are ve ry

.

S t L ig u o r i, P r ef ace t o t h e P repar at ion

.
f or D ea t h .
1 54 O N O R D IN ARY M E NTAL P R AY E R

fr e qu e nt i n t h e p ray e r s o f t h e C h u rc h i n t h e ,

l i tan i e s fo r i n stan c e an d t h e r o sary

, ,
.

The S u l p ici a n m e th o d advi ses u s t o r e p re se n t t o

Go d so m e re a so n s wh ich may i n duc e H i m t o grant
o u r r e qu e s t s a n d th i s w i l l hav e t h e fu rth e r e ff e ct o f
,

p r o l o n gi n g o u r pe titi o n s a n d r e n de ri n g th e m m o r e )

f e rve nt . A m o ng s t o th e r th i n g s w e m ay h u m b l y
tel l H i m — I
°
That i t is H is Wi l l
. That i t w i l l
.

b e fo r H is g l o ry . That H e sh o u l d n o t all o w a
e r s o n t o r e mai n S O i mp e rf e ct a m e mb e r i n H is
p
C h u rc h wh i ch H e l o v es so m u ch To c o n s i d e r
.

o u r fr e qu e nt c o m m u n i o n s a n d that H is S o n t h e
, ,

b e l o v e d o bj e ct o f al l H is c o m plac e n cy wi l l b e o th e r ,
”

wi se so l i ttl e gl o rifi e d ih u s a n d so i m p e rf e ct l y
,

r e c e i ve d i n t o o u r h e art A b o v e a ll t h e m o s t
.
,

e ff e ctiv e a rgu m e n t s a re t o re p re se n t t o H i m H is
“

o w n g o o dn e ss H is i nfi n i te l ib e ral i ty t h e m e ri t s o f
, ,

H is S o n H is p r o m i ses a n d p l e dg e d w o rd in t he
,

S cri ptu r e s .

I t is al so g o o d t o mak e u se o f t h e i n fl u e n ce o f
t h e m o s t H o l y V i rgi n o f o u r A ng e l G u ardian o f
, ,

o u r H o ly patr o n s an d o t h e r s a i n t s Th i s w i l l b e
.

v e ry se rv i c eab l e an d i t o u g h t t o b e f re qu e ntly
,
‘

”
p racti se d .

II . O P R E S O L U TI O NS
-

A m o n g st all t h e act s o f m e ntal p raye r r esOl u t io n s:

h o l d t h e ch i e f p l ac e s

T h e y are i n r elati o n t o th i s p i o u s e x e rci se w

t h e t e rm i n u s is t o a j o u rn e y t he e n d t o ward s w h
, ,

s h o u ld c o nv e rg e t h e r e fl e cti o n s t he ,

t h e a ff e cti o n s a n d t h e p e ti ti o n s
1 56 O N O R D INA R Y M E NTAL P R AYE R

Th e pr i n ci pal fru it o f m e n tal pray e r say s S t , .

V i nce n t de P au l c o n s i st s i n mak i n g a g o o d re so
,

l u t io n a n d a s tr o n g o n e t o o i n gr o u n d i n g o n e s
’

, ,

r eso l ut i o n s o n a fi r m ba s i s i n b e i n g th o r o ugh ly ,

c o n v i n c e d o f th e i r n e c ess i ty i n b e i n g r eady t o p ut
,

th e m i n p racti ce a n d i n f o r esee i n g o b stacl es i n

,
”
o rde r t o o v e rc o m e th e m .

Th e r e ar e g e n e ral re so l u ti o n s a n d part icular ,

”
r eso l uti o n s .G e n e ral re so l u ti o n s s ay s F ath e r ,

Gra sse t a re fo r i n stanc e t o l o v e Go d wi t h o n e s

’

, , ,

w h o le he art t o fly s in t o practi se v i rtu e

, , ,
’
t o c o n f o rm o n e se lf t o G o d s wi l l i n e v e ryth i n g .

P arti cu l ar re so lut i o n s d e t e rm i n e t h e plac e t he ,

t i m e t he ci rcu m sta nc es ; s u ch as t o m o rt ify o n ese lf

, ,

o n s uch a n o cca s i o n t o p racti se m e e k n e ss a n d

,

p ati e n ce i n such a c o nj u n ctu r e t o b e re s i g n e d ,

’
t o G o d s w i l l i n s u c h o r s uc h a l o ss h u m i l iati o n
, , ,
”
s ick n e ss .

O u r re so l ut i o n s sh o u l d n o t b e so ge n e ral as t o
r e mai n vagu e an d i n d efi n i t e ; n o r s h o u ld t h e y b e
t o s uch a d e gre e parti cu lar a s t o mak e u s f o rg e t ,

t h e mai n l i n e s o f o u r sa n c t ific at io n t h r o u h att e n

g
ti o n t o m e re de tai l s .

I n o u r o p i n i o n w e may av o i d th ese extr e m e s b

tak i n g e ve ry day t w o r eso l ut i o n s o n e g e n e ral a n ,
-

i n vari abl e t h e o t h e r particu lar bu t re n e wabl e

, ,

any l e ngt h o f ti m e w e may d es i r e Th e fo r .

s h o u l d b ri n g u s face t o fac e wi th o u r e n d an d t
,
 P ETITI O NS —R E S O L UTI ONS 1 57

c o nt e m plati o n an d p e na n c e O u r ge n e ral a n d in
.

vari ab l e r eso l ut i o n m i g h t t h e n b e l i k e t h i s : O
my Go d I h av e d o n e so l i tt l e u p t o t h i s ! To -day
,

at a l l e v e n t s I s h al l b e c o m e b e tt e r by s tri v i n g t o b e

m o r e c o n t e m plati v e an d p e n i te n t Le t i t n o t b e
.

sa i d t h at t h i s r e so l uti o n is t o o vagu e fo r t h e r e is ,

a l re a dy so m e t h i n g p re ci se i n i t ; a n d in an y ca se , ,

a p articu lar r eso l u ti o n is t o b e c o mb i n e d w ith i t ,

i n o rde r t o p u t be f o re u s so m e t h i n g d e fi n i t e t o b e
ai m e d at No t h i n g h as m o r e p o w e r o ve r t he m i n d
.

t h a n t h i s h ab it ual r e tu r n t o o u r e n d It is a dai ly .

awak e n i n g o f t h e w h o l e so u l a d ai l y r e s u m i n g o f
,

t h e b u s i n ess o f o u r w h o l e l i fe a re s u rre cti o n o f o u r

,

g o o d w i l l 1 The sai n t s n o t c o n t e n t w ith m e r e ly

.
,

th i n k i n g o n t h e i r e n d e v e ry m o r n i n g k ep t t h e i r ,

e ye s c o n ti n u al ly fixe d u p o n i t i n o rde r t o ai m at
,

i t as t h e so l e sc o p e o f al l th e i r acti o n s L e t u s .

t h e n b ri n g o u r se lv es fac e t o face wi t h t h i s o bj ect at

le a st o nc e a day fo r i t is ve ry e a sy t o l o se S igh t o f
,

i t a n d n e v e rt h e l ess t h i s d es i re o f p e rfe ct i o n is t h e
, , ,

v e ry so u l o f o u r r e l i gi o u s l i fe .

U n d e r t h i s g e n e ral r e so l u ti o n a parti cu lar o n e

,
“
s h o u l d b e m ad e ch i e fly c o n c e rn i n g t he v i ce t o
wh ic h w e are m o st addict ed a n d wh ich w e m u st,

stri ve t o ru i n i n al l o u r m e d itati o n s di r e cti n g so, ,

to s pe ak al l o u r batt e ri e s agai n st i t
,
We m ay at .

o t h e r t i m es fo r m re so l ut i o n s t o p e rfo rm d u ri n g
that day so m e act s o f v i rtu e de te r m i n i n g t h e i r
,
” 2
n u mb e r .

'
F r D e s u r m o n t , A r t d i v de l
. . or . m en t , 8 m a r. °

F r Gr a s s e t
. .
1 58 O N O R D IN AR Y M E NTAL P R AYE R

Th e se re so l u ti o n s o ught t o b e alt o g e t h e r par

t ic u l a r . S t F ran ci s .o f S a l e s 1 gi v ,
e s t h e f o ll o wi ng
s am pl es o f t h e m I s hal l n o t all o w my se lf t o b e .

ir r i ta t e d b y s u c h o r s u c h an n o yi n g w o rd s w h i c h s o ,

and— so s ay s ab o u t m e n o r by s u ch o r s u c h c o n t e m pt
,

w h i c h so —a n d —s o s h o w s i n
,
m y r e
g ard ; o n t h e c o n

t ra ry I shal l say o r d o s uc h o r s u ch a t h i n g i n
,

o rd e r t o so ft e n a n d w i n h i m

T h e y o u gh t t o b e s u it e d t o t h e p re se n t ti m e so ,

t h at w e may h av e o cca si o n o f p u tti n g th e m i n p rac

t i ce that sam e day .

T h ey o u gh t t o b e e ffi caci o u s so that th e y m ay b e ,

capab l e o f cu ri n g o u r sp i ri tu al m i se ri e s an d s uch ,

t h at t h e re m e dy w i l l b e app l i e d t o t h e so r e a n d n o t
al o n g s i d e it I f I a m d i ssi pat e d th r o u gh b r e ach e s
.
,

o f S i l e nc e i t is o n my t o n gu e I sh o u l d p u t t he
,
.

b ri dl e ; if t h r o ug h wa n d e ri n g s o f t h e i m ag in ati o n ,

o f t h e m e m o ry o r o f t h e h e art
, i t is t h e i mag i n a
,

ti o n t he m e m o ry o r t h e h e art that sh o u l d b e
,

watch e d .A ttack i n g .
t h u s t h e so u rc e o f t h e
di so rd e r I s h o u l d c o u rag e o u sly app ly t o i t t h e tru e
,

re m e dy an d n o t o ne o f th o se p e n an ce s wh i c h d o
,

ne ith e r g o o d n o r h arm M y e xam i n ati o n s o f c o n

.

sc i e nc e Wl l l S h o w m e my p ri nci pal fau lt s t he p re

’

d o m i n an t fau lt wh ic h is th e i r so u r c e t h e v ,
~

w h i c h I m o st wan t t h e p racti c e s wh ic h I
‘

n ee d ; my d i r ect o r ca n gu i d e m e i n t h i s i m p o rt
i nv es ti gati o n ; a n d aft e r h av i n g h ad my so u l
a m in e d by au s cu ltati o n as t h e d o ct o r s s a an d
, y ,

malady d iag n o se d I sh o u l d n o t r e fu se t o tak e

‘

re m e dy .

O u r r e so l uti o n s o u g h t t o b e at o n ce h um bl e
St F r a n c is of S a l e s, D ev o u t L if e an d c . v i.
p a rt .
.
I
60 O N O R D INA R Y M E NTAL P R AY E R

se cu r e on acc o u n t of t he c o n c e n trati o n of o ur

effo rt s .

R em —
a r ks .
I I t is ve ry u se fu l t o c o n fi n e o n e se l f
.

“
t o a s i ngl e particu lar r e so l ut i o n w e l l i m p r e sse d
u p o n o u r m i n d j u st as t he h u nt e r d oe s n o t p u r s u e
,

se v e ral har e s at t h e sa m e t i m e b u t fixe s his att e n

,
” 1
ti o n u po n o ne o n ly .

I I S i n ce o u r r e so l uti o n s o u gh t t o b e e fficaci o u s
.
,

w e m u s t p r o p o rti o n t h e w o rk t o o u r s t r e ngth and ,

b e gi n by e a sy th i n g s b e fo re u n d e rtak i n g what is
d i fficu l t ; o t h e rwi se w e s h al l b e di sc o u rag e d .

Fr Gr a sse t, D c I
’
. or .
 C HAP TE R VI

C O NC L U S IO N O F T H E M E D ITA T IO N

TH E c o ncl u s i o n of m e di tati o n is v e ry s i m pl e . We
m u st
Than k Go d fo r t he h o n o u r H e h as d o n e u s
i n gra n ti n g u s so l o n g an au d i e nc e as w e ll as fo r ,

t h e l i g h t s p io fis a ffe c ti o n s an d g o o d r e so l ut i o n s
, ,

H e h as giv e n u s .

Be g o f H i m t o pard o n t h e fau lt s a n d n e gl i
n ce s w e h av e c o m m itt e d i n so h o ly an e x e rci se
g e .

We may c o n fi n e o u r se lv e s t o th i s u n l e ss w e ,

sh o u ld p r e f e r t o add t h e f o ll o wi n g act s wh ic h a r e , ,

h o w e ve r O pti o nal
,
.

To o ff e r t o H i m o u r so u l o u r m i n d o u r , ,

b o dy o u r h e art o u r l i f e an d o u r d e at h e sp e ci ally
, , ,

t h e p r ese n t day a n d ab o v e al l o u r g o o d re so l uti o n s ;

,

an d t o b ese ec h H i m o nc e m o r e t o giv e u s H is
ble ss i n g an d t h e grace t o acc o m pl i sh what H e h as
,

i n sp i re d r e p r ese n ti n g t o H i m o u r we ak n e ss a nd
,

st a n c y.

To mak ep i ritu al n os egay

a s Th is as .
,
“
t F ra nci s o f S al s say s
e 1 is t o tak e o n e o r t w o
. ,

o u ght s w h ich h av e t o uch e d u s i n p ray e r a nd ,

ich b e f o re Go d w e b e l i e v e t o b e m o r e u se fu l t o
S,
i n o rd e r t o t h i nk o ft e n u p o n th e m du ri n g t he
S t F r a n c is
. of S a l e s , D ev o u t L if e , an d pa r t , c . vu .

I6!
16 2 ON O R D I NAR Y M E NTAL P R AYE R

day a n d t o m ak e u se o f t h e m as ej acu lat o ry

,

p ray e r s t o rai se o u r se lve s t o Go d a n d t o u n it e o u r

se l v e s t o H i m ; j u s t a s w e se e pe r so n s o f t h e w o rl d ,

w ho , b e i n g i n a b e au ti fu l gard e n carp e te d wi t h ,

fl o w e r s d o n o t l e ave wi t h o u t h avi n g i n th e i r han d

,

o n e o r t w o o f it s fl o w e r s wh o se sce n t th ey i n hal e
,

” 1
n o w an d aga i n aft e r l e av i n g t he gar d e n .

F i nal ly w e m ay pu t a l l i nt o t h e h a n d s o f t h e
,

B l e sse d V i rg i n by say i n g t he S u b t u u m prce sid iu m .

W h e n t h e m e ditati o n is fi n i s h e d i f w e hav e ti m e , ,
“
w e may e m pl o y a fe w m o m e n t s i n e xam i n i n g i n
a g e n e ral way h o w w e go t o n I f w e h a ve r ea so n .

t o b e s at i sfi e d w e t h a n k Go d r e so lvi n g t o p r o c ee d
,

i n t h e sam e way t h e n e xt t i m e ; i f w e h ave n o t

s ucc ee d e d w e wi l l se e k fo r t h e cau se a n d r eso lv e t o ,

c o rre ct t h e d e fe ct s w e h av e n o t e d wi t h o u t e v er ,
” 2
b e i n g d i sc o u rag e d .

M e t ho d of S t S u l p ic e
. .

2
Fr C h a ig n o n , fil ed
. . r el . , t . i p . . 24 .
1 64 ON O R D I NAR Y M E NTAL P R AYE R

t he my ste ri es o f O u r L o rd o r o f t h e B le sse d ,

V i rg i n ; i t is re fl ecte d u p o n by l o o k i n g at i t rat h e r
than by r ea so n i n g ab o ut i t ; h e n c e t h e n am e o f c o n
t e m p l at io n .

W e may b egi n a s u s ual A fte r a rap i d glan c e at

.

t he my st e ry o r h i s t o ri c fact tak e n as a w h o l e w e , ,

c o n s i d e r a l l t h e de tai l s o n e aft e r an o th e r wi t h m o r e
car e a n d att e n ti o n We c o n t e m plat e i n e ac h
.
“

po i nt : Th e per s o n s v i s ibl e o r i nv i s ibl e wi t h

, ,

al l th e y r e p r ese n t i n t h e m se lv e s o f g o o d o r e v i l ;
t h e w o r d s i nte ri o r o r e xt e ri o r ; 3
,
°
t h e a c t io n s ,

pra i sew o rthy o r b l amab le a sce n di n g t o t h e p ri n,

c ip l es f r o m wh i ch t h e y s p ri n g F r o m al l w e see . ,

fr o m al l w e h e ar an d c o n s i d e r w e stri v e t o draw ,

s o m e S p i ri tual fru i t by apply i n g i t t o o u r o w n c ase .

We m ay a l so c o n s i d e r t he e n d o f t h e my st e ri es ,

t h e i r cau ses t he i r eff ect s th e i r dat e an d a ny o th er

, , ,

ci rcu m stan ce s wh ic h may c o n trib u te t o mak e t h e

s ubj e ct o f o u r c o nte m plati o n m o re s u gg e stiv e an d
” 1
it s fru it m o r e ab u n dant .

T h e se d i r ecti o n s are so m e w h at ab stract a n ex ,

a m p l e h o w e v e r w i l l se t t h e m i n a cl e ar e r l i g h t
, , .

I wan t t o c o n te m p late t h e b i rt h o f O u r L o rd .

A ft e r havi n g tak e n i n at a rapi d glan ce t h e wh o l e

t h e my st e ry I mak e t h e c o m p o s i ti o n o f
,

p ictu ri n g t o my se l f a dark gr o tto a wre tc h ,

'

n e ar B e th l e h e m w h e r e al l is sti l l t h e s i l e nce o f ,

n i g h t a n d t h e w i nt e r s c o ld I n the se s u rr o u
’
.

i n g s so m u ch f o rg o tte n by m e n I c o nt e m plate
, ,

vi s ib l e p e r so n s ; fi r st O u r L o rd H i m se lf
, ,

D ivi n e M aj e s ty aba se d t o o u r c o n di ti o n
, ,

F r C h a ig n o n , M ed
'
. . r el . . t i in t r o d u c t io n
. . .
 E Q U IV A LE NTS OF M E D I T ATI O N 16 5

Et e rn al w ho j u st b ee n b o rn t he I nfi n it e
h as ,

an n i h i l at e d ; m y Go d an d my M a st e r b e c o m e m y ,

S avi o u r my b r o t h e r my fr i e n d T h e n al so H i ’
. ,
, , , ,

m o st h o ly M o t h e r a y o ut h fu l m ai d e n p o o r an d as
, , ,

y e t u n k n o w n i l
,
l u s tr i o u s by t h e n o b i l ity o f her

de sc e n t h e nce f o rt h i n c o m parab ly m o r e so by t he
,

d i vi n e mat e rn i ty ; I see h e r i n te ri o rly ad o rn e d w it h

al l t h e j ew e l s o f t he m o st s ub l i m e v i rtu es e xt e ri o rly ,

by a n i d eal grac e a n d v i rg i n al m o d e s ty A gai n I .

,

be h o l d S ai n t J o se p h t h e s p o u se o f t he Q u ee n o f
,

V i rg i n s t h e l o wly car pe n t e r be c o m e t h e c o nfi da nt
,

o f G o d s se cr e t s a sso ciat e d i n t h e augu s t my s t e ry

’
,

o f t h e R ed e m pti o n t h e f o st e r fat h e r o f h is Go d t h e
,
-
,

guar d ia n o f t h e S avi o u r o f ma n k i n d I c o n t e m .

plat e al so t h e i n vi s ibl e pe r so n s : Go d t he F at h e r
, , ,

w ho h as b e g o tt e n fr o m al l e te rn i ty t h e S o n ,

w h o m M ary ha s j u st br o u g h t f o rt h i n t i m e ; t h e
H o ly G h o st by w h o se p o we r t h i s my ste ry h as b ee n
,

e ffe cte d ; m u lti tu d es o f a nge l s dazzl i n g in t h e i r

,

gl o ri o u s b eau ty ra n ge d a ro u n d t h e cr ib o f t h e i r
,

i n fa n t K i n g .

No n e o f t h ese pe r so nag es is r e p re se n t e d as ex
press i n g h is t h o u ght s by w o rd o f m o u t h th e i r ,

he art s al o ne S p eak ; h e n c e t o u n de r stan d th i s

,

lan gu ag e I c o n t e m p lat e t he i r acti o n s Go d t h e

, .

Fat h e r e n fo ld s H is We ll B e l o v e d S o n in a l o n g
-

l oo k o f c o m plac e n cy an d I r e j o ice t o say t o O u r

,

L o r d w i t h H i m ; T h o u art my W e l l B e l o ve d i n -

w h o m I am e nt i r e ly pl e ase d Th e an g e l s a d o r e .
,

a n d I al o n w i t h t h m th y ad m i r t h i nfi n i t
g e ; e e e e

b e auti es o f Go d t h e ravi sh i n g c h arm s o f t he I n fan t ;

,

w it h t h e m I a d m i re I p rai se I l o v e ; a nd ab o ve
, , ,
1 66 ON O R D INA R Y M E NTA L P R AYE R

all I am c o n f o u nd e d as t h e y a re i n pr ese nc e o f
, , ,

t h e m e rci fu l aba se m e n t s a n d wh at w e m i g h t call

,

t h e a l m o s t f o o l i s h e xce ss o f G o d s l o v e fo r H is p oo r
’

cr e atu re s fo r s i n n e r s fo r my se l f
, ,
Th e d e m o n .

see k s fo r t h e m e a n s t o de str o y t h e C h i ld h e p u r s u e s ,

H i m w i th h is h atr e d ad o wn t h e ce n tu ri e s ; I ask
my se l f h o w ca n a ny o n e hat e H i m w h o is l o v e
i t se lf h o w ala s ! h av e I b ee n s o mad as t o sadd e n
, ,

H i m by my o w n s i n s O u r L o rd h u mb ly p r o strat e
.

i n s p i r i t b e f o r e H is F ath e r ad o re s H i m ad m i r es ,

H i m p rai se s H i m r ej o ic es wi th H i m than k s H i m
, , , ,

p ray s t o H i m a n d o ff e rs H i m c o u ntl ess act s o f

,

w o r s h i p i n H is o w n n am e an d i n o u r s ; I u n i t e
my se lf t o H i m i n i n te n ti o n ; I t ry t o i m i tat e al l O u r
L o rd s act s o f r e l i gi o n an d I o ff e r my o w n t o Go d
’
“

i n u n i o n wi t h H is Lad e n wi th my s i n s a nd t he
.
,
i

cri m e s o f t he w h o l e w o r l d O u r L o rd is a sh am ed,

an d h u mbl es H i m se lf H e a s k s pard o n fo r al l t h e
,

gu i lty o n es a n d o ffe r s H i m se lf as a v ict i m o f at o n e

,

me n t ; wi t h H i m I am c o v e re d wi t h sh am e an d
h u m i l iati o n I ask pard o n an d w i l l i n gly acce p t
,

what e v e r exp i ati o n Go d m ay r equ i re Th e hap py .

M o t h e r o n he r k n ee s b e f o r e t h e i n fi n ite maj esty o f

th i s C h i ld h u mb ly ad o r e s h e r Go d an d
, ,

ch e ri sh es H is S o n ; sh e ca st s u po n H im
"

b u r n i n g l o o k s i n wh i c h h e r wh o l e so u l
,

i t se lf fo rth ; w h i le she h o ld s H i m i n he r arm s ,

c o n so l es H i m w i t h t he sw ee te st w o rd s an d fu lfil s ,

h e r mate rn al du ti e s h e r h e art is o n fire w it h

,

gratit u de fai t h a n d ad o rati o n ; b u t al r e ady

, ,

s h ad o w s he r
jy
o fo r h
, e r S o n s h al l b e t he M
S o rr o w s , S a i n t J o se p h m arv e l s at
I 6S ON O R D IN A R Y M E NTA L P R AY E R

s av e d ch i l dh o o d r e n d e r ed sacr e d ; p o v e rty su ffe r

, ,

i n g an d o b e di e n ce re st o r e d t o h o n o u r ; t he n ati o n s ,

o n th e i r k n ee s b e f o r e a crib ; God f o rm e rly so ,

dr e ade d n o w ard e n tly b e l o v e d yet wi t h o u t l o s i n g

, ,

a nyth i n g o f t h e r e ve r e nc e d u e t o H i m .

It s dat e — It is aft e r f o u r th o u san d y e ar s o f e x

.

t at io n du r i n g w h ic h al l h e art s de s i r e d H i m t h e
p e c , ,

p ro p h et s an n o u n c e d H i m ev e n t s p re fig u red H i m,
-
,

a n d p r e pare d H is c o m i n g & c 810 , .

, .

We see h o w capabl e a su bj e ct th u s co n te m p lat e d ,

by t h e h e art an d by fai t h rat h e r t h an by c o m pl e x

r e a so n i n g s is o f e xci t i n g l o v e grat it u d e a d m i ra
, , ,

ti o n jo y p rai se a n d c o u n tl ess o t h e r p i o u s se n ti
, , ,

m e n t s ; t he wi l l is draw n t o mak e m o r e ge n e r o u s
r e so l u ti o n s w h i l st t he heart p o u r s i t se lf fo rt h i n
,

a ff e cti o n ate c o l l o qu i e s w i t h Go d t he Fat h e ry Wit h

O u r L o rd a n d H is h o ly M o t h e r .

I I A pplica t io n o f t he s en ses
. B y t h e i magi .

n ati o n a n o bj e ct is r e n d e r e d p r ese nt t o u s ; w e se e
i t so t o s p e ak h ea r i t t o u c h i t ta s t e i t
, , , , .

No w t o app ly th i s facu l ty a n d o u r se n ses t o so m e

,

truth o f f a ith, as far as th i s trut h is s u sc e pt ibl e o f

s u ch ap pl i cati o n
.
o r t o so m e my st e ry o f O u r L o rd
,

J e s u s C h ri s t is t o m ake w h at is call e d t he
,

t io n o f t h e s en s es T h i s e xe rci se c o n si st s t h e n
.
, ,

t h i s that t h e so u l by m e an s o f t h e im agin at io
, ,

c o n ce iv es i t se lf t o h e ar w o rd s t o t o uc h o bj ect s ; f,

i n sta nce t o k i ss t h e fee t o f O u r L o r d

, .

w h i c h h o w ev e r m u st b e d o n e o n ly w i t h g
, ,

r e spe ct The se n se o f sm e l l is ap pl i ed to
.

fu m e w h ic h s u c h o r s uc h a vi rtu e e x h al es ,

t o r e l i sh it s swe e t n e ss T h i s pr o
.
 E Q U IV ALE NTS OF M E D ITATI O N 1 69

be qu i te t he o pp o s i t e if th e r e is qu e sti o n o f a v ic e .

H o w many th i ng s t h e so u l ca n re p r e se n t t o i t se lf as
havi n g a s w ee t o r a b itt e r ta st e an agr ee abl e o r ,

r e p e ll e n t o d o u r ! Th i s a ppl i cat i o n O f t h e se n se s
o u ght n o t h o w e v e r t o b e d ev o i d o f e v e ry k i n d O f
, ,

h
r efl ecti o n b u t i t is m e r e ly t e p ri nci pal m an e s 1
,

by w h ic h w e c o n si d e r t h e my st e ry .

I f w e thu s apply t he se n se s t o s p i ri tual th i n g s ,

s uch as vice s o r v i rtu es is i t n ece ssary t o sa y that

,

w e sh o u ld c a r e fu lly av o i d w h ate v e r is s ubtl e o r

f o rc ed ?
I f w e a p ply t h e m t o fact s o r se n s ibl e my st e ri e s ,

t h e a p pl i cati o n o f t h e s i g h t a n d h eari n g d i ffe r s v e ry

l ittle fr o m w h at w e h av e ab o v e d e scri b ed w h e n
s p e ak i ng o f c o nt e m p lati o n ; t h i s latt e r h o w eve r is , ,

sati sfi e d wi t h l oo k i n g u p o n t h e p e r so n s an d t h e i r

acti o n s an d l i st e n i n g t o th e i r w o rd s o r t o w h at t he y ,

may b e s u pp o se d t o b e s ay i n g I n t h e ap pl icati o n .

o f t he se n se s w e m o r eo v e r b ri n g t h e sm e ll a n d t h e
, ,

ta st e a n d t he t o u c h i nt o acti o n .

T h u s i n t h e b i rt h o f O u r L o rd I m ay t o uc h t h e
, ,

crib t he s traw t h e p o o r swaddl i n g cl o th e s k i ss t h e

, , ,

sacr e d fe e t an d t h e l i ttl e h an d s O f J e s u s ; an d b r e at h e

t he c o l d i cy ai r t h e bad o d o u r o f t h e stab l e
, I m ay .

a l so sp i ritual ly i n h al e t he p e rfu m e o f t h e v i rtu es

w h ic h J e su s M a ry an d J o se p h p racti se i n t h e
, ,

gr o tt o ; an d i n t h e sa m e way ta st e t h e jo y o f M ary
and J o se ph t he h u m i l iati o n s o f J e su s H is su ff e r
, ,

i ng s H is te ar s H is se lf sac rific e i n o rd e r t o ar o u se
, ,
-
,

my fai th a n d t o e xci t e a ffe cti o n s an d re so l ut i o n s .

T h e r e is a we ll m ark e d d i ff e r e n c e b e twee n th i s
-

Fr C h aign o n M ed " L t i i t o d c t io n
'
.
, .
, . . n r u ,
1 70 ON O R D I NA R Y M E NTAL P R AY E R

x
e e rci se an d m e d itat i o n T h i s la
. t t e r b e l o n g s m o re

to t e h p r o v i nc e o f t h e i nt e l l e ct r e a s o n i n g b,
e i ng
m o r e fr e qu e n tly e m p l o y e d in it I t re a so n s b o t h .

u p o n t he cau ses a n d e ff e ct s Of t h e my st e r i es ; i t
car efu l ly c o n s id e r s i n th e m t h e attrib u t es o f Go d ,

as H is g oo dn e ss H is ,
wi s d o m H i s c h arity ,
T h e .

appl i cati o n o f t h e se n se s o n t h e c o n trary h ardly

, ,

r ea so n s at all ; i t st o p s sh o rt at t h e se n s ibl e O bj e ct s ,

at w h at can b e see n t o uch e d h e ard ,

the ,
,

so u l app ly i n g i t se lf t o draw fr o m a l l th i s t he fru it

it d e si r e s .

Th e ap p l icati o n o f t he se n ses h as t w o a d va n
tag e s ; so m e ti m e s by mak i n g t h e so u 1 w h e n it
, ,
'

fi n d s i t se lf p o w e rl e ss t o p e n e trate t h e d e pt h s o f a .

my st e ry d w e l l o n t h e c o nt e m p l at i o n O f se n s ibl e
'
'

O bj e c t s , it p r e di s p o se s i t t o so m et h i n g mo r e
e l e vat e d ; at o th e r t i m es wh e n t h e s o u l is al r ea dy o n
,

fire wit h d e v o ti o n t h r o u gh t h e c o nt e mplati o n o f

so m e s ub l i m e truth by d esce n di n g t o th e se
,

se n s ibl e O bj e ct s i t fi n d s th e re i n a n ab u n dance o f
,

fo o d an d c o n so lati o n The s mall es t th i n g s th e n

.
,

t h e le aS t d e tai l s b e c o m e fo r i t O bj ect s o f in est im

,
”
able val u e .

“
T h i s e x e rci se is p repare d a n d c o ncl u d e d i n
t h e sam e way a s t h e p r ec e di n g t o w h ic h i t is O ,
f te n
j o i n e d by way o f r ep e ti ti o n i n o rde r t o r ,

t h e i m p re s s i o n s t h e fo rm e r h as m ad e m o r e d e
” 1
an d l a sti n g .

I I I E x am in a t io n m ad e aft er t he m an n er o f
.

m e d it a t i o n — S t I gn ati u s r e c o m m e n d s t h i s
.

th o se w h o are n o t u se d t o m e d itati o n an d w ;

F r C h a ig n o n , M ea ’
r el . , 26 a n d 2 7
’
. .
pp . .
17 2 ON O R D INAR Y M E NTA L P R AYE R

fo r t h e m a n d t o r o u se o u r se lv es t o a firm p u r po se
,
'

O f am e n dm e nt .

We m ay e xam i n e especi al ly o u r p red o m i na n t

s in o r vic e see k o u t it s cau se s a n d b ad e ff e ct s co n
, ,

ce iv e a h o rr o r o f i t n o t e it s r e m edi es an d if w e
, , ,

e n d o u r p ray e r r eso lv e d t o lab o u r at t h e de st r u c

ti o n o f t h i s sin w e o ug h t t o re st sati sfi e d t h a t w e
,

h av e m ad e a n exce l l e n t p raye r .

T h i s e x e rci se r ec o m m e n d e d by S t I gn ati u s is
, .
,

al m o st t h e sam e as w h at F ath e r D e su r m o n t cal l s

”
S pir it u a l c o n fessio n i n mak i n g wh ic h h e
,

a dvi se s u s so m e ti m es t o e m pl o y t h e w h o l e ti m e o f

o u r p raye r .

T h e r e are o t h e r s w h o fi n d m u c h p r o fi t an d c o n
so lati o n i n t h i n k i n g u p o n t he grac e s God h as
b e st o we d u p o n t h e m an d o n t h e dang e r s fr o m
,

w h ic h H e h as d e l i v e r e d t h e m T h o se w h o h av e . .

al r e ady m ad e m uc h p r o gr e ss i n p ray e r may mak e

u se of t h i s c o n s i d e rat i o n t o e xci t e th e m se lves ”

t o t h e l o ve o f Go d a n d t o so rr o w fo r t h e i r
s i n s c o n tra sti n g al l t h e b e n efit s t h e y h av e r e c e i v e d
,

w i t h t hei r o w n c o wardic e t re a so n s i n fid e l it ie s an d
, ,

i n grat i tu d e H e re yo u have qu ite matt e r e n o ug h

.

’” 1
t o pa ss h alf a h h o u r s ti m e
- - .

IV V . o c a l p y
r a er m e d i t a t e d —T h i s man n e r o f
.
“

p ray i n g , p artly v o cal p artly , m e n tal is b o t h e a sy ,

and fru itfu l St I gn at i u s t e ach es i t i n his

.

E x e rc i se s S t T e r e s a e xt o l s i t e sp e cially I n
.
,
”
he r Way o f P e rfe cti o n an d d escri be s i n v e ry
,

gr e at de tai l t h e m ean s t o su cc ee d in i t .

'

I t c o n s i s t s in tak i n g any v o c a l p r ay e r t h e P a ,

Fr c raflaet
. o
 E Q U IV ALE NTS OF M E D IT ATI O N
‘

1
73

A v e, S a lv e R eg in a, a p sa l m , a l i tany , &c and i n .

,

m e d i tati n g u p o n t h e w o rd s o f th i s p raye r , qu i tt i n g
t h e fi r st w o rd t o pa ss o n t o t h e se c o n d o n ly wh e n ,

t h e f o rm e r c e a se s t o a ff o r d u s a n y m o r e th o u g h t s
o r a ff e cti o n s We may p r o fitably mak e u se o f
.

so m e c o m p ari so n s an d s i m i l i tu de s wh i c h h e l p t o

d ev e l o p t h e s ubj ect W h e n t h e m e d itati o n o f o n e

.

o r m o re w o rd s s u ffi c es t o o ccu py t he w h o l e ti m e o f

p ray e r w e m ay r ecit e t h e n t h e r est o f t he p ray e r

,

ra p i dly a n d r e s u m e t h e m e d i tati o n o f t h e f o l l o w
,

i n g w o rd s t h e day afte r .

T h u s w h e n yo u h av e sai d : O u r F a t h er s t o p ,

a l i ttl e t i m e t o r e l i sh t he sw ee tn e ss o f th i s n am e s o
s u gg es tiv e O f l o v e a n d a ff e cti o n M ak e a n act o f
.

fai th t h at Go d is y o u r fat h e r C o n s i de r by h o w
.

many t i tle s yo u a re H is c h i l d t o wi t by cr eati o n,

, ,

p r ese rvati o n r e d e m pt i o n a n d j u stificat i o n

, Th e n .

say t o y o u r so u l : 0 my so u l i f Go d is t h y fat h e r;
,

w h y is i t t h at t h o u l o v es t H i m n o t ? W h e n c e
c o m es i t th at t hou d o st n o t Ob ey H i m I f Go d is
t h y fat h e r w h y d o st t h o u n o t h o p e i n H i m
,
Why
d o st t h o u n o t ask H i m t o s u p p ly al l myn ee d s Go d
is my fat h e r an d t h o u f e ar e st t o d ie o f h u ng e r He ,

a God h as g ive n H is o n ly S o n s b l o o d fo r th e e a n d
,
’

t h o u t h i n ke st He wi l l re fu se th e e a m o r se l o f b r e ad
O m y Go d an d m y fa t h er ! I h o pe in t h e e ! 0 b es t o f
a l l fa t h er s ! w ha t a b a d c hi l d Th o u ha s t ! O h ! ho w
a fli c t ed I am
f fo r h av in
g o f
f en d e d per s e c u,t e d d is ,

ho n o u r e d Th e e as I ha v e d o n e sin c e I firs t cam e in t o

w o rld ! O h m y fat h er, I hav e sin n e d, I a m n o
w o r t h y t o b e c a ll e d Th h i l d b t l e t me be
y c ; u

O h ! n ev er ag a in s ha l l I offen d
 17 4 ON O R D INA R Y M E NT AL P R AYE R

t his t im e I s ha l l lo v e o n ly
Th e e, b u t f ro m f o r w ar d

Th e e .

I f t h i s s i m pl e w o rd gi v e s yo u e n o u g h o ccu pa
ti o n yo u m u st n o t pa ss be y o n d i t W h e n yo u
,
.

h av e e xt racte d i t s h o n ey pa ss o n t o t h e n ext w ho ,

ar t in h eav e n ; a n d c o n s i d e r h o w gr e at an d p o w e r

fu l Go d is w h o dwe l l s i n such a b e au ti fu l p lace ;

t h at th e r e ab o v e is y o u r tru e i n h e ri tan c e an d t h at ,

c o n se qu e n tly yo u o u g h t n o t t o attac h y o u r se lf t o
e arth . D ig d i l i g e n tly i n t h i s e van g e l i ca l fi e l d ,

an d yo u w i l l fi n d a tr ea s u r e O f grac e th at wi ll e n ric h
y o u ,
a n d a s p ri n g O f l iv i n g wat e r t h at w i l l qu e nc h

y o u r th i r st .

A ft e r t he P a t er yo u m ay p a ss o n t o t he A v e
, ,

t o t h e Cr e d o o r t o an y p sal m wh i c h yo u m ay r e cite
, ,

a n d e xam i n e i n t h e s am e way ; yo u m ay al so r ec i te

t h e l i tany o f t h e H o ly Nam e o f J e s u s dw e l l i n g ,

u p o n al l t he t i tl es w h ich a re t h e r e gi v e n t o t h e S o n
o f Go d a n d m ak i n g act s O f fai t h h o pe O f l o ve
, , , ,

c o n tri t i o n t h an k sgi v i ng a n d s uc h l i k e o t he r s
, , .

Wh e n fo r i n stance yo u say : jesu s t he Go d o f

, , ,

P ea ce hav e m er c y o n m e st o p fo r a l i ttl e an d re
, ,

fl ect t h at J e s u s is a Go d O f p e ac e a n d t h at i t is H e ,

a l o n e w h o ca n i m part
p e ac e t o y o u r h e art W h y .
,

0 m y s o u l yo u w il l say d o s t t h o u s ee k peac e
t h en , , ,

in c rea t u r es ? 0 Go d o f pea ce t ran qu iliz e m y ,

po o r h ea r t f o r i t,is o ft e n t r o u b l e d a n d r e s t l e ss .

O h ! w h en s ha ll I r epo s e in Thy h ear t w hi c h is t h e ,

cen t r e o f my p ea c e . 0 sw e e t j e su s ! g iv e m e Th y
p ea c e, Thy l o v e, an d Th y b l e ssin g spea k a n d , co m

m an d t he s ea to b e s t i ll, c a lm t his s t o r m
t r o u b l es Thy re p o se an d m in e . 0 my so u l ,
 I 7O ON O R D IN A R Y M E NT AL P R AYE R

hav e read try i n g t o p e n e trat e it s se n se t o i m pr e ss

, ,

i t o n y o u r m i n d a n d t o a pp l y t o y o u r se lf wh ate v e r
,

i s p ractical i n it .
— Yo u dra w fr o m i t h o ly a ff ecti o n s ,

s u ch as
, Of c o ntr i ti o n l o v e fai t h c o n fid e nc e
, , , ,

h u m i l i ty o r o f so m e o th e r v i rtu e ; an d i f yo u m e e t
,

Wi th so m e g o o d c o u n se l w h ich s tri k e s h o m e yo u ,

mak e a g o o d r eso l ut i o n i n v o k i n g t he h e l p O f G o d s ’

grac e .

Y o u c o nti n u e mak i n g t h ese act s Of t h e wi ll as ,

l o n g as t h e se n ti m e n t wh i c h h as t o uch e d yo u la st s ;
th e n yo u p u r s u e y o u r r e ad i n g u nti l i t fu rn i sh e s
matt e r fo r n e w r e fl ecti o n s a nd a ff e cti o n s .

“
Le t u s alway s act t h u s s ay s S t L ig u o ri 1 .
, ,

aft e r t h e e xam pl e O f t h e b e e wh i ch d o e s n o t p a ss
,

o n fr o m o n e fl o w e r t o an o th e r u nti l i t h as gath e r e d

all t h e h o n e y it fi n d s o n t h e fi r st I t d o e s no t . c

m att e r i n s uch a ca se t h at t h e ti m e fo r r e a di n g is
a s i n g a n d i s n e arly at an e n d ; fo r i t h a s b e e n
p s

th u s e m p l o y e d i n a man n e r m o r e p r o fi tabl e fo r o u r
sp i ri tu al w e lfar e t h e re adi n g o f a s i n gl e l i n e so m e
”
ti m es d o e s u s m o r e g o o d tha n th at o f a wh o le pag e .

T h i s e x e rci se th u s p e rf o rm e d c o m pri se s al l t h e
e l e m e n t s o f a tru e m e di tat i o n ; i t is e v e n m e n tal

p ray e r rath e r th a n r e adi n g A .t o th e r t i m e s e s pe c i ,

al ly i n t i m e o f dry n e ss t h e w o rk o f t h e m i n d m ay
,

b e l i m it e d t o r e a d in g at t en t ive l y wi th a s h o rt se lf
‘

e xam i nati o n ; i t wi l l th e n b e m u ch m o r e a l ectu r e

th a n a p ray e r an d t h e a ffe cti o n s w i l l b e sh o rt t h e

, ,

p e titi o n s rap i dly m ad e. T h e se h o w e,

v e r wi l l ,

s u ffic e t o se a s o n th i s e x e rci se wi th p raye r an d l o v e ,

an d t o e n l igh te n t he m i n d w h i l e in fla m in g t h e
,

S t L igu o r i, Tru e Spou se

.
ff
o ew : Ch r is t , w i ll .
 E Q U IV ALE NTS OF M E D ITATI O N 177

Th e re is n o o n e i t w o u l d see m w h o can n o t do at
, , .

l ea st that m uch wh e n dry n e ss is so gr e at as t o

,
'

r e n de r m e di tati o n i mp o ss ib l e .

R em ar k D o ubt l e ss i t is b ecau se th e y i ncl u d e i n

o n e vi e w m e ditati o n an d it s e qu i val e n t s t h at ce r ,
1
tai n au th o r s go so far as t o r e p r e se n t m e ntal p ray e r
as ab so l ut e ly n e ce ssary fo r p e rfe cti o n a n d m o r al ly ,

so fo r salvat i o n ; a t o tal wan t o f C h ri st i an re fle c

ti o n b e i n g t h e w o r s t o f plagu e s an d de so lat i o n by
,

e xc e ll e nc e
. I n s p i t e o f al l that th e i r o p i n i o n see m s
,

t o u s t o o se v e r e . A l l au th o r s agr e e that t h e h igh e r

fo rm s o f p ray e r are a s u p r e m e ly d e s i rabl e h e l p ,

b u t n o t a n ab so l ut e n ece ss i ty B u t n o t e v e n is
.

m e t h o d ical m e di tati o n i n di sp e n sab l e fo r p e rfe cti o n ;

ce rtai n so u l s ca n attai n t o i t by m ean s o f v o cal
2
p ray e r al o n e w e l l mad e .

V g r G u il l o t e, Co n] : s
'

. . r., b . u. c. iii.
S e e I s t p a r t , 0 iii p 3 0.
. . .
 C HAPTER VI I I

OF A F F E CTIV E P R AYE R

I .
-
D E S C RI P TI O N OF TH IS P RAYE R 1 .

To b e acqu ai n t e d wi th m e d itat i o n al o n e wh o se ,

me th o d w e h ave j u s t e xplai n e d w o u l d b e r e gre t ,

'

tabl e A s t i m e g o es o n an d w e mak e p r o gr e ss w e
.
, ,

s h al l f e e l draw n t o a m o re s i m pl e f o rm o f p ray e r ,

in wh ich t he m i n d b e gi n s t o b e s i l e n t i n o r de r t o le t
t h e h e art sp e ak .

S t J o h n o f t he C r o ss an d S t F ran ci s o f S al e s
. .
,

i t is tru e m e nti o n o n ly m e di tati o n an d c o nt e m p la

,

ti o n ; w h i l e S t Te resa i ncl u d es u n de r w h at she cal l s

.
,
“ ”
t h e F i r s t Wat e r al l k i n d s o f n o n my stical
,
-

p raye r M e ditati o n i n t he i r i d ea c o m p ri se s al l
.
, ,

ki n d s o f activ e p raye r w h eth e r i t c o n si st i n m uc h

’

r e a so n i n g o r i n o n ly a sl i g h t am o u n t o r b e c o n
, ,

t e n t wi th al m o st a S i m pl e l o o k H e nc e i t is t h at .
, ,

w h e n t h e so u l is n o l o n g e r s u ffi ci e ntly o ccu p i e d i n

c o n t e m p lati o n t h e se ma ste r s o f t he c o nt e m plat i ve
,

l i f e i nv it e i t t o r e tu rn t o m e d itati o n t o so m e

Th g h t
ro u t h t f
out h i w k w h
e by p f
re s O s or e av e r e e re n c e

fo ll w d
o em ,g t
a t h ld
on w si t S t T e Sot J h o
erf t h r e rs , . e r e sa, . o n e

C r o s s, S t . F r a n c is of S a le s and St . Be rn a r d ; a m o ng st t he
Fr P o u l a in (Gr d ces d and
’
m o de m s, . o r a iso n , R e t a u x , P a r is ) ,
M l b é S a u d re au (D egr es d
' ' ’

ab de l a Vi e Sp i r i t u ell e , Vi e d
'
. u m on

D i e u , E t a t Al ys l iq u e, Am a t P a r iS ) —Th e fir s t t w o m o d e rn w o r ks
—T
.
,

h a v e b e e n t ra n s l a t e d in t o E n g l is h . ra n s .

17 8
[ 80 ON O R D INAR Y M E NTA L P R AY E R

s i d e rati o n t o u n d e r stan d an d r etai n t ru t h s w h ic h

.

we r e n o t fam i l ia r t o h e r t o i m pr i n t th e m de e ply o n
,

t h e m i n d t o a ss i m i lat e th e m a n d mak e th e m t h e
, ,

gu i d i n g star Of h e r c o n duct Th e h eart at fi r st .

, ,

i m p e rf ectly d e tach e d fro m s in so l ici t e d by re b e l ,

l i o u s i nc l i n ati o n s t o sse d ab o u t by st o rmy pa ssi o n s

, ,

fo u n d i t di fficu l t t o l eav e t h e e arth a n d attac h i t se lf

t o Go d t o ge t r id o f it s carn al t e n d e nci e s i n o rd e r
,

t o f o r m s p i ritu al a ff e cti o n s i t re mai n e d i n e rt a n d

,

fri gi d i n t h e p re se nc e O f Go d s l o w t o b e t o uc h e d , ,

hard t o b e i n flam e d A ft e r a ti m e t h e hab i t o f

.
,

m e ditati o n h as f o rm e d p r o f o u n d c o n v icti o n s t h e ,

wi l l h as b e c o m e de tach e d fr o m e vi l t he h e art h as ,

acqu i r e d a ta st e fo r v i rtu e T h e re is c o n se qu e ntly

.

n o l o n g e r t he sam e n e e d fo r c o n s i de rati o n s a fe w ,

m o m e nt s re fl e ct i o n s u ffi c e s t o awak e n c o n v ic t idn im

’ ‘

t h e m i n d a n d t o p u t t h e h e art i n m o ti o n
’

. a
,

I t is n o t h o w e v e r i n ab i l i ty w h ic h mak es u s
, ,

di m i n i s h o u r c o n s i d e rat i o n s n e ith e r is i t sl o t h fu l
,

n ess o r d e l ib e rate ch o i c e b u t t h e n atu ral p r o m pt

, ,

i n g Of r ea so n ; fo r t he l i gh t c o m e s qu i ckly an d as , ,

t h e m i n d is sa t u rat e d wi th p i o u s r e ad i n g i n stru o ,

ti o n a n d m e di tati o n s w e m u st ru m i n ate an d d i g est

, ,

a l l t h i s S p i ri tu al f o o d i n c o nve r sat i o n O f t h e h e art

,

wit h Go d No th i n g can b e m o r e l e gi ti mate t h an

.

t h i s attract i o n i t is i n fact al m o st a n e ce ss i ty
, , , .

We h av e al r e ady p o i n t e d o u t 1 t h e re a so n w h y i n
o u r cl oi s te r s a ff e cti v e pray e r is qu ickly r e ac h e d .

T h e r e are e v e n so u l s w h o c o u l d n ev e r c o n fo rm t o
m e th o d ica l ru l e s ; r e a so n i n g s e mbarra ss th e m ;

s p e ak i n g w i th Go d is a re st fo r t h e i r h e art r e adi n g
~

3 nd p a rt , c. iii .
i s
p . 1 2 4,
 OF A F F E CTIV E P R AY E R I 8!

a ff o rd s t h e m s u ffi ci e n t f o o d fo r t h e i r c o ll o qu i e s wi t h
h e av e n : i t w o u l d b e a m i stak e t o i n t e rfe r e w i t h
them .

B riefl y t h e n w e sh o u l d re m ai n f a it h fu l t o
, ,

t he p racti ce o f c o n s i de rat i o n as l o n g as it d o e s u s

m o r e g o o d ; w e gi ve l e ss ti m e t o i t in p r o p o rti o n as
i t a ff o r d s u s l e ss p r o fit .

—
I I P RACTICAL R U LE S .

I
. C h o ic e
o f a su b jec t Th i s k i n d o f p ray e r is
.
-

e sp eci al ly s u i t e d t o t h e i llu m i nat i v e way Th e s u b .

e n d t o de tach t h e so u l fr o m s in a n d
j e c t s,
wh i ch t
gu i de he r fi r s t st e p s i n t he way o f v i rtu e w o u l d n o w ,

n o l o n g e r mak e u p o n h e r t h e sam e i m p r essi o n .

S h e n o w wa n t s t o r e an i m at e he r d e s i re o f pe rfec
ti o n t o draw d o w n u p o n i t t h e grac e o f Go d t o
, ,

av o w h u mb ly he r fau lt s t o b l ess t he d iv i n e m e rcy

, ,

t o p o u r f o rt h tha n k s gi v i n g t o b e g i n t o s p eak t h e
,

lan gu ag e O f l o v e a n d o f c o nfide n ce H e nc e t h e .

s ubj e ct s qu i t e s u i t e d t o h e r n ee d s a re h e ave n t he ,

sh o rt n e ss o f th i s l i f e t h e e n dl e ss d u rat i o n o f t he
,

re ward t he tr eas u r e s o f v i rtu e t he val u e o f s u ffe r

, ,

i n g s t he e xam pl e o f O u r L o r d a n d o f t he s ai n t s
, ,

an d e v e ryt h i n g th a t m ay h e l p t o i n flam e h e r d e s i res

o f e te r n a l g o o d s .

L i k e wi se t h e fu n dam e n tal d u ti es o f C h r i s tia n

,

an d re l i gi o u s l i fe t h e s p i ri t O f fait h w h ich se e k s
,

Go d i n e v e ryth i n g t h e r e c o l le c ti o n w h ic h e nabl e s
,

t h e so u l t o b e e v e r att e n ti v e t o th i s he r o n e o n ly
bu s i n ess t he h u m i l i t y an d ab n e gati o n w h ic h are
,
1 82 ON O R D I NA R Y M E NT AL P R AYE R

t he c o n diti o n s O f s ucc e ss an d e sp e ci ally t h at s u p e r

,

n atu ral o b e d i e n ce w h i c h m ak es t he r e l i gi o u s .

A cc o rdi n g t o F ath e r S u ri n 1 t he so u l s h o u l d
,

re tu r n fre qu e ntly t o the se fu n dam e n t al s ubj e ct s ,

d iv e d e ep ly i nt o t h e m p e n e t rate h e r se lf wi t h t h e i r
,

n ec e ss ity re fl ect u p o n t he m e an s u p o n t h e
, ,

O b s tacl es ,
d es i r e a n d b eg grace w i th m u c h
e ar n e s tn e ss ,
mak e f e rve n t r e so l u ti o n s a n d n o t ,

aba n d o n a n y O f th ese s ubj e ct s wi t h o u t b e i n g

fu l ly sati sfi e d a n d h avi n g mad e mark e d p r o gr ess
,
.

I f t h e H o ly Gh o st s h o u l d S h o w he r t h e attach m e n t
sh e ch e ri s h e s fo r h e r h o n o u r h e r c o m f o rt s he r, ,

o ffic e s o r fo r pe r s o n s & c
, S h e wi l l m ak e a h u n dr ed
, .
,

act s o f re n u nciati o n w i l l th i n k o f t h e m ea n s t o ge t
,

ri d a l t o g e th e r o f s uch attac h m e nt s a nd w i l l d e clar e

’

so o ft e n th at sh e wi l l n o l o n g e r e n t e rtai n t h e m ,

t h at at la st she wi l l fi n d h e rse lf fr ee d fr o m t h e m .

H e r e yo u h av e t h e ri g h t m e th o d o f mak i n g y o u r
m e n tal p ray e r T h o se w h o e ve ry day tak e a
.

d i ff e r e n t s ubj e ct n o w tak i n g a fan cy fo r o n e an d

, ,

t h e n fo r a n o t h e r d o n o t gai n t h e sam e i m p o r
,

tan t advan tag es as t h o se w h o a ttach th e m se lv es t o

,

th e se f o u n dat i o n s o f t h e s p i ri tu al l if e we i g h i ng an d ,

r e l i sh i n g th e m du ri n g seve r a l m o n t h s a n d y e ar s ,

ti l l by t h i s m e a n s t h e y at la st fi n d th e m se lv e s
p o ssesse d o f so l i d vi rtu es .

A s O u r L o rd is at o nce o u r m od e l an d o u r re
war d n o th i n g is m o r e p ro fitab l e tha n t o c o n s i de r
,

in H i m each o f th e se s ubj e ct s ; H is l i p s f o rm u lat e

‘

t h e p re ce pt H is c o n duct p r e se n t s t o u s t h e e xam pl e
, ,

an d im se l f w i l l b e t h e r e c o m p e n se O f o u r fid e l it yfi
Fr S u r in , Ca t Sp i n , t ii '
a rt , c . i
"

. . . .
7 p .
1 84 O N O R D INA R Y M E NTA L P R AYE R

p i o u s t h o ught s of St
T r a .
w
e es h ich 1 wi l l c o m pl e t e

w h at w e h av e s ai d o n th i s s ubj e ct .

St A
.
u gu s ti n e t e l l s u s t h at aft e r ,hav i n g fo r a

l o n g t i m e so ug h t Go d i n t h e O bj e ct s wh ich su r
r o u n de d h i m h e at la st f o u n d H i m w i th i n h i m se lf
,
.

M e d itat e d e e p ly o n t h i s s ayi n g fo r i t is S u p r e m e ly
u se fu l t o a ny so u l th at fi n d s i t d i ffi cu lt t o b e re co l
le c t e d,
t o k n o w t h at s h e h a s n o n ee d t o

ra i se h e r se lf t o h e ave n i n o rd e r t o c o n v e r se w ith h e r
D i v i n e F ath e r an d t o fi n d h e r de l i gh t i n H i m o r t o ,

ra i se h e r v o i ce i n o rd e r t o b e h e ard by H i m H e is .

so n e ar u s t h at H e h ear s t h e l e as t m o v e m e nt O f o u r

l i p s e v e n t he mo st se cr e t a n d i nt e rn al e xpre ss i o n
,

o f o u r t h o ugh t s We h av e n o n eed o f w i n g s t o
.

u r s u o u r se arc h aft e r H i m ; l e t u s b u t place o u r

p e

se lves in so l itu d e a n d l o o k i n t o o u r se lv es, t h e r e it

'
'

” 2
is t h at He dwe ll s . L e t t h e so u l t h e n e n t e r w i t h '

h e r Go d i n t o t h i s paradi se o f he r o w n h e art an d ,

cl o se t he d o o r aft e r h e r t o al l t h e t h i n g s o f th i s
w o rl d 5 I f t h i s a p p e ar s d i ffi cu lt at fir st
. w e o ugh t , ,

l ittl e by l i ttl e t o a ccu st o m o u r se lv e s t o c o n v e r se

,

sw ee tly w i t h H i m wi t h o u t rai s i n g o u r v o i ce fo r
, ,

th i s Go d O f g o o dn e ss wi ll O f H i m se lf m ak e u s f ee l
” 4
that H e is p r e se n t in o u r s o u l .

Nev e rth e l ess it is t o att e n d t o t h e p r e se nc e O

, f
O u r L o rd that t h e S ai n t ch i e fly i n vi t e s u s Th is .

p ractic e o f h avi n g O u r L o rd e ve r p re se n t t o o u r

m i n d is u sefu l i n al l stat es o f p ray e r I t is t h e s u re .

m e a n s o f p r o fiti n g i n t h e fi r st de gr ee o f arri v i n g i n ,

a s h o rt ti m e at t h e se c o n d ( s h e m e an s t h e p ray e r o f

S e e al o “
St T Ow
'
W d l a dy f d
to —
s . e r esa : n or s a re re e r r e

. Tra m W y xx i a ,
3 Ib i d
x. xx .
, I b id
x 4
.
 OF A F F E C T IV E P R AYE R x8s

qu i e t ) a n d o f gu ardi n g agai n st t h e i l l u si o n s o f t h e
,
” 1
d e m o n i n t h e late r stag e s A m e an s w h ic h
.

i l l h lp o u t o k e e p i n t h e p r e se n c e o f O u r L o rd
w e y ,

is t o h av e a p i ctu r e ac co r
,
d i n g t o y o u r ta s t e O f t h i s ,

a d o rab l e M a st e r a n d t o k ee p i t c o n t i n u

a l ly b e f o r e y o u r e y e s in o rde r t h at t h e S i g h t o f it
,
” 2
m ay sti r yo u u p t o c o n v e r se w ith y o u r S p o u se .

I n c h u rch w e h av e t he h o ly tab e r n acl e ; al m o st

,

v
e e rywh e r e ,s tatu e s a n d p i o u s p i c tu r es B e s i d e s .
,

n o t h i n g is ea s i e r t h a n t o r e p r ese n t O u r L o r d t o o u r
se lv es a s n e a r u s i n t h at c o nd i ti o n i n w h ic h w e

p r e fe r t o c o n t e m p lat e H i m p r o v i d e d t h at w e d o so
,

s i m p ly a n d wi t h o u t fati gu i n g t h e h e a d R e m ai n .

t h u s i n y o u r h e art an d t h o u g h t n ear t h e d iv i n e
M a ste r . an d r e fl e ct t h at as H e sai d t o ,

t he sp o u se i n t h e C an ti cl e s H e w a i t s o n ly fo r a ,

gla nc e fr o m u s a glan c e w h ic h H e val u es h i g h ly

, .

B u t w h e n ab o u t t o s pe ak t o H i m an d
, ,

w h i l st yo u are sp eak i n g t o H i m r e m e mb e r I co n , ,

j u r e yo u t h at yo u c a n n ev e r S h o w H i m e n o u gh
,

re v e re nce a n d l o v e . A t h o u sa n d l iv e s l i k e
o u r s c o u l d n e v e r e n ab l e yo u t o u n d e r s ta n d h o w H e

d ese rv e s t o b e tr e at e d H e b e fo re w h o m t h e an ge l s
, ,

tr e mb l e w h o se w o rd a l l th i n g s Ob e y
,
B e h o ld
.

( h o w e v e r ) I n J e s u s C h r i s t a fath e r a b r o th e r , a ,

ma ste r a sp o u se a n d t r ea t wi t h H i m acc o rd i n g t o
, ,
” 5
th e se vari o u s ch aract e rs .

.
—
I I I C o n sid era t io n s D o n o t t h i n k th at I ask
.

o f yo u l o n g m e ditat i o n s u p o n t h i s d iv i n e S av i o u r ,

Lif e, x II . Wy a , x x v i i.

Wy a , xx v. -x x v u p
-
a sr i m
I S6 ON O R D INA R Y M E NTAL P R AY E R

no r m any r ea so n i n g s no r d eep an d s ubtle c o n ,

‘

s i de rat i o n s ; n o m e re ly l oo k at H i m st e ad i ly I f
,
.

o u ca n d o n o m o r e k ee p t h e e y e s O f y o u r so u l for
y , ,

a f e w m o m e n t s at l e a st i nt e n tly fixe d u p o n t h i s
‘

,
”1
ad o rab l e S p o u se .

Th e s am e s ai n t sa y s e l se w h e r e s pe ak i n g Of t h e ,

my ste ry o f J es u s C h ri st at t h e p i l lar I t w i l l b e w e ll , ,

n o d o ubt t o re a so n du ri n g a l i ttl e t i m e
, t o c o n s i de r ,

w h o i t is t h at s u ff e r s t he gr e at n e ss an d t h e cau se s
,

o f H is t o rm e n t s a n d i n fine t he l o v e wi t h wh i ch
, , ,

H e e n du r es t h e m B u t w e o u ght n o t t o w eary o u r
.

se lv e s by try i n g t o fath o m t h ese div e r s p o i nt s It .

w i l l b e e xc e ll e n t t o r e m ai n i n pe ace w ith o u t r e a so n ,

i n g n ear t h e d i v i n e M a st e r The so u l s h o u l d t h e n
, .

b e o ccu p i e d acc o rd i n g t o h e r ab i l i ty i n r e fl e cti n g ,

that H e is l o o k i n g at he r ; s he wi l l k ee p H i m c om
pa ny a n d wi l l a ddre ss h e r pe t it i o n s t o
We sh o u l d vary th i s o ccu pati o n acco rd i n g t o
t h e se a so n l e st by u s i n g t h e s am e f o o d fo r t o o l o n g
,
” 3
a t i m e w e m ay l o se al l re l i sh fo r i t .

A re yo u i n trib u lati o n o r i n gr i e f f o l l o w O u r ,

L o rd t o t he Gard e n o f G e th se ma n i co n ,

s i d e r H i m b o u n d t o t h e p i l lar o r lad e n ,
” 4
wi th H is cr o ss a n d a sc e n di n g t h e h i l l O f C alvary .

I f w e are t o o se n s i tiv e t o dw e ll c o n stantly o n s u ch

gr e at t o r m e n t s w e l l t h e n 1 be h o l d H i m ri se n fr o m
,

t h e d e ad fu l l O f gl o ry ar o u s i n g so m e e n c o u rag i n g
, , ,

o th e r s , b e f o re H e a sce n d s t o h e av e n ; b e h o l d H i m
o u r c o m pan i o n i n t h e m o s t H o ly S acram e n t ; fo r

H e h as no t b ee n ab l e it w o u l d se e m t o se p arat e
, ,

L if e, x iii.

L if e , X 11. Wy a , x xv n s g L i fe, xn.

 I S8 ON O R D INA R Y M E NT A L P R AYE R

wi t h o ur p r ese n t n e e d s a n d t h e s tat e O f o u r so u l .

Le t u s agai n giv e so m e e xam p l e s S o m e ti m e s fo r

.
,

i n stanc e w e m ay b ri e fly r e v i ew t h e fau lt s O f o u r l if e
, ,

a n d e m p l o y t he w h o le ti m e o f o u r p ray e r an d e v e n ,

t h e w h o l e d ay i n mak i n g act s o f h u m i l i ty an d o f
, ,

c o n tri ti o n o r in f o rm i n g g o o d r e so l u ti o n s w e may
, ,

acce p t in t h e sp i ri t o f pe n anc e t h e a u s te ri ti e s o f t h e
R u l e an d t he cr o sses se n t by P r o v i d e n c e ; o r agai n
, ,

w e m ay a d m i r e t he d iv i n e m e rci es w h i ch a re in ,

fi n i t e ly gr eate r t han o u r m i se ri e s p rai se than k a n d , , ,

o h
l v e H i m w o as b ee n so g o o d o s A t o t h e r
h t u — .

ti m e s aft e r ha v i n g b ri e fl y r e cap i tu lat e d t he grac e s

,

o f Go d : s u c h as cr e ati o n r e d e m pti o n fai th C h ri s

, , ,

t i an e ducati o n re l i gi o u s v o cat i o n &c w e m ay

, ,
.
, ,

d u ri n g o u r p ray e r o r e ve n d u ri n g t h e w h o l e day
, ,

p o u r fo rt h h u mb l e act s o f t h an k sgiv i n g an d try t o ,

-

p e rf o rm e ac h o n e o f o u r du ti es wi t h al l p o s s ib l p
e e r

fec t io n i n o r de r t o m ak e so m e r e tu rn t o Go d fo r al l
,

He h as d o n e fo r u s S o m e ti m es i f w e are b e se t
.
,

by te m ptati o n s o r o ve rwh e l m e d by tri al s, w e m ay

,

m u lti ply o u r h u mbl e s u pp l icati o n s an d o u r pr o t e sta

t i o n s o f l o yalty t o Go d ; w e m ay mak e c o u n tl ess act s ,

ac ce pti n g o u r s u ff e ri n g s u n ti l o u r w i l l h a s g o t back
,

it s p e ac e an d a sp i ri t O f s ub m i ss i o n ; w e s h al l b e
fil l e d wit h c o n fu s i o n t h at w e are so e a s i ly tr o ubl e d
, ,

a n d h ave so l ittl e h u m i l ity so l i ttl e o f t r u e m o rti

,

fi cat io n .We may al so r e m e mb e r th at o u r s uffe r

i ng s c o m e fr o m Go d t h at in H is w i sd o m a n d
, ,

g o o d n ess H e h as i m p o se d th e m fo r t h e gr eat e r
,

g o o d O f o u r s o u l an d, w e s h al l m ak e t h e r e u p o n act s

o f f a i t h in H is p r o v i d e n ce o f c o n fidin g a n d fi li al
‘

W
,

aba n d o n m e n t t o H is H o ly ill — A t o t h e r ti m e s
.
,
 OF A F F E CTIV E P R AYE R 18
9

we may lay be f o r e Go d o u r d es i r e s o f p e rfe cti o n ,

o u r t eso l u t io n t o a d va n ce i n s u c h a v i rtu e t o co r ,

r ect s uch a fau lt ; w e s hal l h u mb le o u r se lv e s b e ,

so rry p,
r o m i se a m e n d m e nt an d b e g, fo r grac e .

’
A gai n afte r a m o m e n t s r e fl e cti o n u p o n G o d s
’
,

g o o dn ess H is l o v e a n d H is p er fe cti o n s w e m ay
, ,

ab an d o n o u r h e art t o l o ve t o p rai se t o c o n fide n ce

, , ,

&c .
— We sh al l d w e l l u p o n t h o se acts w h ic h b est s u i t
o u r tas t e s an d o u r n ee d s r e p e ati n g t h e sa m e a
,

h u n d re d t i m es O ve r w it h o r w i t h o u t variati o n s o r
, ,

i n te rm i n gl i n g wi t h t he m act s o f vari o u s o t h e r
vi rtu e s .

V R eso lu tio n s —T h e re is n o t h i n g t o h i n d e r a
. .

so u l ,
w h ic h is e n gag e d i n a ff ecti ve p ray e r fr o m ,

tak i n g g o o d re so l ut i o n s j u st as in m ed i tati o n We
, .

sh o u l d se l e ct su c h as b e s t m e e t o u r act ual n ee d s a n d

o u r s p e ci a l att racti o n I t is w e ll h o we v e r t o k ee p
.
, ,

t o t h e s am e r eso l uti o n fo r a rat h e r l o n g t i m e i n ,

o rd e r t o cu lt ivat e w i t h m o re s te adi n es s an d s u cce ss

o ne p o i n t at a ti m e o f t h e S p i r i tu a l l ife .
 C HAP TER IX

P R AY E R OF S IM P LI C ITY

I .
-
W H AT TH E P RAYE R OF S IM P LIC ITY Is .

TH E n am e p ray e r o f S i m p l ici ty cl e arly i n di cat es it s

n atu re . Th e p re ce d i n g f o r m o f p ray e r h ad m uch
d i m i n i sh e d c o n s i d e rati o n s ; t h i s l esse n s s ti l l m o r e
t h e w o rk O f t he i nt e l l e ct a n d gradua l l y c o m e s t o b e
,

c o nte nte d wi t h al m o st a t h o ugh t a m e m o ry a , ,

glan ce ; wi t h c o n t e m p lati n g r at h e r t h an m e d it at
‘

i ng .

It l i k e w i se s i m pl i fie s t h e aff e cti o n s P re vjo u sl y .

,

o u r act s we r e c o m p l icat e d l e n gthy a n d w o rdy

,
.

We u se d t o say fo r i n stan ce : I l o ve T h ee wi t h al l
,

my h e art Th o u w h o ha st cr e at e d p r ese rv e d re
, , , ,

de e m e d m e Th o u w h o h a s t l o ad e d m e with grace s
, , ,

an d t estifi e d S O m u ch l o v e fo r m e &c Th e so u l , .

had n e e d o f str e n gth e n i n g he r act s by th e i r m o tiv es ,

i n o rd e r t o mai ntai n h e r se lf i n a ff e cti o n s a n d t o pe r

se v e r e i n th e m No w t h e se vari o u s h e lp s far fr o m
.
,

b e i n g n e c essary t o h e r h ave b ec o m e a n e mbarra ss

,

m e n t a fati gu e a c heck S h e p r e f e r s t o say : M y

, , .

J es u s I l o v e T h ee ; an d th u s by ab ri dg i n g he r
, ,

a ff ect i o n s S h e mak e s th e m i n gr e at e r n u mb e r
,
.

Th e so u l i n t he b e gi n n i n g u se d t o v ary h e r
, ,
'

aff e ct i o n s : s u c h as act s o f h u m i l i ty c o n tri ti o n , ,

l
9°
i 9 2 ON O R D IN AR Y ME NTAL P R AY E R

acti v e r e p o se act i v e qu i e t act i v e o r acqu i re d c o n

, ,

t e m p l at io n T h i s la st nam e is t he o n ly o n e w e sh all
.

he re explai n .

II .
-
A CTI V E C O NTE M P LATIO N .

C o n t e m p l ati o n , i n a w i d e se n se is a p ray e r c o n
,

s i st i n g o f a s i m pl e l o v i n g l oo k u p o n Go d o r u p o n
,

t h e th i n g s o f Go d ; i t is n o t o ccu p i e d in see k i n g fo r
t h e tru th ,
l i k e m e di tat i o n i t p o sse sse s i t an d rests
,

In i t wi th l o v e .

I t w o u ld b e a gre at e xagg e rati o n t o say t h at i t

alway s i m pl i e s t h at l i ve ly adm i rat i o n wh ic h k ee p s ,

h
t e i n te l l i g e n c e i n ra p tu r e s o f a s t o n i s h m e n t — t h at ,
'

fire o f l o v e wh ich t h r o w s t h e wi l l i n t o tran s p o rt s,

,

a n d t h at jo y w h i c h o ve rwh e l m s t h e so u l a n d t h e
,

se n se s . Th e s tu p o r o f adm i rat i o n t h e i n e b riati o n

,

o f l o v e a n d t h e tran sp o rt s o f jo y a re a v e ry h i gh

d e gree o f i nt e n s i ty w h ic h is se l d o m attai n e d ; m o st
,

fr e q u e ntly c o n te mp lat i o n r e mai n s de v o i d o f t h ese

,

gre at e m o ti o n s o r e v e n is n o th i n g m o re t h an o ne
,

l o n g e x e rci se o f ari di ty a n d d e so lat i o n L i k e d is .

cu r s i v e p ray e r c o n t e m p lati o n h as it s v ivi d l i g h t s

, ,

it s swe e t c o n so lati o n s it s cal m a n d it s fati gu e s ; b ut

,

i t has n o t fixe d it s te n t p e rm an e n t l y u p o n Thab of .

I n o u r o p i n i o n t he w h o le esse n oe o f act iv e c o n
,

t e m p l at io n is c o n ta i n ed in th e se t w o w o r d s it l o o ks
an d i t l o v es .

I t is n o l o n g e r t h e t o i l so m e w o rk o f t he i m agi n a
ti o n t he m e m o ry an d t he u n de r s ta n di n g th o u g h
, , ,
,

t h e se facu lt i e s are actu al ly Occu p i e d bu t in a m o re ,

s i m pl e man n e r I ns t ead o f seek i n g fo r t he tru t h by

.
,
 P R AY E R OF S IM P L IC IT Y I 93

t he l o n g pai n fu l an d r o u n dab o u t way s o f

,

r e a so n i n g t h e y h av e a l r eady c o m pl et e d t h e i r
,

j o u rn e y a n d h ave r eac h e d it s t e rm Th e m i n d .
,

p o ssessi n g t h e t ru t h c o n t e m plate s i t by a di r e ct
,

act an d e nj o y s i t w i th o u t e ff o rt 1 I t is a
, .

s i m pl e att e n ti o n a m e m o ry
, a loo k a n i ntu i ti o n
, , .

Th e l i gh t h as c o m e t h e c o n v ic t io n s a re
,
n

w e ll
fo u n d ed t he e v i d e n c e is suc h t h at t h e t h i n g s
, ,

of Go d a re p e rc e ive d al m o st as w e p e rce iv e
fir s t p ri n ci pl e s ; w e re m e mb e r w e l o o k w e att e n d , , ,

and t h i s is e n o u g h Th i s d oe s n o t h i n d e r th i s
.

vi e w fr o m be i n g so m e t i m es m o re l u m i n o u s so m e ,

ti m es w e ak e r a n d m o re v e i l e d B y it s v e ry n atu re .

i t is so m e wh a t O b scu re an d c o nfu se d b ecau se i t ,

p r oc ee d s m o stly by w ay o f ge n e r a l v i e w s n o t ,

st o pp i n g at d e tai l s p r e tty m u c h a s w e tak e i n at a

,

s i n gl e glanc e a w h o l e la n d scap e .

Th i s s i m p l e l o o k is a l way s a cc o m pan i e d w i t h
—
l o ve a l o v e i t m ay b e a l m o st i m p e rce p tib l e o r all
, ,

on fire c a l m o r i m p e tu o u s b i tt e r o r sav o u ry
, , .

T h i s l o ve is e v e n t h at w h i c h is t h e c h i e f th i n g
i n c o n t e m plati o n ; i t is at o n c e t he so u rc e wh e nc e
th i s l a tte r fl o w s t he te rm t o w ard s w h ich i t te n d s
, ,

e fru i t w h i c h i t b e ar s ; w e l o o k bec au se w e l o v e ,

l o o k i n o rd e r t o l o v e a n d o u r l o v e is fe d an d
,

am e d by l oo k i n g .

L o v e is a lways acc o m p an i e d by k n o wl e d ge
'

We can n o t l o v e Go d i f w e d o n o t k n o w that H e
,

is l o vab l e a n d d o n o t th i n k o n t h i s t ru th ; a n d
,

is k n o wl e dg e be i n g so m e th i n g g e n e ral a n d i h
,

st in c t
,
l o v e a l so is so m e what o b scu re a n d c o n
S t F r a n c is
. of S a l e s , L o ve f Go d
o , b . vi. c . v i
19 4 ON O R D IN A R Y M E NTAL P R AY E R

fu se d . l i gh t d o m i nat es an d o u r c o n i
S o m e ti m e s ,

t e m p l a t io n i s th e n c h er u b ic ; m o re fr e qu e ntly i t is
l o v e that p r e vai l s an d th e n i t is calle d s eraph ic
’

.
,

C e rtai n au th o r s gi v e m o r e p r o m i n e nc e t o t h e l i gh t ,
o th e r s t o t h e l o v e ; i n re al ity b o t h e le m e nt s are ,

i n di sp e n sab l e .

Th e o bj e ct O f c o n te mp lati o n is Go d i n H i m self
o r i n H is w o rk s ; G o d is t he p ri ma ry o bj e ct ; t h e
-

th i n g s o f Go d a re it s sec o ndary o bj e ct That .

wh i ch charm s u s i n Go d is H is b ea u t y H is g o o d ,

n es s , H is l o v e O u r L o rd h as a n es pe cial at t rac
.

ti o n fo r t h e c o n te m plati v e so ul Is H e n o t Go d .
,

Go d n e are r t o u s Go d br o ught wi th i n o u r r e ach

, ,

Go d l o v i n g o u r so u l s an d ad o rn e d w ith charm s
w e can b e tt e r u n d e r s ta n d ? Why s h o u ld w e n o t
b e ab l e t o tak e h o l d o f H i m by m e an s O f t h at
’

si m p l e l o v i n g l o o k wh ich c o n sti tute s c o n te m pla

,

ti o n ? A n d i f Go d wi sh e s t o rai se u s t o a sti ll
,

h i gh e r de gree what ca n h i n d e r H i m fr o m po u ri n g
,

i n t o o u r s o u l l i g ht a n d l o v e i n o rde r t o gi ve u s a ,

s h ar e i n that c o mp lac e n cy wh ich H e tak e s i n H is

W e ll B e l o v e d ? S ai n t T e r esa 1 havi n g r ead so m e

-
,

wh e re th at t h e h o ly H u man i ty w as a n o b stac l e t o
p e rfec t c o n t e m plati o n b e l i e v e d th i s fo r a t i m e an d
, ,

w i she d t o av o i d i t as a s ubj ect fo r h e r p raye r fi S he ‘

c o m p l ai n s b itte rly o f h e r e rr o r w h i c h sh e ca l l s a ,

gre a t tre a so n : O h ! wh at a bad r o ad I w as fo l

l o wi ng my g o o d L o rd ! o r rathe r I had l o st e v e ry
, ,
'

r o ad A h LI n d re d an d a h u d re d ti m es
'

. v

h av e I l ea rn e d th i s by e xp e ri e n c e a n d h eard i t ,

St . Te r e s a L ife , xxii . t he w ho le c ha p .
; Cas t l e , iv °

c . v iii. pa ss i m . St . J o hn o f t he C ro s s Asc en t , b
, . iii . c. i . a
 1
96 ON O R D INA R Y M E NTA L P R AYE R

of c o nt e m p lati o n t he so u l s u n i o n wi th Go d is m o r e ’

an d m o r e i n ti m ate .

Th e r e a re t w o k i n d s o f c o n t e m p l ati o n t h e —
acqu i re d an d t h e i n fu se d 1 o r if yo u pr ef e r i t t h e , , ,

acti ve a n d t h e pa ssi v e A u th o r s di ff e r c o n si de r .

ab ly ih e xplai n i n g the se t e rm s S o m e w r i t e r s i n .
,

fact r e qu i re so m any c o n d iti o n s fo r act iv e c o nt e m

,

p l a t io n that t h e di ff e r e n c e b e tw e e n i t an d i nfu se d

c o nte m plat i o n is h ardly m o r e than n o m i n al .

I n o u r O p i n i o n ac qu ir e d c o n t e m plati o n is t h at
,

t o wh ic h a p e r so n may r a i se h i m se l f by h is o w n i n
d u s t ry w i th t h e he l p o f t he o rdi n ary grac e s o f
ray e r —S o m e t i m e s i t is t r a n s it o ry; v ivi dly stru ck
p .

by t h e fo rce o f c o n vi cti o n t h e m i n d ke e p s s i l e n t an d ,

r est s i n t he t ru th p o sses se d ; t h e w i l l is s i l e n t i n
o rd e r t o l o v e j u s t as a m o th e r e n f o ld s h er ch i l d i n a
,

l o n g S i l e n t l o o k r e pl e t e w it h l o v e ; u n l e ss in de e d
, , , ,

t he so u l s h o u ld g ive v e n t t o it s l o v e by vari o u s
t e n d e r act s S o m e ti m e s th i s c o n t e m plati o n b e c o m es
.
,

a h a b i t ; t he c o n v ict i o n s a r e f o rm e d n o n ee d t he n , , ,

t o cal l u p o n re a so n fo r th e m ; t h e so u l e n l i ght e n e d ,

an d pu ri fi e d h as o n ly t o l o o k in o rde r t o l o v e ; h er
,

p ray e r s are h ardly anyth i n g m o r e t h a n a l o o k o f

Al t h o u g h t h e o l d e r w r it e r s d id no t ma ke t h is d is t in c t io n , w e

h a ve t h o u g h t it r ig h tt o a d o pt it , b e c a u se it h a s b eco me c l a ss ic a l

fo r m o r e th an tw o c e n t u r ie s . S o m e g o o d a u t h o r s , h o w e v e r,
c o n t in u e to j t
re e c it , m a in t a in in g t h a t , as a m a t t e r of f ac t , e v e r y
p r a ye r o f s im p l e lo o k is t
m ys ic a l p r a ye r , w e a
a in d e e d k a nd

h id d e n at fir s t , b ut w h ic h a ft e r w a r d s b e c o m e s m o r e in t e n s e and

m a n ife s t ly m ys t ic a l In t h e s ys t e m w hic h w e h a v e t h o u g h t
.

p r o p e r t o a d o p t , c o n t e m p l a t io n is c a ll e d m ys t ic a l o n ly w h e n t h e
d iv in e a c t io n is m a n ife s t This d iff e r e n c e o f O p in io n is p u r e ly
.

s p e c u l a t iv e , a n d in no w a y a ff e c t s t h e p r a c t ic a l a d v ic e g ive n in
our t r e a t ise .
 P R AYE R OF S I M P L IC ITY 1
97

l o v e o r rath e r a se ri e s o f m u t e b u t e xp r ess ive l o o k s

, ,

i f i nde e d th e y b e n o t a c o n ti n ua l i n t e rc o u r se o f
, ,

h e art wi th h e art .

We shal l lat e r o n tr e at o f my stical c o n t e m pla

ti o n ; fo r t h e m o m e nt i t s u ffice s t o say that i t al so
,

is a p ray e r O f s i m pl e l o v i n g l o o k b ut i n i t t he so u l
, ,

is ma n i f e s tly m o r e o r l ess pa ss i v e she r e al i z e s ,

b ey o n d t h e p o ss ib i l i ty o f d o ubt that t he l igh t a n d

l o v e c o m e n o t fr o m h er o w n act iv i ty th at she re ,

c e iv e s t h e m fr o m Go d w h o O p e r a t e s i n h e r an d
,

make s h e r ge n e rally s p eaki n g fe e l H is p r ese nce

, ,

aft e r an i n e ff abl e ma n n e r .

III .
—
TH E P RAYE R OF S IM P LI C ITY IS NO T A

S P E CI E S OF M YS TICAL C O NTE M P LATIO N .

As l o n g as o u r p ray e r is me r e ly i n p r o ce ss o f
b e i n g s i m pl ifie d an d is o n ly i m p e rf ectly fr ee d fr o m
,

r e a so n i ng s an d t he m u lt i pl ici ty o f act s i t d oe s n o t ,

d e se rv e t h e n a m e o f c o n t e m plati o n I t is o t he r .

wi se h o we v e r whe n l e avi n g a s i d e r e a so n i n g i t
, , , ,

g oe s straigh t t o Go d by a s i m pl e l o o k wh e n i t h as ,

re ac h e d t he stat e o f be i n g n o th i n g m o r e t h an a
l o vi n g th o u g h t o f b e i n g c o n te n t t o l o o k a n d t o
,

l o ve .

D o e s Go d th e n b e g i n t o po u r se cr e tly H is l i ght
an d H is l o v e i nt o t he so u l ? I t is hard t o u n d e r
stan d h o w w it h o u t t h i s o n e c o u ld pe r se v e r e i n a
, ,

fo rm O f p ray e r so l i ttl e c alcu lat e d t o capt i vate t h e

m i n d B u t th i s my sti cal e l e m e n t i f i t e xi st s re
.
, ,

mai n s 5 0 h i dd e n that t he so u l is n o t c o n sci o u s o f it .

S o t oo t h e di ffi cu lty o f m e d itati n g o f p r o duci n g

, , ,
1 98 ON O R D I NA R Y M E NTAL P R AYE R

m u l t i pl e an d d e ve l o pe d act s is s tr o ng l y mark ed
i n t h e n i g h t o f t he se n se s ; h e r e h o w e ve r i t is bu t, ,

sl i ght ,
a n d e a s i ly o ve rc o m e E v e ryth i n g t h e n
.

tak es plac e j u st as i f t h e so u l w e r e e n te ri n g u po n
t h e p ray e r o f s i m p l ici ty o f it s o w n fre e ch o ic e a s ,

i f it we r e l e avi n g a si d e r ea so n i n g a n d s i m pl i fyi n g
it s a ffe cti o n s j u st b e cau se i t so pl e a se d a n d wi ll e d
,

t o d o so . He r e t h e n w e a re as ye t v e ry far re
, ,

m o v e d fr o m that p ass i v e c o n t e mplati o n i n wh i ch ,

t h e so u l re al iz e s b ey o n d al l d o ubt t h at Go d is
, ,

O p e rat i n g i n h e r a n d that s h e h e r se lf is m e r e ly

pa ss i v e A s t o f ee l i n g t h e pr e se n c e o f Go d as i t
.
,

we r e by an i n ti mat e an d i n e ffab l e p o ssess i o n sh e ,

hardly k n o w s w hat that m ean s b ecau se sh e h as n o t ,

y e t e xp e ri e n ce d i t .

Th e p ray e r o f s i m p l ici ty s uch as w e h av e de

‘

sc r i b e d i t see m s t o
, us t he re fo re t o b e ac t ive
, ,
'

p raye r arri v e d at it s fi n al d e v e l o p m e n t rat h e r than ,

pa ssi ve p ray e r i n a n a sce n t c o n di ti o n We .

wi l l i n gly gra nt th at wh i l s t t h e so u l is st i ll i n th i s
de gr ee o f p raye r so m e i so l at e d my s ti cal ph e n o m e n a
,

may a l re ady ap pe ar ; an d t h at wh e n sh e is j o u rn ey ,

i n g al o n g t h e b o u n dary l i n e b e twe e n acti ve p ray e r

a n d my s ti ca l c o nt e m p lati o n i t is i n p ractice v e ry
, , ,

d i ffi cu l t t o say wh e th e r t h e so u l is sti l l e n gag ed i n

t he c o m m o n way s o r h as al r e ady mad e so m e e x
,

c u rs io n s i n t o a ne w c o u ntry B ut i n th eo ry t h e
.
, ,

pray e r o f s i m pl ici ty see m s t o u s t o b e t h e fr o nti e r .

l i n e a l o ng wh ich active p ray e r t o uc h es u p o n p as

,
“

s iv e c o n t e m p l ati o n .
200 ON O R D I NA R Y M E NTA L P R AYE R

acti o n aft e r hav i n g s ub m i tt e d h e r attract i o n t o t h e

,

c o ntr o l o f h e r di re ct o r ; t h e l i g h t s wh ic h m e di ta ,

ti o n w o u ld hav e fu rn i sh e d can th e n b e s u p pl ie d
,

fo r by g o o d s p i ri tual re ad i n g .

A s r ega rd s t he h e a r t Th e p ray e r o f s im
.
-

p l ic it y is s u p e ri o r t o m e ditati o n o n t h e s c o r e o f t h e

affe cti o n s I t e nt e r s u p o n th e m at t h e v e ry start

.
,

wi t h o u t t h e n ecess i ty o f mak i n g it s way t o th e m by

a pr o c ess o f r ea so n i n g ; al l t h e r e i n i s p raye r fo r t h e ,

so u l c e a se s n o t t o ad o r e Go d t o th an k H i m , t o ask ,

p ar d on an, d t o b e g f o r grac e ; p i o u s c o l l o qu i e s

natu ral ly flo w fr o m a h e art w h e re l o v e Is al r e a dy

bu rn i n g fr o m a wi l l p racti se d i n V i rtu e s P raye r
, .

is n o l o n g e r a lab o ri o u s c o nv e r s at i o n i t is an a lf e o ,

t io n at e a nd fam i l iar o u tp o u ri n g o f t h e so u l i n t o t h e

b o so m o f h e r We l l B e l o v e d ; i f dry n ess m ake s it Se l f

’

f e l t t h e act s b ec o m e sh o rt an d m o re frequ e n t ;
,

h e nce th e r e is al l t he m o re pray e r .

L e t n o t th e n t h i s p ray e r O f s i m p l ici ty in so far

, , ,

a s it r e gard s t he u n d e r stan d i n g an d t he wi l l be ,

r e gard e d as m e re i dl e n ess A ss u r e dly t h e so u l is

.

n o t idl e w h e n i t c e a ses n o t t o d i scharg e it s duti e s

,

t o wa rd s Go d ; n o t i m e is m o re fru i tfu l s i n c e by ,

m u lti p ly i n g p i o u s a ffe cti o n s grac e v i rtu e a n d

, , ,

"
m e ri t s i ncre a se i n a c o nti n u o u s flo w Wi t h l e ss.

fati gu e a n d b u stl e m o re w o rk h as b ee n d o n a t h an
b e fo r e .

This kin d o f pr a yer ha s it s o w n c o n s o l at io n s

an d i t s o w n p a i n s — A t c e rtai n m o m e n t s i t is fu l l o f
.

sw e e t n e ss t he m o r e so a s t h e so u l is l ovi n g a n d
, ,

al r e ady p u rifi e d i n a re markab l e de gr ee ! A t such

ti m es w e m u st i f n e c essa ry m o de r at e a n y
, , ,
 P R AYE R OF S I M P L IC ITY 20 1

i n d i scr ee t e ffo rt s t o f ati gu e t h e h e ad t h e h eart an d ,

t he n e rv e s . M o st fr e qu e n tly th i s p ray e r is cal m

,

a n d d e v o i d o f str o n g e m o ti o n s ; so m e ti m e s dry n ess

pl u n g e s t h e w i l l i n to d e so lati o n an d i t fi n d s wi th
,

di ffi cu lty o n l y so m e fe w a ff e cti o n s wi th o ut r e l i sh ,

wh i l st t he m i n d is a ssail e d by d i stract i o n s W ith .

r e gard t o th i s t o rm e n t o f i m p o rtu n ate th o u ght s ,

S t T e r esa 1 m a k e s t he f o l l o w i n g v e ry j u st O b se rva
.

ti o n t h e i m p o rt o f wh ich m u st n o t h o w e v e r b e e x
, , ,
“
ag e r a t e d
g . A s p e cial charact e r o f t h i s k i n d of

p ray e r wh e r e i n t h e u n de r sta n di n g is n o t o ccu p i e d

i n r ea so n i n g is t h at t h e so u l t h e r e i n 15 e i th e r dee pl y
,

r e c o l l e cte d o r cru e l ly w e ari e d by d i stracti o n s

,
.

Yet th i s is n o r e aso n e i th e r t o av o i d i t o r t o cl i n g t o
i t w i th attac h m e n t We go t o p raye r t o gi v e o u r
.

se lv e s t o Go d rath e r tha n t o e nj o y p l e a s u r e ; t he

be st p ray e r is n o t t h at wh e nce w e i ss u e i n to x icat e d

-

w i th d e l i g h t a n d fu l l o f o u r se lv e s b ut that wh ich ,

l e ave s u s m o r e h u mb l e m o r e d e t ach e d fr o m e v e ry
,

t h i n g an d b e tte r a rm e d fo r t he c o mba t
, .

Th e r e is n o t h i n g t o h i n d e r th i s p ray e r fr o m
b e i n g fru itfu l fo r t h e p ra c t ic e o f v ir t u es We se e as .
,

it w e r e by i n tu it i o n b u t i n a m o st v ivi d r e al way
, , ,

t he re so l uti o n s t o b e tak e n w e attac h o u r se lv e s t o

,

t he m by t h e act s w e mak e w e d raw d o w n fl o o d s o f

'
,

rac e u p o n t h e m by i n c e s s an t p e t i ti o n s O u r ru l e s
g .

o u r s p i ri tu al r e adi n g t h e e xh o rtati o n s O f s u p e ri o r s
, ,

s p i ritu al di r e ct i o n , div i n e i n s p i rat i o n h ad e n l i g h t ,

e n e d t he m i n d a s t o o u r d uty i n g e n e ral a n d i n

d e tai l ; he re t h e h e art g ro w s warm t h e wi ll d raw s ,

t o i t se lf t h e o m n i p o t e n ce o f grac e a n d gi v es i t se l f ,

u p wi th c o u rag e t o a l l t hat Go d wi l l s I t is by th i s .

St . Te r e s a L ife , ix
, .
 ON O R D IN A R Y M E NT AL P R AY E R
’

20 2

r e s u lt that w e can k n o w wh e th e r o r n o t a so u l is '

r

d e r iv i n g pr o fit fr o m th i s k i n d o f p raye r M o s t ce r .

t a in l y t o p o u r o n e se lf f o rth i n e ff u s i o n s o f l o v e is
,

an o ccu pati o n alway s e xc e l l e n t a n d so m e ti m es d e

l i ghtfu l ; b u t w h o d oe s n o t k n o w that s i nc e r e l o v e is
p r o ve d by d ee d s th at it is b u i l t u p o n t h e r u i n s o f
,
.

se lf l o ve
- that i t l ive s u p o n d e v o t e d n ess a n d se l f
,

sacri fic e a n d that se n ti m e n tal ity is a wr e tch e d

,

co u nt e rf e i t O f tru e l o ve ? T h e re can b e n o d o ubt ,

h o w e v e r that t h e e ffu sio n s o f y o u r h e art i n p raye r

,

hav e b e e n s ince r e a n d fru i tfu l i f t h e y h a ve l e ft yo u ,

z eal o u s i n t h e d i scharg e o f all y o u r du ti es .

V —VVH EN
. S H O U I D TH E S OUL P AS S O N To H IS
T

FO RM OF P R AYE R ?
Th e will of Go d h o u ld b e o u r ru l e i n t h i s a s i n
s \

e v e ryth i n g l
e se . T h e re are t h r ee r o ck s t o b e ‘

av o i de d 1 .

T he fi rst of d e ci d e fo r o u r se lv es
th e se is t o
by a fix e d d e t e rm i n a t io n t o r e ma i n i n t h e f o r m e r
k i n d s o f p ray e r u n d e r t h e p re te xt o f h u m i l i ty o r
, ,

t h r o u gh a d re ad o f l e ss b e at e n pat h s GOd is my .

m a st e r I am H is se rva n t an d i t be l o n g s t o H i m t o
, ,

d e t e r m i n e my po s t a n d app o i n t m e my w o rk A s
, .

t h e s ucce ss d e p e n d s o n H i m I h av e so m e chanc e o f ,

s ucc ee di n g wh e r e H e wi l l s m e t o b e
, I am c e rtai n ,

t o fai l wh e r e H e d o e s n o t wi sh m e t o b e Th e .

h u m i l i ty w h ich di stru st s t h e de s i g n s o f Go d a nd
,

p re fe r s t o th e m o u r o w n t h o u ght s an d o u r o w n wi l l ,

is a ve ry fal se h u m i l i ty W he n Go d h as s p o k e n
.
,

th e re is n o l o n g e r a nyth i ng t o b e f e are d e xc e pt 0 ,

Co u r b o u , I ns t m c t i om
'

f a m zl
’

. su r . I or. m en t "
20
4 ON O R D I N AR Y M E NTAL P R AYE R

Th e m e re a tt ra c t io n
w o u l d n o t b e a s u ffici e nt
guara n t e e w e m u st se e wh e th e r th i s a ttrac t i o n co m e s
,

fr o m Go d Tw o s ig n s wi ll s h o w that w e can an d
.

o u gh t t o f o l l o w i t s u c c es s a n d pr o fi t ; s ucc e s s i n t h e

p raye r p r o fit i n t h e wh o l e o f o u r c o n du ct I t is
, .

n e c e ssary that t h e p ray e r o f S i m p l ici ty sh o u ld c o m e

e a sy t o m e a n d that i t S h o u l d h e l p m e t o p racti se
,

vi rtu e at l e a st as m uch a s t h e pr ec e d i n g k i n d s o f
,

pray e r To a sc e rta i n w h et h e r th i s b e so th e re is b ut
.

o n e m e an s— nam e ly t o mak e t h e tri al o f it

, I f the n .

m y p ray e r g oe s o n w e l l i n that way an d i f p r o gr ess ,

i n vi rtu e is mai n tai n e d o r m o re m ark e d t h i s succe ss ,

an d p r o fit w i l l s h o w t h at I h ave act e d u n d e r t h e
i m p ul se o f Go d w h o al o n e c o u l d cr o wn my e ffo rt s
,
.

Th i s p r o o f w o u l d b e o f i t se lf su ffici e nt I t wi l l b e .

s i n gu l arly s tre ngth e n e d i f o n t h e o n e h a n d y t h is

, ,

m o re s i m p l e fo rm O f p ray e r i n sp i r e s m e wit h a pe r .

s i s te n t attra c ti o n a n d c o n s i d e rat i o n o n t h e o t h e r
, , ,

w it h a n e ve r i ncr e a si n g d i fficu lty a n d d i sgu st

-
.

B u t sh o u l d w e fi n d i n t h e p raye r o f s i m p l ici ty o n ly
dry n ess a n d di st ract i o n s m u st w e r et u rn t o t he,

fo rm e r k i n d s o f p ray e r ? Yes i f w e s u cce e d b ett e r ,

wi t h th e m ; n o i f w e fi n d t o o gre at a d ifli c u l t y a n d
,

di sgu st i n th i s r e tu rn Be sat i sfi e d t h e n wi th c o m
.
, ,

bat i n g t h e d i stracti o n s a n d u n it i n g y o u rse lf t o Go d

by dry a ff e cti o n s as we l l a s yo u can p r o d uc e th e m 1 .

I t w o u ld b e we l l al so i n t h i s ca se t o e xam i n e w h e t h e r
w e b e n o t al r e ady i n that n igh t o f t h e se n se s o f

w h ich w e s hal l s p e ak fu rth e r o n 2 .

I n o r d e r n o t t o go a stray i n t h e se r at h e r i nt ricate
P o u l a in , Gr d ces d
'
Fr . o r. , c . i i . §4 .

S e e 3 r d pa r t , c. iii
.
p . 246.
 P R AY E R OF S I M P LI C ITY 20 5

p at h s
, w e s h o u ld c o n s u l t t h e s u p e ri o r o r d i re ct o r
wh o m Go d h as g iv e n u s fo r gu i de a n d ab a n d o n ,

o u r se l v e s t o h is d i r e ct i o n .

TO s u m u p b e gi n n e r s re qu i r e t o de v o te m o r e
,

ti m e t o c o n s i d e rat i o n s ; t h ey s h o u ld h o w e v e r , ,

gi v e l ess ti m e t o th e m i n p r o p o rti o n as th e y ,

a pp e ar to b e l e ss h e l pfu l wh e th e r t o p r o duc e
l i gh t o r dee pe n o u r c o nv icti o n s o r t o i n fl u e n c e t h e ,
“

a ff e cti o n s a n d e xci t e g e n e r o u s re so l u ti o n s ; bu t t h e y
s h o u l d n o t b e aban d o n e d a s l o n g a s th e y a r e d o i n g

u s go o d u n l e ss i n d ee d a m o r e a ff e ctiv e p ray e r
, , ,

s h u l d d o u s s ti l l m re
o o — O n t h e o th e r h an d le t u s
.
,

n o t h e s itat e t o aba n d o n o u r se lv e s t o t h e p ray e r o f

s i m pl ici ty w h e n t he s ucc ess an d t h e p ro fit S h o w

,

t h at o u r att racti o n fo r i t c o m e s fr o m Go d B u t i f .
, ,

fr o m t i m e t o ti m e it ap p ear s t o u s u se fu l t o re tu rn
,

t o m e di tat i o n le t u s d o so wi th o u t an y scru p l e
, In .

a w o rd t h e d i ff e r e n t k i n d s O f pray e r a re so ma ny
,

vari o u s t o o l s w h i c h w e tak e u p o r lay a s i de acc o rd

,

i n g t o o u r n ee d an d advan tag e ; i f o n e se rv e s u s w e
mak e u se o f i t ; i f i t S h o u l d p r o v e rat h e r a h i n dra n ce
t h a n a h e l p w e S h o u l d lay i t a s i d e fo r o ne m o r e
,

u se fu l 1
.

T h i s s i m p l ificat i o n o f p ray e r is n o t t h e w o rk o f
ti m e a n d y e ar s God b e st o w s attract i o n s as H e
.

pl e a ses H e h a rm o n i se s th e m h o we v e r w ith o u r
, , ,

i n te ri o r di s p o s i ti o n s a n d t h e vari e ty o f o u r ci rcu m
,

sta nc e s ; H e i n v i tes so m e so o n e r o th e r s l ate r , .

S h o u l d He cal l a so u l fr o m it s v e ry fir s t s t e p s i n
t h e S p i ri tual l i f e H is w i l l b e i n g du l y a sc e rtai n e d
, ,

n o o n e h a s t h e right t o h e s itat e t o o b e y I n s ick .

St . Lig u o r i, P r ax is, 12 7 .
206 ON O R D INA R Y M E NTA L P R A YE R

n ess al so a n d i n c e rtai n State s o f fati gu e m e d i ta

, , ,

ti o n w o u l d h e o fte n i m p o ss i bl e an d t h e pray e r o f ,

a ff e cti o n s b e c o m e s as i t we re a n ec e ssi ty 1 Ge n e .

rally it is o n ly aft e r a l o ng h ab i t o f m e ditati o n

,

that t h e so u l f ee l s i t se lf draw n t o di m i n i sh it s c o n
s i de rati o n s an d afte rwar d s e v e n t o s u pp re ss t h e m
,

al m o st e n t i r e ly a n d t o b e sa t i sfi e d o r n early S O , ,

with a s i m pl e l o o k Th e p ray e r o f s i m pl i ci ty th e r e
.
,

fo r e m e an s o rd i n ari ly S p eak i n g th a t a l o n g j o u r
, , ,

ne y h a s al r e ady b ee n trave r se d ; i t is t he n o rm al

t e rm at wh ich di scu rs i ve p ray e r e n d s an d t h e r e is

, ,

n o o n e w h o may n o t h O p e t o arri v e t h e r e i n t h e

c o u r se o f ti m e by a ge n e r o u s p ractic e o f me n tal
,

p raye r a n d t h e o th e r e x e rci ses o f t h e sp ir it u al l ife .

We hav e al r e ady p o i n t e d o u t t h at in c o n t em ,

p l a t iv e o r d e r s t h i s p ray e r o f s i m p l ici ty is s p e e d i
a nd as i t w e r e nat u rally r e ac he d T h e re so u l s
, , .
,
‘

e a s i ly be c o m e p u r e an d h e a rt s a re d raw n t o l o v e

Go d .B y d i n t o f me d i tati n g r e adi n g an d h e ar , ,

i n g t h e w o rd o f Go d th ey fe e l t h e n ee d o f p i o u s ,
l

c o ll o q u i es t o a ss i m i late i t ; t h e m i n d is fu l l an d t h e -

h e art wan t s t o S p e ak in it s tu rn Th e l engt h o f .

t he l itu rgical o ffi ce s du ri n g w h ich i t is d iffic u l t t o,

’

fo l l o w u p a c o n ti n u o u s m e d itati o n t h e h o ly ha b i t ,

o f e j aculat o ry p ray e r s du ri n g w o rk a n d al m o st
e ve rywh e re i n se n si b l y accu st o m s t he so u l t o p r e f e r
,

a ffe ct i o n at e c o n ve r se wi th Go d t o m e re m e di tati o n .

“ “
Fo r t h e so u l t ha t l o ve s , s a ys St . Te re s a , t he t ru e

p r a ye r in s ic k n e ss , or in the m id s t of o b s t a c l e s, c o n s is t s in
o ff e r in g to Go d w hat she su ff e r s , in r e m e m b e r in g H im and

c o n fo r m in g h e r s e l f t o H i s d iv in e w il l , and in a t h o u sa n d acts o f
t h is ki nd w h ic h w il l o cc ur t o he r ; b e ho l d t h e e x e rc ise of he r
l o ve . L ifen ii '
.
2 08 ON O R D INA R Y M E NTA L P R AY E R

I t is l o v e w h i ch mak e s t h e p ray e r o f s i mp lici ty ,

n o u ri sh i n g i t se lf so m e ti m e s with a s i l e n t l o o k at ,

o th e r ti m e s o v e rfl o wi n g i n a ff e cti o n at e se n ti m e nt s

a n d g e n e r o u s r e so l ut i o n s Le t u s l o v e an d w e
.
,

s hal l e a s i ly fi n d e n o u gh t o o ccu py u s ; an d t h o ugh ,

o u r wh o l e p ray e r s h o u l d b e s p e n t i n r e it e rati n g ,

wi th o r with o ut variati o n s t he e xp re ss i o n o f o u r
‘

l o ve a n d d e v o t e dn e ss i t is a t h e m e o f w h ic h a
,

l o vi n g h e art h ardly e v e r we ari e s .

S im pl e s o u ls an d th o se w h o h av e l i ttl e i magi na
,

ti o n m e m o ry o r k n o wl e dg e h av e n e i t h e r t h e r el i sh
, , ,

n o r t h e m e an s t o s ee k fo r c o h e r e n t i de a s an d w e l l

c o n n e ct e d r e a so n i n g s ; t h e y are r e duc e d al m o s t o f ,

n e c ess i ty i f th e y w i sh t o m ak e m e n tal p ray e r t o

, ,

th i n k v e ry s i m ply o n Go d t o l o o k rath e r t h an t o
,

m e d itat e Th e
. case is qu it e d i ffe r e n t fo r ”

qu ick a n d cu lti vat e d m i n d s : m e m o ri e s i mag e s , ,

th o ug h t s c o m e i n cr o wd s ; vari e ty capti vates t h e m ,

a l o o k alway s t he sam e w o u l d ap pe ar t o t h e m a
, ,

d i sp i ri ti n g m o n o t o ny T h e y are te m p t e d t o mak e
.

t h e i r p ray e r rat h e r a stu dy o r a d i sc o u r se a n d t o ,

al l o w th e i r m i n d t o say so m u c h th at th e i r h eart h as
ha rd ly ti m e t o po u r i t se lf f o rt h b e f o re God 1 .

VI —R U LE S
. or C o x o u cr .

I Bf
.
p
e o re ra yer .b e—It ca n n o t
e xp e c t e d t h at all
o u r c o nv e r s a t i o n s w i t h Go d s h o u ld b e pre par e d
b e f o r e han d a n d tu rn u p o n a s ubj e ct p r eci se ly d e
t e r m in e d B u t w i th re gard t o o u r re gu la r m e d ita
.

ti o n s a n d th o se w e m ak e du r i n g t h e f ree ti m e i t
, .

F r P o u l a in , Gr aces d
'

52 25 a n d
fi
°
. o r. , c . u . 0
 P R AYE R '

or sm p u c rrv 209

wi l l be c h o o se a s ubj e ct t o h av e so me
we l l fo r u s to ,

ide as a l w ays r e ady , i f n ee d s b e t o u se a b o o k e s p ec i “

ally at t h e b e gi n n i n g o f p r ay e r i n o rd e r t o faci l i tat e ,

o u r l o v i n g at t e n t io n t o Go d a n d t o a ff o rd f o o d fo r
'

a ff e ct i o nat e c o l l o qu i es ; at l e a st u n ti l o u r e x p e r i ,

e n c e h a s s h o w n u s that th e se m e an s a re n o l o n g e r o f

any u se A so u l arri v e d at t h i s de gree o f p r aye r

.

p re fe r s s h o rt p i o u s aff e ct i v e s ubj e ct s c o n fo rm abl e

, , ,

t o it s t e n de nci e s t o ward s l o v e a n d u n i o n s uch a s ,

”
a re f o u n d e v e ryw h e r e i n t h e I m i tat i o n o f C h ri st ,
”
in Th e V i s i t s t o t h e B l e sse d S acra me n t an d ,

o t h e r w o rk s o f S t A l ph o n s u s Th e so u l k n o w s by
. .

e x p e ri e nc e w h at k i n d o f t h o ught s d o he r m o s t g o o d ;

by d i n t o f ru m i nati n g t h e m s h e mak es th e m so
h i
fam i l ia r t h at s e s alway s p r e par e d 1 .

i —
I I D u r n g t h e Mayan Th e re a re t w o r o ck s t o b e
.

av o i d e d

D e l ib e rat e ly t o s u pp re ss c o n s i d e rati o n s a n d
a ff e cti o n s as t he Q u i e ti st s u se d t o do St . .

T e re sa 2 fo l l o wi ng S t P e te r o f A lcan tara r igh tly

,
.
,

t eache s t h at w e o ugh t n e ve r t o d o o u r se lve s

‘

vi o l e nce i n o rd e r t o s u p pr ess r ea so n i n g an d s u s
,

p e n d t h e acti o n o f t h e m i n d Th e e ff o rt w e mak e .

n o t t o t h i n k w i l l p e r h ap s m a k e u s t h i n k t h e m o r e

it wi ll r e n d e r t h e i magi n ati o n m o re r estl e ss an d

“
th e re w e sh al l r e mai n stu p i dly i nact i v e ; t h e so u l
r e ma i n s i n a d e se rt a pre y t o gr eat d ry n e ss fri gi d as
, ,

a b e i n g de p riv e d o f re a so n ; w e l o se m e ntal
”
praye r an d w e d o n o t attai n t o co n te m plati o n
,
.

F r P o u l a in , Gr aces d
’
or. , 0. ii
.
54 n
°
64 .

St . Te r e s a L i/é ,
, x ii. Ca st l e , 4t h m a n s c iii S e e F r S u r in , . . . .

Ca t Sp i n C n t , 2n d
.
,
r s t p a r t , c . i ii o
. u r b o n , I n s t f a m o r m e .
p ar t . .

r Ba b b A l v a r ez , x l i
z ud in s t .
, a n d 3 rd
p a r t 2 n d i n s t L if f
e o F . . .

St . J o hn o f t h e C r o s s , F i r st N ig h t , x.
2 10 ON O R D IN A R Y M E NTAL P R AY E R

\Ve m u st th e r ef o re m e d i ta te u nti l Go d by
, , ,

r a i s i n g t h e so u l t o a h i ghe r k i n d o f pray e r kee p s ,

”
i t u n 1t e d t o H i m by l o v e .

Th e sam e m o t iv e s e xi s t fo r n o t d e l ib e rate ly s u p
p re ss i n g t h e aff e cti o n s w e m i gh t e a s i ly e l i cit I n .

d o i ng so th e re w o u ld b e a ri sk o f r e m ai n i n g i d l e
d u ri n g t h e t i m e o f p ray e r o f b e i n g n e gl i ge n t ,

aft e rward s i n t he p racti ce o f v i rt u es a n d o f i n , ,

flic t in g o n o u r se lv e s an i n t o l e rabl e fati gu e a n d a

m o rtal w e a ri n ess t o e n d o n l y i n t e pi dity B e fo r e .

aban d o n i n g d i sti n ct act s an d c o n t e nt i n g o u r se lv es

wi th al m o st a s i m pl e l oo k w e m u st wai t u n t il Go d
,

i n vi te s u s t o d o so ; w e s hal l th e n m ee t wi th
s ucc e s s an d p r o fit b e cau se Go d w i l l b e wi th u s
,
.

I f w e att e m pt t o o u tru n o u r grace w e sh al l t o o u r , ,

m i sfo rtu n e fi n d o n ly o u r o w n wi ll
, .

A n O pp o s it e p e ri l w o u l d b e t o do o ne se l f
v i o l e n ce i n o rd e r t o pe r s i st w i t h o r wi th o u t ,

l i k i n g in l o g ical re fl e cti o n s c o mpl e x afle c t io n s

'

, , ,

t oo part icular p e ti t i o n s i n a n e xc ess i v e n u mb e r

,
—

o f p r ivat e v o cal p ray e rs an d i n o t h er act s fo r

,
.

wh ich w e hav e n e i t h e r r e l i sh n o r faci l i ty R e mai n

“

s ati sfie d wi th t h e p raye r e f s i m p l ici ty fr o m t h e

m o m e n t yo u fin d in i t s ucce ss an d ad v a n t age a n d , ,

d o n o t i m i tat e th o se w h o as so o n as t h e i r u nd e r 1
,
-

s ta n d i n g c e a se s t o act i magi n e t h e y a re d o i n g
,
” 1
n o t h i ng are aflf ic t e d an d can n o t e n du r e it
, .

Yo u may l i m i t y o u r se l f t o t h o se act s fo r w h ic h yo u
hav e m o r e attracti o n : s uch a s l o ve c o n fide n c e , ,

aban d o n m e nt h u m i l ity &c

, I f t h e so u l ca n r eac h
, .

f S t Te r e s
. a , L i fe , x i. a n d x iii . F r P o u l a in , Gr a ces
. o f P r ayer
c. ii.
54 .
2 12 ON O R D I NA R Y M E NTAL P R AY E R

t he mi n d We fix o u r e y e s l o vi n gly u po n t h e H o ly
.

Tab e rnacl e u p o n a p ictu re w h ic h s p eak s t o

,

o u r h e art u p o n a s tatu e w h ic h w e l i k e an d th i s is
'

, ,

e n o u g h t o k e e p o u r th o u ght s an d a ff e cti o n s ra i se d

t o Go d . S t Te r e s a
. wi sh e d t o h av e a l way s b e f o r e
h e r e y es a p o rtrai t o r p i ctu re o f O u r L o r d n o t b e i n g ,

ab l e t o hav e i t as de e p ly e n grav e d u p o n h e r h e art

a s sh e d es i r e d S h e e x h o rt s he r dau g h te r s t o d o
"

t he s am e an d pi ti e s th o se w h o by t h e i r o w n fault
, , ,

d e p ri v e t h e m se lve s o f so gr e at a g o o d a n d d eclar es ,

th at i f t h ey r e al ly l o v e d t he D i v i n e M a st e r t h e y
,

w o u l d fee l jo y at t he s ig h t o f H is po rtrait ” 1
We .

m ay al so g e n tly fix o u r i magi n ati o n U po n H i m i n ,

so m e my s t e ry o f H is l ife o r d e at h w h ic h ha s m o r e ,

attracti o n fo r u s ; i t w o u ld o n ly d o u s m o r e h arm
tha n go o d t o try t o p ictu re t o o u r se lv es c o m pl i cat e d
an d t o o vari e d sc e n es ; b ut o u r i mag i n ati o n it se lf
wi l l i n t he e n d s i m pl i fy it s o w n a c t io n a n d p r o d u c e ,

fo r u s a so m e w h a t c o nfu se d p ictu re wh ic h , o ft e n
r ecu r ri n g w i l l faci l i tat e t h at s i m p l e l o o k o f t h e m i n d
,

o f wh ich w e a re n o w t r e at in g .

B es ide s in al l th i s e v e ry o ne h as h is o w n sp ecial
, ,

attracti o n a n d h is o w n m e t h o d b eg o tt e n o f e x p e ri
e n ce ; w e m e r e ly i n dicat e e xam p l e s an d h av e n o ,

p r e t e n s i o n s t o lay d o w n a l i n e o f c o n duct .

h —
A s t o t e m i l k w e may acc o rdi n g t o t h e state o f
,

o u r so u l , o u r a ttracti o n an d o u r n e e d s se l e ct an d
, ,

vary o u r affecti o n s o r e v e n c o n fi n e o u r se lv e s t o so m e
,

fe w fo r wh ich w e hav e a faci l i ty a n d n o t t ro u b l e

'
“

o u r se lv e s ab o ut t h o se t o wh ic h w e a re n o t i n cl i n e d .

As t he so u l adva nc e s t h e a ff ec t i o n s a re s i m p li fi e d ,

L if ix xx e, Way x xy
. u. , u.
 P R AYE R OF S IM P LI C ITY

an d b e c o m e g e n e ral i se d j u st as do t he t h o ug h t s ; a
s i n g l e w o rd a n o u tb u r s t o f t h e h e art
, may s i gn ify ,

a w o rld o f t h i n g s H o w m a n y v i rtu e s m ay b e e x
.

pr e sse d in th ese t w o w o r d s : M y ] esu s ! Th e y e x

p r e s s l o v e ad,
o rati o n c o n fi d e nc ,e grati tu d e r e
, p e nt ,

a nce s u ppl icat i o n fire I t is n o t n e c e ssa ry t h at t he

, ,
.

s o u l s h o u l d a naly se a n d d e te rm i n e i n de tai l al l it s

act s : Go d w e l l k n o w s h o w t o r e c o g n i se al l i t wan t s

t o say a n d t o e st i mat e al l t h at a s i n gl e w o r d a
, ,

s i ngl e glan ce a s i n gl e g e stu r e i m pl i e s

, , .

O u r attracti o n a n d adva nc e m e n t w i l l al so i n d icat e

w h e th e r w e sh o u l d p r o l o n g o u r act s o r s i m p l i fy a n d ,

m u lti ply t h e m S o m e ev e n c o u n t t h e m fo r t h e i r
.

o w n e nc o u rag e m e n t a nd t h i s p r a ctice is p rai se

,

w o rthy p r o v i d e d t h at i t d oe s n o t gi v e ri se t o vai n
,

c omp lace nc e o r f ev e r i s h a rd o u r .

O n t h e o t he r h a n d o n e may acc o rd i n g t o h is
, ,

attracti o n a n d p r o fi t k ee p h is l o o k fix e d u p o n Go d
, ,

r e mai n i n a d i sp o s iti o n o f l o v e o r t e n d t o ward s H i m ,

as i f by a ff e cti o nat e m o v e m e n t s o f t he s o u l w i tho u t ,

f o rm u lati n g a ny di sti n c t ac t o r w h i le m ak i n g o n ly ,

a fe w act s j u s t as ma n y as s u ffice t o su stai n t h i s

,

l o vi n g u n i o n T h is s i le n ce t e ll s Go d o f al l my l o v e ;
.

it is n o t i dl e n ess ina s m uc h as I a m fu l ly oc cu p i e d i n
,

l o o k i n g at H i m and l o vi n g H i m .

I I I A ft er prayer —T h i s p ray e r t e n d s l i k e t h e
. .
,

p r e c e d i ng k i n d s t o r e n d e r
,
u s b e tt e r ; h e nc e it s h o ul d

r ean i mat e o u r ar d o u r fo r p e rfecti o n o u r vi g i la n ce ,

g e n e r o si ty i n c o rr e cti n g o u r fau lt s an d adv a n c

i n v i rtu e B u t as i t l o v e s ge n e ral vi e w s an d
.

p l i fi e s t h o u g h t s i n o r d e r, t o r e d uc e t h e m l i tt l e

l i ttl e t o a si l e n t l o o k it a l so t e n d s t o s i m p l i fy
,
2 14 ON O R D INA R Y M E N TA L P R A YE R

o ur a ff ecti o n s an d r e so l uti o n s t o i n c l u d e th e m al l i n
,

a ge n e ral d es i r e o f p erfec t io n in a l o v in g q u e st o f
,
'

Go d . A s l o n g a s w e d o n o t fi n d t o o m uc h d i fli
cu lty i n part icu lari z i n g o u r re so l u ti o n s i t w i l l b e ,

b e t t e r t o d o so a n d t o say w i th b egi n n e r s : I am
,

de te rm i n e d t o av o i d s uch a s in s uch a n i rre g u ,

l arit y t o e sc h ew di ss i pat i o n t o r e n o u n c e my o w n
, ,

wi ll t o r e fo r m my se lf i n s uch a matt e r &c Bu t

, ,
.

s h o u l d i t be c o m e t o o di fficu lt t o th i n k o n parti cu lar

a n d de tai l e d r eso l ut i o n s w e s h o u ld n o t tr o ub l e o u r
,

se lv e s ab o u t th e m ; t h e f o ll o wi n g g e n e ral f o rm u l a :

0 my Go d I d es i r e Th ee a n d o n ly Th ee ; o r a ny
‘

o t h e r s i m ilar o n e i ncl u d es e ve ryth i n g fo r a so u l

a rri v e d at t h i s d e gree Wh at w e f o rm e rly r eso lve d

.

u p o n in d e tail w e n o w wi l l i n g e n e ral ; b u t w e w i l l
,

i t s o r e al ly that th i s ge ne ral r eso l ut i o n ca n i f n e e d s

, ,

b e d esc e n d t o particu lar c ase s a n d p r o d c e t h e

,
u
act i o n s n ece ssary t o c o r rect a d e fe ct o r d e v e l o p a
v i rt u e .

V II —E M P L O YM E NT
. or A F FE CTIV E P R AYE R .

The p ha se s o f a ff e ctiv e praye r are s u itabl e

tw o

n o t o n l y fo r t he t i m e s a ss i gn e d by o u r rul e s fo r

m e n tal p ray e r s p i r i tual re ad i n g an d p r ivat e

,

d e v o ti o n ; b u t t he y a re qu it e adapt e d t o t h e
D i v i n e O ffi c e al so A f o rmal m e d itati o n w o u l d b e
.

h e r e v e ry d iflf c u l t b u t n o th i n g is e a s i e r than t o ke
v ,

o n e se lf u n i t e d t o Go d by p i o u s a ff e cti o n s T ‘

s i ght o f t he H o ly Tab e rn ac l e so e l o qu e n t l y

t o t h e h e art ; t h e w o rd s o f t he O ffi ce l e n d

se lv e s t o s uc h n u m e rou s an d
2 16 ON O R D INA R Y M E NTA L P R AYE R

\Ve l l - B e l o ve d i n a n i n ti macy as d e l i ghtfu l as i t is

s tre n gth e n i n g a n d fru i tfu l .

I t w a s th u s F at h e r B althas ar A lvar e z act e d ,

havi n g c o n t i n ual ly re c o u r se t o Go d i n all h is

acti o n s i n o rd e r t o tak e c o u n se l wi th H i m t o im ,

p l o re H is a id a n d ,t o f o l l o w H is gu i da nc e T o .

”
pray m e n tal ly he u se d t o say
,
is t o rai se o u r
,

m i n d t o Go d t o c o m m u n icat e fam i l i arly b u t i n a

, ,

re sp e ctfu l ma n n e r wi th H i m ab o u t a l l o u r a ffai r s
, ,

t o c o n fid e i n H i m m o r e t h an a ch i l d c o n fid es i n it s

m o th e r h o we v e r g oo d sh e may b e ; t o o ff e r t o H i m
,

a l l w e p o ss ess al l that w e h o pe fo r wi th o u t re se rv
, ,

i n g a nyth i n g ; t o s p e ak t o H i m o f o u r lab o u r s o f ,

o u r s i n s o f o u r d e s i r e s o f o u r p r o j e ct s
, , o f e v e ry ,

th i n g that o ccu p i es o u r m i n d ; i n fine t o se e k i n ,

H i m o u r c o n so l ati o n o u r re p o se as d o e s a fr ie n d
, ,

wi t h re gard t o h is fri e n d w h o m he k n o w s t o b e
” 1
w o rt h y o f a l l h is c o n fid e n ce .

L if e f
o F r Ba l t h A l v a r ez
. .
, b y t h e Ve n . L o u is D u po n t , c . x v.
 TH IRD P A RT

O N M YS T I C A L P R A Y E R

C HAPTER I

UTI L ITY O F T H I S S T U D Y F R E Q U E NCY. OF

T H I S P R AY E R .

TH E k i n ds o f m e n tal p ray e r h ith e rt o d e scri b e d hav e

n o th i n g tra n sc e n d e n tal i n t he m ; th e r e is n o o ne
w h o may n o t p ract i se t h e m by h is o w n s o l e e n e rgy ,

a i d e d by t he o r d i n ary grac es o f p raye r I t re .

mai n s fo r u s n o w t o s u pp ly so m e gu i da n ce t o o u r
br et h r e n i n way s le ss k n o w n ; t h at is w i t h r e gard t o ,

my sti cal c o n t e m p lati o n fo r w h ic h a m a n can an d

,

o ug h t t o d i sp o se h i m se l f b u t i nt o w h ich Go d al o n e
,

ca n i n tr o duc e h i m . A m o n g s t al l t he e x e rci se s o f
Ch ri stian pi e ty w e h av e h e r e w i t h o u t c o n tr ad ict i o n
,

t he m o st e fficaci o u s m e a n s t o de tac h s o u l s fr o m

earth a n d t o u n i t e th e m t o Go d I t is t h e sc h o o l o f
.

“ ” 1
h i g h v i rtu e,
t h e s h o rt cu t- t o p e rf e cti o n
, an d ,

t he m o st rap i d c o n v e ya n c e t o th i s g o al a p e a rl o f ,

S t Te re s a , Cast l e,
. v . m an s . c . iii
.

3 17
2 18 ON M YS T IC A L P R AY E R

p ri ce l ess v al u e a tre a s u re so d e s i rabl e t h at a pru

,

d e n t m e rchan t w i l l n o t h e s itat e t o se l l al l h is g o o d s
i n o rd e r t o o btai n i t .

Go d Wh o d i strib u te s H is grac e s
,
a s H e wi l l s ,

a n d acc o r d i n g as e ach o ne di sp o ses h i m se lf th e r e t o

” 1 “
a n d c o o p e rat e s t h e re w i t h
-
b est o w s l i k e w i se , , ,

H is fav o u r s w he n H e pl e a ses afte r t h e man n e r H e ,

pl ea se s an d on wh o m H e p l ea ses ; be i n g ma ste r o f
,

H is g o o d s H e ca n b e st o w t h e m t h u s wi th o u t
,
” L “
wr o n gi n g a n y o n e H e is n o t b o u n d t o gran t
.

u s i n th i s w o rl d gra ce s w i th o u t w h i c h w e can b e ,
” 3—
s ave d . Ii t h e gift o f my sti cal c o n te m plat i o n 15 .

n o t gra n te d t o u s th e r e m ay b e r e a so n s o n t h e part
,

o f Go d w h o m e a n s p e rh a p s h t o gu i d e u s t o pe r
, ,

fec t io n by an o th e r r o ad Ne v e rth e l e s s t h e r e is .
,

n o t h i n g H e so m u ch de s i r e s as t o fi n d so m e o fie o n
w h o m t o b est o w t h ese gift s n o r d o t h e se gi ft s i n ,

” 4 —
any way l esse n H is rich es The r e a so n s o f th i s .

'

r e fu sa l wi ll th e re f o r e b e m o st fr e qu e ntly f o u n d o n
, ,

t h e part o f m a n w h o n e g le c ts t o p r e par e h i m se lf
,

fo r a n d t o c o o p e rate w i t h
,
-
th e se gi ft s We , .

s h o u l d se e k a d i r e ct o r o b ey h i m w i th d o ci l i ty
“

, ,

gen e r o u sly e mb r ac e h um i l i ty obe d i e nc e se lf re , ,

-

n u n c iat io n an d all that th e r e is o f sacri fice an d

,

p ray e r i n o u r h o ly s tate b ecau se in th e se c o nsi st s ,

t h e acti ve p u ri ficati o n o f t h e so u l No w all t h i s .

c o st s o u r we ak n e ss n o sm al l e ff o rt a n d v e ry so o n ,

w eari e s o u r i nc o n stan cy A th o u san d p r e j ud ic e s . .

p e rha p s m ak e u s dr ead my st i cal p ray e r a s a v e ri

,

Co n e Tr i d d e j u st zf ,
. . . s e s s . v i . c . vu .

Cas t l e, 4 t h m a n s c i . . .

3 c. ii . IVay x v iii ~

iv
'

Ib i d .
, 6t h m a n s . c. .
2 20 O N M YS TI C A L P R A YE R

g o tte n The dr e a d o f t h ese da n g e r s d oe s n o t p re

.

ve n t u s fr o m apply i n g o u r se lv es t o m e di tati o n
b e c a u se o f it s adva n tag es ; n e i t h e r t h e r e f o r e is it
, ,

a s u ffici e n t re a so n fo r pl aci n g c o n t e m pla t i o n o n

t h e i n d ex , fo r sy ste m ati cal ly d e barri n g fr o m it s
way s a so u l t o wh o m Go d is t h r o w i n g th e m o p e n ,
fo r k ee p i n g so u l s i m p ri so n e d agai n st H is w i l l i n
t h e o rd i nary k i n d s o f p ray e r , wh e re i n Go d n o
l o n g e r w i s h e s t h e m t o r e mai n . W h at pr o gr e ss
c o u l d t h e y m ak e th e r eby i n o pp o si ti o n t o H is W i l l ?
Is i t n o t t he gr e ate s t dan g e r fo r a di re ct o r t o b e i n
c o n fl ict w i t h t he H o ly Gh o st ; a n d fo r t he so u l h e
di r ect s t o b e place d o ut s i de t he d ivi n e w i l l o u t s i d e
,

t h e grac e s o f p r e di l e cti o n ; t o e nj o y n o l o n ge r t h e

a d van tag e s o f m e di tati o n a n d t o l o se t h e tr e a su res

,

o f c o n t e m plati o n ? Th e f o rm s o f m y s ti cal p ray e r

a re a g o ld e n m i n e l e t u s w o rk i t ; th e y p re se n t ce r
,

tai n da n g e r s l e t u s b e o n o u r guard agai n s t t he m ;

,

l e t u s f o l l o w w i th d oc i l i ty t he d iv i n e at t rac t io n
,

av o i di n g at t he sam e t i m e t h e s n ar e s o f t h e e n e my .

A fte r al l e xp e ri e n ce wi ll so o n te ac h u s t h at i f c o n
,

t e m p l at iv e s m u s t dre ad t h e fu m e s o f p ri d e a n d t h e

se ducti o n o f d e l ight s far m o re m u st th ey fe ar d i s

,

c o u rage m e n t . T he y h av e n ee d o f b e i n g tri e d o f
,

be i n g h u mbl e d a n d ab o ve all o f b e i n g c o m fort e d

, , ,

an d s tr e n gt h e n e d ; t h e y wi l l sh ar e m o re fr e qu e n tly
i n t he cru cifixi o n o f C alvary t h a n i n t h e gl o ry an d
j o y s o f Th ab o r .

T h e se a re t h e r e a so n s wh y w e h av e de e m e d i t w e ll
t o cal l o u r r e ad e r s att e n ti o n t o t h e way s o f my stical
’

c o n t e m plati o n T h o se w h o d o n o t k n o w th e se ways
.

an d h ave b u t l ittl e t i m e t o spare wi l l p e r h a p s

,
 U T I L ITY OF T H IS S T U DY 22 1

app r e ci at e a sh o rt a n d s u b stan ti al acc o u n t o f th e m .

Th o se t o o w h o h av e sp e n t m uch ti m e i n t h e st u dy
, ,

o f t h e s e ard u o u s m att e r s hav e b e e n daze d p e r h ap s

, , ,

by s uch d iv e rge nc e a n d co n fu s i o n o f o p i n i o n s !
Go d gra n t t h at o u r m o d e st s u m mary may fu r n i sh
accu rat e a n d p r e c i se n o ti o n s , cl e ar u p so me i nt
p o s

h i t h e rt o o b scu r e an d d i ss i p at e p re j u dice s !
, I t is
”
a gr e at happ i n ess fo r a so u l say s S t T e r esa ,
to .
,

fi n d a d escri pt i o n o f w h at she exp e ri e n ces sh e ,

cl e arly r e c o g n i se s t he p at h i n w h i c h Go d h as
place d he r I say m o re i t is a n i m m e n se a d v a n
.
-
,

tag e i n o r d e r t o mak e p r o gre ss i n t he vari o us stat e s

,

o f p ray e r t o k n o w t he l i ne o f c o n d u ct t o b e fo l
,

l o w e d in e ac h o f t h e m As fo r my se lf t h r o u g h
.
,

t h e wan t o f t h i s k n o wl e dg e I have s u ff e r e d m u c h
, ,

” 1
a n d l o s t m uc h p re ci o u s t i m e .

I s i t w e l l t o p ut t h i s w o rk i n t h e h an d s o f a w h o l e
co m m u n ity ? I g n o ra nc e 15 t he e v i l m o st t o b e
d re ad e d W i th o u t so m e stu dy o f t h i s ki n d m any
.
,

b
’
p e r s o n s k n o wl e dg e o f my s t ical way s w o u ld e

l i m i t e d t o vagu e i n accu rat e an d da n ge r o u s c o n

, ,

j e c t u r e s p e r
, h ap s e v e n t o o ne s i de d cri tici s m a n d
-

bl i n d p r ej u di c e s A m o n g s t t h o se w h o w o u ld l i k e
.

e xp l o re t h i s sci e n ce so i nt e r e st i n g
, b u t so lab o
us , m any w o u l d b e qu ickly di sc o u rag e d by t he
ie s o f t h e t as k w h e r e a s i t wi l l b e e a sy fo r
,

th e m t o r ead o v e r a fe w pag es in w h ic h t he w h o l e ,

s ubj e ct is t o b e fo u n d p re ci se ly s tat e d an d c o n

de n se d T h e r e are b e si d e s ma n y so u l s w ho n e e d
.
, ,

a kn o wl e d g e o f t h e se stat e s o f p raye r I f t h e m o r e .

St . Te r e s a , Lif e, x iv . D u p o n t , L if e f
o A l va rlz F r
. . Ba lt ez
x iv.
 222 ON M YS T IC A L P R AYE R .

l
e ev at e d de gr ee s are as rare as th ey a re s u rpri si n g ,

t h e pa ss i v e p u r ific at io n s a n d t he fir s t d e gr e e s are
muc h l e ss so ; th e se o ug h t t o b e fr e qu e n t i n r e l i gi o n ,

es p e ci al ly in c o nt e m p lativ e o rde r s E ve n i n t h e .

w o rl d Go d h as H is p ri v i l e ge d on e s H o w ev e r .
,

th ese grac e s o f p raye r re qu i re p u ri fi ed so u l s a n d ,

are n o t g e n e ral ly s pe ak i n g gra nt e d ti l l aft e r se ri o u s

, ,

p r o gr ess i n v i rtu e h as b ee n atta i n e d O u r m o n as .

te r ie s be i n g sc h o o l s o f h o l i n e ss i t is c h i e fly in t h e m
, ,

that Go d o u gh t t o fi n d s ubj e ct s p re pare d fo r t h i s

'

w ay . W o u l d i t i n fact b e a nyt h i n g st ra n ge that

, ,

th e r e sh o u l d b e a l i ttl e my s tical c o n t e m p l ati o n in

a n o r d e r e sse n tial ly co n t e m plati ve an d e n ti r e ly
de v o t e d t o p ray e r a n d pe n an ce ? Is i t n o t rath e r
t he c o n trary t h at s h o u l d fi l l u s w i t h as to n i sh m e n t ?
M y st i cal c o n te m p lati o n sa y s S t T e r e sa , is a .
,

g e n e ral ba n qu e t t o wh i ch O u r L o rd in v it es u s a l l
, , .

A s H e set s n o l i m i t t o H is i n vi tati o n
'

n o r t o H is p r o m i se I h o l d i t fo r ce rta i n that a ll
,

t h o s e w h o w i l l n o t s t o p o n t h e w a y wi l l d ri n k o f
” 1
t h i s l i vi n g wa t e r C o n te m p lati o n
. th e n 15 , ,

o ff e r e d a n d , as i t w e re p r o m i se d t o so u l s o f g o o d
, ,

wi l l The sa i nt dec lar e s t h at t h e p ray e r o f q u i e t

. .

is t h a t by w h ic h s he be l i e v es t he gr e at es t
, ,
” 2
n u mb e r o f so u l s e n t e r u p o n t h i s way S he h ad
‘
f

al r eady sai d in e r f :
h L i e 3 Th e r e is a v ery gr ea t
n u m b e r o f so u l s w h o arr i v e at t h i s s tat e ; b u t t h o se
” “
w h o pa ss b e y o n d i t are fe w S o m e o n ly ’
.
,

a m o n g st yo u a re i n t h e h ab i tu al e n j o ym e n t o

S t Te r e s a ,
. Wy a , xx . e nd .

Cas t l e , 4 t h m a n s 0 iii . . .

3 L if e, x v a t t h e b e g inn in g
.
.
" 4 ON M YS T I C A L r R AY E R

V i s itat i o n i f my sti cal p ray e r w h ic h o ccu p i es so ,

c o n s i de rabl e a s pac e i n that b oo k w as n o t v e ry fre ,

qu e n t i n th e i r c o n v e n t s
S c a ra m e l l i b e gi n s h is M ys t ic a l D ir e c t o r y by d e
c l a r in g afte r t h i rty y e ar s o f m i ss i o nary l i f e
,
that ,

i n a l m o st e v e ry pla ce h e m e t w ith so m e so u l wh o m
Go d w as l e ad i n g by th e se way s t o a h i gh
” 1
p e rf e ct i o n .

B u t w h at n ee d is th e r e t o see k fo r a rgu me n t s o u t
s i de o u r o w n o rd e r ? I n a th o u san d p lac es S t (
, .

B e rnard o u r i l l u st ri o u s d o ct o r d e scri b e s c o n te m
'

, ,

p l a t io n ar,o u se s t h e d e s i r e o f i t p o i n t s o u t t h e c,o n

d uct t o b e o b se rv e d i n i t i n d icati n g i t so m e ti m es b v
,

it s nam e so m e ti m es by sy mb o l ic i mag e ry We
'

.
,

s h o u ld b e v e ry far fr o m h av i n g gra sp e d t h e s e n se

o f his w o rk s a n d e s p e cial ly o f h is S er m o n s o n t h e
,
f

C an t ic l e o f C a n t ic l es i f w e f o u n d i n th e m no t h i n g
,

b u t a sc e ti ci s m C e rtai n part s o f h is w o rk s t r e a t
.

o f c o n te m p l at i o n i n g e n e ra l o th e r s ca n b e u n d e r
‘
i

s to o d o n l y o f my s tical c o n t e m plati o n H e s pe a k s
“

o f i t b e cau se i t is h is o w n way ; h e p r e ac h e s it ass i

,

d u o u sl y t o h is b r e th re n n o d o ub t b e cau se h is c om
,

m u n i ty n e e d e d t o h ea r ab o ut i t a n d w e r e ca p abl e ,

o f u n d e r s tan d i n g i t H is d i s ci pl e s w h o se wri ti n g s
.
,

a re , so t o s p e ak a c o nt i n u ati o n o f h is o w n fi u se
,

t he sam e lan guag e H o w ev e r c u rso ril v w e may

'

re ad b o t h t h e L i ttl e a n d t h e G re at E x o rd i u m s o f
-

C it e a ux an d o u r M e n o l o gy w e shal l so o n b e ,

v in ce d that my stici s m a ttai n e d a spl e n did d e v

m e nt i n o u r O rd e r du ri n g it s h e r o i c ag e s an d
, ,

F r S a u d re a u (D eg r es , v o l 11 c . v n
.
-
. . .
) c it e s a n u m b e r

,
r a v e a u t h o r s in s u p p o r t o f o u r t h e sis
 U T I L ITY OF TH IS S T UD Y 22
5

e v e n aft e r it s d ecl i n e t h at f ea tu re h ad n o t e nt i r e ly
,

d i sap p e ar e d .

I n o u r o w n day as i n t h e age s pa st e xp e ri e n c e
, ,

s h o w s that Go d h a s e v e r t h e s am e l o v i n g h e art a n d

l ib e r a l h an d a n d t hat H e h a s r e se rv e d t o H i m se lf
,

am o n g s t u s so u l s wh o m H e is pl e a se d t o fav o u r
,

wi t h h is ch o ic e st gi ft s H appy a re th o se w h o a re.

u n d e r st o o d tri e d e n c o u rag e d a n d wi se ly d i re ct e d !
, ,

H appy t o o t h e d i r ect o r s w h o k n o w h o w t o d i sc e rn
, ,

t h e act i o n o f Go d an d t o mak e i t b ri n g f o rth al l t h e

,

fru it s o f h o l i n e ss t h at i t p r o m i ses !
We m ay add t h at t h ese g rac es w o u ld b e lav i sh e d
wi t h a m o r e r o yal p r o fu s i o n u p o n so u l s w h o have
l e ft all fo r Go d i f t he y o n ly k n e w b e tt e r h o w t o
,

a ppre ciat e th e m an d t o d i sp o se t h e m se lv es fo r re
c e iv in g th e m L e t u s e m p l o y all o u r car e a n d
'

c o u rag e t o cl ea n se p e rfe ctly o u r i n t e ri o r h o u se t o ,

ad o rn i t w i th v i rtu es e s p e cially w i th a l ive ly fai th

,

a n d ar d e n t l o v e t o d e si r e t he K i n gd o m o f Go d
,
”
wh ich is wi t h i n u s t o see k i t al o n e i n s i l e n ce so l i
, ,

tu d e a n d p eac e o f so u l i n p ray e r a n d h ab i tu a l ,

u n i o n w i t h Go d ; a n d alth o u gh t h e D i vi n e M a st e r
,

d o es n o t o w e t o a ny o n e t h e se grac e s o f p re d il ec
ti o n H e w i l l n o t al l o w H i m se lf t o b e o u td o n e i n
,

ge n e r o s ity .

S o u l s w h o wal k i n t h e se way s th o se w h o see m ,

t o b e call e d t o th e m an d d i r e ct o r s w h o h av e t h e
,

fo rm i dabl e charg e o f l e ad i n g th e m by th e se path s

t he h e i ght s o f a p e rf e ct i o n w h ich is by n o m e an s

on , sh o u l d n o t f o rg e t t h at my st ica l grace s

w i t h th e m an o b l i gat i o n t o l i v e m o r e e n t i re ly
p o i n t t o a m o r e s tri ct ac c o u n t
2 26 ON M YS T I C A L P R AY E R

th at m u s t b e gi v e n o n e day o f gr ace s so g reat ; th e y

a re a w ay n o t t h e t e rm ; a marv e l l o u s in st r u
,

m e nt n o t h o l i n e ss i t se lf p ray e r so e l e vat e d a s p i r e s
,
'

t o so m e th i n g h igh e r t h a n m e r e ly o rd in a ry v ir t u e ;
what e ve r b e t he way w e m u st arr iv e at dyi n g t o
,

se l f i n o rde r t o b e fi ll e d w ith Go d al o n e B e gi n .

n e r s an d al l th o se w h o are i m p e rfe ctly p u rifi e d a n d

l i ttl e e n ri ch e d by v i rt u e s ab o v e al l th o se w h o go
, ,

back i n s t e ad o f ad v an ci n g a re n o t p r e par e d fo r
,

t h e se c e l e st ial fav o u r s ; s h o u l d s u ch re ad th e se pag e s

th ey can a t l e a s t ad m i r e t he ri ch e s o f t h e d iv i n e
,
“
g o o d n e ss b u t l e t th e m b e w are o f b l a sp h e m i n g
,

w h at th e y k n o w n o t a n d le t t h e m n o t tak e i t i l l
,
’ ’

that Go d l e ad s o th e r so u l s by way s d i ff e r e n t fr o m
t h e i r s P u r e a n d g e n e r o u s so u l s w h o may b e l o n g
.
,

e n t i r e ly t o Go d w i th o u t h o w e v e r e nj o y i n g t h e g ift s
’
*

, , \

o f c o n t e m plati o n wi l l n o t di stu rb M ary seate d a t

,

O u r L o rd s f ee t a n d wi l l e ste e m i t th e i r happ i
’

n e ss t o se rv e H i m al o n g wi t h M arth a M ary .

m o r e p rai se d by O u r S avi o u r H i m se lf ye t M a ,

w as a sa i n t an d h e r m e ri t w a s gr e at Ne v e r t he .

l e t th e m l i s t e n t o th i s ad v ice o f S t T e r e sa .

all t h at d e pe n d s o n y o u r se l f ; p re par e y o u r se l
t he p ractic e o f t he o th e r vi rtu e s t o m e ri t ,

p r e ci o u s gi ft o f c o n t e m p l ati o n ; a n d I fee l as
” 1
t h e D i vi n e M a st e r w i l l gr an t i t t o
‘

y o u .

We shal l t r e at m o r e fu l ly o f t h e e ntra n ce i n
a n d t h e fi r s t s t e p s i n th e se path s ; a n d o n l y b ri e
i n d i cat e t h e m o r e e l e vat ed de gree s wh ich a re h ,

e v e r m e t w ith We h o p e t o p u t f o rward n o th
.

wh ich m ight u n d u l v e xcit e i magi n at iv e so u l s ,

"
St Te r e sa , H a y,
’
x vi ii
"

. .
 C HAP TER II

TH E P A S S AG E FRO M O R D INA R Y P R AY E R

TO M YS T IC A L C O NTE M PL AT I O N

A CTIV E P R E P ARATIO N .

GO D al o n e ca n l ead a s o u l i n t o my sti cal c o n te m

p l a t io n
. G e n e ra l ly s p e ak i n g , H e wait s t i l l s o u l s

a re s u ffici e n t l y p u ri fi e d a n d al r e ady r ich i n v i rtu e s ,

an d H e alway s e xact s fr o m t h e m a g e n e r o u s c o rr e4
s p o d e ce w i th H is fav o u r s
n n .
1 Ve ry n u m e r o u s a re
th e y w h o v i e w t h e p r o m i se d l an d fr o m a d is ta h ce ,

b u t n e v e r e nt e r i t o n ac c o u nt o f th e i r in fide l it ie s .

L e t u s b e war e o f ac c u s m g Go d i n o rd e r t o e xcu se
o u r o w n fai l i n g s . Wi th re gard t o t h e grac es o f
p ray e r al m o s t t h e sam e th i n g tak e s plac e as w i t h
,

re gar d t o th o se o f t h e sacram e n t s ; l e t u s o pe n w i de
t h e d o o r o f o u r so u l , an d th ey ru sh i n i n c o p i o u s
st r e am s ; th e y flo w l e ss ab u n dan tly i f t h e d o o r is b ut

half O pe n e d I t is n o t n ec e ssary that a so u l s h o uld

.

b e al re ady p e rf e ct b e f o re S h e tak e s h e r first St e p s

'

i n th e se my stical way s ; o n t h e c o n trary t he u n i o n,

o f l o v e an d pa ss i v e p u r ifi ea t io n s a r e m o st p o w e rfu l

ag e n t s t o p u rg e t h e so u l an d p e rf e ct h e r vi rtu es ;
b ut t he b u ddi n g f o rth o f c o n te m plati o n it s b l o sso m
,

in g an d it s fru it s d e p e n d al t o g e th e r o n t he d iv i n e
,

pl e a s u r e a n d o n t h e z e al t he S o u l sh o w s i n p r e pa
.
 P A S S AG E FROM O R D INA R Y P R AYE R 22
9

in g h e r se lf a n d i n c o o p e rat i n g w i t h grac e P ro
- .

gr e ss i n i n t e ri o r p u ri ty a n d i n v i rtu e w i l l g i v e t h e
m e as u re o f p r o gre ss i n c o nt e m plati o n i n p r o po rti o n
as t h e s o u l is p u ri fi e d a n d h e r p o s i ti v e h o l i n e ss

i n cr ea se s h e r p ray e r b e c o m e s m o r e e l e v at e d ; u n i o n
,

w ith Go d h av i n g b e c o m e m o r e i n te n se h a ste n s i n
, ,

it s tu r n t h e p u ri ficat i o n o f t h e so u l a n d it s fu rth e r
p r o gr e ss 1 .

We S h o u l d cl e an se o u r i n t e ri o r h o u se e m p ty it ,

out , gi ve m o r e r oo m t o Go d i n i t by i n cr e as i n g ,

o u r l i f e o f p e n a nc e We o u g h t al so t o se e k God
.

wi t h m o r e ard o u r i n t h e p ractic e o f vi rt u e e sp ec i ,

al ly Of a l iv e ly fa it h a n d gen er o u s l o v e a n d o f a l i f e ,

O f s i l en c e r e c o l l e c t i o n a n d pr ayer
, Th e m o r e o u r
.

so u l is e m pti e d O f p r o fa n e t h i n g s a n d b e c o m e s a

h o ly s an ctu ary t h e m o r e wi l l i t att ract t he D i v i n e

,

G u e s t P e na nc e w i l l s u pp re ss w h at e v e r r e p e l s
.

i n fi n i t e p u r i ty ; t h e v i rtu e s w i l l ad o r n i n a w o rthy
ma n n e r t h e t e m pl e o f so l o fty a M aj e sty ; t h e cal m
an d pe ac e o f t h e sanctu ary an d t h e i n ce n se o f p ray e r
w i ll i n vi te Go d t o h o n o u r u s wi t h H is p re se n c e a n d

wi t h H is i n t i m at e fri e n d sh i p Th i s b e gi n n i n g o f
.

a p re parati o n w h ic h l e ad s t h e so u l t o t h e t h r esh o ld
,

o f my s ti cal c o n te m plat i o n d o e s n o t e xc ee d t h e
,

p o we r o f o u r o w n eff o rts ai de d by grac e ; pe r h a p s

Go d so m e day by p utti n g u s t h r o u g h sp eci al pu ri
, ,

fic at io n s w i l l d e i g n t o c o m p l e t e o u r p r e parat i o n
, ,

an d so o p e n t o u s t h e gate s o f c o nt e m plati o n .

I n o rd e r t h e r e f o re t o attai n t o th e se p r eci o u s
, , .

races o f p ray e r an acti v e p re parati o n a n d a l so

,

ass iv e p u r ifi c at io n s a re r e qu i r e d .

S t J h of th C
. o n Ae t b
r o ss , sc en . . u . e . v.
2 30 ON M YS T IC AL P R AYE R

Th e act ive p re parati o n c o n s i s t s i n t w o t h i n g s : i n

re m o vi n g O b stacl e s a n d i n p o s i ti ve ly d i spo s i n g t he
,

so u l fo r t h e v i s i t s o f O u r L o rd .

I .
— NE G ATI V E P R E P ARATI O N .

We m u st fir st r e m o ve t h e o b st ac l es a n d t h i s is ,

t h e fru i t o f o u r l i f e o f p e n anc e .

We hav e al r eady sai d that t he f o u rfo l d p u r i ty

1

Of t h e co n sci e n c e of t he m i n d
, of t h e h e art , ,

a n d O f t h e wi l l is at t he sam e ti m e t h e fru it o f
,

me n tal p ray e r w e l l mad e a n d t he c o n di ti o n O f it s

p r o gr ess I n o rde r th at n o th i n g m ay h i n d e r Go d
.

fr o m rai s i n g u s t o i n fu se d c o n t e m p l ati o n w e m u st ,

in cr e a se t h i s f o u rf o l d p u ri ty an d b ri n g i t t o it s fu l l
p e rf e ct i o n .

We m u st r ed o u bl e o u r z eal t o pu rify a n d
a c i
p fy o u r c o n sc i e n ce ; fo r Wi s d o m wi l l n o t e n t e r
i nt o a mal ici o u s so u l n o r dwe l l i n a b o dy s ubj ect
,
” 2 “ ” 3
t o si n s . Th e Go d O f p e ac e can n o t tak e
H is d e l i ght i n a tr o ub l e d so u l We s h o u l d t h e r e .
,

fo r e u se mo r e vi gil ance i n guard i n g o u r th o u ght s

,

an d o u r a ff e cti o n s m o r e ge n e r o s i ty i n c o mbati ng
,

o u r v ici o u s i n cl i nat i o n s i n g o v e rn i n g o u r pa ssi o n s

, ,

i n see k i n g l ess e ag e rly o u r o w n sati sfacti o n ; w e

sh o u l d av o i d wi t h t h e gr e at e st car e t h e im pe r fe c

t i o n s a n d t he v e n i al s i n s w h i c h w e c o m m i t t h r o u gh
,

ha b it a n d w ith a t t ac h m en t We may d o ub t l e ss; .

,

c o m m i t man y i m p e rf e cti o n s an d fau lt s o f frai lty ,

an d e x p e rie nc e fi r st m o v e m e n t s o f t h e se n
I st p a rt , c . iv . 1 p 34. . H isrl
’
.
, i 4
. .

3 St . P a u l , p a ssi m
 ON M Y S T IC A L P R AYE R
" ‘

23 2

w h i c h t he so u l is in o rd i n ate ly attach e d is e n o u gh ,

t o p r e v e n t h e r f rOm b e i n g ra i se d t o d ivi n e u n i o n .

I t is sad t o se e c e rtai n so u l s rich ly fre i ght e d w ith ,

m e rit s a n d g o o d Wo rk s w h o b ehau se th e y h av e n o t
, ,

t h e c o u rag e t o b re ak wi th ce rtai n ta st es attach ,

m e n t s o r aff ecti o n s n e v e r r each t he hav en o f d i vi n e

, ,

u n i o n alth o u gh Go d gav e th e m stre ngth t o b u r st

,

t h e b o n d s o f p ri d e a n d se n su al i ty an d o f m any ,

o t h e r v ice s a n d gr o s s van i ti e s S O th at th e y are n o ,

l o n g e r h e l d b u t by a S i n gl e th r e ad 1 .

T h e r e is l i k e wi se re a so n t o d e pl o r e t h e i g n o ran c e
, ,

O f so m e , w ho n eg l e c t in g t o
,
m o r t ify t h e ir r ea l
a s si o n s th i n k th y ca n di p th m lv f
p , e s o s e e se e s o r

d i vi n e u n i o n by i n d i sc re e tly u n de rtaki n g a n u mb e r
O f p e na nc e s an d o th e r e xt ra o rdi nary p ractic es ; th e se
” 2
a re S i m ply o n t h e wr o n g r o ad .

Th i s is t h e t e ach i n g o f a gre at sa i n t a n d
e m i n e n t my s ti c I f i t is fe lt t o b e so m e wh at se v e r e
.
,

at l e a st e v e ry o n e m u st agr e e wi t h h i m that t he
pa ss i o n s fati gu e t o rm e n t dark e n d e fil e an d
, , ,
” 3
we ak e n t h e so u l I t is O f t h e h i gh e s t i m p o rt
.

a nc e t o d i sci p l i n e t h e m i f w e w o u l d advan c e i n
,

v i rtu e an d i n p ray e r ; t he gr e at e r o r le ss p u ri ty O f
t h e so u l d e t e rm i n e s t h e d e gr e e o f i l l u m i nati o n a nd .

” 4
u n i o n Of w h i ch i t is capab l e Th e b e st su r e st .
,

a n d m o st m e ri t o ri o u s m e an s t o paci fy t h e so ul is
s tri v e alway s n o t aft e r t h at wh i c h is m o s t e a s y b
, ,

aft e r t h at wh ich is m o st d ifli c u l t ; n o t aft e r t h

wh ich is m o st p l e a sa n t b u t aft e r t h at w h ic h is
,

u n p l e a sa n t ; n o t a ft e r w h at is m o re agr e e abl e
A s ce n t , c. x
i .
3 [ bl a h b . 1. c . v i. a n d ff .

I b i cl , c . v iii . I b id .
, b .
,
11. c . v.
 P AS S AG E F RO M O R D INA R Y P R AYE R 23 3

b ut aft e r w h at is l ess agre eab l e ; n o t aft e r w h at is

”
m o re c o n so l i n g b u t aft e r what is a ffl ict i n g
, ,

&c l .

It is no t e n o u gh c o n sc ie nc e i t m u st
to p u ri fy t he ,

b e pac ifie d R em o r s e
. w h e n e x ce s
,

s ive ,
p r o duc es i n t he so u l r e stl ess n e ss;
d e p r e ssi o n d i sc o u rag e m e n t a n d w e ak n e ss w h i ch
,
.
,

r e n d e r i t u nfit fo r an y g o o d ex e rci se I t is t h e s am e .

wit h r e gard t o scr u pl es fo r a S i m i l ar r ea so n ; t h e se

,

a re th o rn s wh ich p ri ck t h e c o n sci e n ce ag it a t e it
‘

, ,

an d de p ri v e i t o f tran qu i l i ty r ep o se i n Go d a n d ,
” 2
t h e e nj o y m e n t O f tru e p e ac e .

L e t u s th e n watch o v e r t h e p u ri ty O f o u r so u l
, ,
.
,

wi t h o u t b e i n g t o o c o n c e n trat e d u p o n O ur se lv es .

E xagge rat e d e xam i n at i o n s m i n u te i n qu i ri es,

,

scru p l e s c o n ti n u al fe ar s n arr o w t h e h e art

, h i n de r i t ,

fr o m di lati n g w i th l o v e a n d are a gr e at O b stacl e t o

,

d iv i n e u n i o n .

I t is i m p o ss i bl e t o b e a c o n t e m p l at iv e w it h o u t
'

ri t i d
p u y fo m n O u r W e l l B e l o v e d l o ve s o n ly t h e
.
-

s i l e n c e O f so l it u d e a n d t h e r e l i gi o u s cal m o f t h e

sanctuary ; H e d o e s n o t se l e ct t h e tu m u lt O f p ub l i c

p l ac e s t o s p e ak t o so u l s a n d e n te r i n t o fam i l i a r c o n
”
v e r se w ith t h e m H e s hal l n o t cry o u t s ay s ,

I saia s , n e ith e r S h al l H is v o i ce b e h e ard

” 3
o ad . Ne i t h e r t h e v i o l e n c e o f t h e st o rm n o r ,

e arth quak e n o r t h e fire r e ve al e d H i m t O E l iaS

, ,
.

” 4
t h e b r e at h o f a g e n tl e b re e z e I t w as i n so l i .

A sc e n t ; b . i
. c . x iii.

S t Pe t e r o f A l c a n t a r a , P r ayer and . l l ed i t a t i o n , z u d pa rt , (3. iii .

3 I sa i a h , x l ii. 2 .

4 111 K i ngs ,
. x ix . 2.
2 34 ON M YS T I C A L P R A YE R

tu d e far fr o m t he n o i sy cr o wd an d i n my ste ri o u s ,

c o nv e r se w ; t h M o ses a n d E l i as th at O u r L o rd w as ,

t ra n s figu re d b e f o r e t h e e y e s O f H is t h ree ch o se n

o n e s o n Thab o r 3 .

C o n te m p l ati o n say s S t P e te r Of A lca n tara 2

, .
,

ca n n o t e n du r e cu ri o s ity wh e th e r o f t h e se n se s o r
,

Of t h e m i n d . A l l th i s tak e s u p t i m e d is ,

t u rb s t h e se n se s d i s qu i e t s a n d di ss i pat e s t h e so u l
, ,

a n d s catte r s it i n al l d i r e ct i o n s .

No r d o es c o n t e m p l at i o n agr e e any b e tt e r w i t h
i m m o d e rat e w o rk ; th i s de p ri v e s u s o f al l l e i s u r e
a n d w e ari es t h e m i n d Th u s w e r e mai n i n wan t o f
.

ti m e a n d c o u ra g e fo r t h e se rv ic e O f Go d .

I t l i k es n o t e x ce ss iv e car es ve ri ta b l e gnat s Of ,

E gy pt wh ich w o rry t h e so u l an d wi l l n o t a l l o w i t
,

t o s l e e p t he S p i ritu al s l e e p O f p ray e r ; i n d e e d ,

i t is rat h e r du ri n g that v e ry t i m e th ey b y p re ,

fe r e nce t o r me n t t he so u l a n d d i s tract i t fr o m it s
”
o bj e ct .

We S h o u l d th e r e f o re ad o pt t h e h ab i t as far as
, , ,

d u ty p e rm i t s O f k e e p i n g t he w i n d o w s O f t h e se n ses
,

cl o se d o f i m p o s i n g S i l e n ce u p o n t h e l i p s t h e
, ,

i magi nati o n a n d t he m e m o ry O f ba n i sh i n g h u ma n ,

th o ught s a n d e nte rtai n i n g o n ly th o se wh ich a re

,

d iv i n e Fo r t h i s p u rp o se w e s h o u ld e xp e l wi th o u t
.
,

p ity fr o m o u r m i nd s al l i mag es th o u ght s m e m o , ,

ri es wh ic h d e fil e t r o ubl e o r di ss i pat e t h e so u l ;
, , ,

a n d wh e n t he p r o p e r ti m e h as c o m e w e S h o u l d l e n d ,

a d o ci l e ea r t o t he c o u n se l s addre sse d by S t J o h n .

O f t h e C r o ss i n h is A sc e n t O f C arm el t o so u ls
, ,

M a t th e w , xvu . 1.

P r ayer and M ed i t a t io n ,
. zu d pa r t , 0. iii .
236 ON M YS T IC A L P R AY E R

” 1
an d c o nfu se d k n o w l e dg e o f H i m M o r e o v e r if .
,

t h e m e m o ry O f d iv i n e fav o u r s a wake n s i n u s H is
h o ly l o v e w e may th i n k u p o n th e m t o e xci t e l o v e
, ,

attach i n g o u r se lv e s t o l o v e al o n e a n d n o t t o it s ,

ri n d o r t o it s swee tn ess 2 Ne ith e r o u gh t w e e v e r t o .

n e gl e ct t h e t h o ugh t o f o u r d u t ies o r t h e r e m e m
bra nc e o f n ec essar y k n o wl e dge ; ino rd e r t h at th ese
m ay d o n o harm i t is e n o ugh th at w e b e n o t attach e d ,
” 3
t o th e m Wi th th e se e xc e pti o n s l et u s e m pty
.
,

t he m i n d a n d m e m o ry o f k n o wl e dg e m e m o ri e s , ,

i m p r e ss i o n s a n d d i sti n ct 4 i m age s i n o rd e r t o fix
, ,

th e m o n Go d al o n e o r t h e S acr e d H u m an ity O f O u r
L o rd .

The h i g h r o ad t o r e ach di vi n e u n i o n is fai th ,

wh i c h h as n o n ee d e ith e r t o see o r u nd e r stan d i n

o rd e r t o b e l i e v e ; h o pe wh i ch f o rg e t s e art h i n Orde r ,

t o r e m e mb e r o n ly Go d ; ch ari ty wh ic h ab an d o n s ,

t h e cr e atu r e t o c o nc e n trate al l it s p o w e r o f l o v i n g
u po n G o d a l o n e 5
Th i s d o ctri n e see m s t o u s fu lly t o harm on i se wi th
t h e w e l l k n o w n t e xt O f De n i s t h e M y sti c 6 wh o m
-
,
.

S t B e rn ard 7 a n d t h e o th e r c o n t e m plat iv es o f t h e
.

M i ddl e A g e s so faithfu l l y f o ll o w e d .

We m u st cu lt i vat e pu r it y o f heart Th e s i ght .

O f Go d i s p r o m i se d t o t h e p u re o f 8
h art ; an d
e

w h o l o v e th cl e an n e ss o f h e art sh al l ha v e
t

Ascen t , b . i ii . c . 11.

Ib i d .
, b . 111. 0 . x i i . x i i i . a n d x iv.

3 b . ii i . 0 . xii . x iii. x i v .

4 I b id .
, b . ii . c . iv . 8m .
p
-
assi nt " an d L i v i n g Fl a m e
st a n z a , v e r s e 3 p a ss i m .

5 Ib i d . , b . iii 0 v i & c
. . . . N ig h t , b . 11. c . x x i.

A l ia s t h e A r e o p a g it e .
’
Ab b éS a u d re a u , Vi e d
‘

i
u n on ,
10.

7 St . B e rn a r d , S er m o n 8 ,010 s p f
e r ec t . as se q.

M a t t he w , v. 8 .
 P A S S AG E FRO M O R D INA R Y P R A YE R 237

” 1
t he K i n g fo r h is fri e n d I f w e w o u l d su ccee d i n
.

a k i n d O f p raye r wh ich p r o c e e d s p ri nci pal ly fr o m

l o ve o u r h eart S h o u l d b e e m pty O f e v e ry i d o l a n d
,

fill e d wi th Go d No n e a re so l o vi n g a s t h e sai n t s ;
.

th ey hav e t r e a s u r es O f d e l icat e a ffe cti o n a n d o f

g e n e r o u s se l f sac r ific e fo r all ar o u n d th e m Th e i r
-
.

h e art is n o e g o t i st i n se arch O f e nj o y m e n t s n o S l a v e ,

tyra n n i se d O v e r by it s o w n capric e s ; p e rf e ct l y fr e e
an d d e tach e d i t u se s e ve ryth i n g as a m e a n s t o rai se
,

i tse lf t o Go d ; what it se e k s i n a l l th i n g s a n d i n e v e ry
o n e is Go d ; i t is fix e d i n Go d al o n e ; h e n ce n o t h i n g ,

tr o ubl e s i t a n d its pe ac e is p e rp e tual H ere w e .

h av e t h e se cr e t Of d iv i n e u n i o n H o w ca n w e p re .

t e n d t o t h e fav o u r s an d i n ti m at e fam i l i ari ty o f t h e

S p o u se i f o u r h e art aba n d o n s H i m fo r t h e l o v e o f
,

a nyth i n g e l se if i t l e t s i t se l f b e ca rri e d h ith e r a n d

,
'

th i th e r by it s v o l u n tary l i ke s a n d d i sl i k es i f i t is ,

t o sse d ab o u t by s u ff e ri n g s a n d a ffl icti o n s wh i c h i t
acc e pt s w i t h a ba d grac e We m u st th e r e fo r e get , ,

r i d o f a l l f o r e i gn a ff e cti o n s a n d l o v e s a l l tr o u bl e ,

O f m i n d a n d m o v e m e n t s o f p a ss i o n I n o rd e r t o .

p ray a n d m e d i tat e i t is n o t l ess n e c e ssary t o ha v e

,

t h e h e art we l l r e gu lat e d th an i t is t o tu n e a gu i tar

,
” 2
in o rd e r t o p lay u p o n i t .

F i n al ly w e m u s t p e rf e ct t h e pu r it y o f t he
,

w i ll
. D i v i n e Wi s d o m g o e th ab o u t see k i n g s uc h
as a re w o rt h y o f h er
”
Wh o th e n w o u l d n o t re
.
, ,

c e iv e h e r w i t h O pe n arm s an d wi th al l h is h e art ?

B u t w e m u s t b e t o so m e e xt e n t w o rth y o f he r .

The k e ep i n g O f h e r l aw s is t h e fi rm f o u ndati o n o f

P ro v . xxii . i r.

St . P e ter of Al c a n t .~ P ra
ye r a n d M e di t a t i o n , an d p a r t , c . 11
.
2 38 ON M YS T I C A L P R AY E R

i nc o rru pt i o n ; an d i n c o rru pt i o n b ri n g e th n e ar t o
Go d .
” 1
We m u st th e re fo r e l ab o u r t o stri p o u r
, ,

l
se e s v O f o u r capric e s o u r fanci
,
e s o u r pr .
o j e ct s o u r , ,

ma n i fo l d d es i r es o u r j u dgm e nt s o u r attach m e nt s
, , ,

o u r r e pu gnanc e s i n a w o rd O f e v e ryth i n g wh i ch is
, ,

n o t t h e w i l l o f Go d ; an d t h e so u l s ha l l b e pe rf e ct l y

p u re wh e n sh e s hal l h av e r e ach e d s uch a stat e o f

,

l i be rty an d se lf c o n tr o l as t o Ob ey w ith o u t d i ffi culty

-

t h e l aw O f Go d h e r ru l e a n d h e r s u p e ri o r s t o
, ,

aban d o n h e rse l f with fil ia l c o nfid e nce i nt o t h e han d s

o f P r o vi d e n ce an d n o l o n ge r t o w i l l o r n o r w i l l a ny
,

th i n g b u t t h e se lf sam e th i n g wi th Go d I n p ro
- .

p o rti o n as o u r so u l s draw n e ar t o t h i s h appy stat e ,

Go d ca n e l e vat e u s i n p ray e r fo r th e r e wi l l b e n o ,

O b stac l e o n o u r part .

IS th e r e a ny n ee d t o p o i nt o u t h o w w ise l y o u r e

ru l e s c o mb i n e t o t h o r o u gh l y p u ri fy u s h o w m iich ,

w e o u ght t o e st e e m a n d l o v e o u r fa st s o u r w atch ,

i ng s o u r ma n ual w o rk s an d o th e r au st e ri ti es wh ich
,

s ubdu e t h e b o dy o u r s i le n ce
, wh ich tam es t h e ,

t o ngu e , o u r h u m i l i ati o n s as w e l l th o se wh i ch a re
,

part o f o u r dai l y l i f e as th o se wh ich cr o p u p u n

e xp e ct e dly ,
fo r th ey al l k ee p d o wn o u r p ri d e ; t h e
th o u san d d e tai l s o f o u r O b se rvan ce s wh ich b r e ak ,

d o wn t he wi l l t he gr e at an d s m a l l tri al s wh ich
, ,

s tam p o u r wh o l e l i f e w i th t h e se a l o f t he cr o ss ? '

F a r fr o m l esse n i n g t h e au ste r i ty o f o u r l i fe by OO H -1
‘

v e n ie n t c o m p r o m i se s an d lax i nt e rp r e tati o n s we ,

s h o u l d se t a h i gh va l u e o n w h at e v e r is m o s t m o rti fy

i n g i n o u r ru l e s as a m o st p o w e rfu l m e an s o f b ri n g
,

i n g t o it s p e rf e ct i o n that fo u rfo ld pu rity so d ear t o

,

Wisd . , v i
. I 7 , 1 9 , 20.
240 o n MYS TI CAL P RAYE R

l o v e t o a so u l i n wh i ch H is o w n v i rtu e s a re re fl ect ed
a s i n a m i r ro r Y e t th e r e a re t w o v i rtu e s that h av e
a gre at e r attr acti o n fo r t he H o ly G h o st a n d that wi ll ,

b e tt e r p re pare u s fo r that l o o k o f l o ve w h ic h c o n :

s t it u t es c o nt e m p lat i o n ; n a m e ly , a liv ely fait h wh ich ,

l oo k s al m o s t as th o u gh i t b e h e ld an d a n a r d en t ,

l o v e wh ic h u n ite s u s w i th Go d i n a m u tual e mb rac e

, .

S t J o h n o f t h e C r o ss i nc e ssa n tly re p e at s : I f yo u
.

a sp i re t o p e rf e ct u n i o n a sk n o t o f y o u r e y e s y o u r
, ,

e ar s o r y o u r h e art t o s h o w yo u t h e m e a n s ; cl o se al l
,

th o se d o o r s , a n d e xpe ct n o th i n g b u t fr o m
fai th 1 . Go d c o m m u n icat e s H i m se lf m o re
fre e ly t o t he so u l that is m o re adva nc e d i n H is l o v e ,

t o h e r wh o se w i ll is i n m o r e e n ti re c o n f o rm i ty wi th
” 2 “
H is o w n . S t T e re sa al so say s that
. in o rd e r
t o m ak e p r o gr e ss i n th i s path t h e e sse n
,

ti al th i n g is n o t t o th i n k m u c h b ut t o l o v e .m uc h ,

t h e so u l w h i c h h as t he gr e at e r l o v e is n o t
t h e so u l that e xpe ri e n c e s t he m o st attracti o n an d

c o n so lati o n b u t sh e th at is m o st firm ly r e so lv e d
,

t o s ati sfy Go d i n e v e ryt h i n g t h at h as t he m o st

,

arde n t d e s i r e t o pl ea se H i m that m ak e s t h e g r eat est,

” 3
e ff o rt s t o av o i d o ff e n di n g H i m .

Th e t e m p l e is n o w ad o rn e d ; Go d wi l l tak e
pl e a s u r e i n i t i f H e fi n d t h e re r e l i g i o u s s i l e nce a nd
,

t h e i n ce n se o f p ray e r .

A bo v e al l l e t u s l o v e so l i tu d e an d r e c o l l e ct i o n
, .

We h ave n o ri ght i n d ee d t o fly fr o m c o m m o n l i fe
, ,

an d t h e o ccu pati o n s wh ich o b e di e nc e e nj o i n s ; bu t ,

wh i l st sh o wi n g o u r se lve s o b li gi n g t o ward s o u r
iv Ib zd
'

Asc en t , b . u . 0 . . .
, b . n . c . v.

3 Cas t l e , 4 t h m a n s . c. i.
 P AS S AG E F R O M O R D IN A R Y P R AYE R 24 1

b r e th re n an d c o n sci e n ti o u s i n p e rf o rm i n g o u r w o r k
an d t h e du ti e s o f o u r charg e le t u s av o i d p o u r i n g ,

o u r se l ve s f o rth t o o m u c h o n o u twar d th i n g s a n d

b e i n g ab so rb e d by th e m ; w i th o u t gi v i n g way t o
i nj u ri o u s i nt e n s ity o f th o u ght l e t u s co l l e ct wi th i n ,

u s al l t h e p o w e r s o f o u r so u l i n o rd e r t o k ee p th e m

atte nt i v e t o Go d O u r m o d e l o u gh t t o b e o u r
.

gl o ri o u s F ath e r S t B e n e d ict w h o o n r e tu r n i n g t o
.
, ,

h is w e l l b e l o v e d so l i tu d e d w e l t w it h him s e lf 1 al o n e
-
,

u n d e r t h e e ye o f t he h e ave n l y Watc h e r Th e r e . .

s h u tti n g t he d o o r s a n d av e n u e s o f o u r so u l by
s i l e n c e m o d e s ty a n d r e c o ll e ct i o n l e t u s m ak e t o o u r
, ,

se lv e s a n i n n e r s anct uary e n ti r e ly fil l e d wi t h Go d ,

an d l e t u s le arn t o e n t e rtai n t h e i n fi n it e ly gre at an d

i n fi n i t e ly l o vi n g G u e st w h o dw e l l s w i th i n u s .

L et u s c o n v e r se w i th Go d w h o h o n o u r s u s w it h
‘

H is p re se n ce L e t u s aba n d o n o u r se l v e s e v e r m o re
.

fr e qu e n t l y a n d i n a b e tt e r m an n e r t o v o cal p ray e r , ,

t o p i o u s r e adi n g a n d ab o v e al l t o m e n tal p ray e r

, , ,

a n d t h e h ab i tu al t h o u g h t o f Go d 2 L e t u s see k .

H i m a ss i d u o u sly i n a ri d iti e s as we ll as i n c o n so l a
ti o n s ; i f H e h i de H i m se lf l e t u s d o H i m v i o l e n c e
,

by pu r s u i n g H i m w it h a l i k e a rd o u r ; l e t u s c h e ck
o u r p u r s u i t o f H i m o n ly a t t h e b o u n dary l i n e o f

o v e r strai n o f t h e m i n d a n d i n d i scr e e t fati gu e

- We .

sh al l th u s m ak e acqu ai nta n c e w it h Go d ; w e s hall

l e arn t o h o ld fre qu e n t c o n ve r se w i t h H i m t o e nj o y ,

H is i n ti m ate fri e n d sh i p an d t o attract H i m t o u s

by o u r z eal in se e k i n g H i m A p r o l o n g e d c o u r se .

o f men ta l p ray e r m ay p e rhap s on e d ay o btai n fo r

‘

, ,

G r e g o r y, Vi t d S B e n ed z c f z I ] D ia l iii
’ '

St . .
, . , c. .

Lif e f
o F r Ba l i /z A l v a r ez
. .
, c . x iv 8 2 a nd 3, a n d c . x l u.
242 O N M Y S T IC A L P R AY E R

us t he fav o ur o f b e i n g rai se d t o a h i g h e r f o r m o f
pray e r . Wh e n o u r m i n d a n d h e art s hal l h av e
l e ar n e d t o t u rn as i t w e r e by i n st i nct t o Go d w e
, , ,

s h al l b e v e ry n e ar t o my s tical c o n t e m plati o n s h o u l d ,

i t pl ea se Go d t o ra i se u s t o i t .

S u ch ,
i t see m s t o u s is t h e th o u gh t o f S t, .

B e rn ard 1 H e d e p i ct s a so u l w h o i n t h e p u rg ati v e
‘

.
,

way k i ss i n g t h e f ee t o f O u r L o rd h as o btai n e d t he
, ,

pard o n o f he r s i n s ; w h o in t he i l lu m i n at iv e way , ,

ki ss i n g t he h a n d s o f O u r S av i o u r h as acq u i re d ,

m a ny an d n o t s m al l v i rtu e s w h o carri e d away ,

b y a l o v e s tr o n g e r th an h e r r esp e ct n o w d a r e s t o ,

a s k fr o m Go d t h e gi ft o f c o n t e mplati o n t h e gi ft ,

o f a k i ss fr o m H i s di vi n e m o ut h H e re are t he .

r e a so n s sh e all e g es t o j u sti fy h e r b o l dn ess I b eg

H i m I c o nj u r e H i m nay I al m o s t d e ma n d H i m t o
, , ,

i m a kiss o f H is m o u t h L ! I h t
g v e e o av
e ps e n
.

a lr e a d
y m a n yy e ar s s tr iv i n g by H, is gr ac e t o l e ad
a pu r e an d m o rti fi e d l i f e a p ply i n g my se lf t o p i o u s
,

r ead i n g res i sti n g my pa ss i o n s g iv i n g my se lf fre

, ,

qu e n tly t o p raye r gu ardi n g aga i n st t e mptati o n s,

,

r e ca l l i n g my y ear s i n t he b i tt e rn e ss o f my sou l a n d
, ,

l iv i n g I b e l i e v e as far as inu me lay i n pe ac e w it h

, , ,

my b r e th re n ; s ub m i ss i v e t o auth o ri ty a n d re gu l at ,

i n g my st e p s acc o rdi n g t o t h e wi ll o f m y s u p e ri o r s .

I n e ve r c o v e t t h e g o o d s o f o t h e r s b ut rath e r g iv e ,

away m y o w n g o o d s an d e v e n my se lf t o se rv e
th e m e ati n g my b r ead i n t he sw e at o f m y
,

b r o w &c & c
, .
, .

S uch a l so is t h e th o u gh t o f S t T e re sa
, , I n he r . . -

I n t e ri o r C a st l e sh e te ach e s tha t a l l o u r d e s i r es ,

St . . Be r n a r d , I X S e r m i n Ca n t
. . .
2 44 O N M YS T IC A L P R AY E R

All th e se th i n g s p r e par e t h e so u l fo r mak i n g it s

'

fi r s t s t e p s i n my s tical way s ; t h e y w i l l d i s p o se it ,

m o r e o v e r fo r mak i n g h i ghe r a sc e n t s sh o u l d i t so
, ,

p l ea se Go d Th o ug h sh e sh o u l d h ave r e ach e d
.

h e i gh t s fa r fr o m c o m m o n sh e o ugh t n e v er t o ce a se
,

e x e rci s i n g h e r se lf i n p e nan c e h u m i l i ty se lf re n u n
, ,
-

c iat io n o b e d i e n c e an d t h e o th e r v i rtu es a n d
,
ab o v e , ,

al l i n fai th a n d d i vi n e ch ari ty ; fo r t h e p o ss ib i l ity

, ,

o f b e i n g l o st alway s r e mai n s ; p r o gre s s i n p u r ity an d

l o v e b ri n g s ab o ut p r o gre ss i n p ray e r ; Go d r e qu i r es
m o r e fr o m a so u l t o w h o m H e h as gi v e n m o r e ;
an d w e o u gh t t o c o rre sp o n d t o th o se grac es o f p re
d i l ect i o n by a m o r e pe rf ect fid e l ity i n t he di sc h arg e
o f al l o u r du ti e s .

I n a l l t h at h as b ee n h i th e rt o sai d th e r e is n o th i n g
w h i ch may n o t c o m e fr o m o u r o w n e ff o rt s a i de d
by o rd i nary grac e ; th i s is t he acti ve p re parat i o n .

Th e gi ft o f c o n t e m p l a ti o n is n o t h o w e v e r p ro , ,

m ise d t o i t b u t sh o u l d w e n o t o btai n it th e r e w i ll
, ,

re ma i n at le a s t as t h e r e ward o f o u r e ff o rt s a n
, ,

i n cr e a se o f grac e a n d o f g l o ry .

S t J o h n o f t h e C r o ss d e pi ct s 1 i n an yt hi n g b u t
.

flatt e ri n g c o l o u r s th o se so u l s w h o are al r eady

stan d i n g u p o n t h e th r e s h o l d o f c o n t e m plati o n
e ith e r t h ey d o n o t p e rce ive al l th o se d e f e ct s wh i c h

r e ma i n in t h e m o r i f th ey d o th e y m u s t e mb race
, , ,

u n s pari n gly h u m i l iat i o n s an d s u ffe ri n g s ; b ut

'

natu re cri es o u t an d w e tre at o u r se lv e s t o o so ftly .

God t h e n p ut s H is s tr o n g b u t pat e rnal han d t o t h e

-

w o r k ; H e h u mb l e s wa sh e s b ru sh es a n d p o l i s h e s
, , ,

e n e r ge tica l ly in o rd e r t o c o m pl e t e t h e cl e a n s i n g o f

F i rst N ig h t ; i - Vii
. .
 P AS S AG E F ROM O R D I N A R Y P R AY E R 2 45

t h e so u l A ga i n th i s latt e r m u st b e c om e s i m pl i
.
,

he d i n it s O p e rati o n s , w e an e d fr o m se n s ib l e
d e v o t i o n di se n gag e d fr o m it s d e p e n d e nc e o n t h e
,

s e n se s ; t h e m e r e s ubj e ct i o n o f t h e b o dy t o t h e s p i ri t

a n d o f t h e sp i ri t t o Go d is n o t s u ffici e n t Th e so u l
.

t h at Go d w o u l d e l e vat e t o a my stical stat e m u st

b e f o rt ifi e d agai n st t he i n t o xi cati o n o f p ri de . S uch
a re t h e r e a so n s w h i ch e xp lai n t he n e c e s s i ty o f

pa ss i v e p u r ific at io n s .

Th ey are so cal l e d b ecau se t h e y are n o t o f o u r

o w n c h o ic e ; w e e n d u r e th e m , b ut i t is Go d w h o
O pe rat es , an d t h e so u l h a s l i ttl e e l se t o d o b u t t o
s ub m i t t o th e m w i th a g o o d gr ac e .
 CHAP TER III

P A S S IV E P U R I F IC AT I O N S

T H E S E a re t h e p a ss i v e p u ri ficat i o n o f t h e s e n se s ,

an d th at O f t h e s p i ri t t h e f o rm e r is rath e r c o m m o n ,

see i n g t h at i t is t he o rdi nary i n t r o duct i o n t o

” 1
my stical c o n t e m p lat i o n ; t h e latt e r is v e ry rar e .

A RT . I .
—P AS S IV E P UR I F ICATI O N OF TH E S E E
N S S 2 .

I .
—NO TI O N OF T H I S S TATE .

The pa ss i v e p u rificati o n o f t h e se n se s is n o t an y
ki n d O f s u ff e ri n g su ch as ari d i ti e s t e m ptat i o n s
, , ,

h u m i l i at i o n s scru pl e s car es s i ck n e ss an d t h e
, , , ,

th o u sa n d o th e r tri al s w h ich ab o u n d i n t h e S p i ri tual

l i fe I t is a n ha b it u a l a n d v e ry spec ia l d ry n ess by
.
,

it s v e ry n atu r e r e late d t o m y sti cal p raye r o f wh ich ,

i t is t he p re pa rati o n t h e g e rm a n d t h e,

rat h e r i t is it se lf c o n t e m plati o n bu t as ye t t o o ,

fee bl e dry ful l O f de so lati o n an d p u rgativ e I t

, , .

is pa ss i v e ; Go d i t is w h o is O p e rat i n g an d t h e ,

s o u l y i e ld s h e r s e lf u p t o H is Op e rati o n s I t p u rg e s .

t h e se n se s by s ubj e ct i n g th e m t o t h e s p i r i t a n d by ,

St . Jo h n of t heC r o s s F i rst N ig h t ,
, c . v iii. ix . x iii.

F r P o u l a in , Gr d ces d o r , c x v
’
. . . .

246
2 48 O N M Y S T IC A L P R AY E R

wo u l d no t che ri s h a n y attracti o n fo r anyth i n g t h at

is n o t Go d F o r a lth o u gh t h e se n s i bl e facu lt i e s
.

a re ca s t d o w n d u l l e d a n d we ak e n e d t h e s p i ri t
, ,
”
r e mai n s l i ve ly a nd st r o n g 1 .

I t is tru e th at i t appear s t o b e w i th o u t str e n gth ,

be i n g n o l o n g e r s u stai n e d by t h e se n s ibl e facu l ti e s ;

a n d h as a l so it s o n l y t o o r e a l w e ak n e s s as t h e l i f e ,

of S t . T e r e sa du r i n g h e r e ight ee n y e ar s o f tri al
, ,

s u p e rab u n dan t y d e m o n s t rat e s

l 2 S ti l l i n S pi t e o f.
,

a l l th i s t h e so u l d e s i r e s o n ly Go d se e k s H i m wi th
, ,

a nxi e ty an d s u ff e r s b i tte r l y o n acc o u nt o f b e i n g

,

w e an e d fr o m H i m 3 Th i s ari di ty is a n i n fl icti o n
.

wh i c h l a s t s fo r m o n th s a n d so m e ti m es eve n fo r
y e ar s .

Th e se c o n d S i g n is m o re charact e ri sti c It is .
f

t h e po w e r l ess n ess a n d vacu i ty o f t h e m i n d wh i ch ,

is as i t w e r e b o u n d d o wn h an d an d f o o t w h en e n
, , ,

a e d in
'

g g p yr a e r I n a l l o
. t h e r f u n c t io n s t o stu dy , ,

fo r i n sta nce o r t o r e fl e ct o n it s o rd i nary b u s i n e ss

, ,

t h e so u l ca n fr ee l y u se it s m e n tal p ow e r s ; b ut i n
pray e r n o twi th stan d i n g a l l h e r e ff o rt s t h e i magi
, ,

n ati o n r e mai n s i n e rt t h e m e m o ry wi th o ut any d is

,

ti nct re c o l l e ct i o n s t h e u n d e r sta nd i n g e m pt y o f
,

i d ea s Th e so u l is n o l o n ge r ab l e t o c o n s i d e r t h e
.

n u m e r o u s d e tai l s Of a myst e ry t o stu dy a tru th an d

'

'

d raw c o ncl u s i o n s an d e xci t é a ffe cti o n s by i t ;

b ri e fly c o n s i de rati o n s b e c o m e a s i t w e r e im p o s
,

s i bl e o r at l e a s t p e r s e v e ra nc e i n mak i n th m i
, g e s

an i m p o ss ib i l i ty th o u gh t h i s p o we r l e ss n e ss is l ess
,

St . J o hn of t he C r o s s F i rs t N i gh t , ix
, .

St . T e r e sa , L ife , v ii. an d j l p assi m

3 St . L ig u o r i P r a x is,
, 1 2 8.
 P A S S IV E P U R I F IC AT IO NS 24
9

mark e d w h e n m e d itati o n is mad e w h i l e w rit i n g d o w n

o n e s th o u ght s S o m e ti m es t h e m i n d is s o e m pty
’
.

that e v e n a b o o k is o f n o se rvic e ; i t is r e ad b ut n o t
u n d e r st o o d V o cal p ray e r s a r e d i fficu l t a n d t e n d
.

t o be c o m e a t o rm e n t A ma n i n th i s s tate can n o t .

m e d i tat e b u t h e ca n th i n k o n Go d k ee p t he eye O f
, ,

h is so u l fix e d o n H i m aft e r a s i m pl e g e n e ral a n d , ,

c o n fu se d fa sh i o n by a n a ff e ct i o n ate l o o k wi th o u t
,

a ny sca ff o ld i n g o f c o n s i d e rat i o n s o r t o o c o m p l icat e d

de tai l s .

I t is o n ly by s l o w d e gr e es t h at t he p o we r t o m e d i
tat e di sapp ear s a n d a S i m pl e l o o k b e c o m e s t h e o n ly
p raye r p o ss ib l e Th i s p o w e rl ess n ess au g me n t s .

pr o gr e ss i v e ly a n d t e n d s t o b e c o m e m o re an d m o r e
,

p r o fo u n d I t m ay
. b e s ubj e ct t o i n t e rm i ss i o n s e sp ec i ,

a l ly in t h e b e g i n n i n g ; th e r e is th e n a k i n d o f i n t e r
m e di ate stat e d u ri n g wh ich at o n e ti m e t h e so u l
, , ,

h as n o th i n g t o d o b u t t o r e ce i v e I n fu se d c o n t e m
'

“
p l a t io n,
at a n o th e r s h e m u st c o rr e s p o n d by a ,

tran qu i l m o d e rat e e x e rci se o f t h e u n d e r stan di n g

, ,
” 1
with t he grace wh ich wan t s t o l e ad h e r i n t o i t .

Is th e r e an y n e e d t o add th at t h e w i l l by t h i s , ,

e m pti n e ss o f t he m i n d is r e duce d t o tu rn h e r s e lf ,

to w ard s Go d by a vagu e a n d in d ist in c t l o v e o r t o ~

mak e o n ly s h o rt act s an d that sh e en t e r s i n t o t h i s ,

dry n ess u n l ess i n d e e d i t p l e a se s Go d t o c o n so l e

, , ,

h e r w ith o u t h o w e ve r r e st o ri n g t o t h e i n t e l l e ct it s
, ,

p o we r o f r ea so n i n g o n s p i ritu al th i n g s ?
S uch is t he d o ctri n e tau gh t b y S t J o h n o f t h e .

r
C o ss ,
2 a n d c o nfi rm e d by e xp e r i e n c e S t Te r e sa . .

Ascen t , b . n . c . x v. N ig h t , b . i . 0. ix .

b . ii . c . x ii . x iii. x iv. x v . F i r st N ig h t , c. v i ii. and ix .

Li v i ng F l a m e gr d , st a n z a , gr d ve r se §6 .
2 50 O N M YS T IC A L P R AY E R

ce a ses n o t t o r e p e at that she s u ffe re d m uc h d u ri n g

1

a n u m b e r o f y e ar s fr o m th i s i nab i l i ty t o m e d i tat e ;

aft e rward s i t w as ve ry se l d o m th at sh e c o u ld
,

re a so n wi t h he r u n d e r sta n d i n g b ecau se h e r so u l ,

u se d t o e nt e r i m m e di at e ly i nt o re c o l l ecti o n qu i e t o r , ,
” 2
raptu r e . S h e t e ach es 3 that g e n er a l l y ,

s pea ki n u l aft r b i n g l vat d t p rf ct

g so , s e e e e e o e e

c o n t e m p l ati o n c a n n o l o n g e r m e di tat e as be fo r e .

Th i s is at b o tt o m t h e t each i n g o f S t J o h n o f t h e
, , .

C r o ss th o u gh n o t qu i t e so s tr o n gly acc e n tu ate d

, .

A cc o rdi n g o t h e r a l so 4 O u r L o rd se n d s t h e pai n s
,

o f p ray e r t o s o m e fr o m t h e v e ry b e gi n n i n g t o
, ,
”
o t h e r s at t h e e n d S h e h e r se l f had n o t e x p e r i
.

e n c e d th e m w h e n sh e fi r st b e ga n t o e nj o y t h e
,

p ray e r o f qu i e t a n d o f u n i o n at ab o u t t h e age o f
tw e nty y e ars 5 .

I t w as n ec essary t o cal l atte n ti o n t o t h e se s l i g h t

di ffe re nc es .

I n t he t h i rd place t h e m o s t c e rtai n S i gn o f ,

th i s s tat e is wh e n t h e so u l d e l i ght s t o b e al o n e
, ,

wai ti n g l o vi n gly o n Go d in i n te r i o r p e ac e qu i e t , , ,

a n d r e p o se w i t h o u t a ny particu lar c o n s i d r ati o n s ;

,
e

wi t h o u t act s an d eff o rt s o f t h e i nte l l e ct m e m o ry ,

and w i l l at l ea st i n a d i scu r s i ve way that is w i t h

, , ,

o u t pa ss i n g by c o n s i d e rat i o n fr o m o n e s u bj e c t t o
”
a n o th e r 6 .

The so u l is t h e re f o r e se t t o ward s Go d ; i n t h e
, ,

L if e , iv ix . . x i. x u . x iii. Wy a , x v iii . a n d x x vu .
(B o u ix ) .

I b id . , 1 R el . .

3 Ca st l e , 4 t h m a n s p as s i m
’

. O . V I I. .

L if e , x i .

5 I b id .
, iv .

St . J o hn o f t h e C ri me . h e a rt , b . n . c . x iii.
2
5 2 O N M YS T IC A L P R A YE R ,

an d ab o v e al l t o po ss ess Go d ; m e re ly t o l o v e H i m
, ,

n o l o n g e r s at i s fi e s h e r s he a s p i r e s t o u n i o n w i t h
“

H i m I f sh e h as had n o e xpe ri e n ce o f t h e stat e o f

.

qu i et th i s is a c o n fu se d attract i o n a du l l n ee d a n
, , ,

u n d e fin ab le d i sc o mf o rt I f sh e h as a l r e ady ta st e d.

my st ical u n i o n i t is a d e fi n it e de s i r e t o retu r n t o t h i s
,

u n i o n I n o rd e r t o r e ach th i s h ap py g o a l t he so u l
.
, ,

e n d s by aba n d o n i n g h e r f o rm e r e x e rci ses ; sh e f e e l s

that t h e y w o u ld n o t s u ffic e fo r he r O bj ect a n d t h at ,

t h at r o ad is n o w cl o se d fo r h e r 1 .

II —E xp LANATI O N
. OF T H IS S TATE .

Th e th ree e l em e n t s j u st d e scrib e d a re e a s i ly d is
'

c o v e r e d w he n t h is d ry n e ss h as al re ady la st e d a l o n g
ti m e Th e y characte ri se t h e pa ss iv e p u rifica t io n o f
.

t h e se n se s a n d f o r m it s wh o l e e sse n c e
, Th i s stat e .

is at b o tt o m a state o f c o n t e mplat i o n as ye t t o o
, ,

fee bl e a s tat e o f q u i e t u de i n p r o c e ss o f fo rm ati o n a

, ,
”
d ry an d pu rga t iv e c o n t e m pl a t io n 2 a s may b e
,

e a s i ly p r o v e d by a p r o c e s s O f r e a so n i n g .

Th i s stat e is n o t t e p i d ity T e p i d i ty i n fa ct h as .
, ,

n o th i r s t fo r Go d a n d wi l l i n gly se e k s it s s ati s facti o n

,

o ut s i d e o f H i m ; th i s p u ri fyi n g ari dity o n t h e co n ,

t ra ry w i s h e s fo r H i m o n l y ; a l l it s f e ar i s th e f e ar '

o f O ff e n di n g H i m ; a l l it s d e s i r e o n ly t o serv e H i m ,

be tt e r ; al l it s r e gr e t t hat O f n o t be i n g Su fli c ie n t ly
,

fai th fu l t o H im 5 .

Ne i th e r d o e s i t p r o c e e d fr o m m e la nch o ly 4 Wh ic h ,

pai n t s e v e ryth i ng i n t he dark est c o l o u r s M e lan . e

P o u l a in , Gr d ees d
'
Fr . o r. , c . x v .

N ig h t , b . i
. 0. ix .

3 A m y, b . u . c . x iii . N ig h t , b . i. 0
. ix .

I b id .
, b . ii . c. xiii . b . I. c . ix .
 P A S S IV E P U R I F IC AT IO NS 2
53

cho ly ta k e s away o u r z e a l i n see k i n g Go d al l o w s ,

d i sgu st t o i n vad e t h e wi ll wh ich b e c o m e s l i m p a n d

,

l an gu i s h i n g .Th i s pu rg i n g ari d i ty o n t he c o nt rary , ,

a ff e ct s t h e se n s ib l e f ee l i n g s o n ly ; t he wi l l m ay hav e
so m e we ak n e sse s a n d t h e so u l
,
fee l i n g n o th i n g is
, ,

i n cl i n e d t o th i n k th at s h e is d o i n g n o th i n g sh e a ct s ,

n e v e rth e l e ss a n d r e mai n s g e n e r o u s ; fo r i n sp it e
, ,

o f al l i t c o s t s h e r S h e n e v e r c e as e s se e k i n g Go d by
,

p raye r a n d p r o gr e ss i n v i rtu e .

Ne ith e r d o e s th i s stat e c o m e fr o m phy s i cal i n di s

p o s iti o n o r i n t e ll ectu al fati gu e ; fo r i f i t di d t h e d ry
n e ss an d p o w e rl e ss n e ss o f t he m i n d w o u l d mak e
th e m se lv es fe lt e l sewh e r e t h an i n t i m e o f p ray e r ;
th e y w o u l d c o m e a n d d e part a l o n g w ith t he malady ,

wh e r e a s th i s tri al m ay la st fo r y e ar s .

M e l an ch o l y i n d i sp o s iti o n fat i gu e a n d o th e r
, ,

n atu ral cau ses m ay se rv e t o p u r ify t h e s o u l b u t ,

th e y a re far fr o m s u ffic in g t o e xp l ai n th i s stat e ; w e

m u st adm i t i n i t a m o r e sp e ci al act i o n O f Go d .

A cc o rdi n g t o S t J o h n o f t h e C r o ss
.
1 an d S t .

2
T e r e sa t h e so u l c e a se s t o m e d it a t e b e cau se d i se u r
, ,

s i v e p raye r h a s gi v e n h e r al l i t had t o gi v e ; h e nc e

f o rth th e r e w i l l b e fo r h e r n o p l e a s u re an d l i tt l e
,

pr o fi t i n i t ; fi n di n g Go d by a m o r e s i m pl e m e a n s .

s h e n o l o n ge r f e e l s t h e n ee d o f r e a s o n i n g ; S he

w o u ld l i k e t o b e alway s o ccu p i e d o n l y i n l o v i n g ,
”
wi th o u t gi vi n g a th o u gh t t o a nyth i n g e l se Th e se .

re a so n s w o u l d app e ar a s u ffici e n t e xpl an ati o n i n t h e

ca se wh e n t h e so u l f ee l s h e r s e l f i n u n dat e d with l i gh t
and l o v e i n a c o n te m pl ati o n fu l l o f re l i s h ; but w h e n ,

A s r en t , b . ll. c . x i i . a n d x iv . N ig h t , b . i . 0. v iii . and ix .

Ca st l e, 6 t h m a n s . c . v ii
.
2 54 O N M YS T IC A L P R AY E R

t h i s p u rgi n g ari di ty mak e s h er cru e l l y s u ff e r s h e ,

w o u l d e x pe r ie n oe a gre at r e l i e f an d th i n k sh e w as ,

m ak i n g g r e at pr o gr e ss i f S h e c o u l d arr iv e at ma k i n g
,

u se o f m e d i tati o n i n o rd e r t o i n flam e h e r d e so l at e

h e art ; i t is n o t h o w e v e r t h e de s i r e t o d o SO that is
, ,

want i n g b u t t h e po we r We p re f e r t h e e xplan ati o n

, .

wh i c h S J h n o
t o. f t h e C r ss g iv e s e l se wh e r e
o 1 O ur
L o rd n o l o n g e r c o m m u n icate s H i m se lf t o t h e S o u l
'

b y h e lpin g h e r t o m e d it a t e t he stat e o f c o nt e m p l a
,

ti o n h as c o m m e n c e d t h e d i vi n e c o m m u n icati o n s
,

f o l l o w t h e w ay o f t h e p u re s p i r i t a way i n acc e ss i b l e ,

t o t he se n s es H e wi th draw s H is f o rm e r ai d an d
.

g i v es a n e w o n e .

1 .
0
H e w ith draw s t he f o rm e r c o n so l at i o n s i n ,

o rd e r t o h u mb l e t he so u l by t h e se n se o f h er p o w e r

l e ss n ess t o d etach h e r fr o m swe e t n esse s t o pu rg e

, ,

he r th o r o u gh ly t o re m o v e th u s t he o b stacl e s t o t h e
,

grac e s H e d esti n es fo r h e r .

A b o v e all d iv i n e grac e n o l o n ge r fav o u rs m e d i

,

t a t io n b e cau se G o d s i n t e n t i o n s a re th at t h e so u l
’

,
” 2
s h o u l d e nt e r u p o n a n o th e r way De p ri v e d o f .

the d ivi n e c o ncu rre n c e t h e i magi nat i o n a n d ,

m e m o ry c e a se t o fu rn i s h i mag es an d re c o l l ecti o n s ,

an d t h e m i n d h as n o mat e ri al s t o w o rk u p o n h e nc e
t h e so u rc e o f m e d i tati o n is dri e d u p Go d wi sh es t o .

accu st o m t h e so u l th r o u gh n ec ess i ty t o re c e i v e h e r
, ,

l ight fr o m H i m se lf i n st ead o f h e r pr o cu ri n g i t by
,

t h e f o rce o f r e a so n i n g a n d t o ab a n d o n t h e t o i l an d
,

tu rm o i l o f c o n s i d e rati o n s fo r t h e s i mpl e l o o k o f c o n
t e m p l a t io n .

N ig h t , b . i . c. ix .

Ab b é S a u d r e a u , Vi e d U m
' ‘

on , c . v ii i . 53 n
'
3 39
.
2 56 O N M Y S T I C A L P R AY E R

d ry i n g i t u p t h at i t m ay afte rward s b u r st f o rt h i n t o
,

a b ri gh t a n d b u rn i n g flam e .

T hi s is n o l o n g e r t he p ray e r o f s i m pl i ci ty If .

fo rm e rly I c o nfi n e d my se l f t o f o rm i n g a ff ecti o n s ,

a n d mad e t h e m S h o rt a n d wi th l itt l e vari e ty t h at ,

w a s by m y o w n fr e e ch o ic e ; at m o st I o n l y ex
,

r ie n c e d a c e rtai n di fficu lty i n d i n g th rw i

p e o o e se ,

a n d c o u l d c o n qu e r i t No w h o w e ve r a ce rtai n
. .
,

pa ss i v e n e ss h as c o m m e nc e d : pa ss i ve is th i s i n
a b i l i ty t o m e d i tat e wh i ch is o n ly j u st ap pe ari n g
, ,

b u t wi l l b e c o m e m o r e an d m o r e mark e d ; p a ss i v e ,

th i s O b scu re a n d c o n fu se d r e m e m b ran c e th i s ,

a ffl icti n g n e e d O f Go d ; pa ss i v e th i s d eso lat i n g

,

d ry n ess i n sp it e o f fe rv o u r O f sp i ri t ; pa ss iv e th i s ,

s tate o f p ray e r i n wh ich I hav e n o w n o l o n g e r t h e

,

s am e l ib e rty t o ch o o se my s ubj e ct an d m y m e t ho d ;

Ne v e rth e l ess I can s ti ll p r o duce a cr o wd o f act s

,

l i k e t h o se o f t h e p ray e r o f S i m p l i ci ty an d I f ee l at
,

t i m es a n ee d o f d o i n g so i n o rd e r n o t t o re mai n
a l t o g e the r i dle H e r e th e n w e h ave a m ixtu r e o f
.
, ,

act iv i ty a nd pa ss i v e n ess ; w e hav e o n e fo o t in aff ec

ti ve p ray e r w h i l e t he o th e r is al r e ady plan te d i n
,

t he dry r e g i o n O f t h e p ray e r o f qu i e tu de .

III .
—S U FFE RING S OF H IS
T S TATE .

We m u s t xagge rat e t h e m
no t e .

A uth o r s hav e m ai n ly d e p ict e d w hat t o o k plac e

i n t h e s o u l s o f c e rtai n sai n t s ; Go d w h o w ish e d t o
,

rai se th e m u p t o l o fty h e i ght s made th e m s t ro n g

,

a n d di d n o t spar e th e m ; H e l av i sh e d u p o n the m ;
as u p o n H is d e ar e st fri e n d s a s u pe rab u n d an c e o f
,
 P AS S IV E P U R I F I C AT I O NS 2 57

H is cr o sses . We
w eak ; Go d w i l l p r o p o rti o n
a re

t h e b u rde n t o o u r w e ak n ess o r w i ll i n cr e a se o u r
,

str e n gth t o b e ar it M a n y p e r so n s i n ev e ry c o n
.
,

di ti o n o f l i fe e n d u r e s u ff e ri n g s as gr eat as t h ese
,

fi r st p a ss i v e p u rgati o n s ye t n o o ne t h i n k s o f c o m
,

p assi o n ati n g t h e m T h e se pai n s b es i d es l o se

.
, ,

t h e i r b itt e rn ess o n c e t h e so u l h as c o m e t o val u e

,

th e m a n d t o s ub m i t h e r se lf t o t h e m wi t h a r eso l u t e
wi l l
.

Ne ve rt h e l ess t h e y a re r eal
, S t T e r e sa w h o
. .
,

h ad e xp e r i e nc e d t h e m du ri n g a n u mb e r o f y e ar s ,

d eclar es t h at th e y are v e ry gre at a n d t h at i n h e r , ,

op i n i o n , m o re c o u r ag e is r e qu i r e d t o su pp o rt t h e m
than t o e n du r e man y w o rldly a ffl ict i o n s ; b ut as ,

sh e cl e a rly saw Go d r e c o m pe n se s t h e m e v e n in
, ,

t h i s l i fe wi t h a m ag n ific e n t r e wa rd 1
, .

Th e so u l s u ff e r s o n acc o u n t O f t h e g o o d t h i n g s
sh e has l o st . I t w as n o t t h u s S h e u se d t o p ray
f o rm e rly ; p i o u s t h o u g h t s ab o u n d e d a ffecti o n s ,

w e l l e d u p as fr o m a fo u n tai n ; she u se d t o f ee l w h at
s h e w as say i n g t o Go d ; Go d u se d t o S h o w H i m

se l f al l l o v i n g a n d w as p r o d igal o f H is car e sse s ;

,

c o u l d h ave sp e n t n igh t s an d d ay s i n p ray e r ;

a n c es ha d a c h arm fo r h e r ; n o t h i n g w o u l d h av e

he r a nyt h i n g i n t h e se rv i c e o f so g o o d a
st e r
. C a n i t b e tha t H e is n o w an gry w i t h h e r
h as v e i l e d t h e s u n o f H is d iv i n e fav o u r s cl o se d ,

S l u ic e gat es
-
of t he s p i ritual wate r s a n d ,

o s it e d t h e so u l u p o n t h e gr o u n d ; H e h as
he r a n d w o u ld se e m ab o u t t o l e t h e r d ie
,

g e.r What b i tt er re gr e t s ! H e r fo rm e r
s are p o w e rl e ss t o r e an i m at e h e r f e r vo u r ;
2
58 ON M YS T IC A L P R AY E R

t he m o r e r ec o u r se s he h as t o th e m t h e m o r e h e r ,

tr o ub l e an d ari dity au gm e n t .

S h e s u ffe r s fr o m th i s p e r s i st e n t d ry n e ss : o n t h e
s i d e O f Go d w h o s ay s n o th i n g t o h e r
, a n d he r ,

p ray e r is fu l l o f w e ari n e ss a n d e n n u i o n t h e s i de

o f cr eat u re s fo r Go d m ak e s t h e m fo r h e r o bj e ct s o f
,

d i sgu s t by i mparti n g t o t h e m a s p e ci al b i tt e rn e ss ,

o r e l se i n o rde r t o r e s i s t th e i r s e ducti o n s s h e h a s t o ,

d o h e r se lf a v i o l e nce w h ic h h e r d ry n e ss re n d e r s al l
t h e m o re pa i n ful a n d that t o o wi th o u t a ny c o m
, , ,

p e n s at io n .S h e s u f f e r s fr o m a l l h e r s u rr o u n d i n g s ;
a m e re n o th i n g Is t o h e r a b u rd e n S h e s u ffe r s fr o m .

h e r se l f ; she f ee l s h e r se lf t o b e p o w e rl ess st u p i d , ,

c o ld e n ti r e ly use l e ss wi th a t e n d e n cy t o e vi l wi th
, , ,

n o i m p ul se t o ward s g o o d a v e r itabl e l o a d e v e n fo r
,

h e r se lf .

S h e su ff e r s fro m he r i n ab i l i ty t o me ditate .

W h e n ce c o m es i t tha t t he i magi nati o n a n d t h e

m e m o ry a re d e v o i d o f p i o u s m e m o ri es h o ly ,

i mag es a n d ab o u n d i n d i st ract i o n s ? A n d may

,

n o t t h i s e m pti n ess o f m i n d b e n o t h i n g b u t id le n e ss _ ,

l o ss O f t i m e cu lpabl e i nacti o n a p u n i sh m e n t o n ly
, ,

t o o w e l l d e se rve d ? A n d e v e n aft e r t h e so u l h as
,

c o m e t o u n d e r stan d b e tt e r t he d i vi n e m e an i n g
th i s tri al h er i n t e ri o r p o w e r s de p ri v e d O f t h
,
f
,
“
natu ra l o ccu pati o n s gr o w w eary O f h avi n g
,
” 1
p ractic e r e n u n ci at i o n w i t h o u t e n d at l e a s t ,

l o n g as t h e y a re o n l y parti al ly o ccu p i e d by Go d .

The so u l s u ff e r s fr o m t h e l i gh t t h at Go d
giv i n g h e r S he h as n o t yet u n d e r st o o d t h at t h
.

O b scu r e c o n fu se d
, an d a l to g eth e r s p i ri t u a l k
,

3 ix
'
r
A ig h t . . l . c. .
 2 60 O N M YS T IC AL P R AYE R

Go d . i f t h i s d e s i re is le ss l iv e ly it is al so m o r e ,

a fflicti n g ; fo r t h e so ul f ee l i n g h e r se lf e m pty an d
,

c o l d b e l i e v e s s h e is trav e l l i n g t o ward s pe rdi t i o n

,

rath e r t h an t o ward s my sti cal u n i o n .

A l l th e se s uffe ri n g s w h i ch t he n i gh t o f t h e
,

se n s es c a u se s i n s p i ri tual p e r so n s a re v e ry l itt l e
,

wh e n c o m par e d w ith t h e f ear s t h ey aw ak e n I t .

see m s t o th e m i n fact that S p i ri tual g o o d s are l o st

, ,

t o th e m fo r e v e r a n d t h at
,
Go d h as aban d o n e d
” 1
th e m .

P r o fo u n dly we ari so m e e ve n ,
w h e n o f s h o rt
d u rati o n t h i s stat e m ay b e p r o l o n g e d fo r y e ar s ;
,

t h e so u l see s n o t h i n g b ef o r e h e r b u t an e n dl e ss
d ese rt w h i c h is m o n o t o n o u s ble ak ; d eso lat e a n d
, ,

d re adfu l ; she w o u l d b e v e ry so o n d i sc o u rag e d d i d ,

sh e n o t k n o w wh i th e r i t l e ad s .

T h ese vari o u s pai n s be l o n g t o t he v e ry su b

s tanc e i t se lf O f t h e pa ss i v e p u rg at i o n ; t h e y a re a s

i t w e re t he n atu ra l c o n se qu e nc es o f th i s d ry k i n d
o f c o n t e m plati o n .Bu t m i n gl e d wi t h t hese pa i n s
th e r e are O fte n v i o l e n t t e m ptati o n s m aladi es an d ,

o th e r tri al s wh i c h
, wi t h o u t b e i n g a n ece ssary an d
,

charact e ri sti c fe atu r e o f it c o m pl e te t h e p ass i ve

,
‘

pu rgati o n o f t he so u l .

Tr ia ls o f t e m pt a t io n s — T h e se a re fi e rc e a ssau lt s
.

a gai n s t fai t h ; t h e so u l t e ll s h e r se lf that s h e n o

l o ng e r h as any b e l i e f b e cau se sh e f ee l s n o n e
, .

A gai n st h o p e ; sh e f e ar s that Go d h as ab
h e r b e c au se H e n o l o n ge r c o n so l e s h e
,

t he h o ly vi rtu e ; h e r di so rd e re d se n se s

n ati o n s ubj e ct h e r t o a t o r m e n t w o r se
N ig h t b , . i
. c. x.
 P AS S IV E P U R I F IC AT IO NS 26 x

it se lf .
-
’
A gai n s t
pati e n c e ; i n t h e m id s t o f so m a n y
w o rri e s ,t h e d e m o n ar o u se s i n u s so m u c h an g e r

a n d i l l h u m o u r that e ve ry o n e b e c o m e s in su pp o rt
-
,

abl e t o u s a n d that in S p i t e o f o u r se lve s

, ,
” 1
We .

a re i n cl i n e d t o m u rm u r agai n s t o u r t ri a l s to b e ,

s u l l e n t o w a rd s Go d e v e n t o d o ubt H is j u s t ic e a n d
,

H is pr o vi d e n c e A g a i n st. C h ri st ia n f o rti tu de ;
s hal l w e p e r se v e r e ? Th e r e a re so m a n y sacri fic e s t o

b e mad e ! Th e n we ari n e ss a n d d i sgu st e n e rvat e

t h e so u l a n d d i s p o se i t t o a b a n d o n t h e way s o f

p ray e r T e m ptat i o n s t o d iab o l ical w i ck e dn e ss ;

.
-

e x e crabl e b la sp h e m i e s s e i z e u p o n t h e i m a gi n at i o n ,

an d th e y a re so s tr o n g an d v i vi d th a t w e al m o s t

b e l i e v e w e h av e u tt e r e d t h e II I —T e m p t ati o n s t o .

scru pl e s ; s o m a n y d o ubt s c o n f o u n d t h e m i n d that ,

t h e s o u l c a n n e ith e r s o l v e th e m h e r se l f n o r r e m e dy ,
“
th e m by b l i n d o b e d i e nc e Th e h o rr ib l e t o r
m e n t s (o f t h i s S p i ri t o f u n r e st ) f o rm as i t w e r e
t h e t ran s it i o nal p ha se b e tw e e n t h e n i gh t o f t h e
” 2
se n s e s a n d t he n i ght o f t h e S p i ri t .

Th ese t e m p tati o n s a n d O th e r s l i k e th e m may

, ,

b e i n ev e ry r esp ect s i m i l a r t o t h o se o f t he c o m m o n
w ay s O f p ray e r ; bu t i n th i s st at e th e y p re ss m o re
, ,

h eavily u p o n t h e so u l b e ca u se th ey a re su p e ra d d e d
,

e pai n s o f ar i d ity an d a t ti m e s , t o t h at
, ,
,

great dry n ess i n wh i c h e v e n t he r e m e mb ra nc e o f

,

Go d is i n so m e so rt l o s t
” 3
Wh en t h e s o u l has
.

m a d e m o r e pr o g ress t h e s e t e m ptati o n s may p re

‘

t th e m se l ve s w it h s u ch V i o l e n c e s u dd e n n e ss , ,

s i st e n c e &c , t h at i t wi ll b e i m p o ss i bl e no t t o
.
,

S t . Ter e s a -L if e , xxx N ig h t , b . i
. c . x iv .

3 Ca s t l e, 6 t h m a n s . e. i .
26 2 O N M YS T IC A L P R AYE R

re c o g n i se t h e r e i n a s p eci al p e rm i ss i o n o f Go d an d
a k i n d o f o b sess i o n Wh o d o e s n o t k n o w o f t h e
.

fi e rc e a ssau lt s mad e u p o n S t A n to n y St .
, .

C ath e ri n e o f S i e n n a an d t h e B l e sse d A ng e l a o f
,

Fo l i gn o ? A ft e r e n d u ri n g t h i s so r t o f pe r se cut i o n
fo r five y e ar s S t M agdal e n o f P azz i u nabl e t o
, .
,

s u ff e r th e m a n y l o n g e r w as u p o n t h e p o i n t o f
,

y i e ld i n g t o d es pa i r a n d c o m m itt i n g s u i ci d e S t . .

T e re sa d u r i n g e ig h t d ay s a f o rt n i gh t a n d e v e n at, ,

t i m e s fo r th r e e w e e k s had h e r m i n d fil l e d w i th a
,

th o u san d f o o l i sh th o u ght s wi th o u t b e i n g abl e t o

th i n k o f an yth i n g g o o d ; i t se e m e d t o h e r that t h e
d e m o n s w e re play i n g wi t h h e r a s w i th a bal l wi th , ,

o u t h e r b e i n g ab l e t o e scap e fr o m th e i r b l o w s 1 .

Tr ia l s o n t h e pa r t o f m en Go d p e rm i t s t h at .
-

t h o se wh o m H e h as ch arg e d wi th o u r d i r ect i o n d o
n o t u n de rs tan d u s o r that th e y S h o u l d b e p n a b l e
,

to c o n s o l e u s ; th e y h av e d o u bt s ab o ut e v e ryt h i n g ,

ap p re h e n d all k i n d s o f e v i l s o r i m ag i n e that t he ,

so u l s t o w h o m Go d gra n t s t h e grac e s O f p raye r

o u gh t t o b e a ng e l s 2 St T e r e sa s c o n f e s so r s
. .
’

plu n ge d h er fo r a l e n gt h o f t i m e i n t o i n t o l e r abl e
, ,

a nx i e ty 3 F at h e r B alt h aza r A lv are z h e r d i r e ct o r

.
, ,

h ad h i m se l f t o e n d u r e a k i n d o f p e r secuti o n o n
.

f
acc o u n t o f h is m a n n e r o p ray r e 4 B u t i f w e a re t o .

cr e d i t S t Te r e sa a n d S t P e t e r o f A lca ntara
. . o ne ,

O f t h e gr e at e s t s u ff e ri n g s i n t h i s stat e o f e xi l e is t h e

o p p o s i ti o n o u r s p i ritual p r o gr e ss m ee t s wi t h fr o m
” 5
re al ly g o o d p eo pl e .

L if e , x x x. 3 Lif e p assi m
, .

Ca st l e , 6t h m an s . c. i . L ife of F r Ba t /h A l v a r ez
. .
, c. xl . x l i.
-

5 L ife , xxx.
 O N M YS T IC A L P R AY ER ”
26 4

IV .
-
A D V ANTAG E S OF T H IS S TATE .

Le t t h e se p o o r su ffe ri n g o n e s b e war e o f b e l i e v i n g
that th e y a re aba n d o n e d a n d u p o n t h e v e ry br in k
o f t h e aby ss Th e way in w h ich th e y a re walk i n g
.

is re al ly a v e ry e xc e ll e n t way : i t p u ri fi e s t h e m ;
i t e n d o w s t h e m wi t h t h e m o s t so l i d v i rtu es ; i t is t h e
1
dese rt wh ich l e ad s t o t h e P r o m i se d Lan d .

Wi th g o o d re a so n is t h i s stat e cal le d a
p u rgati o n Fo r i t p u rifi es o u r so u l s fr o m p ri d e
. .

I n e b ri ate d w it h d iv i n e c o n so l a t i o n s th ey u se d t o ,

d ee m t h e m se lv es g o o d ; p l u n g e d i n a u n iv e r sal
di sgu st p o w e rl e ss t o m e di tat e r e d u ce d t o t h e p ro
, ,

ducti o n o f a fe w m eagre a ff ecti o n s w it h o u t v ari e ty .

o r u n ct i o n assai l e d
, o ft e n by m o st h u m i l i ati n g
t e m p tati o n s th e y f ee l t h e i r m i se ry are c o n v m c e d
, ,

by fo rce o f e v id e nc e that th e y are w o rt h v e r y l ittl e ,

a n d t hat w ith o u t Go d th e y ca n d o n o t h i n g ; th ey

a re , i n c o n se qu e n ce d i sp o se d t o mak e t h e m sel v es
,

v e ry s mal l i n t h e pre se nc e o f so m u c h gr eat n ess

an d sa n ctity t o h ave a gr eat e r r esp ect fo r H is
,

maj e sty a n d t o p ray t o H i m w i t h m o r e h u m i l i ty ;

,

A s t h e y fi n d th e m se lv e s p l u n g e d i n dark n ess t h ey ,

m o r e wi l l i n gly have r e c o u r se t o t h e w i sd o mo f t h e i r
s u p e r i o r s an d b ec o m e s i m pl e a n d d o ci l e
, ; t h eya re

al so t o o m uch o ccu p i e d an d p e n e trat e d w i th t he

‘
'

s e n se o f t h e i r o w n m i se ri es t o o b se rv e th o se o f
o t h e r s wi th a ma l i gn a n t cu ri o s i ty ; a n d t h u s I n

d u l ge n ce t o wa rd s t h e fau l t s o f o t h e r s m u t u a l fo rJ ,
‘

b e ar a n c e est e e m a n d ch a ri ty i ncr ea se a l o n g w i t h
,

h u m i l i ty .

S t Lig u o r i, P ra x is ,
. 12 8
.
 P A S S IVE P U R I F IC AT IO N S 26
5

~
T h i s stat e a l so p u ri fi es so u l s fr o m s pi ri tual
gl u tt o n y a n d al l i n o rdi n at e l o ve o f s p i ri t u al j o y s .

Th e so u l w as g ree d y o f c o n so l at io n s S h e w i s h e d t o
,
,

fi n d h e r pl e a s u r e i n t h e se rvi ce o f Go d ; n o w t h i s ,

i n o rdi nat e l o v e O f sp i r itu a l pl e a su re s di es fo r wan t

o f f o o d ; as ti m e g o es o n s h e l e ar n s t o d o w ith o ut

e m o ti o n s t o g iv e h e r se lf t o Go d w i t h o u t an y se lfi s h
,

i n t e r est t o se rve H i m at h e r o w n e xp e n se a n d n o
,

matt e r what i t c o st s ; t h e a n i mal part is we ak e n e d b y

b e i n g de p ri v e d o f se n s i bl e s w ee t n e ss t h e pa ss i o n s ,

l o se t h e i r f o rce a n d a re r e d uc e d t o o rd e r ; l ittle by
,

l itt le s h e di e s t o h e r se lf an d t h e d i v i n e l i f e me e t s
'

wi th f e w e r h i n d ranc es .

Th e so u l grad ual ly l e ar n s t o w o rk aft e r a m o r e

sp i ri tual fas h i o n a n d t o d epe n d l es s u po n t h e
s en s es ; s he aba n d o n s t h e c o ar se r e ffo rt s O f t h e
i m ag i nat i o n t h e e n cu mb ra n c e an d fati g u e o f
,

r ea so n i n g an d be g i n s t o c o n t e m pl a t e Go d by h e r
,

s u p e ri o r part i n a n a l m o s t a n g e l i c way j u st as S h e ,

p e rc e iv es e vi d e n t trut h s by a m o st s i m pl e a ct .

B y t h e ve ry fact th at S h e is m o r e fr ee fr o m se n
s u a l it y an d se n s i b l e fee l i n g t he so u l g iv es l e ss h o ld
,

t o t h e d e m o n w h o act s ch i e fly o n t h e i m agi n ati o n

,

an d t h e se n ses an d h e r p ray e r is m o r e s he l t e red

,

f r o m i ll u s i o n s .

T h i s p u rgat i o n e n d o w s t h e so u l w it h t h e
m o st so l i d v i rtu e s .

B e s i d e s h u m i l i ty an d se l f d e n ial wh ich b y
,
-
, ,

u r i fy i n g h r e m o v e t h e o b s t ac l e s t O
p e r p o
'

r es
, g r s ,

al l t h e o th e r v i rtu es gai n
. I n th i s s tat e
, a m o r e pu r e,

m e rit a n d an im m e n se i nc rease Th i s is t h e ca se wi t h
.

r e gard t o fai th fo r i n sta n c e ; fo r S h e b e l ie ve s i n t h e

,
2 66 O N M YS TIC A L P R AYE R

m i d st o f dar k n e ss w ith o u t se e i ng o r r e l i sh i n g a ny ~

,
—
th i n g u p o n t h e so l e w o rd o f GO d S o t o o h o p e .
, ,

is s tr e n gth e n e d ; s h e tru st s i n t h e L o rd e v e n wh i l st ,

H e l e av es h e r an d g i ve s n o l o ng e r a ny S i g n o f
H is g o o d n ess C hari ty O b e d i e n c e a n d r e l igi o n
.
, ,

de v e l o p ; S he sa cri fic es h e r se lf p ray s o b e y s th r o u g h
, ,

p u re l o v e a n d n o t fo r t h e sake o f a n y pl e a su r e sh e
,

fi n d s th e r e i n Th ese t ri al s a re p re e m i n e n tly t h e
.
-

so i l m o s t p r o p e r fo r t h e gr o wth o f pati e nc e ab n e ,

g at io n an
,
d e s p e cial l y o f a tru stfu l fil ial a n d ,

l o v i n g aba n d o n m e n t i nt o t he ha n d s o f Go d .

L ittl e by l it t l e t h e so u l h u mbl e d d etach e d fr o m

, ,

e v e ryth i n g b u t s ub m i ss iv e ge n e r o u s an d c o n fid
, ,

i n g l earn s t o b e co m e m ee k t o ward s al l ; t o ward s

,

h e r se lf so as n o l o n g e r t o b e an gry w it h h e r se lf
,

o n acc o u n t o f h e r fau lt s ; t o ward s h e r n e i gh b o ur

fo r t h e s ig h t o f h e r o w n m i se ri es m ak e s h e rs c o m
pa ss i o nat e t he i l l s o f o th e r s ; t o ward s Go d fo r , ,

hav i n g c o m e t o u n d e r sta n d that H e tr e at s h e r

b e tt e r tha n sh e d ese rve s S h e b ec o m es l e ss i m p o r
,

f u n at e i n se e k i n g di v i n e fav o u r s a n d l e ss s u l l e n

wh e n Go d ch asti se s he r .

I n p r o p o rti o n as sh e is pu ri fi e d a n d is e n rich e d
by vi r t u e s sh e b e c o m e s peacefu l a n d e nt e r s i n t o a
, ,

s tat e o f gre at r e p o se The d iv i n e c o n so l at io n s an d

.
'

ca r esses h id e fr o m h e r h e r m i se ry an d t h e i n fi n i te
d i sta nc e wh ich se parat es h e r fr o m Go d ; S he fi n d s ,

i n t h e m i d st o f t he dark n e ss a pu rify i n g l i ght , .

w h i ch i m part s t o h e r a c o rre ct k n o wl e dge o f Go d

a n d o f h e r s e l f a l i gh t al r e ady gr e at b u t wh ich wi ll
, ,

gr o w g r e at e r S ti l l i n t h e state Of s p i ritu al p u rga:

ti o n . F i n a l ly t h e so u l l e arn s t o kee p Go d c o n
,
\
2 68 O N M YS T IC AL P R AYE R

1
0
. To ac c e pt o f t his s t a t e t r u s t fu l l y
w ith .
-
Go d
draw s H is c o nso l ati o n s a n d p l u n ge s u s i n t o a stat e
o f d ry n ess an d d es o lati o n L e t u s fi r s t see wh e t h er
.

w e hav e p r o v o k e d th i s tri al by o u r fau lt s our ,

attac h m e n t s o u r di ss i pati o n I f w e h av e t h e
, .
,

p e n alty is o n ly j u st an d l e t u s mak e i t al so sal utar y

,

by acc e pti n g i t an d c o rr e ct i n g o u r se l ve s I f o u r .

co n sci e nce d o e s n o t r e pr o ach us wi t h a n y fau lt l e t ’

,

u s ad o r e l o v i n gly t h e w i l l o f G o d w h o is a g o o d ,

F ath e r an d a wi se d i r e ct o r ; l e t u s w it h o u t affl ic t ,

in g o u r s e lv es pu t o u r c o nfi d e nc e i n H i m w h o
, ,

n e v e r f o r sak es t h o se w h o se e k H i m w it h a S i m p l e
” 1
a n d u p ri gh t h e art H e is t o o wi se a gu id e e v e r
.

t o l ea d u s t o o u r ru i n ; Wi th o u t e v e r aban d o n i n g
p ray e r l et u s a cc e pt e v e n t o t h e la st s i gh th i s
, , ,

d ry n e ss a n d d eso lati o n a n d l e t u s n o t le av e J e sus

,

C h ri st t o carry a l o n e t he b u rth e n o f H is c r o ss .

We a re n ear o u r M a st e r a n d H e is c er ,

f ai n l y n i gh u nt o u s S u re o f p l e a s i n g H im
.
,

l e t u s a mb i ti o n n o o th e r sati s facti o n Let .

H i m l e ad u s by w h at ev e r pat h H e pl e a se s ; w e
b e l o n g n o l o n g e r t o o u r se lv es b ut t o H i m Tru e , .

l o ve d o es n o t c o n s i st i n t ear s an d s w ee tn ess ; i t is
p ro v e d by se rvi n g O u r L o rd w ith c o u rag e a n d
h u m i l i ty Tr o u b l e ta k e s away l ib e rty o f s pi ri t
.

a n d t h e c o u rag e t o u n d e rtak e gr e at th i ng s fo r Go d ;

an d i f at o th e r t i m es w e w e r e t o fee l
, ,

o u r se lv e s p o w e r l e s s t o d o an y th i n g i n t h e s hap e o f
'

m e d itat i o n du ri n g o n e h o u r th i s state o f tr o ubl e

’

2
w o u l d ma k e u s f ee l so f u r t i m s
o e a s m uch .

Th i s s t at e fu r n i sh e s a n e xce l l e nt o cca s i o n fo r
‘ ‘

N igh t , b . i . c . x. St . Te r e s a , L if e, ix p a ssi m
. .
 P AS S IV E P U R I F I C ATI O NS 26
9

e x e rci s i n g t h e s p i ri t o f fa i t h t h e h o p e o f e t e rn a l ,

g o o ds ,d i s i n t e r e s t e d l o v e C h ri s ti an f o rti tu d,e an d
al l t h e o t h e r v i rtu e s No v i rtu e p e r h ap s is m o r e
.
, ,

u se fu l than a fil i al a n d l o v m g aban d o n m e n t o f
’
o u r se lv e s i n t o G o d s h an d s ; l e t u s b e th o r o u g h ly

c o n v i nce d t h at d ry n ess a n d d e so lati o n t h e m o st ,

d r eadfu l t e m p tati o n s t h e i nab i l i ty t o m e d itat e a n d

,

t h i s f ee bl e g e r m o f d ry c o n t e m p lat i o n a l l o b ey Go d ,

an d se rve H is m e rci fu l d e si g n s O ne t h i n g o n ly .

is t o b e fe ar e d ; o u r o w n wan t o f c o n fid e nc e a n d
d o ci l i ty O u r r es i sta nc e is t h e o n ly h i n d ran c e t h at
.

c a n mar H is b o u n ti fu l d es i g n s .

IVe m u s t pe rs e v er e c o u rage o u s l y in praye r,

'

bu t wi t h o u t o p p o s i n g t h ect i o n a o f Go d ; Le t u s
n o t l e av e O ff m e d itati o n a n d affe ctiv e p ray e r t i ll
Go d i n v i t es u s t o d o s o ; that is l e t u s k ee p t o
'

th e m as l o n g as t h e y a re p o ss i bl e fo r u s a n d d o ,

u s m o r e g o o d ; a n d t h i s e s p e cial ly w i th r e ga rd t o

t he L i f e a n d P a ss i o n o f O u r L o rd 1 If a b o o k a -
.
,

s tatu e o r p i o u s p ictu r e w o ul d h e l p u s t o e xci t e

a ffe cti o n s a n d t o fix o u r t h o u gh t s le t u s m ak e u se ,

o f it ,
2 u n l ess Go d is dr awi n g u s t o ward s i n t e ri o r
re p ose A t t h e ti m es w h e n pa ss iv e p u rgati o n is
.

i n t e rru pt e d o rdi n ary p raye r b ec o m es agai n p o s

,

s ibl e an d w e S h o u l d r e tu rn t o it 3 S h o u l d Go d .

r e n d e r u s i nca p ab le o f m e d itati n g i n o rd e r t o p o u r ,

i n t o o u r so u l th at l o vi n g k n o wl e dg e wh ich f o rm s
t h e gr o u n dw o rk o f c o n t e m pl a t i o n l e t u s e mb race ,

th i s s tat e w ith al l c o n fid e n ce ; fo r th i s m o st s i m p l e

Ca st l e, 6 t h m a n s . e. V “. A scen t , b . n . c . x iii . x iv . x v . x x x ”.

A zgh t , b
’
. i
. c . x.

S ee z ad P a rt . c. ix . v i p
. . am . 3 Ascen t , b . n . c . x v.
2 70 O N M YS TI C AL P R AYE R

a tt e n ti o n t o H i m th i s i n te ri o r l o o k fixe d o n Go d
, ,

th e se m o t i o n s o f l o v e o f h u m i l i ty an d o th e r l i k e
, ,

m o v e m e nt s wh i c h c a rry t h e so u l t o ward s Go d a re
'

n o t i dl e o ccu p a ti o n s O u r o ccu pat i o n i n de e d is n o t

.
, ,

ma n i fest e d by o u twa rd e xp r ess i o n s an d s e n te n c es ,

bu t i t is n e v e rth e l e ss r e al ; an d Go d who b e h o ld s ,

t h e d e pth s o f t he h e a rt u n d e r stan d s t h i s s i l e n t
,

h o mag e 1 L e t u s a v o i d at s uch a ti m e e v e ryt h i n g

.

t h at m i gh t o b struct t h e acti o n o f Go d A t s uch a .

m o m e n t l e t t h e so u l c ea se fr o m m e d itat i n g ;
b es id e s ,
th o ugh s h e sh o u l d w i sh t o c o nti n u e
m e d itat i n g sh e w o u l d n o t b e ab le t o d o
,
L et
h e r ab sta i n al so fr o m see k i n g w it h attach m e n t aft e r
se n s ib l e r e l i s h a n d f e rv o u r a n d fr o m ma k i n g act s
,

t o o m u l t i p l i ed o r t o o co m p le x Th i s w o u ld b e .

t o cr e at e a n o b st a cl e t o t he act i o n o f Go d t he p r i n ,
a

c ip al a g e n t w h o is se cr e tly a n d cal m ly p o u ri n g i n t o
,

t h e so u l a l o v i n g k n o w l e dg e an d w i s d o m
—
’

s i
h e r th e n a ss u m e a n a l m o t pa s s v e a t t i tu d e ke e p ,

i n g h e r se lf i n a stat e o f p u re s i m p l e an d l o v i n g ,

att e n ti o n as o n e w o u l d d o w h o o p e n s t he e y es
,

m e r e ly t o l o o k wi th l o ve u p o n a n o th e r
Go d r e qu i r e s h e r fo r a ti m e t o mak e so m e s p e cial
act s l et h e r b e sat i sfi e d with m ak i n g th o se
”
t o wh ic h Go d i n c l i n e s h e r w it h o u t d o in g v i o l en c e
,

t o h e rs e lf i n o rd e r t o m u l ti ply th e m o r t o p rOd u ce
o th e r s ? F o r t h e c h i e f act i o n h e r e is that O f Go d ,

o u r s s h o u l d b e t o se c o n d th i s o r e v e n t o ce ase ,

fr o m act i o n a l t o ge t h e r .

A sce n t , b . t i. 0. x xx x iii. x iv . x v .
.
‘
N igh t b , . i
. c. x.

L i v i ng Fl a m e, 3 r d s t a n z a , 3 r d v e r s e , § 6 a n d as si m Asc en t
p
v

. .

0 ii c X " x iii x v x x x ii
. . . . . N i gh t , b i c ix a n d x »
. . . . .
'

.
27 2 O N M YS T IC A L P R A YE R

tha n o f al l H e l l t o g eth e r wi th a cruci fix i n h e r

han d s h e w o u l d d e fy al l t he d e m o n s sh e fo u n d ,

t h e m t o b e so fu l l o f c o ward ic e t hat t h e v e ry s i ght o f

h er se e m e d t o str i k e t h e m w i t h t e rr o r ; t h e m o m e n t
”
t h e y a re d es p i se d t h e y l o se al l c o u r ag e Wh at .

g iv es th e m p o w e r is o u r wav e ri n g a n d t h e f e e bl e
n e ss o f o u r r e s i stan c e Th e sa i n t c o ul d n o t u n
.
,

d e rst a n d t h o se f ear s w h ic h mak e pe o pl e s as

i
he
d e v il t h e d e v i l l w h e n t h ey c o u l d say : Go d Go d !
, ,
”
a n d th u s mak e t h e i n f e rn al e n e my tr e mb l e Go d .
,

fo r w h o m w e c o mbat w i l l s u sta i n u s ; t e m ptat io n

,

ca n n o t cr o ss t h e l i m it set t o i t by t he d i vi n e g o o d
pl e a s u r e ; i t alway s h as a p r o v i de n ti al p u rp o se ; i t
attack s u s o n o u r w eak s i d e a n d o bl ig e s u s t o,

f o rti fy t h at ; i t i n struct s u s s p u r s u s o n cru sh es

, ,

ri d xcit p r cal l s fo r au s t e r it ie s a nd
/
e es t o ye r
p ,e : ,

e l i cit s gre at r e so l ut i o n s ; t h u s t he d e m o n b eco m e s ,

i n h is o w n de sp ite o n e o f t h e m o s t a ctive ag en t s o f
,

o u r u n i o n w i t h Go d .

A m id s t fai l u r es c o ntr adicti o n s a n d o t h e r cr o sse s

,

se n t by P r o vi d e nc e n o th i n g h i n d e r s u s fr o m h a v rn g
,

re c o u r se t o Go d : h o w o f te n al l o u r tr ial s van i sh ,

a s i f by e ncha n tm e n t at t he m o m e n t a pp o i nt e d by
,

t h e d i vi n e de cre e s ! H o w o ft e n al so t h e so u l
'

, , ,

s tr e n gt h e n e d an e w by g rac e h ardly f ee l s h e r s u ff e r
,

i n g s an d o ff e r s he r se lf t o u n d e rg o fr esh sacrific es l 1
Th e m o st ge n e r o u s way t o act is t o c o n du ct o u r
“
se lv e s , l ike a S ick p e r so n u n d e r m e di c a l tr e at
” 2
men t , a n d t o a cc e pt o f t h e r e m e dy a l th o u gh ,

bi tt e r a n d t o c o n fo rm o u rse lve s e x actly t o t h e

,

d i vi n e p re scri pti o n s .

Lif e , xxx. N i gh t , b . i
. c . ix .
 P AS S IV E P U R I F I C ATI O NS 273

S hould S ick n ess a n d in fir m it ie s aggravate o u r

o th e r s u ff e ri n g s t h e re is n o t h i n g t o p r e ve n t u s fr o m
,

havi n g r ec o u r se t o Go d an d t o o u r su p e ri o r s an d ,

o b e di e n c e is a du ty We m u st n o t h o w e v e r gi v e
.
, ,

way t o a b u r n i n g a n xi e ty t o e sca p e t hi s trial n o r ,

ab u se i t i n o r de r t o u n d u ly d i m i n i s h t h e b u rt h e n
,

o f r e gu lar o b se rva nc e ; a g e n e r o u s so u l w i l l r e c e i v e

t h e cr o ss fr o m G o d s h a n d wi t h p at i e n c e h u m i l i ty
’
, ,

an d aban d o n m e n t S h e w i l l e v e n tak e o cca s i o n fr o m

,

i t t o re n e w i n h e r se lf t h e S p i ri t o f au st e r ity .

Fa t h e r D e P a d ra n o s sai d o ne day t o S t T e r e sa .

th a t pe r h ap s Go d w as se nd i n g h e r so man y S i ck
nesse s o n ly i n o r d e r t o e xact fr o m h e r a p e n a n c e
,
” 1
wh ic h sh e h ad fai l e d t o pe rf o rm ”
. Th e sa i n t
“
can di dly ad m i t s t h at S i n c e S h e b e ga n t o tre at

h e r se l f w i t h l ess ca r e a n d d e l i c acy she e nj o y e d ,

” 2
m uc h b ette r h ealt h L e t u s r e n e w i n o u r se lv e s
.
,

i f n ec essa ry t he est ee m an d l o v e o f s u ffe ri n g a n d

, ,

l ist u s va l ian tly p r act i se th o se au st e ri ti es wh ich a re

c o m pati bl e w i t h t h e stat e o f o u r h e al th .

I n t h i s stat e o f d ry n e ss d e so lati o n a n d o v e r
,

w h e l m i n g t e m ptat i o n s w e stan d m o r e than e ve r

,

i n n ee d o f a S p i ri tual g u i d e fr o m wh o m n o th i n g—l
,

n e i t h e r t he b ad n o r t h e g o o d that is i n u s— S h o ul d

b e h i dd e n , i n o rd e r t h at w e m ay b e se cu r e ly
di r ecte d e nc o u rag e d a n d s u sta i n e d
, Wo e t o t h e
.

pre su m ptu o us so u l w h o dar e s t o b e he r o w n so l e

gu i d e ! Go d gra n t that t h e d i re ct o r a l so may
k n o w t he r o ad b y h is o w n e xp e ri e n c e ; at l ea st ,
“
t h at h e m ay b e le a rn e d ; t h e m o st e n l i g h t e n e d

L if e, x x iv . I hz d
’

.
, xu i .
2 74 O N M YS T IC AL P R AY E R

wi l l b e t h e be st as S t T e r e sa , . sa y s O u r Lo rd
.

alway s r e qu i r e d fr o m t h e sa i n t O b e d i e n ce t o h e r

c o n fe sso r 1 .

VI .
-
D U R ATI O N OF T HE S E T RIAL S .

Th e p u rgat i o n o f t h e se n se s wi t h it s a ec o m
p any i n g pai n s an d t e m ptati o n s l as t s a l o n g e r o r a

s h o rt e r t i m e , bu t h o w l o n g t h e so u l w i ll
c o n ti n u e i n th i s stat e n o o n e ca n wi t h ce rtai n ty
t el l . Th i s vari es acc o rd i n g t o t h e D i vi n e
W i l l an d is p r o p o rt i o n e d t o t h e i m p e rf e cti o n s
, ,

man y o r few wh ich a re t o b e p u rg e d away an d

, ,

al so t o t h e d e g r ee o f u n i o n i n l o v e t o wh ic h Go d
i nt e n d s t o e l e vate a part icu lar so u l t o t h e nat u r e ,
”
i t se lf o f t h e s u ffe ri n g s she m u st u nd e rg o a nd ,

fi nally t o t he fid e l i ty o f h e r c o rr e s p o n de n c e w i th
G o d s acti o n
’
Th o se w h o are e n d o w e d w it h a
.

ca p aci ty fo r su ff e ri n g an d w h o h ave s tre n gt h s u ffi

,

ci e n t t o e n du r e Go d p u ri fi es i n m o r e i n t e n se t ri al s
,

a n d i n l e ss t i m e ; bu t th o se w h o a re w e ak a re p u ri
fie d m o r e s l o wly a n d wi th c o n s i d e rat i o n fo r th e i r
”
we ak n e ss . I n t h e ca se o f c e rt a i n so u l s t h e in ,

ab i l i ty t o m ed i tat e a n d t h e dry n e ss a re c o n t i n ual ;

wit h o th e r s t h e m i n d at t i m e s r e s u m es it s l ib e rty
:
, ,
i

a n d Go d gr a n t s t h e m so m e c o n so l ati o n s le st t h ey ,

sh o u l d l o se c o u rage a n d fa l l a w ay ; t h e se latt e r
see m t o hav e o n ly o n e f o o t i n th i s n i g h t ,

a n d a l so th ey c o m e lat e t o t h e pu r e n e ss o f th e i r
p e rf e ct io n m th i s l i f e a n d s o m e o f th e
,
m n e v e r
r e ach i t h e re b e l o w 2 .
’

L i fe , x iii . x x ix . x x x iii . Ca s t l e, 6t h m a n s . c. ix .

N ig h t b i , . 0 ix . a n d x iv .
 2 76 O N M YS TI C AL P R AY E R

t he s p i ri t wh ic h is m o r e d i fficu l t a n d g ri e v o u s an d
, ,

by m ean s o f i t t o a d v an ce t o wa rd s t h e p e rf ect
,

u n i o n o f l o v e ; b u t i t is o n ly a v e ry s m al l
n u mbe r w h o arri v e t h e re 1 .

IS i t a d u ty t o p ray fo r t h e e n d o f t h e se trial s o n ,

t he p r e t e xt that th e y ar e a so rt o f a i l m e n t a n d t h at , ,

b e i n g call e d t o c o n te m p lat i o n w e sh o ul d h a st e n t o
,

e n t e r i nt o i t ? We d o n o t t h i n k 5 0 .

T h i s a ri d c o n t e m plati o n is a r e m e dy an d n o t
a n e vi l Th e w o u n d s t o b e h e al e d a re p rid e sp i ri
.
,

t ual g l utt o n y a n d t h e t o o gr eat d e p e n d e nce o f t h e

,
.

s u p e ri o r facul ti e s u p o n t he se n ses S ee i n g t h at .

t he so u l c o n ti n u e s o n h e r way t o b e p u rifi e d i n t he

fire o f my sti cal u n i o n i t is n e c e ssary that she

,

s h o u l d e n t e r u p o n t h i s pa ss i v e p u rgati o n a n d s t ay
/

a l o n g t i m e i n t he b itt e r n ess o f th i s fi r st n i ght:

We k n o w wh it h e r i t is l ead i n g u s A re w e n o t
“

al l t h e m o re fr ee w h e n w e ab an d o n o u r se l v es
,

c o u rag eo u s l y i nt o G o d s h an d s a n d l e av e ev e r y
’

t h i n g t o t h e h e ave n ly p h y s icia n w h o k n o w s b ett e r ,

t h a n w e d o t he r e m e dy t he d o se a n d t h e ti m e i t
,

re qu i r e s ?
We Ou g h t t o mak e h ast e t o e n t e r i n t o t h e
s tat e o f c o n t e m p l ati o n No d o ubt ; bu t th i s is
.

al r eady d o n e s i nc e i t is t h e s e l f sa m e c o n t e mp l a
,
-

ti o n w h ic h is n o w p u rgi ng t h e so u l b e fo r e se tt i n g i t
o n fire . I t w i ll b e de v e l o p e d i n t h e sa m e p r o p o r ~

ti o n a s th i s p u rgati o n S h a l l h av e b ett e r pr e par ed

t h e so u l fo r u n i o n ; t h e m o r e Go d pl o ugh s

harr o w s t h e so ul t h e b e t t e r chan c e t h e p r e ci o u s
,

h as o f l i vi n g an d o f p r o du ci n g fl o w e r s a n d fru i
N ig h t , b . i
. c . x iv . a n d b . u . c. i .
 P AS S IV E P U RI FIC AT IO N S 2
77

A s,
’
h o w e v e r G o d s u lte ri o r d es i gn s a re c o n
,
~
’
-
s

c ea le d fr o m u s, i t is qu i t e p e rm i ss i bl e t o pray fo r

an e n d o f th ese t ri a l s p r o vi d e d i t b e wi th s u b m is
,

s i o n a n d p u r ity o f i n t e n ti o n ; b u t i n o u r o pi n io n , ,

i t w o u l d b e m u c h b e tt e r t o le av e Go d t o ac t acc o rd
'

in g t o H is pl easu r e a n d t o ask H i m o n l y fo r
ge n e r o si ty a n d pat i e nce T h i s see m s t o u s t h e
.

w i ses t a n d m o st val ian t way t o S h o w o u r g o o d w i l l

a n d t o see k fo r p r o gr e ss .

A RT .
—
I I P AS S I V E P U RGATIO N O F TH E S P IR IT .

—W H EN WHAT
’

I . IT TAK ES P LAC E AN D IT I S .

St . J o h n o f t he C r o ss t e ach es that b e t w ee n t h e ,

n ig h t o f t h e se n se s an d th at o f t h e s p i r i t Go d gra nt s ,
“ ”
l o n g y ear s o f r e p o se du r i n g wh ic h a m uch
,

r e l i sh e d c o n t e m p lati o n is d e v e l o p e d in t h e e xe rc ise s
o f t he pr o gr e ss i v e w a
y T h. e S p i ritual p a rt th an k s .

t o it s fi r s t p u rgat i o n walk s o nw a rd u n t ram m e l l e d ;

,

It 15 n o l o n g e r attach e d t o c o n so lat i o n s ; it s p o w e r s

a re n o l o n g e r e nta n gl e d i n t h e cha i n s o f r ea so n i n g ;

t he s pi r i t so o n r e p o se s w it h e a se i n a se r e n e a n d
l o vi n g c o n t e m p l at i o n acc o m pa n i e d wi th sp i ri tu a l
rel i sh A s t h e p u ri ficati o n o f t h e so u l aft e r t h e ,

n i gh t o f t h e se n se s o n ly is ye t fa r fro m b e i n g co m
,
“
l t th i tat e o f t ran s i ti o n d o e s n o t e xc l u d e
p e ,e s s

ari di ti e s dark n e ss an d an gu i sh ; at t i m es th ese a re

,

e v e n m o r e i n t e n se t h a n d u ri n g t h e p u rificat i o n o f

se n se s ; b u t th e y a re l e ss p r o l o n g e d A ft e r . ,

day s o f th e se st o rm s se re n ity r e tu rn s t o t h e
,
”
with it s w o n te d j o y s The se n se s n o w
.
,
2 78 O N M YS T IC A L P R AYE R

i dfi h ar e I n t h e j o y s o f t he sp i ri t b u t
be gi n to s
’

p u r e , ,

a re a s ye t t o o w eak t o s u pp o rt t h e i nte n s ity o f t h e

d i vi n e c o m m u n icat i o n s H e n ce i t c o m es that i n .
,

t h i s i nt e rm e diat e ti m e e c sta s i e s raptu r es a n d e ve n

, , ,

stra n g e p h y s ical ph e n o m e n a may h app e n ; al l w h ic h

w i l l n o l o n g e r tak e plac e a ft e r t h e n i g h t o f t h e s p i ri t ;

fo r t h e n t h e se n se s an d t h e S p i ri t b e i n g fr e e r , ,

s tr o n g e r an d p u r e r wi l l b e ab l e t o s u stai n t h e
,

acti o n o f Go d w i th o u t g i vi n g way 1 .

T h i s pa ss i v e p u rgat i o n o f t h e s p i ri t n e v e r p re
c e de s that o f t h e se n ses rar e ly acc o m p an i es i t , ,

b ut ge n e rally s p e ak i n g f o l l o w s i t aft e r a n i n t e r
, , ,

m e d iat e p e ri o d o f re p o se Y e t Go d r e mai n s a lw ay s .

ma st e r o f H is o w n acti o n a n d t i m e ; H e is n o t b o u n d
t o f o ll o w a n y i n variab l e c o u r se 2 .

I n s p ite o f t h e p u rgat i o n o f t he se n ses t h e r e stil l ,

‘
re mai n i n t h e s p i ri t s o m e h ab i tual i m p e rf e c ti o n s .

Th ese a re d e f ecti v e a ff e cti o n s a n d d i sp o s iti o n s ,

wh i c h that fi r s t n i gh t h as be e n u n ab l e t o u p r o o t ,

be cau se t h e y h av e th e i r r o o t s in t he spir it ; th e r e Is ,

m o r eo v e r a so rt o f S p i ri tual stu p i d i ty wh i c h
, ,

r e n d e r s t h e s p i rit s ubj ect t o d i s tract i o n s a n d e ffu

s iv e n e ss T h e r e re mai n a l so actual i m p e rf e cti o n s
.

pri d e fo r i n stan c e wh i ch i n s i n uat es It se l f i n t o

, ,

e v e ryt h i n g that w e ar s a n ap p e a ranc e o f h o l i n ess ,

s u c h a s e c s ta s i es v i s i o n s a n d r e v e lat i o n s ; a ce r
,
~

ta i n b o l d n e ss a n d wa n t o f re s p ect i n G o d s r e gard ’
,

a to o gr e at gr ee d o f s p i ri tu a l s w ee t n e ss & c Th e , .

ma n n e r a n d o p e rati o n s o f t h e so u l a re sti l l o n a
l o w l ev el , s h e th i n k s o f t h e th i n g s o f Go d

N ig h t , b . ii
. 0
. i .

S c a ra m e l l i, D i r . M yst .
, st h t r e a t ise c. x v. St . L ig u o r i
.

P r a x z s,
'

1 2 9 a n d 1 3 7.
2 80 O N M YS T IC AL P R AY E R

II —S U F FE R ING S
. OF T H IS S TATE .

Go d w i th draw s fr o m t h e so u l t h e r e l i sh a nd
f e e l i n g o f s p i ri tual th i n g s wh i ch i t u se d t o e x p e r i
” 1
e nc e . Th e fi r st s tat e o f ar id i ty had d ri e d u p se n
s ib l e d e v o ti o n a n d t h e s w ee tn e ss o f m e d itat i o n ; t h i s

tak e s away acci d e n tal sp i ri tual d e v o t i o n an d t h e

sw e e t s of c o n t e m plati o n Th e so u l r etai n s a
.

r m pt a n d g e n e ro u s w i l l t o S e rv e Go d i n e ve ry
p o

way b u t sh e is p l u n ge d i n dark n ess a n d dry n e ss

,
.

Go d c o m m u n icat e s t o t h e so u l s u c h v ivi d
l ig h t s t h at u n ab l e t o be a r t h e i r str e n gt h an d im
, ,

p e t u o s it,y s h e i s dazzl e d a n d pai n e d by th e m T h e .

se n se s a n d t h e s p i ri t s u ff e r as t h o ug h t h e y w e re
,

O pp r e sse d by a n i m m e n se w e i g h t a n d a re p l u n g e d ,

i n a cru e l ag o ny J u st so t h e p u re a n d vi vi d
.

b ri g h tn ess o f t h e su n d azzl e s an d a ffl ict s eye s t h at

a re so re. Th e l i g h t o f c o nt e m plat i o n m uc h ,

s tr o n g e r n o w tha n f o rm e rly t ram m e l s sti l l m o r e

,

o u r nat u ral O pe rati o n s ; t h e m e m o ry is m o r e d e v o id

O f e ve ry r e m e m b ra nc e that h as n o t r e f e r e nc e t o

Go d t h e i nt e l l e ct e xp e ri e nce s a m o r e p r o f o u n d i n
,

capab i l i ty t h e wi l l an d t h e se n se s a re p l u n g e d i n a
,

m o re c o m p l e t e ari di ty .

A h o rribl e su ff e ri n g wh i c h S t J o h n o f t h e
i

.
,

2
C r o ss an d S t T e r e sa ? h av e d e s cri b e d i n a t h r il l
.
>

i n g fa sh i o n c o m e s fr o m t h e fact that th i s c o n te m
,

p l a t io n b ri ng s i n t o a m o st v i vi d l i g h t G o d s i n fi n i t e ’

gr e at n ess a n d o u r o w n n o th i n gn e ss H is h o l i n ess ,

an d o u r s i n fu l n e ss ; i t is i n fact a n o n ly t o o e v r
, ,

N igh t b, . I I. c .
~

ii i . Ib zd
’

. , b . II . e . v. a n d
j :
3 Ca st l e, 6 t h m a n s i L i fe
’

. c. . , xxx .
 P AS S IV E P U R I F IC AT IO NS 28 1

d e n t l y i n fu se d k n o wl ed g e o f Go d a n d o f o u r se lv e s 1 .

The p o o r so u l is se i z e d w i th tr e m bl i n g i n t h e p re
se nc e o f so l o fty a maj e sty ; s h e is t e rri fi e d at h e r
‘

o w n h id e o u s d e fo r m it y a n d n u mb e rl e ss o ff e n c e s .

Wh at ev e r g o o d sh e h as d o n e is h idd e n fr o m h e r ;
t h e d ivi n e grac e s g i v e n h e r s tan d o u t i n str o n g c o n
trast w it h h er s i n s ; a t e rr ibl e an gu i sh cru s h es h er
i n t h e pre se nc e Of G o d s h o l i n e ss an d j u stic e ; s h e
’ “

b e l i ev es h e r se lf t o b e al l m u d an d fi l th d e v o i d o f ,

e v e ry v i rtu e ; i t see m s t o h e r i m p o ss ibl e t h at GOd

c o u l d l o v e S O h o rr ibl e a n O bj ect o r e n du r e s uch

i n f ecti o n ; b es i d es w as sh e e v e r w o rth a nyth i n g ?
,

H as s h e n o t l i v e d u n d e r a p e r pe tu al d e l u si o n Is
s h e n o t th e n j u stly ab a n d o n e d h o pe l e ssly l o st ?
,

S he wi sh es o n ly fo r Go d b u t Go d se e m s tak e n ,

away fr o m h e r fo r e ve r sh e is dr o w n e d i n a n o c ea n
,

o f b itt e r n e ss h o rr ibly t e m p t e d a gai n s t h o p e

,
—
Th i s .
,

h o we v e r is b u t t h e v i vi d th ri l l o f ad o rat i o n i t is
, ,

r e gr et sh am e d e s i r e a n d l o v e n o t a fall i n g away
, , , ,

n o t a back s l i d i n g d o w n t h e s l o pe o f n e gl i g e nc e ;
-

fo r t h i s s o u l f ear s t h e l e a s t fau l t m o r e tha n d e ath ;

she so l o v es Go d that s h e w o u l d sacr ifice a t h o u

san d l iv es fo r H is s ak e ; i n t h i s dr e adfu l s t o rm fai t h

h as n o t f o u n d e r e d ; t h e de s pai r is o n ly a ppare n t ,

an d h as it s seat o n ly in t h e se n s i ti v e n atu r e ; i t is t h e
l o v e o f Go d a n d t h e fe a r o f l o s i n g H i m wh ic h su b
j ec t s t h e s o u l t o s uch a t o rtu r e a n d th i s al one
,

s h o u l d b e s u ffi ci e n t t o r e a ss u r e h e r .

B u t Go d p e rm i t s that n o o ne is ab l e t o gi v e h e r .

an y l asti n g c o n so l ati o n S h e is h e r se l f r e duc e d t o

.
-

'

St . L ig u o r i, P r a x z s, 1 29.
a8 2 ON M YS T IC AL P R AYE R

a s tat e o f u tt e r h e lpl ess n e ss ; m e n t a l p ray e r is as it ,

w e r e i m p o ss ibl e t o h e r v o cal p ray e r a n d s p i ri tu al

'

, ,

re ad i n g hav e n o m e a n i n g fo r h r
e ; S h e fi n d v ry
s e e ;

w h e r e a th o u san d s ubj e ct s o f a ffl icti o n ; n o w h e r e

anyt h i n g t o r ea ss u r e h e r .

F o r so u l s i n t h i s s tat e t h e r e r e m ai n s n o o t h er
r e so u rce 1 t h an t o h o p e agai n st al l h o p e t o t h r o w ,

th e m se lve s w i t h e nti r e aban d o n me n t i nt o t h e a rm s

o f Go d .S t T e r es a advi se s t h at in s u c h a ti m e t h e
.

s o u l s h o u l d cr e at e a d iv e r s i o n by e m p l o y i n g h e r se lf

In p i o u s o ccu pat i o n s Th e h e at o f t h ese pai n s is

.

fe l t o n ly fr o m ti m e t o t i m e a n d n o t c o n ti n u o u sly ,

o th e rw i se i t w o u l d cau se d e at h Th e a ssau lt s .

w h ic h S t T e re sa h e r se lf e n du re d la st e d e i g h t d ay s
.
,

fift ee n day s o r e v e n th r ee w ee k s ? D u rin g t h is

, i

ti m e t h e s u ff e r e r be l i e v e s t h e y wi l l n ev e r e n d ; b u t
‘ ‘

Go d d i s p e l s th e m an d , th e n i t se e m s as if th e r e
” 3
n e v e r h ad b ee n a cl o u d i n t he so u l W he n .

t he u n i o n is t o b e se ri o u s a n d r e al t h i s n i g h t h o w , ,

e v e r g e n e r o u s t h e so u l m ay b e la st s fo r se ve ral,
” 4
y e ar ,s w i th t h e ab o v e m e n ti o n e d -
alt e rn at i v e s o f
s t o r m an d cal m Th e s u ff e ri n g is so m e t i m e s so
.

v i o l e n t that t h e so u l se e m s t o see t he aby ss o p e n at

h e r f ee t a n d r e ady t o e ngu l p h it s vi cti m Th is .

s tat e is a h e ll i n it s pai n a pu rga t o r y i n it s p u r i fy

,

i n g p o we r S t J o h n O f t h e C r o ss a ffirm s that th o se
. .

so u l s s h al l n o t p a ss th r o ug h t h e fire o f t h e n e xt

w o rld o r at l e a st shal l n o t re mai n l o n g th e r e i n ;

,

unk n o wn t o t h e m se lv e s th e y are n o w b e i n g p u ri fi e d
,

eve n t o th e i r i n m o st d e pt h s a n d t h e s p i ri tu al
,

St . Li g u o r i , m '

zs, 1
30 . .
3 Ca st l e, 6 t h m a n s l . i
.

4 N iq kl b ii c v ii
, . . . .
284 ON M YS TIC A L P R AY E R

w o ul d n e v e r wi sh i t t o c e a se It l ast s rat h e r l o ng
.
' I
'

so m e t i m es no w ,
d i m i n i sh i n g n o w i ncr ea s i n g ; at
,

o t h e r ti m e s r a t h e r a s h o rt w h i l e e i t h e r b ecau se t h i s
, ,

flam e b ec o m es e xt i n ct o r b e cau se i t al l e n d s i n a
,
w

raptu r e .

’
Go d c o m p l e te d t h e p u rgati o n o f S t T e r e sa s so u l .

by a s pe ci es o f s u ff e ri n g sti l l m o re pai n fu l a n d m o re
Sp i ri tu a l than t h e p r e c e di n g I n t he wo u n d o f
.

l o v e t h e b o dy sh ar e d i n t h e s u ff e ri n g a n d al so i n
,

t h e s w e e tn e ss ; h e r e i t is ad m i tte d t o a sh ar e o f t h e
,

s u ff e ri n g b u t n o t o f t h e e nj o y m e n t
, t h e so u l al o n e ,

ta st e s t h e d e l i gh t O f th i s n ew k i n d o f m arty r
”
do m . I n t h e fo rm e r ca se Go d m ad e H i m se lf
,

fe l t t o b e q u i t e n e a r t h e so u l u n d e r sto o d that
,

H e w as c a ll i n g h e r ; i n t h e l att e r H e s h o w s ,

H i m se l f at a g re a t d i s tan c e ; th e re t h e so u l
”

tra n sp o rte d with l o v e se i z e d w i t h a v io l e n t de sire

, , .

o f b e h o ld i n g Go d w a s al m o s t dy i n g b e cau se sh e
,

c o u l d n o t d ie ; h e r e S h e e xp e ri e nc e s t h e sam e im
,

pati e n t an d t o rtu ri n g h u nge r b u t w i t h t h i s p ecu l i ar

,

characte r t h at see k i n g aft e r Go d a n d fi n d i n g H i m

, ,

n o w h e re s he fe els h ers e lf t o b e i n a b o u n d less

,

d es er t cru ci fi ed be tw ee n h e ave n w h ic h sh e d o es
, ,

n o t ye t p o sse ss a n d e arth w h i c h is n o l o n g e r a n y
, ,

th i n g t o h er Go d c o m m u n icat es t o t he so u l a mo st
.

v iv i d k n o wl e dg e o f H is a m i ab le qua l i ti e s ; an d t h i s
l i ght s harp e n s h e r de si r es a n d h e r t o rm e n t Th e .

pa i n is S O gr eat t h at t h e b o dy is t o rtu r ed by i t ;
. .

b u t o f th i s t he so u l h as n o p e rc e pti o n at t h e
m o m e n t so m u c h m o r e p o i gna n t is th i s w o u n d o f
,

t h e s p i ri t I t is a martyrd o m o f pai n s a n d o f
j o ys a m arty rd o m w h ic h t e r r ifi e s n ature bu t o u t ,
 P AS S IVE P U R I F IC AT IO NS 2 85

of w h i c h t he so u l w o u ld n e ve r w i sh t o i ss u e b e cau se ,

s h e k n o w s it s c h arm a n d it s val u e I t is o f c o m .

p a ra t iv e l y S h o rt du rati o n n o t la s,ti ng m o r e than a

fe w h o u r s . I n i t li fe it se l f ru n s a re a l r i s k b o t h
, ,

o n acc o u n t o f t h e e xtr e m e pai n s w h ich acc o m pany

i t a n d t he V i o l e n t raptu r e b y w h ic h i t t e rm i nat es
“

Happy t h e vi cti m s wh o m th i s d iv i n e afli ic t io n t o r

m e nt s A la s d ar e w e say t h at w e hav e e v e r l o v e d
Go d
Th i s h o ly v i o l e nce tear s t h e so u l away fr o m
e v e ryt h i n g cr e at e d ; t h e gre at fe ar w h i ch sh e ex ,

p e r ie n ce s at t h e s i g h t o f h e r m i se ri e s e xt i rpat e s t h e ,

la s t r o o t s o f p ri d e ; t he crucib l e o f div i n e l o v e c o m
pl e te s t h e d estructi o n o f e v e ry th i ng h u ma n that
r e mai n e d i n h e r ; he r facu lt i e s re duc e d t o a m o r e ,

th o ro u gh e m pti n e ss h av e b e c o m e s u pp l e an d d o ci l e
,

t o r ec e i v e t h e act i o n o f Go d ; h e n c e f o rth t h e so u l is
p u rifi ed d i sci pl i n e d i ll u m i nat ed i nflam e d ; S h e is
, , ,

re ady fo r pe rfe ct u n i o n w it h Go d .

To s u m u p i t is c o n te m p lati o n i t se lf wh ic h at
, ,

o n e t i me ,
dark e n s dri e s u p t o rtu r es a n d p u rifi es
, , ,

so u l s at an o th e r sh e d s o ve r th e m a p u r e l i g h t a n d
, ,

i n u ndat es t h e m w i t h a l o v e fu l l o f swee t n e ss I t .

p r o d uce s d i ff e r e n t e ff e ct s acc o rdi n g t o t he vari o u s

d i spo si ti o n s o f t h e so u l : t he sam e fire p r o duc es at
On ce a cl e ar an d b u rn i n g flam e i f t h e w o o d is d ry ; ,

b ut i t b e gi n s by black e n i n g d ry in g an d p r e pari n g
, ,

t he gr ee n w o o d b e f o r e e n v e l o p i n g i t i n a p u r e a n d
,

d e l ightfu l blaz e 1 Th i s d e p e n d s al so u p o n t he wi l l
.

o f Go d ,
w ho ,e v e r w i se a n d m e rci fu l co m m u n i ,

t e s t o c o nt e m plati o n a n activi ty so m e ti m e s pu r ,

Night , b . n . c . X.
2 86 O N M YS TIOAL P R AYE R

ga t iv e , so m e ti m e s e n l i ght e n i n g an d in flam in g H e .

k n o w s h o w t o ma k e Thab o r s ucc ee d t o C a l v ary t o ,

h um bl e an d a n n ih i lat e t h e so u l by cruci fyi n g it ,

t o f o rti fy an d p r e par e i t fo r fr e s h trial s by m a n i fes t

i n g H i m self I n t he swe e tn e ss o f th ese m e e t i ng s
.

with Go d p a st ag o n i es a re d i s p e l l e d l ik e a dre am
,

an d fo rg o tt e n ; yet t he so u l f ee l s as i t w e r e i n st i nct
,

iv e ly that C alvary s ti ll awai t s h er b e cau se sh e h as

, ,

n o t c o m pl e t e ly d i e d t o h e r se l f ; fo r t h ese trial s wi ll

e nti r e ly c ea se o n ly w h e n t he fi
, re o f c o nt e m plati o n

fi nd s n o t h i n g m o r e t o p u ri fy an d t h e facu lti es are

we l l di sci pl i n e d I f t h e d i vi n e acti o n is str o n g an d
.

t h e so u l d o ci l e h e t rial w i l l b e l ess p r o l o n g e d ; l e t
t,

t he so u l s ub m i t t o i t wi th c o u rag e an d n o t c o mplai n ;

fo r t h e r i g o u r a n d du rati o n o f t h ese my ste ri o u s

pai n s a re t h e an n o u nc e m e n t o f a n d p r e parati o n fo r
t h e m o r e s ubl i m e a sce n t s i n pray e r an d p e rf ecti o n
‘

Is th e re any n e e d t o o b se rv e th at t h e pa ss i ve p u r
g a t io n o f t he s e n se s mark s t h e fi r s t s t e p s i n my s tical
way s an d that that o f t h e s pi ri t le ad s o n t o t h e
,

su m m i t ? B o th h o w eve r b e l o n g t o t h e sam e
, ,

o rde r o f i de a s an d f o rm a c o mp l e t e w h o l e . Th i s is
t h e r e a so n why w e th o ugh t i t b es t t o e xplai n b o th
“

o f th e m t o g e th e r al th o ugh g e n e ral l y sp ea k i n g t he
, , ,

pa ssi v e pu rgati o n o f t h e sp i ri t d o es n o t t ak e p l ace

fo r a l o n g ti m e aft e r m o st o f th o se stat es o f p ra ye r
wh ic h it re m a in s fo r u s n o w t o d escrib e .
2 88 O N M YS TIC A L P R AY E R

t e m p l at io n Th e n c o m e s a t i m e wh e n grac e is
.

g iv e n alway s fo r c o nt e m plati o n n eve r fo r m e di ta ,

ti o n so that wh e n e v e r t h e so u l p ray s sh e d o es so
, ,

by m ea n s O f th i s s i m pl e an d l o v i ng l o o k S h e h as .

th e n acqu i r e d t h e pe rf ect hab i t o f c o n t e m plati o n ,

an d e n t e r s u p o n i t as i t w e r e at h er pl easu re
, , .

T h i s is a ma n i festly su pe rnatu ral c o nt e m p l ati o n .

I n ev e ry k i n d o f p ray e r t h e r e m u st b e b o t h Go d an d
m an grace a n d c o O p e rat i o n w i t h grac e I n
,
- .

acqu i re d c o nt e m plati o n t h e acti o n o f Go d r e mai n s ,

h i dd e n w e k n o w i t b y fai th a n d pr o v e i t by re a son ;
'

i n my stical p ray e r i t is man i fest w e fee l i t i t IS a , ,

f
fact o o u r e xpe ri e nc e — S t T e r esa n e v e r l o se s an
. .

Op po r tu n i ty 1 o f r e m i n di n g u s t h at my sti cal co n
t e m p l at io n is s u p e rnatu ral e nt i re ly s u p e rnatu ral , ,

m an ifestly su p e rn atu ral ; S he asse rt s t h at th i s is so

e v e n fr o m t h e p ray e r o f qu i e t .

No w ,sh e cal l s su p e rn atu ral w h at eve r w e ,

ca n n o t acqu i r e o f o u r se lv e s n o matte r w h at car e ,

an d d i l ig e nce w e e m pl o y I n th i s r e s p ect al l w e .
,

can d o is t o d i sp o se o u r se lv es fo r i t a n d a gr eat ,
” ?
p o i n t t o o is th i s d i s p o s i n g o f o u r se l ves fo r it
, ,

S p eak i n g e l sew h e re O f t h e p ray e r o f qu i e t t h e sai n t ,

say s : J u s t as w e ca n n o t make t he day dawn n o r

p re v e n t t h e n i gh t fr o m s ucc ee d i n g t o i t so w e ,
!

can n o t e i t h e r p r o cu r e fo r o u r se lve s so gr e at a go o d
’
,

n o r re tai n i t a s in l e i n st a n t b ey o n d t h e ti m e fix e d
g
by t h e w i l l o f O u r L o rd I t is a fav o u r e nt i re l y .

s u p e rnatu ra l w e o u r se lv e s h ave n o part i n i t

, our ,

Wy a , xx v i. x xx i i . &c . L ife, x u . x iv. x v. x v u . x x . x x i. x x u .

x x iii. x x i x . &c . Ca s t l e 4 t h m a n s
, . c. i ii iii
. . .
st h m a n s . c . i &c.

ll . Rr ’
to F r R o d r A l va r ez
. . . A scen t . iii C i
. .
 OF M YS T ICA L C O NTE M P LAT IO N 2 89 .

” 1
ow n e flo r t s ca n n o t atta i n t o i t A la s ! w e ca n .

o n ly t o o e as i ly ban i s h Go d by o u r I n fi d e l it ie s or ,

o pp o se H is acti o n by d o i n g t h i n g s i nc o m pati b l e
“
wi th p ray e r T h e i m p u ri ty an d t h e i m p e rf ecti o n s
.

o f t h e so u l a re t h e o nly O b stacl e s t o t h i s g rac e j u s t ,

as t h e s p o t s o f d i r t u p o n a w i n d o w pan e a re -

o b stacl e s t o t he l i ght
” 2
We ca n o n t h e o th e r
.
,

han d r e m o v e t h e o b stacl es an d p o s i ti v e ly di sp o se
,

o u r se l v e s fo r t h i s grac e a s w e h av e j u s t S h ow n 3
, .

No twith s ta n di n g al l th i s Go d r e mai n s ma st e r O f ,

H is g i ft s H e d i stri b u t e s H is fav o u r s w h e n He ,

pl e a ses i n what man n e r H e p l ea se s an d t o wh o m

, ,
” 4
He pl ea se s . H e r e is t h e r e a so n why al l auth o rs ,

5
w i t h S t T e r e sa so S t ro n g l y r ec o m m e n d u s n o t t o
.
,

se e k t o th ru s t o u r s e lv es i n t o s u p e rn atu ral c o nt e m

p l a t io n . Th i s w o u l d b e t o d e p riv e o u r se l v e s o f
m e ditati o n w i t h o u t r e ach i n g c o n t e m p l ati o n ; a cu l
pahl e pr e s u m pti o n a f o o l i sh att e m pt a lab o u r
, ,

a b s o l ut e l y th r o wn away B y d i sp o s i n g h e r se l f in
.
,

de e d t he so u l r each es t h e d o o r b u t Go d al o n e ca n
, ,

o pe n i t .

c e my s tica l p ray e r is s u p e rn atu ra l i t is c o n ,

i G o d s pa rt a s s iv e o n t h e
’
n fu s e d o n p
y ,

h so u l 6 Th xp r e s s i o n s r e cu r u n c e a s
f t e e se .e

i n t h e writ i n g s O f S t J o h n o f t he C r o ss . .

ow , Go d s h o w s H i m se lf t o t h e so u l w h e n e v e r it
Wy a , xx x u .

A scen t , b . ii . 0. x vi .
3 S e e 3 r d p a r t c ii p 2 2 8 . . . a nd fl:
Cas t l e , 4 t h m a n s , c i . .

“
Th e e x p re s s io ns s u pe r n a t u r a l and in f u s e d a re h e re
no n
ym o u s, w e u se t he m b oth o n ly b e c a u se t he y se r ve to

ot he r
290 ON MYS T IC AL P R AY E R

se e m s g oo d t o H i m se lf at p raye r at sp i ritual ,

re ad i n g at m an u al w o rk du ri n g c o nv e r sati o n o r
, , ,

s o m e ti m e s i n t he m i d st o f t h e m o st o rdi n ary
t h o ugh t s a n d o ccu pat i o n s S o m e ti m e s t he so u l ex .

p e e t s a V i s i
,
t b u t G o d d o e s n o t c o m e ; at o t h e r t i m e s

H e s h o w s H i m se lf at t he m o m e n t wh e n H e is le a st
e xp e ct e d a nd wh e n t h e s o u l is v e ry far fr o m as p ir
” 1
i ng t o a ny s u ch fav o u r I n t he b e g i n n i n g i t
. ,

”
is t ru e , s ay s S t T e r e sa w h e n s p e a k i n g o f e c s ta sy
.
, ,
“
that t h i s o ccu r s al m o st alway s aft e r a p r o l o n ge d
m en tal p ray e r Go d at fi r s t is pl ea sed t o m ak e t h e
.

so u l a s c e n d t o ward s H i m s t e p by st e p ; afte rward s

H e tak e s u p th i s l i ttl e d o v e an d p l ac es i t i n t h e n es t
” 2
that i t may r e st i t se l f th e r e L i ke wi se Go d g i v es
.
,

H i m se lf t o t h e so u l i n what e v e r man n e r H e H i m
se lf wi l l s : t h e c o n t e m plati o n wi l l b e c o n so l in g o r x

d ry acc o rd i n g a s H e j udg es i t w e l l t o i n fl am e t h e
,

so u l o r t o p u ri fy i t H o we v e r w e l l p r e par e d a so u l
.

may b e t h e d iv i n e fav o u r s r e mai n fav o u r s a n d

, ,

n e v e r b e c o m e a ri gh t o r t he salary o f o u r e ffo rt s .

God gi v es s uch f o rm a n d s uch i nt e n s i ty t o h e r

p ray e r a s H e w i l l s ; s o m e t i m e s H e i n e b riat e s h e r

w ith l igh t an d l o v e ; at o th e r s He o n ly h alf sati sfi e s ,

h e r h u n g e r o r h ardly th r o w s he r so m e fe w cru mb s ;
,

an d i t is n o t i n o u r p o w e r t o re n de r th i s i n f us i o n
m o r e c o p i o u s n o r t o l e av e t h e stat e o f qu i e
,

c o m pl et e u n i o n o r e c s ta sy F i n al ly H e w it h d .
,

H i m se lf wh e n H e wi l l s a n d n o n e can k ee p ,

wh e n H e w i ll s i t n o t .

Th i s e xplai n s t h e c o n stan t fl u ctuat i o ns t o w h i

c o n t e m pl ati o n is s ubj e ct A t ti m es i t is f e e bl e i t
.
,

Ascen t , b . II . c . xx vi . a n d x x x ii L ife, x v iii.

2 92 O N M YS TIC A L P R AYE R

wh o i nfu ses a n d t o u c hes , Wh i l s t t he S o u l is t h e re ‘

D u r zn g t he
‘
h o l e t im e t ha t Go d is po u r
w

in g in t o h er H is l ig ht an d H is l o v e, t he so u l Sh o u l d
be atte nt ive t o gath e r i n what Go d d e i gn s t o giv e
her I f S h e tri es t o m e d i tat e as f o rm e rly t o mu lt i p l y
.
,

d i sti n ct act s o th e r tha n th o se wh ic h Go d i ncl i n es

,

her t o t o see k Sp i ri tu al r e l i s h a n d f e rv o u r by t h e
,

o l d m e th o d s in a w o rd t o a c t by h e r se l f i n s te ad
, ,

o f l o v i n gly y i e ldi n g h e r se lf u p t o r e c e iv e s he '

,
“
th e r eby h i n d e r s G o d s act i o n Go d wan t s t o
’
.

S p e ak t o h e r b ut s h e mak e s a d i stu rban ce

'

,
”
i n t h e m i d st o f s i l e n c e H e is p o u ri n g i n t o h e r
’

a s u p r e m e ly d es i rabl e l i gh t a n d l o v e ; bu t she
w i l l r ece i ve t h i s b e n e fit o n ly i n s mal l m e a s u r e a n d
i m p e rfe ctly a n d n o t i n al l t h at pl e n i tu d e wi th
,
”
wh ich i t is O ff e r e d h e r O r rat h e r S he th ro w s .
, ,

O b stacl e s i n it s way an d wi ll l o se th i s b ene fit ,

‘

1 ”
al t oge th e r Th i s is i n t h e w o rd s o f S t ,

T e re sa t o t h r o w w at e r o n t h e fire
, to b lo w SO ,

” 2
s tr o ng l y u p o n t h e t o rch a s t o e xti n gu i s h it .

I t is at t h e sam e t i m e t o i n cr e a se d ry n e ss tr o ub l e
.

, ,

fati gu e d i s gu s t O n t h e c o ntrary
,
t h e mo r e t h e
.
,

so u l accu st o m s h e r se lf t o th i s re p o se t he m o re it ,

i ncre a ses t h e m o re al so i n cr e a se s th at ge n e ral

, , ,
l

a n d l o Vin g k n o wl edg e o f G o d i n w h i ch S h e fi n d s ,

a p eac e a r ep o se a re l i sh a n d a n e n j o ym e n t
, ,

e xe m p t fr o m al l e ff o r t an d m o r e agr e e abl e t h an all

” 5
e l se .

Fo r t h e v e ry re aso n t h at c o n t e m plati o n is i n ;

Li vi ng F l a m e, 3 r d s a nz a , 3 r d t ve rse v . V I. VI I . v I I I.

b . II. c x i x ii x i ii x v
. . N ig h t , b i
. . . . . c . ix . and x. &c .

L ife , x v a , x x x ii
y . W .
3 ‘

A scen t , b . ii . c . x iii.
 O F M YS T IC A L C O NTE M P LATI O N 2 93

fu sed o n G o d s part a n d pa ss i v e o n t h e part o f t he

’

,
.

so u l, it d em an d s l ess la b o u r i n p r o p o rti o n as it ,

is m o r e e l e vat e d ; in c o m pl e t e u n i o n t h e lab o u r is ,

r e duc e d t o al m o st n o th i n g ; i n e c sta sy t h e re is n o ,

l o n g e r a ny T h i s h o w e v e r is far fr o m b e i n g t h e
.
, ,

ca se i n t he stat e o f qu i e t 1 .

I n sh o rt i t is v e ry se l d o m 2 t h at c o n t e m pla
,

t i o n is co m pl e t ely pa ss ive The c o O p e rat i o n o f t h e

.
-
.

wi l l is n e ce ssary i n o rd e r th at t he m i n d m ay r e ma i n
,

fixe d i n t h i s s i m pl e l o o k a n d t h e h ear t c o nti n u e I n

,

t h i s m o v e m en t o r th e se act s o f l o v e ; t h Is Is a
,

pl e a su r e a n d as i t we re a n ec e ss i ty rath e r th an a
, , ,

lab o u r w h e n t he so u l is p o we rfu l ly affe ct e d ; b u t

,
’
i f G o d s act i o n is we ak t h e r e 15 n ee d o f e n e rgy a n d
,

o f a we ari so m e lab o u r in o rd e r t o r e p e l di stra e

,

ti o n s t o o v e rc o m e w e ar i n ess an d d i sgu st The so u l

, .

is t h e n in a stat e o f pai n fu l d ry n e ss w h e rei n s h e ,

fee l s t h e n ee d o f m ak i n g act s t h at a re dry a n d wi th

o u t re l i sh in o rd e r t o su p p l e m e n t t h e i n suffici e nt
,

o ccu pati o n w h ic h sh e IS r e c e i vi n g fr o m Go d In .

fu se d l i g h t an d l o v e n e v e rth e l ess st i l l re mai n t he

, ,

c o n sti tu e n t e l e m e n t s o f t h e c o n t e m plat i o n Th e r e .

is t h e n a d o ubl e o pe rat i o n : G o d s an d o u r o w n
’

i n fu se d an d acqu i r e d p a ss i v e a n d activ e
,
Bu t .

o bvi o u sly t h e p ri n ci pal acti o n 15 t h at o f Go d

‘
our ,

acti o n s h o u ld b e s u b o r d i n at e t o t h i s, a n d
”

(I se c o n d i t o r alt o ge t h e r van i sh
, .

re t h e n is t he fi r st charact e ri sti c o f my s tical

, ,

I t Is im p o ss rb l e fo r t he so u l t o ra i se h e r se l f
i t by a n y e ffo rt s o f h e r o w n ; Go d g i v es i t sh e ,

L ife , x i. x i v . x v i. x v iii. Way , x xx I I. Asc en t , b . II . x v.

'

L if e , x x v ii.
2 94 ON MYS T ICAL P R AYE R

c i v es i t I t is by e xp e ri e nce t h at t h e so ul
re e .

a cqu i r e s t h e c e rtai n ty o f th i s I n t h e c o m m o n way s

.

o f p ray e r w e fe e l th at w e o u r se lv e s a re acti n g ; w e
,

ca n t e l l p r eci se ly t h e th o u gh t t h at h a s m o v e d u s ,

a nd by u s i n g t h e sam e m e a n s agai n w e can re

, ,

p r o duce m o r e o r l ess t h e sam e effe ct s H e r e .

,

t he c o n tra ry w e a re c o n sci o u s t h at w e are p as s iv e ;

,

w h e n l ig h t an d l o v e i n u n dat e t h e so u l S h e f ee l s
t h at it is a n o t h e r t h at is p o u ri n g t h e m i nt o h e r ,

th at al l h e r o w n e ffo rt s a re p o w e rl ess e i t h e r t o g i v e
ri se t o t h e m t o k ee p th e m o r t o b r i n g t h e m back
, ,

agai n W h e n all h as di sap pear e d sh e p e rc e iv es

.
,

that she is agai n al o n e a n d ab a n d o n e d t o h e r se lf ;

H e w h o w as o pe rati n g i n h e r h as wi th d raw n .

’
W h e n G o d s acti o n is so s l i gh t as t o l e av e t h e so u l
i n a state o f d eso l ati o n sh e see s t o o we l l t h at h e r
,

u n de r sta n d i n g is f e tt e re d a n d that she is p o w e rl ess

,
’

t o e n l i ght e n a n d i nflam e h e r se lf A gre at l esso n

.

t h i s i n h u m i l ity d e p e n d e nc e an d fil ial fe ar t o ward s

,

Go d l

II - Ho w IN T H IS S TATE GO D I s K NO WN I N A

WAY TH AT I S INE F FAB L E .

L et usnte r m o r e d ee ply i n t o t h e in t e rio

e

n atu re o f pa ssi v e c on t e m plati o n an d c o n si d e r i t

c o n sti tu e n t e l e m e n t s .

T he se a re at o nc e b o th l i g h t a n d l o v e my
t e r io u sl y p r o duc e d i n u s — A cc o rdi n g t o S t
. .

“
o f t h e C r o ss c o n t e m plat i o n is
,
t h e sci e n c e

l o v e t h e i n fu se d a n d l o vi n g k n o wl e dg e o f Go d
, ,
’

e n l i ghte n s an d i n fla m es t h e so u l so as t o rai se
 2 96 O N M YS T ICA L P R AY E R
'

t h at t he so u l is i m pr e g nat e d by it e ve n t o t h e i n n e r
m o s t d e p th s o f it s b e i n g ”
1 wh e n t h i s my st ical
,

i n fl ue n ce is str o n g .

Th is l i g h t d o e s n o t c o m e fr o m t h e w o rk o f o u r
m i n d fr o m t he f o rc e o f o u r re a so n i n g s ; o n t h e
,

c o n tr a ry t h e m o r e v i v i d t he l i g h t is t h e m o r e
, ,

our u n d e r stan di n g is f e tte r e d a n d r e duc e d t o

i m po t e n c e Go d i t is w h o p o u r s t h i s l i g h t i nt o
.
,

t h e so ul , s o m e ti m e s i n t h e m i d st o f so m e p i o u s
,

o c cu pati o n ,s o m e ti m e s u n ex p e ct e dly
, and e ve n ,

am i d st t h e m o s t c o m m o n k i n d s o f w o rk He .

m e a s u r e s i t o u t at t i m e s w i th a s pari n g h an d an d t h e ,

so u l s u ff e r s fr o m th i s l o w d i e t ; at o t h e r ti m es ,

wi t h o u t a rgu m e nt s o r r e a so n i n g i n t he S pac e o f ,

a S i n gl e C re d o H e i l l u m i nat e s t h e so u l wi th m o r e
,

l i ght t h a n S h e c o u l d w i th al l h e r eff o rt s ac q u Ire I a -

,

” ?
s e v e ral y ea r s Wh e n t h i s my stical l ig h t is
m o re se n s ible an d l e ss p u r e i t is t h e n m o r e acce s ,

s i bl e t o o u r v i e w a n d w e v e ry wr o n gly j udg e i t t o
,

b e cl ear e r a n d o f gr e ate r valu e B u t wh e n i t is .

v e ry p u r e a n d e xcit es a qu i te sp i ri tu al l o y e t he
‘

so u l may v e ry w e l l b e o ccu p i e d wi t h i t w i t h o ut
h e r p e rc e i v i ng that i t is so T h i s l ig h t
.

e scap e s o u r n o tic e th e n o n ly o n a cc o u n t o f it s v e ry
,
” 3
p u ri ty, p e rf e ct i o n a n d s i m pl ici ty .

I t is ab o v e al l an ex per im en t a l k n o wl e dg e
, , ,

wh ich t each es u s m o r e tha n a n y a m o u n t o f r ea so n

i n g an d b oo k s No o n e k n o w s Go d l ik e th o se
.

w h o hav e e xp e ri e nc e d t h e u n i o n o f l o v e B e fo r e .
,

th e y had o n l y h eard o f H i m ; n o w t h ey
A sce n t , II . c . x x v I. S t Te r e s a , l
.
ife , 8 1!
3 A sc en t , II . c . x iv .
 O F M YS T IC A L C O NT E M P LAT IO N 2 97

H i m by e x pe rie nce b cau t h y h av fe lt ta st e d e se e e , ,

»

an d as i t w e re t o uch e d with th e i r fi ng e r H is g o o d
, ,

n ess H is t e nde rn e ss H is i nfi n it e c o nde sc e n s i o n

, , ,

l l i s ch aract e r T h i s k n o wl e dg e is b o th l i ght
.

l l l d s av o u r ; i t h as t h e ta st e o f Go d t h e ar o m a
'

of e e t rn i ty 1 Th e
. so u l b e n e ath t h ese d IV I n e
,

to uc h e s r ese m bl e s a ch i ld wh o m it s m o t h e r
, , ,

p r e ss es l o v i n gly t o h e r h e art ; th i s s i l e n t e mb race

e xp r e sse s m o re t h a n any w o rd s ; t h e ch i ld h as
h e ard n o t h i n g see n n o th i n g n e ith e r h as h e
, ,

re aso n e d h e h as m e r e ly f e l t that l o vi n g e mb race

, ,

an d n o w he k n o w s t h e h eart o f h is m o t h e r .

T h i s m y stical l ight e n d s by g ivi n g u s a m o st

p ro f o u n d k n o wl edg e o f Go d a nd o f o u r se l ve s O f H is ,
'

in li n it e g re atn ess o f o u r o w n l ittl e n ess a n d o f t he

, ,

n o t h i n gn ess o f al l c r e ate d th i n g s No t w it h .

s tan d i n g it s V IV I d ne S S i t r e mai n s o b scu re an d co n

,

f u s e d ,vagu e a n d g e n e ral F o r i t sh o w s u s Go d .

i n o n e s i m pl e a n d c o ll ect e d v i e w w i th o u t fixi n g o u r ,

att e n ti o n u p o n H is d i v e r s fe c t Io n s H is wi s d o m
p e r , , .

l Iis p o w e r H is i m m e n s ity &c

, I t mak es u s tak e
,
.
,

a s it w e r e a g e n e ral v i e w o f O u r L o rd w it h o ut
,

n
g i n t o r e l i e f e ac h o f H i s di ff e r e n t m y s

ie s o r t h e d etai l s o f w h at H e h as d o n e t o sav e
,
;

o r i f i t d o e s fix o u r att e n ti o n u p o n so m e a t t r i»
,

t e o f Go d o n H is b e auty
, H is g o o d n e ss H is
, ,

l o v e H is m e rcy o r u p o n so m e my st e ry o f O u r
, ,

L o rd i t d o e s so i n a g e n e ra l so rt o f a way wh ich
, , ,

n o t s t o pp i ng at d e t a i l s r e mai n s o f n e c e ssi ty vagu e

,

n d c o n fu se d ? B e s i d e s Go d so secre t l y an d m ys
,

L i v i ng F l a m e , 2n d st an z a,
4t h ve rse.
3 S t F r a n c is
. o f S a le s Lo v e
, f Go d
o , b . vi . c . v i.
2 98 ON M YS TIC AL P R AYE R

t e r io u sl y p o u r s t h i s l i gh t i n t o t h e so u l t h at sh e
h e r se l f d o e s n o t p e c e i v e h o w i t is d o n e r At .

ti m es al so
,
t he c o n t e m p l at Io n Is so s i m p l e th a t
,

i t ca n hard l y at a l l b e pe rc e iv e d Th e so u l o n l y .

k n o ws th a t S h e is sati sfi e d tranqu i l c o nt e n t S h e , , ,

t ast es Go d a n d feel s t h at al l is w e l l ; b u t i t is o n l y
,

i n v e ry v agu e a n d ge n e ra l te rm s that sh e c an t e l l
what i t is she p o ssesse s
Tru ly th o se auth o r s a re v e ry righ t w h o say t h at
“
O b scu r e c o n t e m p l ati o n is a n e xpe ri m e n tal pe r
” ”
cep t io n o f Go d 2 G o d i n e ffably p e rcei v e d 3 in
, ,

a c o n fu se d an d my st e ri o u s l ig h t .

B es id es th i s o b scu r e a n d g e n e ral c o nt e m p l ati o n ,

the r e is an o th e r w h ic h is d i sti nct a n d par t icu l ar .

T h i s se es h e ar s gra sp s cl early par t i cu l a r o b j ect s

, , ,

o r c o ncr e te t ruth s wh ich are s u p e rn a t u ra l ly pre

,

s e nte d to t h e so u l I t O p e rate s especi al ly by

.

v i si o n s r e v e lat i o n s i nt e ri o r w o rd s See I t is n o t
, , , .

o u r i nt e nti o n t o S p eak o f t h i s S t T e r e sa 4 S t . . , .

5
J h n o f t h e C r o ss an d a n u mbe r o f exc e l l e nt
o ,

aut ho rs 6 have s u p e rabu n d an t l y t r eate d o f t h i s su b

,

je ct . W e s hal l m e r e ly cal l att e n ti o n t o t h e fact

that o b scu re c o n te m plati o n is alway s with o ut
d a n g e r : i t is a l o v i n g l o o k u p o n Go d a s im p l e ,

v i e w o f faith i nt o w h ich n o e rr o r can gl id e

, .

ca n n o t say t h e sa m e o f parti cu l ari se d an d di

c o n t e m pl ati o n : fo r i t is e a sy t o m i st ak e fo r
,

di vi n e il l u m rn at ro n t h e w o rk o f o u r o w n m i n
,

N ig h t , II . c . v i. G e r s o n , Tr 7 . c. ii.
3 Ve n . J o hn o fS t . S a m so n , M a x i m s, c x x i . .

Lif e an d Ca st l e , p a ssi m 5 A scen t

.
, p a ssi m .

Fr . P o u l a in , Gr a ces af P r ay e r x x a n d fil . .
 O N M YS T IC AL P R AY E R
‘

3 00

of he r c h i l d an d t o tak e pl ea su re i n d o i n g so ; so ,

l i k e wi se in a ri d c o nt e m pl ati o n th e r e m u st b e a
, ,

secr e t ,
b u t v e ry r eal a n d l iv i ng l o v e wh ic h k ee p s
t h e so u l e nchai n e d n e ar Go d d esp it e t h e p ai n and
‘

we ar i n ess o f h e r c o n di ti o n .

I n it s t u rn c o nt e m p l at i o n
,
gi v e s ri se t o a ,

gr e at e r a n d m o r e fe rv e n t l o v e wh ich at la st is , , ,

cr o wn ed with p e rf ecti o n wh e n i t c o m e s t o e nj o y,

what i t l o v es B y th i s p e rpe tual m o ve m e n t fr o m

.

l o ve t o s i ght , a n d fr o m s igh t t o l o v e ,

l o ve u rg e s t h e ey es t o l o o k e ve r m o re
att e nti v e ly u p o n t h e b e a u ty o f t h e \\ e l l B e l o v e d
7 -
,

an d th i s v i e w c o m p e l s t h e h eart t o l o ve e v e r m o r e
” 1
ard e nt l y .

I t is Go d w h o i n fia m es t h e w i l l wh e n an d h o w
He pl e a ses .Th e so u l fi n d s i t se l f at t im e s
agi tat e d by o u tb u r st s o f t h e m o s t pu re l o v e , w ith

o u t b e i n g ab l e t o u n d e r stan d fr o m w ha t cau se th i s

p r o c ee d s , w i th o u t e v e n k n o wi n g (by a ”

”2
di sti nct k n o wl e dg e at fir st ) what i t is l o vi n g .

Ne v e rth e l ess that i t is Go d that i t is O u r L o rd

, ,

sh e l o v es t h e re ca n b e n o d o ubt
, Th i s l o v e m ay .

b e al m o st i m p e rc e pti bl e w h e t h e r it b e t h at Go d
,

p o u r s i n o n l y a fe w d r o p s o f it o r t h a t i t is t o o ,

p u r e a n d s pi ri tual t o b e g ra sp ed by t he se n ses ; it
is t o b e J udged by i t s fru i t s Th i s l o ve wi l l b e a t
.

ti m es n e ith e r v e ry str o n g n o r v e ry we a k i n fact , ,

o n e m i gh t hav e a s m uch an d e v e n m o r e o f i t du ri n g

o rdi nary pray e r A t o t h e r ti m e s i t w i ll b e l i k e a n

.
,

o v e rfl o w i n g o f t e n d e r e s t a ff e cti o n wh ich tr a n s po rt s

Lo v e f Go d
o , b . v i. c . iii b. . vn . c . v .

A scen t , ii . 0. x iv. a n d x x iv . Wy
a , x xvi .
 O F M YS T IC A L C O NTE M P LAT IO N 3 01

t he so u l o u t o f h e r se lf A t s uc h ti m e s sh e rem ai ns
.

fix e d an d as i t w e r e m o ti o n l es s l o s t i n a d m i r a
, , ,

t i o n i n tr e mb l i n g de l i g h t re sp ect an d jo y ; she
, ,

say s n o t h i n g o r al m o s t n o t h i n g sh e sp e ak s n o t o f
, ,

he r l o v e ; b u t sh e s h o w s i t by l o vi n g He r atti .

t u de ~

,
h e r tre m u l o u s jo y h er si l e nc e t h e m o ve , ,

me n t s o f h er he art w h i c h i ncl i n e u n c ea s i n gly

—
t o ward s Go d al l t h i s is a s pl e n di d h y m n o f
prai se a n d a d e l i g h t t o H im w h o h o l d s h e r c ap
t i v e O r agai n th e r e may tak e plac e th o se vi o l e n t
.
,

a n d b u rn i n g o u tb u r st s t h o se tran s p o rt s o f sp i ri tual
,

i n eb riati o n w h i c h s p ri n g fr o m a t o o fu l l h e art i n
,

n o i sy an d o ft r e p e at e d e ffu s i o n s l i k e t h e wav es o f
-
,

a tu m u ltu o u s t o rr e n t O n e m ay b e se i z e d wi t h .

s uch str e n gth a n d i n so se n s i bl e a fa s h i o n t h at n o t ,

o n ly t he so u l b u t e v e n t he b o dy i t se l f tre mb l e s
,
.

A t o t h e r t i m e s i t h ap p e n s that w i t h o u t e v e n t h e
,

le a st s h o ck b u t w i t h a m o st e l e vat e d se n ti m e n t o f
,

r e l i e f an d e nj o y m e n t t he so u l is take n by s u r p ri se
.

i n t h e m id st o f r e po se T h e r e is f o u n d i n
.

th i s a n i n e xp r ess ib le so m e th i n g o f d iv i n e b e i n g
a n d o f e t e rn al l i fe wh ic h t h e d e m o n h as n o t t he
,

p o
‘
w e r t o iO
m i tat e H e w h o I S t h e a pe o f Go d
.
,
can ,

i n d ee d m ak e t h e so u l e xp e ri e nc e a v e ry s e n s ib l e
e l e vat i o n a n d s ati e ty w h ich h e wi ll pa ss o ff fo r
,

t h e i nward acti o n o f Go d ; b ut s uch m o di fic a ti o n s

d o n o t s i n k v e ry d ee ply a n d d o n o t r e n o vate t h e
‘

w h o l e i nt e r i o r o f t h e so ul by fi l l i n g h e r wi th n o bl e
se n t i m e nt s a n d l o v e a s th i s i n fu se d k n o wl e dg e o f
,
” 1
Go d is w o n t t o d o .

B e si d e s t h e fact that th i s l o v e is p ass iv e ge n e r a l ,

Asce n t , b . n . c . x x v i.
3 0 : O N M Y S T IC A L P R AYE R

a nd o b scu re it s p r o pe r c h aracte r is t o b e u n i tiv e

,
.

Th e so ul n o w p u r e an d ri c h i n v i rt u e s is n o l o n g e r
, ,

a s lav e w h o f e ar s a m e rc e nary w h o gi v e s h is se r
,

v ic e s fo r pay a t i m i d fri e n d w h o l o ve s fr o m afar

,

o ff s h e is a s p o u se w h o w i sh e s t o p o sse ss t h e Go d

o f h e r h e art t o u n i t e h e r se lf t o H i m by l o v e a n d
, ,

t o mak e b u t o n e wi t h H i m I n t h e n i ght o f t he .

se n ses she e xp e ri e n c e s a d o l o r o u s n ee d o f t h i s

u n i o n a n d cal l s fo r i t w i t h al l h e r p ray e r s ; i n t he
,

swe e t stat e o f qu i e t sh e b e g i n s t o fi n d i t ; s h e a s p i r e s

o n ly t o mak e p r o g re ss i n my st ical way s i n o r de r ,

t o ti g h t e n t h e se b o n d s so m uch d e s i r e d an d t o ,

a rri v e at h
t e p e rf e cti o n o f t h i s u n io n 1 .

5 I V .
-
Ho w IN T H IS S TAT E TH E P R S E E NC E or Co n
15 F E LT
In t he o p raye r w e t hin k o f Go d
rdi nary k i n d s of ,

w e r e m em b e r Go d w e k n o w H i m by fait h
,
In .

pa ss iv e c o nt e m p l at i o n t h e so u l g e n e ral ly fe e l s a
,

my st e ri o u s i m p r ess i o n Go d w h o dwe ll s in t h e .
,

s o u l o f t he j u st man i fe st s H is p r e se n c e th e r e i n a
,

man n e r wh ic h m u st b e e xp e ri e n c e d t o b e u n d e r
st o o d Th e s o u l h as a n e xp e ri m e n tal pe rc e p t i o n
.

t h at sh e p o sse sse s Go d a n d is u n it e d t o H i m t h at ,

s h e is s o t o s p e ak
, p l u n g e d i n Go d an d all p e n e
,

t r a t e d by H i m ; a n d wh e n t h i s i m p r e ss i o n b e c o m e s
,

s tr o n g i t is l i k e a l o vi n g cla sp o f t h e h an d a
, ,

s p i ri tu al e mb rac e T he n t h e so u l is as s u r e o f t h e
.

Ascen t , b . u . c . x x v i. a n d x x x h . Ab b éS a u d r ea u , D eg r és, b‘
'
. v. A

c . in. St . F r a n c is o f Sa l es (Lo v e of God , b . vii. c. i

. an d fi)
t
l
e x p a in s ve ry w e l l t his my t ic l s a u n io n .
 0
3 4 ON M YS T IC AL P R AYE R

s tanc e Wi t h s ub stan c e b e twee n Go d an d t he so ul ,

”
e t s ay that g e n e rally s p e ak i n g t h e p r e se n c e o f
y , ,

Go d is m ad e e vi de n t by a man if e s t acti o n wh ich

He e x e rc i ses o ve r t h e i n t e l l ec t a n d t h e wi l l In .

s u pp o rt o f th e i r o p i n i o n th e y qu o t e S t T e r e sa .
,

s ay i n g th at , i n t h e s tate o f qu i e t an d o f u n i o n ,

c e rta i n d i vi ne i m p r e ssi o n s a re r e nd e r e d se n s ibl e ;

ye t t h e p r e se nce o f G o d is th e r e i n d icate d on ly by 1

t h e e ff e ct s o f grac e wh ich are an ard e n t 10Ve a '

, ,

l i v e l y fait h fi rm r eso l ut i o n s a n d a gr e at sp i ritual

,
” 1
t e n cle r n e ss ; St F r ame rs o f S a l e s acc o rd i ng
-
.
,

to w ho m Go d ma n i f e st s H is p r e se n ce by t h e
s uav ity t he h e av e n l y c o n solati o n s t h e attracti o ns
‘ ”

, ,

a n d oe rt a in swe e tn e s se s w h ich H e p o u r s i n t o t h e
“
sou l z St
°
B e rn a rd t each i n g that
-
. s i gh s a n d
,
é

t e ar s i n d icat e t he arriv a l o f t h e S p o u se t he so u l
f

re c o gn i se s H is p r e se nce w h e n sh e f e e l s H is
"
grace 3 &c .
,
‘

Th o se w h o h o l d t h e fi r st o p i n i o n go so far as t o
mai ntai n that th i s p re se nc e o f Go d so p ecu l i arly ,
i

fe lt an d th i s i n t e ri o r p o s se ss i o n o f G o d a re t h e
, ,

t w o fu n d a m e n t al cha ract e r s o f all my stical stat es

'
"

Th e o the r s ab so l ut e ly de ny t h i s ; fo r if th i s i m p re s ,
.

s i o n o f Go d p re se n t a n d p o sse sse d w e re e sse n t ia l

:
’

t o my s ti cal stat e s i t w o ul d b e n e c e ssary t o e xcl u d e

‘

fr o m th e m t h e n i gh t o f t h e se n ses an d that o f t he
s p iri t wh ich n e ve rth e l ess fo rm a c o n s i de rabl e p o r
,

t i o n o f t h e m ; far fr o m t asti n g Go d s p r e se nc e i n ’

t he se state s t he so u l th e r e i n s u ffe r s cru e l ly fr o m

,

H is ab se nc e I t w o ul d al so b e n e c essa ry t o e xc l ud e
.

L ife , x xvn . Lo v e f
o Go d , b . vi . 0 . vn. an d x i.
3 S t Be rn a rd , S e r m m Ca n t
. .
, l x x iv. S cal e: Cl a u s , v i.
 OF MYS T IC A L C O N T E M P L AT IO N 3 0
5

c e rtai n c o n t e m plati o n s so s p i ri t u al an d s o p u r e ,

th a t th e y a re h ard l y so t o s p e a k p e rc e i v e d b y t h e
, ,

so u l o n acc o u nt o f t h e i r v e ry s i m pl i ci ty .

We l e av e t o m o r e e n l i gh t e n e d j u dg es t h e ta sk o f
d e ci di n g t h e se d i fficu l t c o n tr o ve r s i e s ; b e s i d e s w e ,

w an t t o wri t e a p r a ct ica l n o t a s ci e n tific t reat i se .

P e rh ap s h o w e v e r i t m igh t b e c o ncl u d e d that th i s

, , ,

ve ry pe cu l i ar se n ti m e n t o f G o d s p r e se n ce Wh e n
‘ ’
,

cl e ar l y r e al i se d i n a p ray e r O f s i m p l e l o o k g i ve s t o ,

that p ray e r a di sti n ctly s u p e rn atu ral cha racte r b ut ,

t h at t h e ab se n c e O f t h i s se n t i m e nt d o e s n o t s u ffice
t o p r o v e t h at s uch a p ray e r is n o t my stical .

V .
-
I NFLU E NC E OF T H IS S TAT E U P O N TH E S O U L

AN D TH E BO D Y .

Th iS l o v i n g u n i o n wh e re i n t h e so u l so m e ti m e s
‘

fee l s so v i vi d l y that sh e p o sse sse s Go d p r o duc es ,

a n i mp r e ss i o n of i nte ri o r p e ace r e p o se a n d , ,

” 1
q u re,
t wh ic h p e n e trat e s e v e n t o t h e d e p t h s O f
her b e i n g S t J o h n O f t h e C r o ss a n d S t T e r e s a
. . .

n ev e r fai l t o p o i n t o u t th i s characte r O f my st ical

p ray e r O u r facu lti e s r ece ive l i gh t a n d l o v e an d are
.
,

n o t a ny l o n g e r o bl i g e d t o se e k t h e se by t h e pai nfu l
“
lab o u r O f m e ditat i o n ;
,
th ey a re t h e r e f o r e i n , ,

a stat e o f re p o se an d t h e i r wh o l e o p e r ati o n c o n s i st s
,

i n a s i m p l e sw eet an d l o v i n g att e n ti o n t o Go d
,

It is e sp ecia l l y t h e ap pea s i n g o f a h u n g e r w h i ch
is b e i n g s ati sfi ed o f a c o n s u m i n g th i r s t wh ich is
,

b ei n g qu e nc he d by l iv i n g wat e r s Th e so u l w as .

Au m t. b ii. . c. x iii.
3 06 O N M YS t AL P R AYE P

h u n ge ri n g aft e r Go d S h e w a s se e k i n g fo r H i m
,

e v e rywh e r e a n d c o u l d n o t d o w i th o u t H i m ; sh e
,

fi n d s H i m an d p o ssesse s H i m ; He is t h e l i gh t
wh i ch sa t i sfi es t h e m i n d t h e l o ve wh ic h giv e s re sr
,

t o t h e h e art No w that she f ee l s H i m t o b e

.

wi th i n h e r s h e n o l o n ge r d es i re s a nyth i n g bu t t o
p o ssess H i m s ti l l m o r e p e rfe ctly a n d that fo r e v e r .

Th i s se n se o f be i n g ap p e a se d b ec o m e s m o r e
mar k e d i n p r o p o rti o n as t h e p raye r is m o r e fu l l
,

o f s w ee t n ess a n d t h e pr e se nc e o f Go d m o r e s tr o n gly

fe l t .

Th i s u n i o n p r o duce s m o re o v e r a jo y wh i ch may
, , .

e v e n cau se tran s p o rt s a n d a k i n d o f s p i ri tual in

e b r ia t io n ; b u t my s tica l s tat e s h ave al so attac h e d

t o t h e m c ru e l s u ff e r i n g s I n t h e m i d st O f t h i s
‘

d e l i ci o u s re po se
is i n eb riate d wit h l o v e
i n th i s p r o f o u n d pe ac e t h e wi ll
, ,
” 1
f o rg e t s it s pa st pa i n s l s
, ,

s tr e n gth e n e d fo r fre s h tri al s mak e s gre at p r o gr es s ,

i n v i rtu e adva nc es wi th g ia n t st e p s t o w a rd s that

,
“
c o m pl e te tra n sfo rm at i o n o f t h e so u l i n Go d by
” 2
lo ve ,
wh ich is p e rfe ct i o n i t se l f ; wh i l st t he m ys
ti cal trial s faci l i tat e th i s adva nc e by t h e d etac h m e nt
th e y p r o duc e .

S peaki n g i n g e n e r a l my s tical u n i o n e x e rt s a n
,
x

i n fl u e n c e u po n t h e b o dy we ak e r an d b a re l y o u t ’

l i n e d i n t he s t at e o f qu i e t v e ry mark e d i n fu l l ,

u n i o n an d alt o g e th e r o v e rwh e lm i n g i n e c sta sy

, .

Th e i nt e ri o r p o w e r s u n d e rg o a n a nal o g o u s i n fi n
e n c e s l i ght i n t h e stat e o f qu i e t b ut wh ic h g o es o n
, ,

incre a s i n g e v e n t o raptu r e I t is ca l l e d a b in din

.
g
o f t h e facu lti e s w h e n it is w eak ; a s u spen sio n Of
,

Wy a , c h x xx n . A t b H p v sc e n , , , , ,
3 08 O N M YS T IC AL P R AY E R

of G o d s pr e se nc e t h at swe e t an d tran qu i l u n i o n ;
’

th ose i m p etu o u s tra n sp o rt s t h at p r o f o u n d p e ac e

, ,

tha t b i n di n g o f t h e so u l s p o w e r s that i n fl u e nc e
’

, ,

wh i c h se i z es u p o n t he b o dy i t se l f that m i ghty
,

tra n sf o rmati o n o f t h e so u l i n Go d cau se d by l o v e .

The so u l thu s fi n d s h e r s e lf i n tr o duc e d i nt o a n e w

w o rld as i t w e r e w h e r e t he s u p e rn atu ral m ay b e
, ,

a l m o st t o r c h e d by t he h an d .
 C H AP T ER V

D I F F E RE NT KIND S OF M YS T IC A L P R AY E R

WE p u rp o se ly m i t al l my stical p h e n o m e n a ;
o

vi s i o n s r e v e lati o n s i n t e ri o r l o cuti o n s
, , ,

a re n o t p r o p e rly s p ea k i n g u n i o n
, We are tr eat i n g
, .

o n ly O f t h e grac e s O f u n i o n wi th GO d T h e i r .

c l a ss ificati o n is a m o st di f ficu lt ta sk an d th e re is ,

am o n g auth o r s a d i ffe r e nce o f o p i n i o n n o t e a sy t o

rec o nci l e S e v e ral di st i n gu i sh far t o o gre at a
.

nu mb e r o f k i nd s O n e o f t he b e st k n o w n auth o r s
.
,

S c a ra m e l l i e n u m e rat e s tw e lve ; m an i festly ci rcu m

, ,

s ta nc es wh ich a re m e r e vari e ti es o r m o d es O f t h e
,

sam e stat e a re c o u n t e d as di ff e r e n t d e gre es o f

,

p ray e r S u ch fo r i n stanc e, are t he t ran sp o rt s o f

.
,

l o v e o r s p i ri t ua l i n eb riat i o n t h e sl ee p o f t h e facu l
,

ti e s t h e pai n an d th i r st O f l o v e t h e di v i n e t o u ch e s
, ,

d e scrib e d at s uch l e n gth by S c a ra m e l l i A l l th e se

“

f eatu r es b e l o n g t o t h e s tate o f qu i e t t o c o m p l e t e
‘

u n i o n o r t o e c sta sy j u s t as my s tica l e s p o u sa l s a re
, ,

t o b e r e f e rre d t o t h e s p i ri tu a l marriag e — S t Jo h n . .

o f t h e C r o ss is l e ss i n t e n t u p o n c l a ss i fy i n g de ,

scrib i n g an d an aly si n g my stical fo rm s o f p ray e r

,

than u p o n p o i nt i n g o u t cl e a rly t he act iv e a nd

pa ssiv e way s wh ic h l e ad o n t o t h e s u m m i t O f
C arm e l that is t o t h e s p i ritu a l marri ag e o r p e rfe ct
, ,

u n i on L e t it h o w e v e r b e n o t e d that he d e scri b es
.
, ,

3 09
3 10 O N M YS T IC A L P R AYE R

m i n ut e ly t h e n i g h t Of t h e se n se s a n d t h a t o f t h e
S p i rit 1 be f o re h e s i n g s t h e p rai ses O f t he t ran s
,

fo rm i n g u n i o n 2 —S t T e r esa o n t he c o n trary giv es

. .
, ,

u s a cl e a r a n d p r e ci se s o b e r an d rati o nal c l a ss ifi
,

cati o n wh i c h w e shal l ad o pt in p re fe r e nc e t o any

,

The sa i nt stat es i t al r e a d y in h e r 3
oth e r . L ife ;
” 4
s he r e ve rt s t o i t i n h er I nt e ri o r C a s tl e bu t ,

warn s u s o n t h ree di ff e re n t o cca s i o n s i n th i s latt e r

,

w o rk t h at sh e h as n o w m o re e xpe ri e nc e an d a b e tt e r
,

k n o wl e dge Of he r s ubj ect 5 .

T h i s c l a ss ificat i o n has fo r it s p r i n ci pal b as i s t h e

facu lti es a ff ect e d by t h e my stical acti o n I t c o m .

p ri se s fo u r d e gree s : t h e stat e Of qu i et fu l l u n i o n , ,

e c sta sy an d s p i ritual marriage

,
.

t
°
Th e stat e o f qu i e t
. Th e p o we r s o f t h e so u l
.

a re n o t al l se iz e d u p o n a n d di stracti o n s re mai n
,

p o ss i ble .

F u ll u n io n A l l t h e i nt e ri o r p o w e r s a re
.

se i z e d u p o n t h e so u l is ful ly o ccu p i e d by Go d
,

t he b o dy i t se lf is m o r e u n d e r t he my stical i n flu e nc e

tha n i t w as i n t h e stat e o f qu i e t bu t i t can sti ll act , .

E c sta sy o r e c stati c u n i o n A l l t h e p ow e r s o f
.

t h e so u l a re str o n gly gra sp e d by t h e my st ica l in

fl u e nc e ; a n d t he se n se s a re so m u c h ab so rb e d t h at
c o m m u n icat i o n wi t h t h e ext e ri o r w o rld 15 e nt i rely ,

o r al m o s t e n ti r e ly s u s p e n d e d , .

Th e sp i ri tua l marriage or tra n sfo rm i n g,

u n i o n di ff e r s e n ti r e ly fr o m t he p r ec e di n g state s
, .

Ec stas i es are sti l l m e t w it h b u t t h e y are O f rare r ,

Ob scu r e N ig h t .
3 L if e , ix a n d j :
.

Sp i r i t u a l Ca n t ic l e a n d L i v i ng F l a m e . Cast l e , p assi m .

5 Cas t l e r s t m a n s c ii i a nd n .
, . .
4t h m a n s
. . c. .
3 “ O N M YS T I C A L P R AY E R

W ye b m e a n s
no m ai n tai n th at t h e se vari o u s st e s
p
i n t h e la dde r o f p ray e r ma n i f e st e xte ri o rly t h e exact
'

d e g r ee O f l igh t l o v e an d p e rf ecti o n w h ich r e i gn s

,

wi th i n ; th i s is G o d s o w n se cr e t '
1 We hav e d e .

scrib e d m e r e ly t h e e ve r o nward path wh ich p ray e r ,

a n d p e rfect i o n g e n e ral ly trav e l Th e A uth o r O f .

gr ace may wh e n He so p l e a se s c o m m u n icat e t o

, ,

a so u l m o re l i ght a n d l o v e i n m e d i tati o n t h an i n
‘

c o n t e m p l at i o n a n d p e rh ap s ev e n i n a we l l mark e d
,
-

s tat e o f qu i e t tha n H e d o es i n a w eak state o f

,

u n i o n i n v o lv i n g al l t h e so u l s po we r s ’
.

A l l au th o r s cal l t h e de gr e es o f my stical p ray e r

stag es p e ri o d s sp i ri tu al a g e s t o i n dicate th at a
, , ,

rath e r p r o l o n g e d stay m u st ge n e ral ly b e mad e i n

e ac h b e f o r e pa ss i n g o n t o t h e f o l l o wi n g de r a;
ge
“
a n d th i s tran s i ti o n is d i ffi cu l t H e n ce ma ny .

s o u l s st o p sh o rt u p o n t h e r o ad B u t S t Te r esa
‘

!
. .

o ft e n r e p e at s a r e fle ct i o n calcu l a t e d t o h u mb l e t h o se

w h o r e ma i n stati o n ary : i t is t h at Go d p r o bably ,

call e d th e m t o m o u n t h i g h e r ; a n d i f t h e y n e v e r ,

r e ach that h igh e r p o i n t s he th i n k s that b y th e i r

,

o w n fau l t th e y hav e plac e d s o m e O b stacl e i n t h e

way o f t h e d iv i n e p lan s i n t h e i r re gard Th u s .

,
,

i n st e ad o f c o n ce i v m g a c e rtai n p ri d e i n h av i n g
r e ach e d t h e stat e O f qu i et th ey sh o u ld ask t h e m ,

se lv es wi th fe ar w h y th e y hav e n o t pa sse d b ey o nd

it 2 .

E t a t [ lb / s t
"

Ab b é S a u d r e a u , , n
°
t og

Fr P o u l a in , Gr a c es f P 2n d iii
’

. o ra
y er ,
pa r t , c. .
 C HA P T E R V I

OF TH E S T ATE OF Q U I ET

I .
—D E S CR I P TI O N H IS
OF T S TATE .

T HE p ray e r o f qu i et is t h e fi r st st e p i n my stical
.

way s I n i t t h e w i l l is u n it ed t o Go d ; t h e s u p e ri o r
.

p art o f t h e s o u l al so is a ff e ct e d by t h e di vi n e act i o n ;
bu t t he u n d e r sta n di n g t h e m e m o ry a n d t h e i magi
,

n ati o n r e mai n fre e a n d m ay h el p o r i m pe d e p raye r

by th e i r o w n n atu ral acti v i ty ; i n a w o rd t h e p o we r s ,

o f t h e so u l a re n o t a l l gra s p e d by t h e d i vi n e i a

flu e n oe ; d i stracti o n s r e ma i n p o ss ibl e a n d a re n o t
u n co m m o n .

T h i s te r m r epo s e o r qu iet u d e is O f ve ry fr e qu e n t
o ccu rre n c e i n t h e wri ti n g s o f S t T e r e sa an d S t
. .

J o h n O f t h e C r o ss I t m e an s :
. t h at t he m i n d
wh i c h h e r e t o f o re had w eari e d i t se lf see k i n g aft e r
,

c o n v ict i o n s a n d a ff e cti o n s i n t h e l o n g a n d pai n fu l

lab o u r o f r e a so n i n g s n o w ce a ses fr o m th e se dis
,

cu r s i ve act s r est s i t se lf a n d h as n o t h i n g t o d o b u t
,

t o l o o k u p o n t h e tru th d i sc o ve r e d . Th e wi l l
re p o ses i n a t ra n qu i l a n d l o v i n g u n i o n with G o d ,

w h o m i t fe e l s p r ese n t an d w h o m i t p o sse sse s It .

-

is w e l l t o re m e mb e r w h e n r ead i n g t h e a u th o r s wh o
,

tr e at o f t h i s s u bj e ct th at th i s w o rd q u i e tu de is tak e n
,

i n vari o u s se n se s : it so m e ti m e s is u se d t o e xp re s s
3 13
3 r4 O N M YS T IC AL P R AYE R

t h at f ee l i n g o f r e p o se wh ich t h e so u l e xp e ri e n c es ,

in all t h e d e gr ees o f my s tical u n i o n ; i n t h e w r it

f 1
i ng s o f S t F ran ci s o S al es a n d O th e r s i t e x
.
,

t e n d s t o e v e ry u n i o n i n fe ri o r t o e c s t a sy wh e t h e r ,

al l t h e p o w e r s O f t h e so u l b e a ffe ct e d o r o n l y so m e ;
w e wi th S t Te r e sa r e s tri ct i t t o t h e fi r s t d e gre e O f
, .
,
“
s u pe rnatu r a l p ray e r i n wh i ch t h e w i l l al o n e is
,
” 2
c a pti ve wh i l st t he o t h e r facu lti es r e mai n fr ee
, .

S t T e r e s a cal l s i t al so : t he s e c o n d h eav en ly
.

w a t e r 3 t o i n d i cat e that
, i n t h e stag e o f qu i e t t he , ,

so u l is a l re ady pa s s i v e an d th at w ith l e ss lab o u r , , ,

i t n o w fi n d s it se l f b ett e r wate re d wi th t h e d e w s o f
he av e n ly grac e —t h e fo u r t h m a n s io n 4 t o i n dicate ,

t h e d e gr ee o f S p i ri tual p r o gre ss c o rr e sp o n d i n g t o

t h i s p ray e r — t h e t a s t e o f Go d t h e pr a yer o f d ivin e ,

sw ee t n e s s 5 b e cau se i t is t h e fi r s t i n wh ic h GOd
,

mak es H i m se lf e xpe ri m e n tal ly k n o w n t o t h e so u l , ,

a n d w h e r e i n H is p re se nc e is r e al i se d as by a s p i r i
tu al sw e e t n e ss a n d s av o u r O th e r au t h o r s cal l it .

t h e pr aye r o f s il en c e b e cau se i t is t h e fi r st p r ay e r
,

wh e r e i n t h e so u l l e a v e s o ff r e a so n i n g a n d argu i n g ,

a n d t h e n o i sy w o rk o f t h e i n t e l l e ct b e gin s t o d is
'

a pp e a r .

The p ray e r O f qu i e t is al m o st al w ay s p re
” 6
c e de d by a s u pe rn a tu ra l a n d pa ss iv e r e c o l l é e
ti o n In acti v e r e c o l l e cti o n t h e so u l lab o u r s b y
.
-
,

he r o w n i n du st ry t o with draw he r facu l ti e s fr o m

c r e at e d t h i n g s t o t u r n th e m t o wa rd s Go d a n d so t o
,

cr ea te a s i l e nce w it h i n h e r se lf H e r e h o w e v e r i t .
, ,

Lo v e o
f Go d b , . v i. c . x i .
4 Ca st l e , 4 t h m a n s . c . i . u . an d in .

Wy a , xx x ii .

3 L ife , xi . x iv . xv I b id .
, 4t h m ans . c . iii .
3 16 O N M YS T IC AL P R AYE R

S h o w ho w o u r d i ff e re n t facu l ti e s b e h a v e i n tha t
.

stat e .

A n d fi r s t le t u s c o n s i d e r t h e w il l .

A s w e h av e sai d w h e n s p e a k i n g o f t he pa ss i v e
,

p u rgati o n o f t h e se n se s c o n te mp l at i o n b e gi n s by
’

a s tat e o f qu i e t t h at is v e ry fe e b le a n d hard ly per ,

c ept i b l e A re m e m b ra n c e o f Go d va gu e o b scu r e
'

.
, , ,

p e r s i ste n t a n d m on o t o n o u s a l o ve n o t l e ss vagu e ,

an d i n di st i n ct a n d a d o l o r o u s n ee d o f po ssess i n g
,

Go d by a cl o se r u n i o n f o rm t h e gr o u n dw o rk o f th i s
stat e . Th e qu i e tu d e is t o o fe e b l e t o al l o w t h e so u l
t o ta s te t h e swe e t n e ss o f t h e di v i n e p r ese nc e The .

so u l t h i r st s a n d Go d gi v e s h er t o d ri n k n o t o f
, a
.

”
st r e am b u t o f a pu n y ri ll o f wate r as t o a
” 1
ch i ld . S h e is fa r fr o m sw i m m i n g i n d e l i ght s ,

b ut s h a is i n so m e s m a l l d e gr ee r e l i eve d o f h e r
'
, ,

thi r st a n d h e l d captive fo r S he fee l s t h e ne e d o f

, ,

b e i n g al o n e w i t h Go d an d i f sh e s u ffe r s i n t h at
, ,

s tat e S h e w o u l d b e far w o r se O ff e l se wh e re
, .

O ft e n i n t h e Se qu e l a n d so t o s p e ak m o s t o f
, , ,

t he t i m e th i s sam e state o f qu i e t wi l l b e s lig h t ly

,
-

s t r en t h e n e d m ti m m re so m e ti m e s l ess ; at
g s o e , e s o ,

ce rtai n m o m e nt s t he So u l fee l s t h at s he p o sse sses

Go d by a swe e t u n i o n b U l n o t as m uch as sh e , .

w o u l d w i sh an d i t is i m p o ssi bl e t o o bl i g e Gdd t o
,

b e m o r e l ib e ral o f H i m se lf O ft e n t h i s d i vi n e.

p r ese nc e h i d es i t se lf a n d t h e attracti o n an d faci l i ty

,

gi v e s p lace t o a p r o f o u n d ari d i ty G e n e rally t h e .

,

i n t e l l e ct is b u t l ittl e h e ld t he wi ll i t se l f o n l y im
,
-

p e rfe ctly o ccu p i e d ; th e r e is in t h i s s tat e a m ixtu re

o f jo a n d d e c e ti o n ; t h e p u n y ri ll O f wate r h as
y p
IVay , x x i.
 O F T HE S TAT E :

OF Q U I E T 3 17

b ec o m e a ti ny str e am i n wh ic h t he so u l m ay m o re
'

fu lly qu e nch h e r th i r st w i t ho u t b e i n g abl e as ye t

,

.t o swi m i n d e l i gh t s .

F i n a l l y t h e p raye r b ec o m e s m o r e e l e vat e d a n d
,
‘
, ,

a l th o ugh t he so u l d oe s n o t re ach t o t h e fu l l u n i o n
o f a l l h e r p o w e r s t h e w,
i l l is s t ro n l
g y g r a spe d b y
t he d ivi n e i n fl u e n c e D iv e r s ca se s Occu r ; w e S h all
.

m e n t i o n se v e ral .

W i th so m e so u l s o r at ce rtai n m o m e n t s i n t he
,

s am e so u l i t is l i gh t wh ich p r e d o m i n at e s ; b u t m o r e
,
”
g e n e ra l l y i t w i l l b e l o v e I n q u i etu d e say s S t
.
, .

“
L i gu rio 1
, l o ve is c o m m u n icat e d di re ctly t o t he
m i nd t o t he c e n tr e i t se lf o f t he so u l
, it ,

th e nce s p r ead s t o t h e e xt e ri o r se n ses bu t n o t ,

al way s ; w h e nc e i t o ft e n h app e n s that o n e m ay h av e

t h e p raye r o f qu i e t w ith o u t a ny s e n s ib l e s we e t
”
n e ss . Th i s d ry stat e o f qu i et th e r e fo re p ro c ee d s , ,

e i t h e r fr o m t h e w e ak n e ss o f t h e my sti cal i n fl u e n c e ,

o r fr o m it s b e i n g p u re ly s p i ri tu al ; i n th i s latt e r

ca se , t h e l i ght an d l o v e m ay b e s tr o n g bu t Go d ,

c o m m u n icat e s th e m t o t h e m i n d o n ly w ith o ut th e i r ,

r e d o u n d i n g u p o n t h e se n se s 2 .

A t t i m e s i n t he lan gu a g e O f C a ss i an 3 a p e r so n
, ,

fee l h i m se l f tran sp i e rc e d wi th so l i ve ly a c o m
ti o n a n d gr i ef (o r so p e n e trati n g a t e n d e rn ess
o ve ) that i t m u st b e i n so m e fa sh i o n d i g este d
, ,

a v e n t an d e va po rat e i n a Co p i o u s e ff u s i o n o f
”
rs .
“
S o m e t i m es wh o l e so u l c o n c e n trat es he r se lf
t he
it h in h e r se lf a n d is b u ri e d i n a p r o f o u n d S i l e nc e ;
,

P r ax z s , x34 .

s ee u p o n a r id d e , Ab b éS a u d re a u . Et a: Mys t x i §
'

u ie t u a
q ,

d D eg rds , b . v. c . v . $5 and 6
.
3 Ni n th Canj I c x x v i
, . .
3 18 O N MYS TI C AL P R AYE R

t he a d m irat io n sh e w h at sh e f ee l s an d w h at
is in ,
'

at

sh e b e h o ld s s ti fl e s
,
h e r v o ic e an d p r e v e nt s all
s p ee c h ; t h e a s t o n i s h e d S p i ri t k ee p s t he se n ses s u s

p e n de d a n d can o n l y by h e r S l gh S c o nv e y t o Go d
,
”
t h e f e rv o u r O f h e r d es i r e s Th e m i n d th e n t e
.

mai n s fixe d U p o n Go d wh o se p r e se nc e i t fe e l s ;
,

l e avi n g re a so n i n g a s id e i t k e e p s S i l e nc e a n d l o o k s
,

w i th adm i rati o n ; i t e n f o l d s it s W e ll B e l o v e d i n -

o ne lo n g l o o k wh ich w i th o u t a ny w o rd s say s a
, , ,

gr e at d eal be cau se i t exp r e sses t he a st o n i sh m e nt

, ,

t h e jo y t h e charm a n d t h e l o v e by w h ich t h e so u l
, ,

is fa sci n ate d Th e w i l l p l u n ge d i n Go d i n flam e d

.
, ,

by it s u n i o n w ith Go d e xpan d i n g it se lf i n Go d by
,

a fu s i o n fu l l o f sw ee t n e ss is n o t i ncl i n e d t o fo rm u
,

lat e a m u l ti tu d e o f act s ; i t is e nj o y i ng Go d i n a
u n i o n that is ca l m tran qu i l a n d fu l l o f u n c ti o n i t
, , ,

is re p o s i n g d e l ici o u sly o n t he b o so m o f it s D iv m e
M a ste r i n a s i l e nc e fu ll o f l o v e Th e w h ol e so u l .
,

l i ke t o a m o th e r w h o d e v o u r s h e r i n fa n t wi th h e r
e y es , pa sse s i nt o t h i s a rd e n t l o o k ; t h e m o r e sh e
c o n t e m p l at e s t h e m o r e sh e is i n flam e d ; t h e m o re
,

S h e is i n flam e d t h e m o r e p l e a s u r e S h e tak e s i n c o n

t e m p l at in g ; s he l o v e s w i th o u t sayi n g so ; b u t t h e

fire o f h e r e y es h e r te ar s h e r sig h s he r a tti tu d e

, , , ,

t h e di s p o s it i o n s o f h e r h e art t h e i m m o b il i ty o f he r,

a st o n i s h m e n t t he d i s cr e e t o utbu r st s o f h e r t e n d e r
,

n e ss a l l s p e ak w ith el o qu e nc e an d rav i sh H i m w h o
,

is charm i n g h e r Th e i n t e l l e ct a n d wi l l r e mai n
.

S i l e ntly o ccu p i e d w ith G o d o ft e n d u ri n g a so m

,

w h at l o n g ti m e ; so m e s i m p l e a n d ard en t act s ,

t he m o st a re m a d e by t he he art j u st what
, ,

fu l t o su stai n t h i s l o vi n g u n i o n Th e se t w .
 3 20 O N M YS T IC A L P R AY E R

c o nfi d e nc e , ad m i r at i o n a n d s uch l i k e o th e r s fl o w
, ,

i n exh au st ib ly an d cr o wd u p o n e ach o th e r l i k e t o r
,

—
r e nt s o f b u rn i n g lava S o o n h o w e v e r ast o u n d e d
.
, ,

at h e r o w n b o ld n e ss an d re ca l l i n g t o m i n d t h e
,

m aj e sty o f Go d h e r o w n n o th i n gn ess an d m i se r i e s
, ,
.

t h e so u l ad o r e s h u mb l e s h e r se lf ma k e s h e r se lf a
, s ,

l i ttl e a s s h e can ; th e n l o v e se izes u p o n h e r aga i n ,

an d acc o rdi n g t o t h e e xp r e ss i o n o f S t T e r e sa 1
,
.
,

“
s h e u tt e r s a th o u s an d h o ly f o l l i e s wh ich de li ght ,
”
H i m w h o h as p u t h e r i n t h at stat e I t m u st i n dee d
.
, ,

b e b e l i e v e d that Go d take s a d e l i ght fu l pl e a s u r e i n

al l t h i s fo r H e r esp o n d s t o t h e so u l i n H i s o w n
'

way by c o nt i n u i n g o r i ncr ea s i n g th i s s p i ri tual

,
.

i n eb riati o n a n d th e se tra n sp o rt s o f l o v e H e H i m .

se lf se e m s t o ca tch u p t h e so u l t o k i ss h e r wi t h
,

H is di v i n e l i p s t o car ess h e r w i t h a n in fin it eJ o ve
, ,

t o p r e s s h e r t o H is h e art m o r e t e n d e rly tha n t he

m o s t l o vi n g o f fath e r s c o u ld d o The so ul fe e l s .

t h at fo r t h e o n e dr o p o f l o v e she h as giv e n sh e h as ,

r ece i v e d a n o c e an H ap py m o m e nt s m w h ic h s h e
.
, a

k n o w s by exp e ri e n c e that s h e l o v es an d that s he is

S t i l l m o r e l o v e d i n re tu r n M o m e n t s p r e par e d b y ,

lo n g tri al s a n d f o r e ru n n e r s o f fr e s h p u rgat i o n s !
Th e se m ee ti n gs wi t h h e r D i v i n e S p o u se m ak e h e r
f o r g e t pa s t pai n s an d w o n d e rfu l l y s t re n t h e n h e r
g c

f r t e tri al s t o c m e
o h o 2 Th e se o utbu r st s h o w ev e r
.
, ,
~

su b s i d e , p ray e r gr o w s w e ake r th e n str o n ge r o n ly

, ,

t o d i m i n i s h a n e w ; a n d by m e an s o f th ese flu c t u a

ti on s i t may la st so m e ti m e ; o n e day t w o day s , ,

”
o r e ve n m o r e sa y s S t J o h n o f t h e C r o ss 3
, . .

'

L ift , x v i, Am n t, b ii
. . 0. x x v i.
I Sp i n Ca n t st a n z a
.
, 2
5 ,
 O F TH E S TAT E OF Q U I E T 52 1

We m u st n o t t h i n k h o we v e r t h at t h e se tra n s
, ,

p o rt s h av e alway s s uc h i n te n si ty The j o y o u s in .

e b r iat io n o f b e gi n n e r s r e s i d e s r a t h e r in t h e se n ses ;

l i k e t o n ew wi n e i t h as m o r e o f v i o l e n ce a n d e fie r
'

v e sc e n ce b u t it s fru i t s are n o t so ce rt ai n ; i t is
,

co ar se r l e ss e l e vat e d a n d t he d e m o n ca n e a s i ly p ro
, ,

d u c e it s c o u nte rfe it ; t h e so u l is so m e t i m es see k i n g

h e r se lf in i t a n d th at t o o n o t a l ittl e an d he r b eau
, , , ,

tifu l z e al is l iab l e t o s ub s i d e alt o g e t h e r w h e n t h is

sw e e tn e ss va n i s he s — The sp i ritu al i n e b riati o n o f
.

m o r e advan c e d so u l s is le ss v i o l e nt b ecau se i t is ,

m o r e spi ri tual ; be i n g f o u n de d u p o n w e l l estab -

l ish e d v i rtu e s i t is m o r e so l i d m o r e p r o f o u n d m o r e
, , ,

she lte r e d fr o m i ll u s i o n s ; t h e o l d w i n e h as l e ss o f

eff e rv esc e n ce b u t i t k e e p s w e l l a n d d o es g o o d 1 .
,

Th e b es t or rath e r t he o n ly g o o d k i n d o f
,

i n ebri ati o n acc o rdi n g t o S t F ran ci s o f S al es

,
.
,

is that w h ich al i e nat es u s n o t fr o m t he S p i ri tu al ,

se n se l i k e c o rp o ral i n e b riat i o n b u t fr o m t h e b o di ly
, ,

se n se s ; w h ic h d o es n o t d ul l o r stu p i fy u s bu t ,

an e l ifi s a n d s o t o s p e ak de ifi es us ; wh ic h
g e , ,

ai se s u s o u t o f o u r se lve s i n o rd e r t o
r ” 2
el e va t e u s ab o v e o u r se lve s .

C o n n e ct e d w i t h t h i s sp i ritual in e b riat i o n is a
rath e r fr e qu e n t w h i ch S t J o h n o f t h e C ro ss
,
.

t he s par k o f l v o e 3 — ] u s r a s a s park fall i n g

.

t he h an d qu i ckly bu rn s i t an d i m m e di at e l y
,

es s o t he so u l
, is se iz e d e it h e r in p ray e r ,

du ri n g a ny o t h e r o ccu pat i o n w i t h a vi o l e nt an d ,

dd e n o u tb u r s t o f l o ve w h ich s ub s i d e s rat h e r
Ca n t Lo v e f G d , b vi 0. v i.
s
'

r. , s t a n z a 2 5. o o . .

S c a r a m e l li, D i r 3rd
S ee ll
3 Sp i n Ca n t , st a n z a 25 . . a
y t
/s
,

a t isa , c . vu .
3 2 2 O N M Y S T IC A L P R AY E R

qu i ckly b u t w h o se e ffe ct s m ay l ast a mu c h l o n ge r

,

ti m e T h i s happ e n s esp ec ial ly w he n t he so u l is

‘

pa ss i n g t h ro u gh a st at e o f fer vo u r a n d th e se o u t ,

b u r st s m ay s u rp ri se he r a n u mb e r o f t i m es in t h e
sa m e day .

Th i s S p i ri tual sl ee p a n d t h ese l o vi n g e mb race s

e n e ral ly r e qu i r e t h at t h e so u l s h o u l d h av e al r e ady
g
nad e S e ri o u s p r o gr e ss i n t h e p ray e r o f qu i e t an d i n

vi rtu e ; fo r t h ey s up p o se an i nt e n si ty o f my sti c al
p ray e r t h a t app r o ach e s t o fu l l u n i o n N e v e rt h e l e ss .
,

t h i s state so l o n g as i t d oe s n o t go as far as t h e
,

u n i o n o f a l l t h e p o w e rs o f t h e so u l is as yet o n ly ,

a mark e d stat e o f qu i e t .

H e r e th e n is h o w t he w i ll is gra spe d i n t h e st at e
, ,

o f qu i e t : a t t i m es fe e bly , a n d t he n p ray e r 15 dry

,
-

an d we ari so m e ; at o t h e r ti m es w it h m o r e str e n g t h, ,

a nd t h e n t he so u l e xpe ri e n ces n e i th e r gr eat Co n so la

ti o n n o r p ro f o u n d d e so lati o n ; agai n w i t h gr eat
-
,

e n e rgy , a n d t h e n p ray e r is acc o m pan i e d

g e ntl e an d p e n e trati ng swe e t n ess o r w ,

ar d o u r t h at ri se s e v e n t o tra n sp o rt s u n l ess , ,

t he my stical acti o n sh o u l d b e p u r e ly s p i ri tu al ,

in that ca se it w o u ld b e as i t w e re im p e rc e p t i
, , ,

o n acc o u n t o f it s v e ry S i m p l i ci ty 1 .

Th e o t h r po er
e w s — that is i n t e l l e ct , ,

a n d i magi nati o n — e v e n t h o u gh t h e y b e r e c o

an d e nt e r m o re o r l e ss i n t o a g e n tl e r e p o se s t i ,

n o t l o st n o r fix e d u p o n Go d n o r s u spe n de d
, , .

re tai n t he i r l ib e rty The w i l l al o n e is u n i t e d

.

H i m by l o v e i t al o n e is h e ld capti v e w it h o u
, ,
“
w e l l k n o wi n g h o w an d , wi th o u t b e i n g as -

ent ire l y l o st i n God

'

a s it w i l l b e late r o n
, .

S ee a b o ve , p a r t iii .. c. iv .
siv p
. .
3 04.
3 4
2 UN M YS T IC AL P R AYE R

l e ct m e m o ry an d imagi n ati o n w i l l co m e f o rw ard

,

so m e t i m e s i n o rde r t o s h ar e i n t h e jo y o f t h e
w ill , a n d w i ll h ave t h e wi s d o m t o re mai n as if

as l ee p ,
t o b e S i l e n t a n d t o l e av e t h e so u l in
p e ac e
.
— A t o t h e r t i m es h o w e ve r , t h e y wi ll w an t ,

t o b e m e d dl i n g a n d u p o n t h e p r e t e xt o f h e l p in g
, ,

in t h e p ray e r w i ll stri ve t o de p ict it s h app i n e ss t o

,

t he wi ll t o di sc o v e r fin e re a so n s t o mak e e lab o rate

, ,

c o n s i d e rati o n s t o re p r ese n t t o t h e so u l i n v iv i d
,

c o l o u r s it s o w n f au lt s a n d t he d iv i n e g o o d n e ss ,

&c T h e i r acti v i ty i f wi se ly d i r ect e d wi ll

.
, ,

so m e ti m e s s ucc e e d i n s u stai n i n g t he s t ate o f qu i e t ,

an d in s u p p ly i n g fo r it s we ak n ess w h e n c e w i ll ,

re s u l t a m ixtu r e o f my s tical r e p o se a n d o rdi n ary

p ray e r . O ft e n h o w e
, v e r t h e acti o n, o f t h e o t h e r '

p o w e r s w i l l o n ly i nj u r e t h e w i l l Bes ide sf t h is .

p e ac e an d t h i s c o o p e rati o-n h ardly e v e r h a v e an y

du rat i o n in t he stat e o f qu i e t esp eci al ly w h e n i t is ,

a f ee b l e qu i e tu de Th e m i n d is t h e n so l ici t e d by
.

a t h o u san d d i s tracti o n s t h e m e m o ry a n d i m agi n a

,

t i o n be c o m e a t o rm e n t W hi l e t h e wi l l is i n t h i s
.

p r o f o u n d a n d s u p e rn atu ral tra n qu i ll i ty say s S t , .

“
T e re s a , i t is n o t u n co m m o n fo r t he i nte l l e ct ,

on t h e o th e r h a n d t o b e qu i t e t r o ub l e d a n
,
”
a st o n i sh e d an d n o t k n o wi n g w h e r e it is t o H
, , ,

fr o m pla ce t o pla ce wi t h o u t b e i n g abl e t o

anyw h e r e . I t is i m p o rtu nat e f oo li sh s il , ,

fo l l o wi n g aft e r t h e m o st e xtrav aga n t t h o u gh t s .

The i n te ll e ct h o w e v e r l e t s i t se lf so m e ti m es
, ,

attract e d a n d captivat e d ; b u t t h e i magi n ati o n

“
st il l m o re f o o l i s h : it is a v e ri tabl e cl ap
Way xx x Lifi
, i i. ' t v.
 O F T H E S T ATE OF Q U I E T 3 25

m i ll t h at w e ari e s by it s i n c o n v e n i e n t n o i se ; 1

bu t j u st as w e ca n n o t st 0p t h e m o v e m e n t o f t h e
star s w h i c h trav e l wi th s uc h a p r o di gi o u s v e l o ci ty
, ,

so it is n o t i n o u r p o we r t o ch e ck t h e m o v e m e nt o f
” 2 —
t he i magi n ati o n . H app i ly t h e wa n d e r i n g s o f
,

t h ese th r ee v o lati l e facu lti e s d o n o t p r e v e n t t h e w i ll

fr o m r e ma i n i n g u n ite d t o Go d i n a p r o fo u n d pe ace .

I nst e ad t h e r e fo re o f l o s i n g it s ti me a n d ri sk i n g
, ,

it s s u pe r natu ral r e p o se by g o i n g in p u r s u i t o f
t h e m l et t h e wi l l stri v e t o m ai n tai n i t se lf i n it s
,

l o vi n g u n i o n w h i c h al so is t h e b est m e an s t o b ri n g
,
“
th e m back ; be s i d es i f t he b e es w e re al l t o go
,

c h a s i n g e ac h o t h e r h o w w o u ld t h e h o n e y b e
, ,

m ad e 3

A S fo r t h e b o dy it al so is sli g h tly a ff e ct e d at
, ,

l ea s t w h e n t he qu i e tu de is we ll mark ed B es i d es - .

t h at it s h are s in a v e ry h i g h de gr e e i n t he d e l i g h t
” 4
an d tra n sp o rt s o f t h e so u l t h i s latt e r is al re a d y
,

e x pe r1e n c 1n g so m e d i ffic u l ty in ray i n g v o cal ly a n d

p
in m e d i tat i n g 5 S t T e r esa n e v e rt h e l ess advi se s u s
. .

n o t t o aba n d o n alt o ge t h e r m e n tal pray e r e v e n in

t h i s st ate n o r e v en
,
fr o m ti m e t o t i m e c e rtai n
, ,

v o ca l p ray e r s i f t h e so u l h as t h e d es i re o r t he
,

p o w e r t o r e ci t e t h e m ; f o r wh e n t h,
e qu i e tu de is
M

g er a t , s
u h e e x p e r i e n c es a n e xtr e m e di fficu lty i n
sp e ak i n g 6
,
a n d sh e m ay r e qu i re a w ho l e
” 7
h o u r t o say a S i n gl e P a t er The my st i ca l
'
.

acti o n ,
t h e re fo r e is b e g i n n i n g t o e mbarra ss t h e
,

Cast le, 4t h m an s i . .
9
Wya , x xx u .

3
s e x iv a n d x.v p a ss zm
. W ay , x x x i i . . Cast l e , 4t h m a n s iii . .

t Fr a n c is o f S a l e s , Lo v e af God , b v i c x
. . . . .

Way , xx x ii. L if e, xv .
3 26 O N M YS TI C AL P R AYE R

m o v e m e n ts of t he
b o dy ; t h ese in th e i r tu rn m ay
’

, ,

t h wart o r a lt o ge t h e r e xt i n gu i s h t h e f o rm e r if t h ey ,

b e p r o l o n g e d v i o l e n t o r ab so rb i n g
, ,Th i s is n o t . .

h o we v e r t he ca se w i t h re gard t o a m e r e pa ss i n g
,

m o ve m e n t an d S t T e re sa p l ea sa n tly ra l l i e s t he
, .

e xc e ss i v e S i m p l ici ty o f th o se w h o a re afrai d t o

m o v e an d w o u l d w i sh n o t e v e n t o b r e ath e , be cau se
,

i t see m s t o t h e m that u p o n t h e l ea st m o ve m e n t
, ,

t h e y shal l l o se t h i s sw ee t p e ace 1 .

I I I —VAR IoU S
. F O RM S or Q U IETU D E .

The var iati o n s w e h av e p o i n t e d o u t 1n t h e stat e

o f qu i e t ,
de p e n di n g o n t h e m an n e r i n wh ich t h e
div i n e acti o n se i z es u p o n t h e wi ll may b e re duc e d ,

t o th re e f o rm s o n ly 2 .

i
S len t q i
u etu d e — T h e s o u l. c o n te m pl a t e s
Go d i n a S i l e n c e fu l l o f l o v e ; t h e m i n d a n d h e art
’

i n st ea d o f po u r i n g f o rt h a fl o o d o f d i st i n ct a n d e x
p r e s s a ct s a
, r e c o m pl e t e ly o r al m o s t c o m pl e t e ly ,

si l e n t
. T h e y are i n d ee d o ccu p i e d wi t h Go d
, , ,

s o m e ti m e s e v e n wit h s u p r e m e i n t e n s i ty b u t t he i r ,

act ivi ty is c o nce n trat e d i n t h e i r atte n tiv e l o o k a n d

th e i r m o v e m e n t s o f l o v e .

P r ayi n g q u ie t u d e — I n t h i s f o rm n o t o n ly
.
,

are w e ab l e t o mak e S i m p l e act s b u t w e a re i m ,

’

p e l l e d t o d o so I t is a s it w e r e a n e e d ; t h e s o u l
.
,

is fu l l t o o v e rflo w m g a n d m u st re l i e v e i t se lf .
The se l o v i n g a sp i rati o n s r ese mbl e a s tr e am fl o wi n g
fr o m it s so u rce o r ev e n a t o rr e n t ru sh i n g o n w av e
,

a ft er w av e in r a p i d s ucce ss i o n .

W y xxx ii S t F a i f S l L
a , . . r
f G d b VI: x
nc s o a e s, ove o o , . c. .

Fr P b. u l a in , Gr ac e: f
o P r ayer , ix . 2 4 a n d x iv. x3 a n d 4a
3 2 8 O N M YS T I C A L P R AYE R

In g e n e ral h e d o e s n o t w ai t t o gi v e i t t i ll t h e
,

so u l is al r e ady p e rf ect fo r t o w h o m t h e n c o u ld H e
'

g ra n t i t ? M o r e o v e r is n o t t h i s fav o u r o n e o f t h e
,

m o st p o we rfu l i n stru m e n t s t o l ead u s o n t o pe r

fe c t io n B u t H e u s u al ly wai t s t i l l t h e so u l is p re
p ar e d t o r e c e i v e i t Th e s oul
. t h en alt h o u g h no t
, ,

et e xe m p t fr o m fau lt s a n d d e fec t s m u s t h av e
y ,

e xe rci se d h e r se lf o rdi n a ri ly s p e ak i n g
,
fo r y e ar s in ,

p u ri fyi n g h e r se lf by p e n an c e h u m i l i ty a n d a h n e , ,

at io n an d h av e m a de so m e se ri o u s p r o gr es s 1n
g ,

vi rtu e a n d i n o rdi nary p ray e r G e n e ral ly t he .

,

s tat e o f qu i e t b eg i n s t o a p p e ar w h e n t h e so u l is ,

al r eady fam i l i ari se d wi t h t h e p ray e r o f s i m pl ici ty ; 1

,

Go d t h u s mak es t h e so u l a sce n d p r o gr e ss i v e ly ,

s t e p by st e p a n d d u ri n g t h e stat e o f qu i e t s he m ay
, , ,
‘

o ft e n h av e t o re tu r n t o t h e e x e rci se o f t h e p ray er o f

s i m p l ici ty rat h e r t h an t o m e d itati o n

, .

I n fu se d c o n t e m plati o n m ay c o m m e n ce b efo r e t he
n i g h t o f t h e se n se s ; b ut g e n e ral ly t h e p a ss iv e p u r
, ,

g a t io n o f t h e se n se s is t h e S i g n w h ic h re v e al s t o an

e xp e ri e nc e d e ye t h e g e rm i n at i o n o f t he s t at e o f
qu i e t ; i t c o n ta i n s i t i n g e rm an d is al re ady t he ,

my sti cal l i fe i n p r o c e ss o f b e i n g b o rn an d o f b e i n g
d ev e l o pe d . T h i s n i gh t o f t h e se n se s alt e r n ate s
‘

wi t h t h e state o f c o n so l i n g qu i et a n d l ast s u n ti l t h i s
latte r has attai n e d t o it s fu l l d e ve l o p m e n t T h en .

c o m e s a n i n te rm e diate pe ri o d i n w h ic h t h e so u l ,

e n j o y s t he fu l l u n i o n o f al l t h e p o w e r s an d t h at o f

ec s ta sy n o t with o u t s ti l l m ee ti n g wi th som e grea t

,

trial s F i nal ly she e n t e r s i n t o t he dre adfu l

.
,
.

p a s s i v e pu r gat i o n s o f t h e sp i ri t wh ic h c o n duct h e r
~

Fr . Fo u l ain , Gr a ce: f
o P r ayer, x vi.
 O F TH E S TA 1 E O F Q U IE
’

I 3 29

t o t h e s p i ri tual marriag e I t is a c o n sta n t law t h at

.

active an d pa ssi v e p u rgat i o n d o n o t c e a se so l o n g

as t h e r e r e mai n s a nyth i n g t o b e p u rg e d away .

I n t h e b egi n n i n g t h e stat e o f qu i e t o ccu r s o n l y

,

o cc as i o nal ly an d is u s u al ly O f S h o rt du rat i o n 1
, St . .

2
Te resa say s t h at b ef o r e t h e a ge o f twe n ty S he w as
, ,
“ ”
so m e t i m e s rai se d t o qu i e tu de a n d fu l l u n i o n ,

b u t sh e k n o w s n o t i f i t la sted t h e spac e o f a s i ngl e

A v e M ar ia A s ti m e g o e s o n qu i e tu d e b e c o m es
.
,

m o r e fre qu e n t a n d m o r e p r o l o n ge d G r o u n di ng .

t he i r O p i n i o n o n se v e ral p a ssage s i n S t T e re sa s .
’

w o rk s au t h o r s t h i n k t h at t h e d u rati o n o f t h i s stat e
,
-
,

in it s fu l l fo r c e h ardly e xc ee d s half a n h o u r
, But - -
.

it d o e s n o t al way s c o m e o n s u dd e n ly n o r d oe s i t ,

s u d d e n ly d e p art ; O fte n e n o u gh Go d see m s t o rai se

,

t h e so u l t o i t by de grees i n o rd e r t o a r o u se h e r
,

a tte n ti o n a n d i n fl am e h e r l o v e Wh e n t he he i ght
.

o f t h i s grace h as pa sse d by th e re u s ual ly fo l l o w s

,

a p e ri o d d u ri n g w h ic h t h e so u l re mai n s qu i te im

p gre n a t e d by t h e d iv i n e vi s i t I n t h is way .
,

qu i e tu de w i t h it s dawn a n d it s twi l i g h t m ight la st

, ,

an h o u r ,
a n d e v e n m o r e We h av e al rea dy sai d
.
,

wi t h S t J o h n O f t h e C r o ss a n d S t T e r e sa t h at
. .
,

act i n g qu i e tu de a n d sp i ri tu al i n e b ri at i o n m ay l ast
fo r o n e t w o o r e v e n m o r e day s
, ,

Q u i e t u de e n d s by b e c o m i n g h ab i tual The so u l .

th e n e nt e r s i n t o i t as i t we re at pl e a s u r e t he
, , ,

m o m e n t s he b e gi n s t o p ray ; O ft e n e v e n t he di vi n e
acti o n se i z es u p o n t he so u l u n e xp e ct e dly 1n t h e ,

m i d st O f t he m o s t c o m m o n p l ac e o ccu pat io n s - .

S o m e t i m e s st r o n g at o t h e r ti m e s w e ak i t ri se s p rO
, ,

Fr P o u la in , Gr a ces
.
f
o P rayer, x v i. L if e, iv .
33 0 O N M YS T Ic AL P R AYE R

r e ss iv e l y in a c o n stan t e b b an d flo w an d g e n e r
g , ,

al ly c e a ses o n l y t o gi ve pl ace t o t he stat e o f u n i o n

,

O f a ll t h e p o w e r s an d O f e c sta sy
, Ne ve rth e l e ss
.
,

wh e n t h e so u l h as re ach e d t he pe ri o d o f fu ll u n i o n
o r o f e c st a sy ( fo r w e m u st n o t f o rge t th at e ac h
d e gre e O f p ray e r is an age O f t h e s p i ri tual l if e) she ,

v e ry fr e qu e n tly re tu r n s t o t h e st at e o f s i m p l e
q u i e tu de ; e v e n th e n p raye r r i se s an d fal l s a n d
, ,

can n o t ab i d e c o n stan tly u p o n t he l o ft i e s t s u m m it s .

L e t u s add fi n a l ly t h at Go d is t h e ma st e r O f H is
, ,

gi ft s ; H e m ay tak e th e m away e ith e r t o p u n i sh t he

,

so u l fo r he r i n fid e l it ie s o r t o pu ri fy h e r an d d e tach
,

h e r fr o m cre atu r es by t h i s tr i al o r fo r so m e o th e r,

wi se an d m e rci fu l m o tiv e The so u l m ay al way s

.

l o se t he stat e o f qu i e t a n d w h at is m o r e may
, , ,

aba n d o n t h e pat h o f salvati o n I f t h e so u l wh om

.

Go d h as S O fav o u r e d tu rn s back h e r t h o ught s an d

a ff e cti o n s t o t h e t h i n g s o f e a rth H e g oe s e l se w h e r e
,

t o see k fo r h e art s that tru l y l o v e H i m As S t . .

Te re sa 1 say s H e d o es n o t alt o g e th e r tak e away

,

w ha t H e had giv e n he r p r o vi d e d S he k e e p s h e r c o n
,

sci e nc e p u r e ; b u t H is fav o u r s b e c o m e rar e an d O f

s h o rt d u rat i o n ; t h e s o u l p r o fit s o n l y i mp e rf e ct l y O f

t h e s tate o f qu i e t an d advanc es n o fu rth e r i n t h e

,

way s o f p raye r .

V .
—P R ACTICAL D IRECTIO N .

As so on as t h e so u l e n te r s u po n t h e pa ss i v e p u r
g a t io n s a n d my s ti cal p ray e r S h e h a s m,o r e tha n
e v e r n e e d O f a l e a rn e d an d e xp e ri e n c e d gu i d e fo r ,

wh o m sh e h as no se cr e t s th o u gh fr o m e ve ry o th e r
‘

,
33. O N M YS T IC AL P RAY E R

W e h ave p o i n t e d o u t t h e char acte ri s tic s o f S u p er

n atu ral c o n t e m plati o n If t he pe n it e n t is o f a n
.

o b se rva n t tu rn an d can acc o u n t t o h i m se lf fo r wha t

‘

h e e xp e ri e n ce s n o t h i n g is e a si e r fo r h i m g iv e n a
, ,

l ittl e t i m e t h an t o r e c o gn i se t he way i n w h ich h e

,

is w alk i n g A ft e r a l l th o u g h i t may b e m o re in
.
,

t e rest i n g t o k n o w e x actly t o w h at d e gr ee o f p ray e r

o ne h as attai n e d th i s k n o wl e dg e is n o t n e ce ssary
, .

It is e n o u g h t o k n o w that t h e o cc u pati o n o f t he so u l '

wi t h GO d is g oo d i n it se lf a n d that w e are m ee ti n g
,

wi th s ucc e ss an d p r o fit .

D u ri n g p raye r w e o u gh t t o aba n d o n t he c o m pl i
,

c at e d act s O f m e d i tat i o n o r t h e l e ss vari e d a n d m o re

'

s i m pl e act s O f a ff e ct i ve p ray e r o n ly w h e n GOd

, ,

rai s i n g t he so u l t o a h igh e r k i n d O f p ray e r k ee p s ,

” 1
h e r u n i te d t o H i m se lf by l o v e U n ti l t h e n w e
.
,

m u st c o n t i n u e t o e m pl o y o u r se lv es i n t h at kI n d Of
c o m m o n p ray e r at w h ic h w e b e st succ eed a n d fr o m ,

wh ic h w e d e ri ve m o st pr o fit S o l i k e wi se w h e n .
, ,

t he so u l n o l o n ge r e xp e ri e nc e s t he my stical u n 1o n ,

sh e o u g h t t o r e t u r n t o t h i s a cti v e p ray e r in o rd e r ,

n o t t o r e mai n i dl e .

O n t he c o n tra ry w h e n t h e so u l fee l s t h e d i vi n e
’

acti o n she S h o u l d s u s p e n d p e r so n a l e ff o rt as far

, ,

as s uch s u sp e n s i o n is n e c e ssary t o e n ab l e h e r t o

y i e ld h e rse lf u p t o t he act i o n o f Go d I t is a .

du ty o f o b e di e n ce t o c o m ply w i t h w h at H e wi l l s i n
o u r re gard I t wo u ld i n d ee d b e a stran ge k i n d o f
“
, ,

h u m i l i ty t h at w o u l d wi s h t o r e mai n i n s p i t e o f t h e
, ,
!

H o ly G h o st in t h e c o m m o n way s Of p ray e r a n d
, ,

w o u l d n o t fe ar t o b e co me H is i n struct o r b y im ,
‘

Cas t l e , 4t h m a n s . c. iii
.
 O F TH E S TATE OF Q U I E T 333

p l ic it l y ayi n g t o H i m by o u r c o n d uct : I k n o w
s

b e tte r t h an yo u w h at way is su i tab l e fo r m e .

I f o u r so u l is d rawn t o c o nte m plat e Go d In a

si l en c e fu l l o f l o v e l e t u s b e s ati sfi e d t o l oo k a n d t o
,

l o v e wi t h o u t say i n g a n yth i n g ; o r l et u s mak e o n ly

, ,

s i m p l e act s O f l o v e ad o rat i o n h u m i l i ty a n d s uc h
, ,

l i ke o t he r s a n d t h at o n ly i n S O far as is n e e dfu l t o
, ,

k ee p t h e so u l e ngage d i n t h i s l o v i n g l o o k Th e .

m o s t o n e o ug h t t o d o i n t h i s so rt o f p ray e r say s ,
“
S t T e r e sa 1
. is t o u tt e r fr o m t i m e t o t i m e so m e
,

l o v i n g w o r d s w h ic h may re a n i mat e t h e so u l ; le t
t h e m b e as t h e l igh t b r e at h wh ich r e k i n dl e s a n ex
p i ri n g flam e a n d ,n o t l i k e t h e s tr o n g b l a s t w h ic h
w o u l d e xti n gu i sh a flam e al re ady l i t To p e r s i st .

o b sti nat e ly i n see k i n g fo r c o n s i d e rat i o n s a n d in

m u lt i p ly i n g aff e ct i o n s w o u l d b e t o tr o ubl e t h i s
,

l o v i n g r e p o se i n w h i c h GOd h as place d u s Th i s .

w o u l d b e t o act l i ke l i ttle ch i ldr e n w h o m th eir ,

m o t h e r is carry i n g in h e r arm s say s S t J o h n O f , .

t he C r o ss 2 th ey w o u ld n o t b e ab le t o wa l k a S i n gl e
st e p , a n d ye t the y cry a n d stru ggle t o b e p u t u p o n
t he i r f ee t a n d so n e i th e r advan ce t h e m se lv es n o r
, ,

l et th e i r m o t h e r advan c e A n arti st wh e n pa i nt
.
,

i n g a p o rt rai t m ak e s h is S itt e r tak e a s u i tabl e p o se

, ,

a n d d o es n o t a l l o w h i m t o m o v e — B u t th i s yo u ,

wi l l say is m e re i d l e n e ss ! NO i t is w o rk n o i se
, , ,

l ess i n d ee d b u t p r o d uct iv e o f m uc h fru it The

, ,
.

s o u l is i n r e al i ty v e ry acti v e Th e m i n d is e n ti re ly
.

o ccu p i e d w it h gaz i n g u po n Go d a n d t h e wi ll ,

ab so rb e d i n l o v i n g H i m S h o u l d th i s p ray e r d e
.

g e n e rat e i nt o a m e r e r e v e r i e t h e so u l w o u l d at o nc e
,

Way xx xiii
, L i v i g Fl m gr d t a
. n a 3 d ve rs e 3 6
e, s nz a, r , 1 .
 O N M YS T I C A L P R AY E R
"

3 34

be c o n sci o u s t h at h e r facu lti es h ad go t l o o se an d ,

th at she is n o l o n g e r l o vi n gly l o o k i n g u p o n Go d .

O n t h e c o ntrary t he so u l is e n ti r e ly ab so rb e d i n
,

t h i s l o v i n g l o o k ; S he is advanci n g an d f e e l s n o
fat i gu e b ecau se Go d is carry i n g he r
,
.

I f o n t he o t h e r h an d o u r so u l is i n c l i n e d t o
, ,

mak e act s b e th e y tran qu i l o r ard e n t a n d i f aff e c

, ,

ti o n s we l l u p o f th e m se lv e s l et u s fre e l y f o l l o w t h i s
,

att ract i o n ; s uc h a n o ccu pati o n can n o t b e a nyth i n g

b ut ve ry p r o fitab le s i n c e i t is grac e wh i c h c al l s u s
,

t o it . We m ay th e n f o l l o w i n g t he i m p u l se fr o m
,

a b o v e ad o r e Go d
, a d m i r e H is m e rci es p rai se H is
, ,

p e rfe cti o n s l o v e H i m d e clare o u r tru st in H i m

, , _
,

p l ac e o u r se lv es e n ti re ly i n H is han d s h u mbl e o u r ,

se lv e s e xcee di ngly b e fo re H i m &c , .

S e e i n g o u r se lv e s so cl o se t o O u r L o rd w e o figh t ,

t o a sk fo r grac e t o p ray fo r t h e C h u rc h for th o se

, ,

r e c o m m e n d e d t o o u r p ray e r s fo r t h e so u l s i n p u r ,

at o ry a n d th i s w ith o ut n o i se o f w o rd s b u t wi th
g , , ,
”
a l iv e ly de s i r e o f b e i n g h e ard O u r h e art l S t O O
'

fu l l a n d i t o v e rfl o w s u n d e r t h e p r ess u re O f t he d i vi n e
act i o n al l t he ti m e h o w e v e r
, guard i n g i t se lf
, ,

a gai n s t t h e n o i se O f t h e u n d e r stan di n g w h i ch is ,
”
e v e r f o n d O f fin e c o n s i de rat i o n s an d ,

a l wa y s u p o n t h e l o o k o u t fo r c h o ice an d e l ega n t
“
-

t e rm s a n d all t he art ifice s o f r h e t o ri c ” 1

.

M o st fre qu e n tly t h e state O f qu i e t wi l l b e f ee bl y

,

m a rk e d an d n o t s u ffi ci e n t t o k e ep u s o c c u p Ie d ;
,

th e n a n e ed wi l l b e f e lt o f s u ppl e m e n ti n g by o u r
o w n e ff o rt s t h e a c ti o n o f Go d i n s uch a way , ,

h o we ve r as n o t t o sti fl e th is latte r b u t rath e r S O

, ,

L ife , f e of F r Ba l t h
L. ,x l i m
°

x v. -
. . A l v a r ez . d if
.
336 O N M YS T IC AL P R AYE R

to o m uc h vari e ty a n d a c o m p l i cat e d t u rn t o t h ese

act s w o u ld b e t o di s tu rb t h i s my stical r e p o se S t i ll .

m o r e d i stu rb i n g w o u ld it b e i f t h e so ul we r e t o
‘
v

cl i n g t o o m uch t o s ay i n g a quan ti ty o f v o cal

p ray e r s w h ich S h e h ad r eso lv e d t o say dai ly an d ,

t h at t o o by say i n g th e m i n a h u rri e d way as i f

, , ,
” 1
t o fi n i s h h e r s e l f i m p o se d ta s k -
Th o se v o cal .

p ray e r s h o
, w e v e r wh i ch a r e , i m p o s e d by o u r ru l e ,

o r by g e n e ral cu st o m s h o u l d n e v e r b e o m i tt e d
, .

M e n tal p ray e r o n acc o u n t o f it s ca l m an d s i l e n t

,

c h aract e r is parti cu larly fav o u rab l e t o th i s my stical

,

qu i e t ; b u t w h e n t he so u l pa sse s fr o m i t al l i n u n i o n ,

wi t h Go d t o t h e D iv i n e O ffic e S h e wi ll fi n d i n th i s
, ,

latte r a w o n de rfu l a i d t o i n flam e h e r d e v o ti o n an d ,

t o e n ab l e h e r t o k ee p h e r se lf rai se d t o Go d du ri n g
l o n g h o u rs .

I t is t o b e n o t e d t h at w e m u st n e ve r ab ri dg e o u r
p ray e r b e cau se i t is dry n o r p r o l o n g i t t o t he d et r i
,

m e n t o f o u r o th e r du ti es b e cau se i t is c o n so l i n g ;
t h e w i l l o f Go d a n d o u r o w n s p i ritu al p r o fit n o t o u r ,

d e s i re fo r c o n so lati o n s s h o u l d d e te rm i n e u s In th i s
,

matt e r If Go d s h o u l d v i sit u s let u s e n d e av o u r

.
-
,

n o t t o l e t th i s app e ar e xt e r i o rly ; h u m i l ity l o v e s t o

h i d e i t se lf cl o se i n ti macy l o v e s S i l e nc e a n d m ys
,

t e ry . L et u s a l so av o i d e xc e ssi v e ly fat igu i n gf b u r

h ead h e art o r n e rv e s by v i o l e n t a n d i n di scr ee t o u t
, ,

b u r st s wh e n e ve r w e are a bl e t o m o d e rate t h i s so rt
,

o f i n e b riat i o n .

F i nal ly le t u s n o t i m itat e th o se
, w h o a re n o t

sat i sfi e d wi t h b e i n g c o n t e n t i f t h ey d o n t fee l se e ’
, ,

an d t ast e t h e i r c o n t e n tm e n t e v er to r
,

Wy a , m il .
 OF TH E S T A TE OF Q U I E T 33 7

m e n t in g th e m se l v es t o k n o w i f th e i r tran qu i l l i t y is
” 1
re al ly t ran qu il a n d the i r qu i e tu d e r e al ly qu i e t
,
.

Aft e r pr a yer t h e di r e ct e d a n d t h e d i re ct o r s h o u ld
,

n eve r f o rg e t t h at t h o u gh p ray e r i n i t se lf is t he b e st
,

m e an s O f pe rf ecti o n yet it s e n d is t o p re par e o u r

,

he art fo r u pward p r o gre ss a n d t o mak e u s a sce n d

,

fr o m v i rtu e t o v i rtu e ; by o u r p r o gr e ss t o ward s th i s

end ,
it s val u e is t o b e j udg e d Th o u gh o u r p raye r
.

s h o u ld c o n tri b u t e gr e atly t o d e v e l o p faith a n d

chari ty st i l l t h e ch i e f fru i t s w e S h o u l d d raw fr o m i t
,

a r e t hat s p i ri t O f ab n e gat i o n wh ich re ce i ve s w i th

, ,

o u t attac h m e n t t h e d i v i n e fav o u r s is re s i gn e d t o
, ,

b e d e p ri v e d o f t h e m s h o u l d i t so pl e a se Go d an d , ,

wi t h a h o ly i n di ffe re n ce t o al l t h i n g s aban d o n s ,

i lf
t se t o t h e d i vi n e g o o d pl ea s u re — an d t h a t
h u m i l i ty wh ic h far fr o m attrib ut i n g t h e gi ft s o f
, ,

Go d t o o u r o w n e ff o rt s a n d o u r o w n m e ri t s mak e s ,

u s aba se o u r se lv e s al l t h e m o r e t he m o r e e l e vat e d
,

t h e de gre e o f p ray e r t o wh ich H e h a s d e i gn e d t o

rai se u s .
“
We o u gh t t o ta ke car e say s S t , .

P e t e r O f A lcantara , t o S h o w t h e gr e at e st h u m i l i ty

an d t h e gr e at e st p o ss ibl e r e sp e ct i n o u r de al i n g s
w i t h Go d ; in s uch a way that t he so u l S h o u ld ,

n e v e r r ec e i ve S p i ri tual jo y o r d ivi n e fav o u r s , ,

wi th o u t fa l l i n g back u p o n h e r se lf t o c o n s i d e r h e r
o w n ba se n e ss i n o rd e r t o l o w e r h er wi n g s a n d
, ,

h u mb l e h e r se lf in p re se n ce o f so s ubl i m e a
M aj e sty . No th i n g is m o r e u se fu l (i n t h e
way s O f p ray e r ) th an a p r o fo u n d h u m i l i ty t h e ,

k n o wl e d ge o f o n e se lf a n d a n u nb o u n d e d c o n fid e nce
in t h e d ivi n e m e rcy — H u m i l i ty O btai n s fo r u s what
.

St . F r a n c is o f S a l e s , Lo v e f Go d b
o , . v i. c . x.
33 8 O N M YS T IC AL P R AY E R

we d e s i r e h u m i l i ty pre se rv es it an d i t is i n cr ease d
, ,
” 1
by h u m i l i ty .

I n st e ad o f c o m p l ac e n tl yadm i ri n g h i m self a re ,

l igio u s S h o u l d ask h i m se l f why i t is that aft e r so

, ,

ma ny ye ar s an d s u ch fl o o d s O f grac e s he h as n o t ,

a rriv e d at a h i gh e r d e gr e e O f p ray e r a n d O f p e r

fe c t io n .B es i d e s fr o m h i m t o wh o m m o re h as b ee n
,

gi v e n m o r e al so S ha l l b e r e qu i r e d ; an d if h e d oe s
, ,

n o t ge n e r o u s l y c o rr e s p o n d w ith grace by t h e a
p r c

tice O f so l i d v i rtu e s he wi l l r e mai n p o o r n o t w it h

,

s tan d i n g t h e t re a s u res gi v e n t o h i m h e may e v e n

‘

l o se th e m a n d c o m e h i m se l f t o ge t a fa l l a l l t h e m o re
,

cru sh i n g b ecau se h e fa l l s fr o m a gr e at e r h e ig h t
, .

St P eter of A l c a n t a r a , P r ayer and M ed i t a t ion , z ad

p ar t , v
. ~

co u n s e l s 4 an d 8.
3 40 O N M YS T IC AL P R AYE R

is m y gri e f w h e n am o n g st S O many so ul s w h o t o
, , ,

my k n o w l e dg e h av e g o n e th u s far a n d sh o ul d go
fu rt h e r I am a sham e d t o say I see so few t h at d o
,
” 1
so . Th e se w o r ds s h o u ld n o t b e tak e n t o o l i t e ral ly ,

fo r t h e sai n t a l ittl e fu rt h e r o n add s that

, ,
t he ,
” 2
n u m b e r o f suc h pe r so n s is n o d o ubt gr eat ; an d ,

wh e n b egi n n i n g t o explai n t o h e r dau gh t e r s t h e

“ ”
tr ea s u re s o f t he fift h man s i o n S h e d e clar e s, ,
”
t h at so m e am o n g st t h e m h ab i tually e nj o y t h e m ,

a n d t h at t he gr e at e r n u mb e r o f t he o thers
”
S har e i n t h e m m o re o r l e ss Th e u n i o n o f all
.

t h e p o w e r s o f t he so u l is ca l l e d by S t Te r e sa the .

”
fi ft h man s i o n o r t he p ray e r o f u n i o n
, i n a re ,

st r ic t e d an d s p e ci al se n se F ath e r P o ul ai n cal l s
.

”
th i s stag e fu l l u n i o n b e cau se i n it t h e so u l is
,

fu l ly u n i t e d with Go d ; S c ara m e l l i ca l l s i t S I m p le
”
u nio n , b e cau se i t is t h e l o w est d e gr ee of th o se
my sti cal k i n d s o f p ray e r in w h ich t he so u l is e n
t ire l y u n i t e d wit h Go d .

B e twee n qu i e tu d e an d e csta sy t he re is a n i n t e r
m e di at e stag e in w h ic h t he so u l is m o re d ee pl y
,

i m m e r se d i n Go d than i n t h e f o rm e r an d t h e ,

u n i ti ve e mb rac e l e ss cl o se tha n i n t he latt e r .

A s it s n am e i m pl i e s al l t h e p o w e r s o f t h e so u l
,

a re s i m u l ta n e o u s l y gra s p e d by t h e d ivi n e a cti o n

an d fu lly o ccu p i e d b yG o d wi th o u t t he se n ses b e i ng

,

ab so rb e d a n d c e a s i n g t o act at l e a st parti ally ; w h e n

at it s h e i gh t th i s stag e is sem i e cstatic
,
-
.

We hav e sai d that i n t h e state o f q u 1et t he

3
f

, ,

wil l is h e ld captive wi th o u t b e i n g
, e n ti r e ly l o st I n
a
,

Ib z i
’

, x v iii.
3 P r e c ed ing c h a pt e r , i
‘

n. p 3 22
. .
 U N IO N OF A LL TH E PO WE R S 3 4 1

Go d this pp o se s t h at a d i vi n e l ig h t h as
Su

ab so rb e d t he su p e rIO r p art o f t he so u l wh i l e t h e ,

o t h e r p ow e r s may b e a ff ec t e d se parat e l y an d i n a n

i m pe rfe ct m an n e r by t h e m y st ical act i o n b u t a re

, ,

no t l o st o r s u sp e n d e d a n d r e mai n fr ee —
, In t h i s .

stat e ,o n t h e c o n trary t h e y a re al l s i m u ltan e o u s ly

,

se ize d u p o n a n d oc cu p i e d by Go d I t se e m s .
,

h o we v e r that t h e re m ay b e a gr eat er o r le ss d egr e e

,

o f th i s . I f t h i s is t h e p ray e r d e scrib e d b y S t .

Te r e sa u n de r t h e n am e o f t h e
, th i rd wate r in ,

t he be gi n n i n g O f t h e s i xt ee nth c h apt e r o f h e r L ife ,

al l t h e f acu lti e s o f t h e so u l a re e n ti r e l y o c cu p i e d

w it h GOd w i t h o u t b e i n g ca p abl e o f a nyth i n g e l se

,

i n o rd e r t o d i st ract t h e m fr o m t h i s ,

a gr ea t effo r t w o u l d b e r e u ired
'

q
a re n o t h o we v e r e n ti r e ly l o st i n Go d an d t h e
, , ,

u n i o n is as ye t i m p e rf e ct s i n ce t h e s ai n t c o u ld
, ,

du ri n g t h i s ti m e make v e r ses t o e xp r e ss h e r tran s

,

p o rt s a n d e ve n wri t e d o w n w h at w as ta k i n g place
,
!

i n h e r so u l at t he ti m e A ss u r e dly S h e c o u ld n o t
'

“
h av e d o n e t h i s d u ri n g t h e
,
u n i o n o f a l l t he
p o we r s s uch as sh e de scrib e s it i n h er l e tt e r t o ,

Fath e r R o dri gu e z A lvar e z an d i n h e r , fifth

man s i o n wh e r e S h e th u s e xp r e sses he r se lf
W h e n Go d rai se s a so u l t o u n i o n H e s u spe n d s ,

t he natu ra l act i o n O f al l h e r p o w e r s i n o rd e r t h e ,

b e tt e r t o i nfu se i nt o h e r tru e wi sd o m Th u s S he .

n e i t he r sees n o r h e ar s n o r u n d e r sta nd s wh i l e s h e
, , ,
”
re mai n s u n i te d t o Go d
i
A t t he sam e ti m e Go d
.
,

i n eb riat e s a l l h e r p o w e r s wi th a jo y w h i ch k e e p s
l ravi sh e d at t h e sam e ti m e wi th o u t t h e i r '
,

o r b e in g a b l e t o u n de r sta n d h o w
'
342 O N M Y S T IC A L P R AY ER

t h at is b r o u g h t ab o u t At su c h a ti m e t h e
.
,

m e m o ry is as t h o u g h it h ad n o e xi st e n ce t h e i m a g i ,

nati o n l i k e wi se Th e u n d e r stan d i n g w o u ld
.

l i k e t o t ry t o c o m p r e h e n d so m e th i n g O f w h at
15 ta k i n g p l ace ; b u t fi n di n g i t se lf i ncapabl e a n d
, ,

d e p ri v e d o f it s n atu ral acti o n it re m a i n s q u 1t e ,

d u mb an d a st o u n de d at w h at i t c o n t e m plate s ; t he
wi l l l o v es m o re t h an t h e u n d e r stan d i n g h as a n y i d e a
of , y e t wit h o u t t h e so u l c o m p r e h en di n g o r b e i n g ,

ab l e t o t e l l (at t h e ti m e) e i th e r w h e t h er she l o v es o r
,
” 1
what S he is d o i n g S h e c o n t e m plat es Go d
.
,

th e r e f o r e i n a l i gh t S O p u r e a n d pe n e trati n g S he
, ,

p o ssesse s H i m a n d cla sp s H i m t o he r in S O cl o se
an d sw ee t a u n i o n t h at she fo rg e t s al l he r su r
,
-

ro u n d i n g s n o l o n ge r mak e s a n y re fl e cti o n p po n
,

h e r se lf a n d pa sses w it h a l l her a ffe cti o n i nt o her?

'

m o st a m iab l e We ll B e l o ve d 2 - Q .

H e nc e flo w t h r ee c o n se qu e n ce s 3

A b se n c e o f d i s tract i o n s S i n c e al l t he .

p o w e r s o f t h e so u l a re ab so rb e d i n God t h e u n de r ,

s ta n di n g m e m o ry an d i mag i n ati o n a s w e l l as t he
, , ,

wi l l t he r e is n o l o n ge r an y facu lty wh i ch can g1v e

,

ri se t o d i stracti o n s ; a n d th i s cha ract e ri st ic ca n b e

e a s i ly re c o gn i se d aft e r t h e e ve n t I m p o rtu nat e .

th o ught s l i ke s l e n d e r a n d agi l e l ittl e l i zard s we re

, ,

w o n t st i l l t o gli d e i n t o t h e s tate o f qu i etu d e by t he

th o u sa n d o p e n i n g s O f t h e i m agi n at i o n Of t he ,

m e m o ry a n d o f t h e u n d e r stan d i n g ; b u t t h e se
,

pa ss i m . Wy a , xxx u .

St . L ig u o r i, P r ax i s, r36 .

3 Fr . P o u l a in , Grac es of P r ay er , c . x v 11. 2 .
3 44 ON M YS T IC AL P R AYE R

v e r ; i t is n o t so m u c h lab u r a o f r ta t as a o e s e of
e

h e a v e n ly gl o ry ‘
1 .

A m u c h m o r e v i v i d c e rti tu d e o f G o d s

p r ese n ce i n t he so u l is f o u n d i n th i s stat e ; an d i n
th i s c o n s i st s acc o rd i n g t o S t T e r e sa t h e m o st
,
.
,

c e rtai n m ark o f th i s k i n d O f p raye r .

Wh en t h e s l o u r e t u r n s t o h er s e lf s h e can n o
, t e n

t e r t a i n t he s l i gh t e s t d o ubt b u t t h at sh e h a s b ee n in
Go d a n d GO d i n h e r ; an d th i s tru th r e mai n s S O

tr
s o n gly i mp r es s e d U p o n h e r th at th,
o u gh m an y,

ye ar s S h o u l d pa ss wit h o u t he r b e i n g agai n e l e vat ed

t o th i s s tat e s h e ca n n o t f o rge t t h e fav o u r that s h e
,
” 2
re ce iv e d o r d o u b t o f it s re al i ty
,
Wh i l e t h i s
.

p raye r is at it s h e i gh t t h e so u l al l ab so rb e d i n, ,

Go d mak es n o r e fl e ct i o n o n what is tak i ng p lac e

,

O u r L o rd u n i t e s h e r t o H i msel f
“
wit h i n he r . .

b u t at t h e sa m e t i m e stri k e s h e r du mb a n d bl i n d
, , ,

l i k e S t P au l at t he m o m e n t o f h is c o nv e r s i o n ; H e
.

de p riv es h e r o f p e rc e p t i ve p o w e r t o s u ch a d e gr e e ,

that S he can n o t u n d e r stan d e i th e r what t h e fav o u r

” 3
is that sh e is e nj o yi n g n o r h o w sh e e nj o y s i t ,
.

I t is o n ly aft e rward s that sh e can an aly se he r stat e ;

S he th e n r e m ai n s ce rtai n that s h e w as i n Go d a n d
“
Go d i n he r by a ce rt i tu d e wh i ch r e mai n s w it h
”
h e r a n d wh ich Go d a l o n e can i m part
, ; an d t .

“
T e r e sa , b e l i e v es th at t h e so u l wh i ch h as n o t ,

s uch ce rtitu d e h as n o t bee n w h o l ly u n i t e d t o

,
”4
Go d .

The gre at S ai n t A n t o ny m u st h av e e xp e ri e nc e d
at l e as t th i s d e gr ee of p ray e r S i n c e h e w as wo n t t o
,

V III .
3 Cas t l e , 7t h m a n s c i. . .

Cas t le , st h m an s . c. i .
4 H i d ” st h m a n s c i »
. .
 U NI O N OF ALL Th e. PO WE R S 3 45

say : P ray e r is no t p f er ect , if t he so l i t ary s ti ll

” 1
p e rc e i v e s t h a t H e p ray i n g
is .

“
A s ! o r t h e sen s es th e y n o t o n ly n o l o n g e r
,

p o ssess th e i r n atu ral act i vi ty bu t th e y see m o n e , ,

wo u ld say t o b e alt o ge th e r l o st 2
, A pe r .

'
so n I n t h i s s tat e d oe s n o t k n o w w h e t he r h e e ve n
”
b reat he s s R aptu r e d i ffe r s fr o m u n i o n o n ly
in t he f o ll o wi n g p o i nt s : i t la s t s l o n g e r a n d m an i
f e st s it se lf m o re e xt e ri o rly ; l i ttl e by l i ttle i t s t o p s ,

t he b r e at h i n g a n d o n e can n e i t h e r s pe ak n o r o p e n
,

t h e e y es . U n io n i t is tru e d o es p ro d uce th i s
, ,

e ffe ct ; b u t raptu re p r o du c es i t i n a m uch m o r e

e n e rg e ti c f o r m ; a l l th e se way s O f p ray e r
” 4
a d m i t O f d i ffe re n t d e gre es o f i n t e n s i ty A nd i n .
-
,

fact S t T e r e sa sa y s e l sew he re wh e n tr e at i n g o f
, .
,
“ ”
t he t h i rd wat e r th at t h e so u l c a n h e l p h e r se lf
,

e xt e ri o rly t o mak e k n o w n at l e a st by s i gn s what

, ,

h
s e 15 e xp e ri e n ci n g ” 5
— I n s h o rt t h e se n se s a re
.
,

m uc h m o r e f e tte r e d t ha n i n t h e stat e o f qu i et a n d ,

l e ss so tha n i n e c sta sy U n i o n h as S O cl o se a re
.

lati o n w i th th i s latte r that i t is al m o st t h e sam e

,

t h i n g : th e y d i ff e r fr o m eac h o th e r o n ly b y t he
e n e rgy o f t h e i r e ff e ct s b u t th i s d i ffe r e n c e is ve r y
,

gr e at 6 .

A t fi r s t t h i s u n i o n i n t h e ca se o f S t T e r esa
, ,
.
,

w as o f s h o rt d u rati o n ab o u t that
,
O f an A v e

Ma r ra ; 7 i t c o nt i n u e d t o re cu r g e tti n g m o r e p ro ,

C a s s ia n , 9t h c o n f. , 31 .

3 Ca st l e , st h m a n s i . .

S e con d R el t o F r R o d r A l v a r ez
. , .

5 L if e , x v ii i a t b e g in n in g
. .

7 L e , iv
Ca st le , s t h m a n s ii . if .
346 O N M YS T IC A L P R AYE R

l o n ged ,
ab u t it s d u r ati o n is al way s s h o rt an d
‘ ‘

” 1 —
see m s st i l l s h o rt e r t h a n i t r e al ly is Th e sa i n t .

“
d oe s n o t th i n k t h at i t e v e r la st s e v e n half an -

” 2
ho u r . S p e ak i n g e l se w h e r e o f e c sta sy 3 sh e ,

s a ys ,
h a rdly a n y ti m e pa ss es b u t so m e o ne o f t h e
po w e r s c o m e s back t o i t se lf i t is t h e w i l l w h ic h b eS t
mai n tai n s i t se lf i n d iv i n e u n i o n ; b u t t h e t w o o t h e r
p o w e r s so o n b e gi n agai n t o t r o ubl e i t A s t he w i ll .

is i n a cal m s tat e i t re cal l s t h e m an d s u sp e n d s

,
”
th e m a n e w Th e p ray e r
. t h e r e f o r e d e sc e n d s
, ,

fr o m c o m pl e t e u n i o n t o s i m p l e qu i e tu d e b u t i t ,

may r ea sc e n d afte rwa rd s t o it s h i gh est p o i n t .

Wi th t h ese al t e r nati o n s i t m ay b e p r o l o n ge d a n d ,
” 4
actu al ly is p r o l o n ge d du ri n g so m e ho u r s St . .

f e C r o ss e ak s o f a p raye r i n
J h n t h l i k wi p ’

o o , e se s ,

wh i ch t h e di vi n e l i g h t e nf o ld s t h e so u l w i t h s u c h
’
e n e rgy , t h at sh e e n t e r s i n t o a f o r g e tfu l
n ess o f e ve ryt h i n g n o l o n g e r k n o w i n g w h at sh e
,

h as d o n e n o r what is b e c o m i n g o f h e r n o r h o w
, ,

l o n g sh e re mai n s i n th i s stat e A ft er sev era l h o u r s .

o f s uch a p ray e r t h e so u l re tu rn i n g t o h e r se lf
, .

b e l i e ve s that o n ly a sh o r t m o m e n t h as e lap se d 5
“
L e t u s e arn es t l y b es eec h O u r S p o u se sa y s ,
“
S t T e r e sa
.
,
t o a i d u s by H is grac e a n d so t o ,

s tr e n gth e n o u r s o u l t h at w e may n o t gr o w we ary

,

o f w o rk i n g u n t i l w e s ha l l hav e a t la s t fo u n d t h is
,

h id d en t r eas u r e . I n o rde r that He may

e n rich yo u wi th t h e g o o d gi ft s o f th i s ma n s i o n He ,

wa n t s yo u t o mak e a n a b so lu t e gift t o H i m o f y o u r
Ca st l e , st h m a n s i . . an d iv .
\
3 L ifie, x v iii.

H i d , st h m a n s ii . .
4 Ib id , x v iii .
3 A scen t , b . u . c . x iv .
3 48 O N M YS TI C A L P R AYE R

an e xt e n t t h at she n o l o n g e r k n o w s h e r se lf i t
!
.
‘

“
cau se s i n h e r a b u r n i n g t h i r s t t o e n du r e gr ea t .

cr o sses fo r t h e sak e o f h e r We ll B e l o v e d -
,

a n i n cre d ibl e l o v e fo r r etr eat an d so l itu d e ,

a w o n d e rfu l d etac h m e n t fro m all t h i ng s ; in fact ,

w h at e ve r t h e so u l sees u p o n ea rth is d isp le asin g

”
t o he r , sh e is h e r e as i n a st ra n ge c o u n try
“
sh e n ow r e g ard s as c o n t e m pti bl e h e r fo rm e r
lab o u r s a n d what ev e r she d oe s fo r Go d i n t h i s n e w
,

stat e see m s t o h e r n o t h i n g i n c o m pari so n wi t h w h at

,

s he w o u l d wi s h t o d o s h e b e gi n s al so t o e X pe r i

e n ce s uch a n ard e n t l o v e fo r Go d so gr e at a so rr o w
'

at se e i n g H i m o ffe n d e d t h at sh e c o u n t s al l o t h e r
,

”1 —
e v i l s as n o th i n g A b o v e al l sh e wi l l n o t f o rg e t
.
,

t h at as t h i s state o f p ray e r s u p p o se s a r e al c o n f o r
,

m i ty o f he r wi l l wi th G o d s so m u c h so t h a t it is
’
, ,
- -

i m p o ssi bl e t o attai n t o th i s p ray e r u n l ess t he w i l l is

a l re ady far adva nc e d i n t h i s sub m i ss i o n t h e ,

d iv i n e fav o u r s o ug h t t o res u l t i n r e n d e ri n g m o re
p e rf e ct t h e u n i o n o f h e r w i l l w i t h Go d by p ro duc ,

i n g i n h e r a n act i v e O be d i e nce t o al l what so e v e r

Go d t h e C h u rc h h e r R u l e a n d he r S u p e ri o r s co m
, ,

man d a n d a l o v i n g a n d fil ial c o n fo r m i ty t o t h e
,
.

di sp o si t i o n s o f D i vi n e P r o vi de nce P erf ecti o n . ,

‘

i n d ee d c o n si st s i n t h e tran sfo rm at i o n o f t he so u l
,

b v l o ve b u t l o v e is p r o v e d by w o rk s an d n o t by
,

m e r e se n ti m e n t s D esp it e t h e g l o wi n g p rai ses

.

w h i c h S t T e r e sa gi ve s t o t he u n i o n o f l o v e s h e
.
,

p ref e r s t he u n i o n O f t he wi l l j u st as w e p r e f e r t h e
,

t e rm t o t h e j o u rn e y t h e fru i t t o t h e fl o we r ; t h i s is
,

t h at u n i o n o f t he wi l l w h ic h s he des i r e d a l l
’

Cas t le , st h m a n s ii
. .
 ‘

(I N IO N OF ALL TH E PO WE R S 3 49

he r l i fe a n d wh ich sh e c o n sta n t l y as k e d o f O u r
,

L o rd 1 Th e p ray e r O f u n i o n is t h e , s h o rt

cut , t h e m o st rap i d an d m o s t p o w e rfu l c o n v e y

ance t o b ri n g u s t o p e rf ecti o n ; b u t i t is n o t t he o n ly
o ne . I f w e arri v e th e r e wit h o u t t h e s w ee tn e sses
an d t he h o ly an d p o w e rfu l ai d o f t h e my stical
u n i o n m o re ti m e lab o u r an d fati gu e i n d ee d
, , , ,

wi ll b e r e qu i r e d ; b u t th e re wi l l al so b e m o r e
m e ri t 2 .

Th e so u l m u s t r e m e mb e r t h at s he is s ti ll capab l e
o f fal l i n g a n d o f b e i n g l o s t ; th i s p ray e r e v e n mark s

o u t a p e ri o d i n t h e s p i ri tu al l i f e d i fficu lt t o b e
trav e r se d i n saf ety . I f t he so u l s ay s St , .

T e r esa ,
i n st e ad o f gi vi n g h e r se lf e n ti r e ly t o h e r
D i vi n e S p o u se h app e n s t o attach h e r a ffe cti o n t o
,

a nyt h i n g e l se wh at soe v e r she wi l l i m m e d iat e ly

,

fi n d t h at H e h as w i thd rawn H i m se lf a n d pe rc e i v e ,

th at sh e is b e r eft O f t h ese i n e sti mab le fav o u r s .

S he is n o t as ye t str o n g e n o u gh t o ex po se h e r se lf
t o te m ptati o n wi th o u t dan g e r , an d I hav e
s e e n h i ghly fav o u r e d so u l s w h o , wh e n th e y arriv e d
,

at th i s stat e f e l l i n t o t h e s n ar e s o f t h e e n e my
,
All .

h e l l yo u may b e qu i t e ce rtai n w i l l c o mb i n e t o
, ,

h i nd e r s u ch a so u l fr o m b e i n g fai t h fu l .

The d e m o n c o m es wi t h h is a r t ifice s an d u n d e r t he , ,

r t xt f m g o d O bj e ct e n gage s t he so u l i n
p e e o s o e o ,

so m e de r e l i cti o n o f du ty wh ich app e ar s t o b e v e ry

s l i ght ; l ittl e by l i ttl e h e d ark e n s h e r u n d e r s tan di n g

, ,

c o o l s he r g o o d wi l l an d cau se s h e r se l f l o v e t o -

re v ive a n d g r o w s t r o n g ,i n s u c h so rt that she

Cast l e, st h m a n s iii .

'

S t Lig u o r i P r ax zs ,
. , 1 36 .
350 ON M YS T I C AL P R AYE R

d e part s fr o m G o d wi l l i n rd e r carry her

’
s o to out
” 1
ow n .

Th e so ul u g h t n e v e r t o b e l i e ve h e r se lf t o b e at
o

t h e e n d O f h e r j o u rn e y an d t o fa l l a s l e e p i n a fal se

se cu ri ty ; h e r wh o l e an d o n ly s afe ty is t o b e plac e d

i n an h u mb l e d i stru s t o f se lf i n ab n e gati o n a n d
,

O b e di e n ce.
2

Ca s t l e , st h m a n s iv
. .

S t L ig u o r i, P r ax z s , x36 .
'

.
352 O N M YS T I CA L P R AY E R

c o m m u n ica ti o n s w i th t h e so u l ? O r is i t t he ex ce ss ,

O f l i g h t O f l o v e a n d O f jo y wh ic h by ab so rb i n g t h e
, , ,

so u l w ith i n h e r se lf i m pe d e s fo r t h e m o m e n t e x
,

t e r io r a n d se n s ibl e fu ncti o n s ? We d o n o t k n o w 1 .

B u t w he t h e r t h e al i e n at i o n O f t h e se n se s p r o c ee d s
,

fr o m t h e my st ica l u n i o n as fr o m it s ca u se o r is ,

p r o duce d by Go d wi t h a V i e w t o t h i s u n i o n t h i s ,

e l e m e n t is alway s t h e p ri nci pal o n e i n e c s ta sy c o n

s id e re d as a grac e o f p ray e r Th e al i e n at i o n O f t h e
.

se n se s s u p p o se s that th e se l atte r are n o t p u r e

e n o ug h n o r s tr o n g e n o u gh t o b e ar t h e di v i n e acti o n

w i th o u t s uccu mb i n g alt o g e th e r Th i s is at b o tt o m a .

h ap py w e a k n e ss w h ich t e n d s t o b ec o m e m o re rar e
, ,

a n d t o d i sapp e ar i n p r o p o rti o n as t h e o p e rati o n s o f

,

grac e be c o m e m o re p u re ly s p i ri tu al o r t h e se n ses are ,

b e tt e r p re pare d fo r th e i r r e ce pt i o n 2 Th i s e xpl ai n s .

why e c s ta s i e s a re o f l ess fre qu e n t o ccu rre nce i n t h e

of
“
s t ate s p i r i tua l marriag e a n d al so why t h e ,

ble sse d i n h e av e n w i l l h av e t h e pe rf e ctly fr ee u se o f

th e i r se n se s Th e B l esse d V i rgi n w as rai se d t o a
.

h i gh e r de gree o f c o n t e m p lati o n tha n al l t h e a n ge l s

a n d sai nt s t o g e th e r a n d n e v e rth e le ss sh e h ad n o
,

raptu r e s O u r L o rd e nj o y e d t h e b e a t ific v i s i o n
.

wi th o u t a y e c sta sy
n 3 I n p r o p o rti o n as t h e sou l
adva n c e s he r u n i o n wi t h Go d bec o m e s a l way s
,

m o r e s p i ri tu a l a n d m o r e p e rf e ct .

A l l t h e p o w e r s a r e ab so rb e d i n Go d a s i n t h e ,

pre c e d i n g d e gre e B u t h e re t h e v i vi d n e ss O f t h e
.
,

Ab b éS a u d re a u , E t a t Mys t iq u e , n °
1 1 1. Fr . P o u l a in , Gr ac e:
f
o P r aye r , x x x i. 55 . A

,
2
St Joh n of t h e C r o s s , S eco n d N igh t , c. i .

3 Fr La l le m a n t , S ev en t h P r i n c ifl iv
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. e. c . . a rt . 7 .
 E C S TATI C U N IO N 3 53

l ig h t t he fire o f l o v e t h e in e b riati n g jo y an d t h e
, , ,

c e rti tu d e o f G o d s p re se n ce attai n t o a w o n de rful

’

de g ree O f i n te n s i ty d u ri n g p raye r an d p r epar e t he ,

so u l fo r an ast o n i s h i n g tran sf o rmati o n in h e r co n

duct ; a n d t h i s is w h at gi v e s so h ig h a v al u e t o t h e
ec stati c u n io n I n t he ti m e o f e c sta sy
. Go d ,

b gin
e s t o u nv i l
e t o h
t e so u l so m e marv e l s o f t he »

ki n gd o m p r e p ar e d fo r he r H e o r d i nari ly
.

di sc o ve r s t o he r d u r i n g t h e raptu r e so m e o f H is
'

gr e a t attri bu te s . S he ha s n e v e r m o r e l i g h t t o
”
c o m p re h e n d t h e t h i n g s O f Go d th a n at t h i s ti m e .

S t T e r e sa
. is p e r s u ade d t h at i f t he so u l d o es n o t ,

ar th ese h eav e n ly secr et s t h e rap tu r es are n o t ,

nume ; w h e n t he e c sta sy is ge n u i n e ,

L o r d t r eati n g t h e so u l as H is S p o u se sh o w s
, ,

s mal l p o rti o n O f t he k i n gd o m wh ich H e h as

re d an d h o we v e r l i ttl e so gre at a GOd may

,

1 H i m se l f t o t he so u l s h e alway s c o n t e m ,

t e s w o n d e rfu l t h i n g s To t h i s e ff ect
.

gra n t s he r vi s i o n s w h ich tak e plac e in ,

i magi n ati o n a n d w h ic h sh e ca n aft e rward s re

and th ese r e m ai n so i m pr esse d u po n t he
o ry that sh e can n e v e r f o rg e t th e m The .

a st e r g iv e s he r al so i n t e ll ectual v i s i o n s ,

e O f wh ich a re so e l e vat e d that t he so u l ca n n o t

” 1
w o rd s t o e xp re ss th e m .

I n t h ese raptu r e s t he so u l app e ar s n o l o n ge r t o

mat e t h e b o dy S he p e rc e iv e s i n a v e ry se n s i bl e
.
,

an n e r that t h e natu ral h e at O f t h e b o d y is b ec o m

,

g d i m i n i sh e d ; so gr e at a c o ld grad u a l lyp re va ils

St . Te r e s a , Lif e , xx . S eco n d R el . to Fr . R od r . Al va r ez .

6 i h m an s . c. iv pa ssm z
. .
£ 5, O N M YS T IC AL P R Ay E R
,
o
t

i n t he h an d s a n d i n t h e w h o l e b o dy t h a t it see m s ,

t o b e sep a ra te d fr o m t h e so u l
;
The ra ptu r e ch eck s .

t h e b r e ath i n g t o s uc h a n e xte n t t h at i t is So m e ti m e s ,

im p o ssib le t o d e te ct a n yb r e ath i n g at all A s lo n g .

as t he raptu r e la st s t h e b o dy re mai n s as t h o ug h
.
.
, ,

dead ; an d O ft e n ab so l u te ly i n ca p ab le O f m o ve m e n t ;
1
. t he hand s r e mai n i cy c o l d an d so me ti m e s ,

ri gi d as w o o d ; t he b o dy re m ai n s e r ect o r k n e e l i n g
ac co rd i n g t o t he p o s i ti o n in w h ic h i t w as wh e n t h e

ra p tu r e o ccu rr e d I f at ti m es t h e us e o f t he o t h er
.

se n ses 1s r e ta i n e d du ri n g s o m e m o m e n t s no t a ,

wo rd h o w ev e r ca n b e u tte r ed M o st fre qu e n tly

, , . .

p e r c e p ti o n is n o t l o s t ; S t T e r e sa r etai n e d i t i n s uch .

a w ay as t o b e abl e t o see t h at she w as rai se d ab o v e

t he e art h A lt h o u gh p e r so n s t h u s a ff e cte d can n o t
.

ac t ext e ri o rly e t th e y d o n o t ce a se t o h e a r ; t h e
y ,
-

so u n d i n d ee d a ppe ar s t o t he m c o n fu sed ,
, ,

com i n g as i t w e re fr o m a d i stanc e ; but w h e n

, , ,
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ra p tu re is at it s h e ig h t t h ey n e ith e r he ar see , , ,

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,

fe e1 a nyt h in g Wh e n S t Te res a w a n t e d t o re
'
~
e . .

. s he se e m e d t o f ee l a p r o dig i o u s p o we r u n d e r

-f e e t w h i c h l i ft e d h e r u
p O ft e n h e r b o dy b e c .

—Ho
“

A
sp l i g h t t h a t i t h ad n o l o n g e r a ny w e ight
.
y

e ve r sh o rt t h e du rati o n O f th i s s tat e al l t h e b o d ,

m e m be r s f ee l it s e ffe ct s fo r a l o n g ti me ; yet
n eve r i nj u r es t h e h e alth I t w as so at l eas t .

Te resa s ca se ; she di d no t r e c o l l e ct h av m
’
,

rec e i v e d th i s fav o u r fr o m Go d e v e n i n t he ,

o f h e r s 1c kn e ss that sh e d i d n o t e x e r 1e n c e a
, p
s e n s ible i m p r o v e m e n t i n h e r b o d i ly c o n di ti o n
’
.

$t .
Te r e sa , L ife, x v iii . an d xx . S em n d R el . to F r .

Al va ra . Cas t l e, 4t h m a n s . c. iv .
3 59 O N M YS T IC A L P R AY E R

wh ich w e a re ; sh e b eh o l d s a l i g h t i nc o m parab ly -

m o r e b ri l l ian t tha n al l th o se Of th i s e arth ; she fi n d s

h e r se l f m a n i n stan t i n struct e d ab o u t so many mar
v e l l o n s th in g s that w i t h al l h e r e ff o rt s she w o u ld
, , ,

n o t b e ab l e t o i magi n e t he o n e t h o u sa n dt h part o f -

” 1
th e m i n m an y ye ar s .

Ec st ati c u n i o n is s h o rt e r at fi r st ; i t is al w ay s O f
s h o rt d u ra t io n S t T e r e sa agr ee i n g i n th i s w ith
. .
,

S t G r e g o ry
.
2 th i n k s that i t d o es n o t l a s t be y o n d
,

h alf an h o u r i n it s fu l l stre n gth ; b u t w h i l st t he w i ll ,

re mai n s ab so rb e d i n Go d t h e o th e r facu lti es b e c o m e ,

“
mo r e o r l e ss fr ee a n d t he b o dy th en ap p e ar s t o
,

re s u m e so m e l i fe o n ly i n o rd e r t o d ie agai n aft e r
,
”
t h e s am e man n e r ; i t is du ri n g t h e se i nt e rval s
that v i s i o n s r eve lati o n s and d i vi n e l o cut i o n s o ccu r
, , .

T he n t h e e c sta sy r e gai n s al l it s stre n gt h o n ly t o

s ub s i d e a n d th e n t o i n cr e a se a gai n ; an d o wi n g t o ,

t h xs e b b an d flo w i t m ay la st many h o u r s a n d
, ,

o fte n fo r t h e re s t
‘ ‘
e v e n day s Wh e n i t is e n d e d
.
,

O f t h e day a n d so m e ti m e s fo r m an y day s t h e wi l l
, ,
-

re mai n s as i t w e r e i n eb riat e d a n d t h e u n de r stan d

, , ,

i n g alt o g e th e r o cc u p 1e d w i th w h at i t ha s see n ; t h e
so u l it ap p e ar s 1s 1n c ap ab l e o f apply i ng i t se lf t o
, ,

anyt h i n g e l se b u t t h e l o v e o f
Ce rtai n sa i n t s h av e O ft e n e n j o y e d t h ese fav o u rs a?
t h e l ife o f m a ny O f th e m h as b ee n o n l y a s ucc essi o n

Of .
ec sta s i e s WVh e n p eo pl e wante d t o fi n d S t
.
‘

,
.

j p
s o s e h o f C u pe rt in in h is m o n a s t e ry
.
'
t h e y ,

b y l o o k i n g fo r h i m i n t h e ai r O n t h e o t he r han .

g .
C as t l e , 6 t h m a n s v S eco n d R d . t o F r R od r A l v a r u
, . . . .

S t G r e g o r y, Al o r a
. l za fi x x x c xvi . . .

3 Cas t l e, 6 t h m a n s iv , . Life , x v iii . an d x x.

 E C S TAT IC U N IO N 357

n o th i n g o r al m o st n o th i n g s i m i l ar is t o b e fo u n d
,
.

i n t he l i v e s O f c e rt ai n o h e r gr e at se rvan t s Of Go d :
’
t

I n t h e l i fe o f S t V i nc e n t d e P au l n o n e O f th e se
.

d iv i n e fav o u r s are m e t w i t h an d v e ry fe w i n th a t Of
,

S t F r an ci s O f S al e s H ad th e se gr e at sai n t s n o
‘

. .

e xpe ri e n c e o f th e m di d th e y m o r e car e fu l ly
?
or ,

k ee p th e m c o nce a l e d ? We k n o w n o t .

P e rfe cti o n d oe s n o t c o n s i s t i n th e se my ste ri o u s

fav o u r s b u t i n t h e p e rf e cti o n o f ch ari ty wh ich is
, ,

man i f e st e d by t he p e rf ecti o n o f O b e di e n ce an d O f
c o n fo rm i ty t o G o d s w i l l F o r th i s i t is n e c essary
’
.

t o go o u t o f o n ese lf by h u m i l i ty a n d se lf r e n u nci a -

ti o n . M y sti ca l p ray e r is i n d ee d a p o w e rfu lly

efli c ac io u s m e an s t o l e ad u s o n t o th i s b u t it is n o t ,

t h e o n l y m e an s .

D i v i n e e c sta sy m u st n o t b e c o n f o u n d e d wi t h it s
c o u n t erfe it s . S uc h a re : l e t ha rgy fa in t in g fi ts
,
-
,

hypn o sis an d ce rtai n m al a di e s l i k e h ys t e ria A ll

th ese m o rb i d state s m ay r e n d e r t h e b o dy m
.
,

o ti o n

l ess s u s p e n d t he se n se s an d r e se mb l e e c sta sy e x
, ,

t e r n a l ly . B ut i n t e rn al l y so m e O f th e m su pp r ess
, , ,

fo r t h e m o m e n t i n te l l i g e n c e an d wi ll so that pe r
, ,

so n s c a n r e m e m b e r n o th i n g af te rward s b ecau se ,

th e y h ad n o th o u gh t s at al l Th e p u re ly n e rv o u s .

a ffe cti o n s go fu rth e r sti l l ; t h ey be n u mb t he i n t e l

l e ct t he i magi n ati o n b ec o m e s p re d o m i n an t a m e re
, ,

n o th i n g ab so rb s t h e atte n ti o n an d t h e wi l l exh ib i ts,

a n u n h e alt h y f e eb l e n e ss O n t he c o n trary
. in , .

div i n e e c sta sy t h e so u l is fl o o de d wit h l ig h t t h e

, ,

he art i n flam e d wit h l o v e t he i n t e ll e c t i s e l e vat e d

,

an d b r oa de ne d i n a n e xtra o rdi nary way t he wi l l ,

g a i n s s u c h st r e n g th that t h i s p ray e r o f ec stas y e n d s

358 O N M YS T I C A L P R AY E R

by p r o duci n g a c o m p l e t e tra n sf o rmati o n Of o n e s ’

l ife G e nu i n e e c stati c s a re a l way s d i sti n gu i sh e d

.

by str e n gth o f m i n d gr e at c o u rag e m o ra l e l e va , ,

-

ti o n an d fru i tfu l n e ss i n g o od w o rk s .

.
2
0
T h e r e are al so d ia b o lica l e cs t asies
' Th e .

d e m o n can ap e Go d by r e n d e ri ng t he b o dy m o t i o n
,

le ss by acti n g o n t he i m agi n ati o n by p r o duci ng

, ,

d e c e itfu l p le a s u r es i n t he so u l B u t t o l i v e i n t h e .

stat e O f s in t o e nt e r i n t o e c s ta sy at wi ll t o e xh ib i t
, ,

u nbe c o m i n g c o n t o rti o n s t o u tte r i n c o h e r e n t w o rd s , ,

t o hav e n o r e c o l l e cti o n O f th e m aft e r t h e e c sta sy t o ,

Se le ct fr e qu e n t e d l o cal iti e s i n o rd e r t o mak e a d is

p l ay o f th e m se lv e s t o re mai n a l o n g ti m e tr o ub l e d
,

an d agi t a te d o n r etu rn i n g t o th e m se lv e s fi n al ly t o ,

r e c e iv e wh i l e i n e c sta sy c o m m u n i cati o n s o f e v i l ’

te n d e ncy o r o f g o o d te n d e ncy b u t fo r an e vi l ehd

, ,

are t h e di sti n cti v e c h aracte ri sti cs o f d i ab o l ical

” 1
acti o n .
7

Th e o n ly cer t ain pr o o f o f t he divin e o rig in o f

ec s t a s y is it s e ff e ct s I f i t p r o d uc e s a w o n de rfu l
.

p r o gr e ss 1n v 1rt u e i t c o m es fr o m Go d ; bu t i f it d oe s
,

n o t e ffe ct th at e n e rg e ti c tran sf o rmati o n wh ic h S t ,

;

F ra n ci s O f S a l e s ca l l s t h e e c s ta sy o f li f e t h at sai n t ,

re gard s ec sta sy a s a d ece i t o f t h e e v i l sp i ri t 2 No w .

,

t he p ri n ci pa l s ig n s o f t h e d i vi n e e c sta s y m ay b e

r e duc e d o se v n
t e 5 .

Th e fi r s t O f th e se is f o u n d i n t he c o n di ti o n O f t h e
"

b o dy Th e b o dy r e q u 1re s so m e l i t tl e t i m e t o r eg ai n
.

it s w o n t e d s u pp l e n e ss a n d e l as t i ci ty. O fte n ,

Fr . M e yn a r d My t i gu e, b
, . iii . 0. iii .
, a ft e r Be n e d i c t xiv

Go d , b v ii. c v i . a n d v ii .
Lo v e of . .

B e n e d ic t
‘

3 F r M a yn a r d
. . M y st i q ue . b . iii . c . iii af e r
t x iv. 5
 ON M YS I [ C A L P R AY E R
’

3 6 0

t o t h e so u l a h i gh e r i d e a O f H is i nc o m pr e h e n s ibl e
gr e atn e ss ; t h e s o u l e xp e ri e n c e s a l i v e l y gri e f a n d a
p r o f o u n d h u m i l i ty at t h e s i ght o f h e r o w n i n
,

c apacity u n w o rth i n e ss n o th i n g n e ss an d fau l t s ;

, , ,

e arth l y th i n g s se e m t o h e r w o rthy o n ly O f s u p re m e .

”
c o n t e m pt .

Th e fifth s i g n is an ard e n t th i r s t t o b e h o ld t h e
l i v i n g Go d a n d an e a ge r de s i r e o f d e ath
,
.

Th e s ixth is that t o r m e nt o f l o ve a s d o l o r o u s ,

as i t is d e l i ghtfu l wh i ch w e have d e scri b e d

,

ab o v e wh e n s p eaki n g O f p ass iv e pu rgati o n Th e .

“
s e v e n th is an e xc es s i ve j o yfu l n e ss wh i ch Go d ,

fr o m ti m e t o t i m e i m part s t o t he so u l wh ich so m e ,

t i m e s la st s a n e n ti re day and wh o se stran g e tran s ,

p o rt s s h e ca n n o t u n de r stan d A t s uch t i m e s t h e .
,

so u l ,
i n t h e e xc e ss o f he r jo y f o rg e t s e v er yt h i n g ,

e l se ,
h e r se lf i n c l u d e d an d ca n n e i th e r tr o u b l e h er
,

s e l f n o r s p e a k ab o u t a nyth i n g b ut t h e p rai se s o f
”
Go d .

Tru l y S t T e r e sa had g o o d r e a so n t o sa y :
. I£ _

w e a l th co u l d p u rch a se t h e h app i n e ss I e nj o y I , .

w o u l d hav e a n e xtr e m e ly gre at e st e e m fo r we alt h ;

bu t I see o n t h e c o n trary that t o O btai n th i s h app i
, ,
”
n e ss w e m u st re n o u n ce e v e ryth i n g
, S h e add s .

t h e so i l wh ich b e ar s th e se ffu it s
“
e l se wh e re th at

v e ry s e ld o m f a i l s t o hav e b ee n d e e ply fu rr o w ed by

s u ffe ri ng s p e r se cu ti o n s cal u m n i e s an d s ick

, , ,

n esses F i n al ly she r e m ark s th at t h ese e ff e ct s o f

,

rapt u re s a re so m e ti m e s gr e at e r so m e ti m es le ss an d , ,
”

that t he j o u r n e y t o w ard s pe rf ecti o n is gradu al an d ,

re qu i r e s a c e rtai n ti m e 1 .

L ifi, x ix . x x. x x i . Cas t l e , 6 t h m a n s passi m

. .
 C H A P TE R IX

T R AN S F O R M I N G U N IO N

f HE s u p r e m e g o al O f my sti ca l u n i o n s is t he S p i ri ~

tu a l marri ag e o f t h e so u l wi th Go d o r tran sf o rm i n g ,

u nio n , c o n s u m mate d u n i o n de ific a t io n St , . .

T e r e sa ca l l s th i s t h e se v e n th ma n s i o n .

Go d h as mad e capt i v e t h e wi l l i n t h e p ray e r o f ,

qu i e t a l l t he p o w e r s i n t h e stat e o f fu l l u n i o n an d
, , ,

t h e v e ry b o dy i n e c s ta s y ; b ut n o w H e is ab o u t t o
,

t ak e h o l d O f t he s ub stan ce o f t h e so u l a n d O f it s l i f e ;
h e r wh o l e b e i ng w i l l n o w b e ta k e n h o l d o f i n a m o re
p fer ec t
p
,
er m a n e n t a nd d efin i t e way G o d wi ll .

n o l o n ge r h av e any n e e d t o b in d t h e faculti e s fo r ,

th e y n o w m o v e at H is g o o d pl e a s u r e Th e o t h e r .

u n i o n s w e r e o n l y tran s i t o ry s tat e s th i s o n e is ,

s tab l e
.
1— Th e u n i o n o f a l l t h e p o w e r s w as t he
“

p r e parati o n fo r an d as i t w e r e t he r o ad t o
, , ,

S pi ritual mar r i a ge an d so t o s p e a k t h e p re l im in a ry
, , ,

in t er v i ew s b e f o re t h e e spo u s a l s 2 Th e se latt e r h a v e
,
.

b ee n c e l eb rat e d i n a s ub l i m e raptu r e ; n u m e r o u s
e c sta s i e s hav e mad e k n o w n t o t h e s o u l t he ri c h e s ,

t h e i nfi n i t e p e rf e cti o n s t h e b o u n d l e ss l o v e o f H i m
,

w h o W1s h e s t o b e c o m e h e r S p o u se ; th e se di v i n e

fav o u r s el e vat e h e r m i n d i n flam e h e r h e art ad o r n ,

Ca s t l e , 7 t h m a n s c 11
. . . St . L ig u o r i, P rax is, 1 3 8.

I b id , st h m a n s 0 iv
. . . .
 3 6 2 ON M YS T IC A L P R AYE R

her as with so many j e we l s ; t h e t o rm e n t s O f l o v e

hav e c o m p l e t e d h e r p u ri ficati o n a n d al l is n o w ,

r eady fo r t h e c e l e b r ati o n o f t h e S p i ritu a l we ddi n g .

Th i s ce r e m o n y ta k e s p l ace i n t h e v e ry c e n tr e o f
t h e so u l
,
1 wh e r e t h e H o ly Tri n i ty dw e l l s i n a
s pe ci al ma n n er havi n g th e r e e r e ct e d It s th r o n e
”

.
, .

I n t o th i s Go d i n tr o duce s H is b e tr o th e d S h o wi n g ,

H i m se lf t o h e r n o t i n de e d i n t h e fu l l l i g h t o f t h e
, ,

i ntu i ti v e v i s i o n bu t i n a v e ry cl e ar a n d di sti n ct
,

i n t e l l e ctu al vi s i o n Th e sacre d H u m an i ty O f O u r
.

Lo rd al so ma n if e st s I t se l f t o t he so u l at fi r s t i n ,

a v i s i o n O f t h e i m ag i n at i o n aft e rward s i n an i n t e l
,

l e ctual v i s i o n The n i t is th at th i s m o st ha pp y
.

c o n tract is s ign e d by m u tu al c o n se nt Th e f o rm O f .

t h e c e r e m o ny an d O f t h e se c o n da ry de tai l s may

vary ; t he e sse nt ial p o i n t is t h at t h i s c o n tract es tab

,

li sh es h e n ce f o rth a p e rman e n t an d i n di sso l ubl e

u n i o n O f t h e so u l w i th Go d .

Th e t w o s p o u se s w i l l d w e l l t o ge t h e r i n t h e m ,

m o st c e n tr e o f t he so u l A l re a dy Go d dw e l t th e re
“

by H is sanct i fy i n g grace wi th o u t t h e so u l s b e i n g ’

c o n sci o u s o f it H e r e h o w e ve r t h e so u l c o n
.
, ,

st an t l nj o y an i n t l l ct ual V w f t h H l y
y e s e e i e o e o

Tri n i ty w h o is h e r c o m pan i o n Th 1s V i e w w as .

ve ry cl e ar at fi r st a n d w i l l b e c o m e S O agai n w hen
,

e ve r Go d 5 0 p l e a se s ; bu t g e n e r al l y i t is m ore
, ,
'

ob s cu r e o th e rwi se
, t h e so u l c o u l d n o t att e n d t o
anyth i n g e l se n o r e v e n l iv e am o n g st h u m an
,

b e in g s Th i s v i e w is al m o st u n i nt e rru pte d e ve n ,

i n t h e m i d s t o f e xt e ri o r o cc u pati o n s e v e n wh e n eu
;
gag e d 111 t h e w o r k s o f M art h a t h e 50111 e nj o y s t he ,
‘

Ca s t l e 5 h m an s
. . c . i . a n d 11.
3 64 O N M YS T IC A L P R AYE R

an d t h i n k s o n ly o f th o se Of Go d S h e h as an in .

sati abl e d es i r e O f s u ff e ri n g b u t i t is a tran qu i l

,

de s i re fo r i n al l t h i n g s sh e wi sh es o n ly t h e g o o d
,

ple a su r e o f Go d Th e i m pati e n t l o n gi n g sh e p re
.

v io u s l had t o d ie i n o rd e r t o b e wi th he r W e l l
y
B e l o v e d h as give n p l ac e t o s uch a d e s i re t o se rve
,

O u r L o rd an d p r o cu re H is gl o ry that sh e wo u l d ,

wi ll i n gly c o n se n t t o l iv e fo r l o n g y ear s t o c o m e ;
e t s h e r e gard s d e ath rath e r as a s w t raptu r e
y e e

m e a nwh i l e S h e w o u l d wi sh t o b e e v e r o ccu p i e d
wi th O u r L o r d o r fo r O u r L o rd an d t o d o n o th i n g
,

e l se b u t p rai se H i m an d w i n s u l s o f o r Him 1 .

“
S t T e r e sa afli r m s that
. t h e s o u l arri ve d at th i s

s tat e hardly e v e r aga i n e xp e ri e nc e s th o se i m p e tu o u s

raptu re s o f w h i c h sh e h ad sp o k e n ; e c sta s i es a n d
e v e n fl i g h t s o f t he S p i rit b e c o m e ve ry rar e and ,

h ardly e v e r hap p e n t o h e r i n publ ic The

di st i n gu i s h i ng f e atu r e o f th i s man s i o n is that the re
”
hardly e ve r o ccu r i n i t a ny ari di ti e s o r i n t e ri o r ,

tr o ub le s ; a p r o f o u n d p e ace re i gn s th e r e i n God ,

al o n e a n d t he so u l e nj o y o n e a n o th e r i n a v e ry
” “
gr e at s i l e nce . Y e t t h i s is t h e cas e n o t in v a r i
,

ably b u t as a ge n e ra l r ul e
, ,
fo r so m e
ti m e s O u r L o rd l e ave s t h e se so u l s i n t h e i r n atu ral
s tat e th e n c o n cup i sc e nc e awa k e n s a n d att ack s ,

th e m fi e rc e ly b u t th i s t ri al o ccu r s o n ly at r are in
,

t e rv al s,
an d la s t s hard l y m o r e tha n o n e d ay .

Go d w i s h e s t h u s t o S h o w th e se so u l s h o w m uch
-

th ey stan d i n n e e d O f H i m t o i n cl i n e th e m t o l ive
,

i n an h u mbl e watch fu l n e ss i n a c o n ti n ual fe ar Of

,

l o s i n g H is fav o u r s Th ese so u l s th e r e fo re hav e

.
, ,

Cas t l e, 7 t h m a n s . c. iii .
 TR ANS FO R M ING U N IO N 3 65

t h e i r o w n tri al s b u t th e y h av e al so g re ate r s tre n gt h

, ,

an d Go d pr o t ect s th e m wi t h j e al o u s car e 1 .

S t Jo h n o
. f t h e C r o ss 2 a n d S c a ra m e 11i 5 mai n tai n
t ha t in th i s stat e t h e so u l is c o n fi rm e d i n grace .

A cc o rdi n g t o S t T e re sa sh e ca n c o m m i t o n ly
.
,

i m pe rf e ct i o n s a n d i n de l ib e rate ve n i al s i ns ;
fr o m m o rtal S In S c o m m i tt e d wi t h adv e rt e nc e sh e ,
” “
is e xe m pt ; fo r a l l that t h e so u l is n o t
,

a ss u r e d o f h er salvati o n n o r o f n eve r agai n fa l l i n g

,
” “
away ,
e xc e pt p e r h a p s du ri n g t h e ti m e
,
”4
O u r L o rd is l e adi n g h e r as it w e re by t he h an d
, , .

Cas t l e, 7 t h m a n s 0 iii a n d iv
. . . .

St . Jo h n O f t h e C r o s s , Sp i r Ca n t , s t a n z a 2 2
. . .

S c a r a m e l l i, D i r Myst , t r 2 n 258 a n d t r 3
° °
3 . . . . 11 2 2 5.

Cast l e, 7 t h m a n s c ii an d iv.
. . .
 C H AP TE R X

S P I R IT U A L AD V ANTAG E S OF

M YS TIC AL P R AYE R

WE h ave al re ad y S h own the p o we rfu l eff ect s o f th e .

pa ss iv e pu rgati o n s w h e n Go d H i m se l f w i shi ng
, ,

t o p u ri fy an d S i m p l i fy a so u l O p e rate s wi th a n u n
,

e rri ng wi sd o m wh i ch k n o w s t h e e v i l an d it s
.
‘

r e m e dy w 1t h a str o n g han d wh 1c l1 h as n o n e o f o u r
,
i

o v e r t e n d e rn ess an d we a k n e ss
-
. A s w e we n t a l ong
w e p o i n t e d o u t c e rtai n r e s u lt s wh ich b e l o n g n ly t o
p
t h e m o s t e l e vat e d f o rm s O f p ray e r .I t n o w r e mai n s
t o se t f o rth t h e g e n e ral advantage s wh i ch a re t o h e

fo u n d i n e v e ry s p eci e s o f my sti cal c o nt e m p l at i o n .

I t is qu i t e c e rtai n that my stica l c o n t e m p l at IO n Is

n e i th e r p e rfe cti o n n o r a n e c e ssary m e an s to arrive
,

a t i t ; fo r Go d g i v e s i t o n ly t o wh o m H e wi l l s ,

wh i l st a l l a re i nvi t e d t o b e p e rf e ct A t al l ti m e s
.

th e re h av e b ee n gre at so u l s w h o w e re n o t c o nt e m
p l a t iv e s
, an d c o n te mp l ativ es w h o we r e far fr o m
”
be i n g p e rf e ct . M any sai nt s are i n h e av e n ,

say s S t . F ranci s o f S al e s, w h o n e v e r e nj o y e d a n

e c sta sy o r a raptu r e O f c o n t e m plati o n ; fo r h o w

many martyr s a n d gr e at sai n t s b o th m e n an d ,

w o m e n d o e s h i st o ry t e l l u s o f w h o h av e n e ve r had
, ,

in p raye r any o th e r p ri vi l e ge than th at O f d e v o ti o n

366
368 on M Y S T i u A L P R AY E R

A .
—B
f r h as ta st e d Go d t h e so u l has o n l y
e o e S he ,

a h e ar say an d fee bl e k n o wl e dge o f H i m Fro m .

t h e ti m e o f t h e p ray e r o f qu i e t she h as a n ex pe r i ,

m e n tal p e rc e p ti o n o f Go d S h e f ee l s H i m ta ste s , ,

H i m an d is i n ti mat e ly u n i te d wi th H i m ; i t al m o st
,

see m s t h at S h e is g o i n g t o s e e H i m a n d tak e h o ld

of Him T h i s is n o t as ye t t h e cl e ar v i s i o n o f Go d
.
,

n o r is i t qu i t e t h e o b scu ri ty o f fai th b u t an i n t e r ,

m e diat e stat e wh e r e i n S he t re at s w i t h Go d t he in
, ,

vi s ib l e Go d al m o st as i f S h e b e h e l d H i m 1 —B e s ides
, .

t h i s sh e b eh o ld s H i m u n d e r a ne w a sp e ct I t is
, .

H is b e au ty H is g o o d n ess H is l o ve w h ic h e xcit e
, ,

i n he r adm i rati o n an d a st o n i sh m e n t Th e De i ty .

h id e s fr o m h e r H is maj e s ty ; t h e F ath e r t h e ,

B ro th e r t he F ri e n d t h e S p o u se l av i sh e s u p o n he r
, ,

so m uc h te n d e rn e ss so d ee p a l o v e
, s u c h alf ec ,
:

t io n at e car e sse s th at i t s ee m s t o h e r t ran p o rt e d

,
s ,

as s h e is o u t o f h e r se l f that s h e had n e v e r h i th e rt o
,

—
re a l ly k n o w n GO d Late r o n wh e n s h e h as p ro
.
,

resse d i n t h e my s tical way S h e w i ll p e r h ap s

g , , ,

c o m e t o c o n t e m p lat e i n a b l i n di n g l ight in t he ,

”
gr e at dark n ess t h e i nco m m u n icabl e attrib ute s o f
,

Go d H is i m m e n s i ty H is e t e rn ity & c ; b u t fr o m
, , , .
,

t h e v e ry fi r st sh e f e e l s t h at Go d is in co m p re h e n
,

s ib l e ; and t he m o r e sh e advanc e s t h e m o r e s h e is
,

th ri l l e d by a se n se o f t h i s No m e di tati o n h o w e v er
.
,

l i gh tfu l yo u m ay s u p p o se i t t o b e c o u ld e ve r give ,

h e r s u ch an i d e a o f H i m Th e sam e happ e n s wi th
.

re gard t o t h i n g s di v i n e To m e d i tate u po n.

Hel l , say s Fat h e r L al le m an t is t o see apa i n te d ,

I n v isi b ile m u n gn a w widen s m fifw i t , H e b . x i . 2 1.

 S P I R IT U A L A D V A NT AG E S 6
3 g

l i o n ; t o c o n t e m plat e H e l l is t o l o o k u p o n a l iv i n g
,
” 1
lion .

B — . O h h o w we l l t h e so u l u n d e r stan d s t h e
,

d ig n i ty S h e r e c e i ve s fr o m fai t h a n d grace n o w , ,

wh e n t h e S o ve r e i gn M a st e r de i gn s t o man i fe s t t o
h e r H is p r e se n c e a n d t o ca r e ss h e r w ith a l l t h e
,

f
t n d rn ss o a l v i n g ath e r
e e e o F — H o w S h e n o w f ee ls
o ve rwh e l m e d w i th s h am e , p e n e tra te d wi th so rr o w ,

a n i mat e d w it h a h o ly hatr e d o f h e r se l f wh e n th i s
,

p o w e rfu l l i gh t u n v e i l s t o h e r i
,
n al l th e i r h i d e o u s

u gl i n e ss h e r m i se ry a n d he r S i n s ; o r w h e n Go d
, ,

p e r s i st s fo r w ee k s o r m o n th s i n r e p e l l i n g h er ,

a lt h o u g h S h e n e v e r ce a se s se e k i n g H i m ! B e h o ld
h ere t he r ea so n why t h e sa 1nt s b e l i e v e d th e m se lve s
t o b e t h e g r e at es t o f s i n n e r s . I n t h e s am e way
-
,

wh e n t h e so u l p e rce i v e s by a k i n d o f e v i d e nc e h e r
’
o w n n o th i n gn ess an d G o d s gr e atn e ss wh e n sh e
,

fee l s h e r se l f p o w e rfu l ly a ffe ct e d by t h e acti o n o f

Go d u p o n h e r t he s am e grace wh i ch rai se s h e r t o
, ,

c o n t e m plati o n pl u n g e s h er i n a n aby ss o f h u m i l i ty ;
,

t h e m o r e s h e is s tru ck by t he maj e sty a n d p o w e r o f

Go d t h e m o r e n ee d sh e f ee l s o f m a k i n g h e r se lf
,

qu i te s m al l o f s i n k i n g d o w n an d an n i h i lati n g h er
,

se l f in ad o rati o n an d o b e di e nc e S h e can n o t
pard o n h e r se lf fo r h avi n g so o ft e n o ff e n d e d so
g o o d an d so gre at a M a ste r ; t h e o n ly f e ar sh e n o w
f ee l s is t h a t o f o ffe n d i n g o r l o s i n g H i m .

C .
—In p r o p o rti o n as S h e gr o w s i n t he k n o wl e dg e
a n d l o v e o f Go d t h e th i n g s o f e art h Ce as e t o fa sci
,

n at e he r . What t he wo rl d call s h o n o u r app e ar s t o

he r a h u g e l ie ; she de sp i ses a s so m u ch w o rt h
,

Spi ri t u a l D oct r i n e, 7 t h p r in c ipl e , c. iv 5

. .
 37 0 ON M YS T IC A L P R AYE R

l e ss m ud th o se
,
rich e s f o r wh ,
ic h m e n o ft e n d e s c e nd
t o H e ll an d p u rcha s e an i n e x t i n g u 1s h a b l e fi r e an ,

e n e ss
dl t rtu r h h ld i n h rr r t h
’
o e s e o s o o o se
;
p l e a s u r e s by w h
,
ic h p e o p l e gai n e v e n i n th i s l i fe , ,

”
o n ly pai n s an d b i tt e r tr o ub l es Th e b u stl i n g .

acti v ity w h ich w o rldl i n g s d i sp l ay See m s t o he r

,
’
,

me re ch i ld re n s p l ay ’
. F o r what e v e r
c o m es t o an e n d a n d is n o t what pl ea se s Go d , is
n o t h i n g a n d e v e n l e ss than n o t h i n g
,
.

H o w m u ch sh e is a sham e d o f he r f o rm e r at tac h
H o w sh e is amaz e d at he r o w n b l i n d n ess
'

m e nt s
’

W h at c o m pa ss i on she fe e l s fo r th o se w ho a re in
'

v o lv e d i n th at sam e dark n ess S he w o u l d wi s h t o

rai se a warn i n g v o ic e t o l e t th e m k n o w h o w fa r th ey
” 1
a re go m g a s tra E ve ryth i n g app ea r s so in
y .

s i p i d t o a so u l that h as ta s t e d Go d a n d e xp e r i e n ced

a f o r et as te o f H e ave n ! To e n abl e h e r t o m ak e t he
c o m p a r1so n s h e has n o w so m e th i n g b e tte r tha n a ny

am o u n t o f argu m e n t s sh e ta st es Go d , S h e ha s an
,
_

e xp e r i m e n tal k n o wl e dg e o f H i m i n fact a k i n d o f , ,
”

e v i d e nc e Whate v e r d oe s n o t l ea d t o Go d h as n o
.

c h arm fo r he r ; w hat ev e r ri se s u p as a b arri er

b e twee n he r an d h e r W e l l Be l ov e d e xci t es her - "
-

h o rr o r .

On t h e par t o f t h e hea rt —No t h m g 15 so w e l l

c alc ul a t e d t o n o u ri sh t h e fire of d ivi n e l o ve i as
m ystical c o n t e m p lati o n Wh e n t h e so u l f ee ls that
.

i
'

s he l o v e s an d is b e l o v e d wh e n God e v i n c e s t o w a
, Td s
h e r an i nc o m parab l e te n de rn e ss t he r e a re m o me n t s ,

wh e n qu ite b ewi l d e r e d a nd tra n s p o rt e d o ut of h e r

,

se lf Sh e Is i n e b riat e d
, an d b e s i de h e r se l f wi th l o v e ;
,

St . Te r e sa , L zfe l
, xx .
pa s s;
372 O N M Y S T IC A L P R AY E R

S h o wi n g he r by n e w m e a n s h o w m uc h m o r e
l o vab l e H e is than l o v e d } Th e se s ecr et ard o u r s ,

th e se am o r o u s t o uch e s l i ke so m any b u rn i n g
,

a rr o ws w o u n d an d tran sp i e rc e t h e so u l a n d l e av e
, ,
”
h e r al l t o rt u r e d by th i s v i o l e n t fire A d o l o ro u s .

t o rt u r e : H e al o n e w h o cau se d t h i s w o u n d can
cu r e it . B u t t he so u l cru e l ly fe e l s H is
ab se nce a n d t h e gri e f o f n o t b e i n g abl e t o po ssess
”
H i m h e r e b e l o w as S h e de s i r e s A s w ee t t o rt u r e
.

fo r t h e s o u l f ee l s that S h e l o v e s an d al r e ady p o sse sse s ,

h e r We l l B e l o v ed
-
S h e w o u ld b e w i l l i n g t o s u ffe r
.

de at h a t h o u san d ti m e s by m e an s o f th e se a rr o ws ,

w h i ch mak e h e r l e av e h e r se lf an d al l th i n g s o n ly ,
” ?
in o rd e r t o u n it e h e r m o r e pe rf ectly t o H i m ,

wh o m sh e i n v o ke s w i th a l l h e r d e s i r es
O h h o w t h o se so u l s w h o h u n g e r an d th i r st aft e r
,

Go d a l o n e h o w th o se so u l s w o u n d e d wi t h l o v e
, ,
'
,

h o n o u r a n d d e l i gh t Go d wh e the r it b e that th e y
,

a r e se e k i n g H i m w i th so m u ch ard o u r o r t h at t h e y , ,

ha v e a l re ady f o u n d H i m wi t h so m uch c o n t e n t
m e n t t o th e m se lve s ! No d o ubt so u l s that h ave ,

r e ach e d th i s d e gre e o f l o v e a r e rar e ; bu t re l i gi o u s ,

e n gage d i n c o n t e m plativ e way s a r e o fte n m e t wi t h ,

w ho al re ady l o v e Go d t o a n a st o n i sh i n g d e gr e e .

O n t h e p a r t of t h e w i l l —Go d e n l igh t e n s t he
.

m i n d a n d in fiam es t h e h e art o n l y i n o rde r t he ,

be tt e r t o se cu re t h e wi l l M y st i ca l acti o n by
.
,

r e n d e ri n g fai th m o re l i v e ly an d l o ve m o re ard e nt ,

d e v e l o p s t h e e n e rgi e s o f th e se h o ly v i rt u es I t .

m u l ti pl i e s e l e vat e s an d st re ngth e n s t h e a ffe ct i o n s

, ,

St . F r a n c is of S a l e s , Lo v e of Go d , b v i 0 x iii
. . . .

Q t. J o hn o f t h e C r o s s , Sp i n Ca n t , s t a n z a i 1 5,
. . 16 , 17 .
 S P I R IT U A L A D V ANTAG E S 373

i n p ray e r a n d i m parts t o th e m at ti m es a marv e ll o u s

,

i n t e n s ity I t c o m m u n icat es t o t he so u l a we ll
.

mark e d i m p u l se t o ward s al l v i rtu e s an d l e av es he r ,

b ett e r arm e d than S h e c o u l d b e by o rd i n ary m e di

,

t at io n fo r t h e c o mbat a n d fo r s p i ritu al p r o gr e ss
, .

U n d e r it s i n fl u e n c e t he m i st s o f faith cl e ar u p l o ve ,

g ro w s s tr o n g e r t h e m i n d ad h e r es m o r e cl o se ly t o
,

Go d t h e h e a rt co n ce iv e s a h o ly pa ss i o n fo r H i m ;
,

h e nce t h e so u l b ec o m es m o r e ea s i ly de t ac h e d and
, ,
.

o b stacl es di m i n i s h A t t h e sa m e ti m e u rg e d by
.
,

h e r l o v e S h e s tri ve s t o av o i d w h at e v e r is d is p le as
,
-

i n g t o h er W e l l B e l o v e d an d t o o m i t n o t h i n g that
-
,

m ay p l e a se H i m S h e b e c o m e s m o r e d e l icate an d
.

g e n e r o u s i n h e r o be di e n ce t o al l t he p re sc ri pti o n s
o f H is l aw a n d i n he r l o v i n g c o n f o rm i ty t o al l t h e
,

d i sp o s i ti o n s o f H is d iv i n e P r o vi de n c e S h e co n .

ce iv e s a S u p r e m e h o rr o r o f t h e l e a s t S in an d can ,

n e ve r pard o n he r se l f fo r havi n g so m u ch o ff e n d e d
“ ”
t he Go d o f h e r h e art S he p e ac e fu lly acce pt s
.
,

l o vi n gly see k s o pp o rtu n i ti e s o f sacri fice sh e e ve n ,

b ec o me s i n satiabl e fo r th e m i n o rde r t o mak e so m e ,

s mal l r e tu r n t o H i m w h o ha s s o e xce e d i n gly l o ve d

h er . H e r happ i n e ss w o u l d b e t o b e alway s l i k e ,

M ary at t h e f ee t o f he r D i vi n e M a st e r c o n t e m
, ,

plati n g H i m l o vi ng H i m an d S i n gi n g H is
, ,

p rai se s S h e de v o t e s h e r se lf t o t h e o ccu pati o n s o f

.

M artha a s far as du ty r e qu i r es ; b u t as so o n as
, ,

s h e is p e rm i tte d S h e mak e s ha s te t o re tu rn t o H i m
, ,

w h o is t h e re p o s e o f h e r m i n d an d t h e jo y o f h e r

h e art S o l it u d e attract s an d captivate s h er ; s he

.

f ee l s t h e i m pe rativ e n ee d o f b e i n g a l o n e wi t h Go d
a l o n e that n o th i n g may tr o ubl e t he se re n i ty o f h e r
,
37 4 O N M YS T IC AL P R AYE R

m i nd a n d t he
p i o u s e f fu s i o n s O f h e r h e art A ti m e .

e Ve n wi l l c o m e w hen i t wi l l no l o n g e r suffice fo r
,

h e r t o fe e l t h e p r e se n c e o f h e r We ll B e l o v e d wi t h im -

t i t d i S h w i l l l n g fo r d e ath wh i ch s h e d e e m s
p a e n e s r e e o
'

t o o s l o w i n c o m m g i n s uch h as t e s hal l s he b e t o see

,

at la s t H i m w h o m she l o v es an d t o p o sse ss H i m
'

, ,

qu it e at h er ea se ; u n l ess i n d e ed di v i n e l o v e gr o w
, , ,

i n g s ti l l str o n ge r sh o u l d u rg e he r t o WIS h t o l i v e fo r
,

ev e r i n o rd e r t o lab o u r u n ce as m gl y t o c o m m u n i
‘

cat e t o o th er s th e fire w h i c h c o n s u m es h e r se l f Fo r .

s h e w o u l d wi sh t o sh ow t o t h e w h o l e w o r l d t h e
'

tr eas u re t h at e xci t es h e r adm i rati o n an d he r

,

raptu re s ; a n d n o t b e i ng ab l e t o p rai se o r l o v e H i m
,

a s s he w o u ld d es i r e S he w o u ld b e h appy t o see al l
,

t h e e arth o n it s k n e e s b e f o r e H i m .

Th i s so u l 1s p o sse sse d by a n e v e r i n cre a si n g d iv i ne -

l o v e ; Go d o n h is s i d e O p e rat e s wi th so m u ch t h e
, ,

m Ore e n e rgy be cau se H e m e e t s wi t h fe w e r o b stacl e s

f
,

i n a h eart S O we l l di sp o sed S O S t Te r esa is n o t . .

afrai d t o say We ak a n d b o w e d d o w n t o e art h a s

w e a re w e sh o u ld h ave m u ch tr o ubl e i n a rr iv i n g at
,

p e rf e ct d e tac h m e n t at t h at
, s o v e r e i gn d i s gu s t o f
t h i n g s h e r e b e l o w d i d n o t o u r so u l al re ady p o ssess
.
,

so m e pl e dg e o f t h e g o o d s ab o v e 1 -
A S fo r .

m e m i se rabl e t h at I a m I have n ee d o f al l t he se
, , _

h e lp s . P r e v i o u sl y t o my re c e i vi n g th e se
h elp s i t w as my o w n l ife I l e d ; t h i s l i f e wh ich
, ,

b e gan wi th th e se stat es o f p ray e r is I may say , , ,

t h e l i fe o f Go d i n me ; fo r o th e rw i se I a ck n o w , ,

l edg e it w o u l d hav e bee n i m po ss ib l e fo r m e t o h av e

,

b ee n d e l i v e r e d i n so sh o rt a t i m e fr o m t h e hab i t s
, ,
-
\
,
37 0 O N M YS T I C A L P R AY E R

Te r e sa n e v e r c ea ses r e p at i n g that t h o se t o 1
St . e ,

wh o m Go d gi v e s s uch grace s are d est i n e d t o wi n a ,

gr e at n u mb e r o f o th e r so u l s t o Go d an d t o r e n d e r ,

gre at se rvi c e s t o t he C h u rch .

A cc o rdi n g t o S t J o h n o f t h e C r o ss
. c e rtai n ,

l ight s an d div i n e t o u ch e s so e n ri ch a so u l th at a .
,

s i n gl e o n e o f th e m is ab l e t o d e l i v e r h e r a t o n ce
‘

fr o m t h e i m p e rf e cti o n s S h e h ad n o t b ee n abl e t o ge t
ri d o f du ri n g h e r wh o l e p re v i o u s l i fe an d t o e n d o w ,
”
h e r b e s i d es w i t h V i rtu e s a n d d i v i n e gift s 2 St . .

Te r esa is n o t l ess f o rm a l u p o n th i s p o i n t : O ft e n
t i m e s Go d i n t he spa ce O f a ye a r o r s 1x m o n th s rai ses
c e rtai n so u l s t o a h i g h e r de gr e e o f c o n te m p lati o n
tha n o th e r s I n t he c o u r se o f t e n o r twe n ty y e ar s H e .

O btai n e d a p r o gr e ss fr o m ce rta i n ge n e rm 5 p e r so n s i n

t h r ee m o n th s an d fr o m o ne o f th e m i n th r ee day s
, ,

t h at He h ad n o t o btai n e d fr o m h e r self afte r m any .

f
y e ar s o p ray e r 3 S h e m e n ti o n s i n m an y p l ac e s 4
.
, ,

ca se s i n wh ich t h e so u l w a s chan g e d rap i d l y an d as , ,

i t we r e i n a n I n stant a n d c e rt a i n fau lt s u n ti l th e n
, , ,

i n tractabl e w e r e c o rr e ct ed h o w s h e k n e w n o t
, , .

B u t the se rap i d a sc e nt s t h ese s u dd e n i l lu m i na

,

ti o n s th ese u n e xp e ct e d tran sf o rmat i o n s are rar e

, ,

e xce pti o n s Ve ry ra sh mad e v e n w o u l d h e b e

.
, ,

w h o w o u ld c o u n t u p o n s u ch fav o u r s an d l ie d ow n

in i dl e n ess ! Ge n e r a l ly sp ea ki n g t h e so u l b e c o m e s ,

d e tac h e d an d adva nc es i n p ray e r o n ly l ittl e by

l i ttl e as al so o c cu rs i n t h e h ab i t O f m e di tati o n
, ,

L ife , x i. x v . x v iii. Ca s t l e , 4 t h m a n s . c. iii & c . .

A soen t , b . ii
. c . x xv i .

L ife, x x x iv . a n d xx x ix . passi m . Ca n t .
f Ca n t
o . c . Vi.
 S P I R IT U A L A D V A NTAG E S 377

alt h o ugh with l e ss e n e rgy The so u l s wh o l e

’
.

” 1
g o o d th e r ef o re d e p e n d s o n he r p e r se v e rance
, , ,

a n d t h e g e n e r o u s e ff o rt s sh e ma ke s t o p re par e h e r
se l f an d t o c o rr e s p o n d I t w o u l d b e v e ry u nj u st t o
.

re qu i r e that S h e s h o u ld b e p e rf e ct e v e n fr o m t he

S tate o f qu i e t ti m e is n e c e ssary as w e l l as grace

, .

A la s ! S h e m ay e ve n aft e r s u ch fa v o u r s bac k s l ide

, ,

an d b ec o m e te p i d as i t h app e n e d t o S t T e re sa
, . .

The sa i n t b eseec h e s t h e se so u l s n o t t o aban d o n

pray e r ,
th e y wi l l fin d i n i t l igh t so rr o w fo r th e i r
,
” 2
fau lt s and str e n gth t o ri se aga i n
,
.

Cast l e, 4 t h m a n s
. c. iii. L if e, xv.
 C H AP T E R XI

J O YS AND S U F F E R ING S
'

ST J O H N O F TH E C R O S S d escrib es t he r o u g h a sc e n t
.

wh ich l e ad s t o C arm e l t h e p ai n s wh ic h p u rge t h e ,

so u l an d p re pare it f o r th e div i n e u n i o n 1 St ‘
. .

T e r e sa se t s m o r e i n r e l i e f t he j o y s o f c o n tem pla
ti o n Th ey d o n o t c o n tradict b u t rat h e r s u ppl e
.
,

m e n t e ac h o th e r a n d in o rd e r t o h ave t h e wh o l e
,

truth w e m u st take t h e m c o nj o i n tly B e s i d es S t

,
.
, .

t h
J o h n o f t he C r o ss d oe s n o t c o nc eal e c n so lati o n
o s 2
,

an d S t T e r esa cl early se t s f o rt h t he cru cify i ng

.

f h
tri al s O t e c nt m p lat ive way
o e 3 .

I — Th e r e a re j o y s o f t h e m i n d w h ic h h avi n g n o
.
, ,

l o ng e r t o lab o u r S O h ard a n d p o ssess i n g t he trut h '

,

e nj o y s a se n se o f r e p o se ; t h e l i g h t s t h e i n te l l e ct re

c e iv e s are at ti m e s so v ivi d t h at i t re ma i n s du mb

with adm i rat i o n — T h e re a re t h e j o y s o f t h e wi l l

.

t h e so u l e xpe ri e nc e s i n h e r i n m o s t d e pth s a p u r e

cal m a pr o fo u n d pe ac e a v e ry gr e at c o n te n tm e n t
, ,

O f h e r wi ll a n i n t e ri o r an d exte ri o r sati sfact i o n a

, ,

v e ry swee t u n cti o n o f w h ich S h e can giv e n o p r e ci s‘

de scri pt i o n S h e d o es n o t k n o w w h e nc e n o r h o w
.

Th e w ho le of t h e A scen t and o f t h e Ob scu r e N igh t .

2
Spi n Ca n t a n d L i v i n g F l a m e, & c
. .

3 Life, p ass i m , a n d e s p e c ia ll y c x i . . x xx. xx x i. Wy

a , x Ix .

Cas t le , 6t h m a n s . c . i
. an d j :
3 80 ON M YS T IC AL P R AYE R

l at iv e s t o e mb race t h e m g e n e ro u sly I know

p .
,

“
s ay s S t T e r e sa
. t h at t h e tr ib u l ati o n s th r o u gh
, ,

w h ic h Go d mak e s t h e m pa ss are in t o l er a b l e ; t h ey ,

a re o f s u ch a n atu r e that i f G o d d i d n o t s tr e n gth e n

t h ese s o ul s by t h i s d e l i gh tfu l i nt e ri o r n o u ri sh m e n t ,

th ey w o u ld n e v e r have t h e stre n gth t o su pp o r t

t he m . Th u s i t is n e c e ssary th at O u r L o r d
s h o u ld give th e m n o t t he wat e r wh ich r e fr e s h es
, ,

bu t t he w in e w hi c h in e b r ia t es i n o rde r t h at u n de r
, ,

t he i nfl u e n c e o f a h o ly i n e b ri ati o n t h e y i n so m e ,

s o r t n o l o n ge r f ee l th e i r s u ff e r m gs P er
so n s w h o a re e n gag e d i n t h e act i ve way w h e n t h ey ,

wi t n e ss s o m e fav o u r gran t e d t o so u l s rai se d t o t h e

c o n t e m plat ive p raye r i mag i n e d o ubt l ess th a t th e r e
"

is n o th i n g b u t swe e t ne ss an d d e li gh t i n th i s state ;
bu t I can t e l l t he m that p e rhap s th e y c o u l d n o t b ear
e v e n fo r o n e s i n gl e day t he s u ff e ri n g s wh ic
h c o n
” 1
t e m p l at iv e s h av e c o m m o n l y t o e n du r e .

C o n t e m plati o n th e n is n o t t h e way o f de l icat e

, ,

a n d so ft so u l s b u t rath e r t h at Of b rav e an d ge n e r o u s
,

h e art s w h o l o ve t h e i r c ru cifi e d S avi o u r a n d hav e

, ,

n o f e ar o f t h e cr o ss ; trib u lat i o n a n d a ngu i s h a re

t he i r dai ly b re ad ; th o ugh fr o m t i m e t o ti m e Go d
"

, ,

S e n d s s o m e swe e tn e ss t o c o mf o rt t h e m an d t o S h o w ,

t h e b o u n dl e ss e xt e n t o f H is e n du r i n g l o v e fo r th em ,

We may r e mark wi t h F ath e r P o u l am t h at t h e ,

p l e a su re e xpe ri e n c e d i n t he p ray e r O f qu i e t is
aff e ct e d b y t he d i s p o s i ti o n s i n wh ich t h e so u l is at
'

t he t i m e I f sh e is pa ssi n g th r o ugh a pe r i o d o f
.

p e a c e an d jy
o i t i
,s m o r e m ark e d I t is so l i k.e ,
“

w i se wh e n th e se gr a c es hav e a c
, e rtai n n o v e lty If .
,

Wy a . x x.i Ca st l e , 7 t h m a n s . c. iv .
 J O YS AN D S U F F E R IN G S 3 8 1

on t he c o n trary S he is pa ss i n g th r o ugh a s tate o f

,

s o rr o w a n d o f trial t h e pl e a s u r e i m part e d by t h e
,

p ray e r o f qu i et may b e i n so m e d e gr e e tr o ubl e d o r

” 1
v e i l ed .

11 — A s fo r su fi
. er in s c o n t e m l a t iv e s h av e s ti l l t o
g p ,

e n du re m a n y o f t h o se wh ich th e y f o rm e rly s u ff e r e d .

B e s i d e s phy s i ca l pai n s se parat i o n fr o m th e i r

,

d eare st fri e n d s l o ss o f t e m p o ral g o o d s a n d o th e r

,

c o m m o n tria l s th e y h av e st i l l t e mptati o n s t o o v e r
,

c o m e i n cl i n ati o n s t o s ubd u e p a ss i o n s t o g o v e rn
, , ,

v i rtu es t o pe rf e ct Th ey s u ff e r o n t h e p a rt o f God
.

w h o se e m s t o h av e aban d o n e d th e m o n t h e part o f ,

t h e i r s u pe ri o r s w h o r e p re h e n d t h e m o f t h eir b re t h re n ,

w h o hav e n e i th e r t h e s a m e vi e w s n o r t he sa m e

ta stes o f t h e w o rl d wh ic h m i s u n d e r s t a n d s th e m o f t h e
, ,

d e m o n w h o t e m pt s t h e m o f t h e e l e m e n t s wh ich
,

affl ict t h e m : al l th i s is t h e l o t o f p o o r h u ma n i ty ,

e v e n i n t h e cl o i s t e r —It may e v e n h ap pe n th r o ugh

.
,

a s pe cial d es ig n o f Go d w h o w i s h e s t o re n de r th e se
,

so u l s m o r e pu r e m o r e h u m bl e an d m o re d e tac h e d
, ,

th a t m an y o f th e se o rdi n ary tri al s a ffl ict th e m w i t h

an u nc o m m o n pe r s i st e n cy an d s v i ty e e r 2 .

J u st as c o n t e m plati o n h as it s o w n j o y s so a l so i t ,

h as it s o w n p e cu l i ar s u ffe r i n g s .

We have al r eady s u ffici e n tly d escri be d t h e tri al s ,

so v ar i o u s a n d so p r o l o n g e d O f t h e pa ss i v e p t t rga
,

t i o n o f t h e se n se s an d t h e rar e r b u t m uch m o r e
, ,

acu t e p ai n s o f t h e pa ss iv e p u rg ati o n o f t h e s p i ri t
,
.

We n e e d n o t fu rth e r r eve r t t o t h e m h e r e .

M y stical c o n t e m plati o n ta k e n i n g e n e ral i n tr o

, ,

Gr a c es P r ay er , 2 n d r t c . x i. 8
f
a p a .

S e e 3 r d pa rt , 0. iii . a r t. i
.
§ iii
.
p . 26 3 .
38 2 O N M Y S T I C A L P R AY E R

duce s u l , i n a n e v i d en t man n e r in t o t h e in id s t
t he so
’
’

o f t h e s u pe rn atu ral ; i t h as so m e th i n g my s t e r io u s

ab o u t i t w h ich str i k e s t he m i n d especi al ly at fi r st ,

.

an d cau ses tr o ubl e i n a so u l as ye t i n e xpe r ie nc e d I n

th i s way We be c o m e sti l l m o r e anx i o u s sh o u ld
.
,

w e m ee t wi th n o o ne ab l e t o giv e u s a n e x p lan a ti o n
a s t o wha t i t al l m e an s What th e n w i ll happ e n
.
, ,

i f yo u cl i p th i s p o o r so u l s w i n g s i f yo u h i n der h e r
’
,

fr o m fly i n g w h i t he r Go d is cal l i n g h er u n d er t h e ,

pr e te xt o f p rese rvi n g he r S 1m p l ic it y an d av o id i n g
s i n gu lari ty A t b o tt o m i t is t h e H o ly G h o st
,

wh o m yo u a re l ect u ri n g a n d f o rbi ddi n g t o l ead t h at

so u l by any o th e r way than s uch as is in acc o rda nc e

wi th y o u r o w n n arr o w v i ew s .

Whe n t h e s tat e o f qu i etu d e is w eak, t he so u l

s uff e r s S t T e r e sa de clar e s th a t wh i le h e r wil l
”

. .

w a s u n i t e d t o Go d he r m e m o ry a n d i mag inati o n
,
:

wage d so fi e rc e a war agai n st he r th at she c o nc e i v e d

’

a h o rr o r o f th e m a n d w as al to ge th e r w o r n o u t by
,

th e i r a ssau lt s ” 1
. We s h all the r ef o re , h ave t o
,
.

stru gg l e agai n s t di stracti o n s w eari n e ss an d d is

,
.

gu st a n d t o stri v e t o s u ppl e m e n t t h e d i vi n e acti o n

, ,

w h ic h i t is n b t i n o u r p o w e r t o i n cre a se by t he ,

e ff o rt s o f o u r o w n act iv i ty ; n o w a t s uch a ti m e w e
‘

,
'

sha l l b e ab l e t o mak e n o th i n g b u t l i ttl e fd ry , ,

st t m o n o t o n o u s act s d e v o i d o f al l re l i sh Go d s
'
’
, .

c o m pany b e c o m e s a d ow n ri gh t fa t i gu e Hi s c o n v e r ,

sati o n h as n o charm fo r u s ; et i f w e fl y fro m H i m

y , ,

o u r s tate b e c o m e s st i l l w o r se fo r i n s p i t e o f al l t h e
, , ,

so u l h as n ee d o f Go d a n d ca n n ot d o w it h Ou t H i m .

Th e so u l h o pe d to as c e n d e v e r t o asce n d h i g h e r
, ,
 8
3 4 O N M YS T I C A L P R AY E R

t o ss h e r ab o u t b e i n g so m e ti m e s ra i se d t o t he
,

h e ig h t s o f my sti ca l u n i o n at a n o th e r ti m e b r o u gh t
,

d o w n t o a n al m o st i mp e rc e ptibl e u n i o n o r e v e n ,

pl u ng e d o nc e m o r e i n t o al l t h e h o rr o r s O f t h e pa ssi v e
p u r i fic a t io ns H o.w fu l l th e n o f d es o lat i o n is th i s
, ,

so u l so l o v i n g th i s so u l th at h u n g e r s so aft e r Go d
, ,

d es i r es o n ly H i m a n d ye t n o wh e r e fi n d s H i m !
,

A b o v e al l wh e n th e se tri al s a re p r o l o n ge d an d
, ,

whe n H e w h o is t h e so l e o bj e ct o f h e r l o v e p e r s i st s
, ,

i n aba n d o n i n g h er a n d see m s t o d e sp i se h e r ! A t
ti m e s th i s is a m e rci fu l cha sti se m e n t at o th e rs i t is , ,

an arti fic e o f h e r D ivi n e S p o u se w h o wi sh e s t o ,

mak e he r se e k m o r e e arn e st l y afte r H i m i n o rde r ,

that t he i n c re a s i n g ar d o u r o f he r d es i re may i n flam e

t h e f e rv o u r o f h e r l o v e .

S t B e r n a rd w as we l l acqu a i n t e d wi th t h ese pa i n
.

fu l trial s a n d b e wa i l s th e m i n t he b itt e rn ess o f h is

. .

so ul . Wh e n w e se e k C h i s t o u r S p o u se i n r

watch i n g s an d i n p ray e r at t h e c o s t Of m an y e ff o rt s
, ,

an d am i d s t a t o r r e n t o f t ear s H e c o m e s t o u s ; b ut
,

s u dd e n ly wh i l st w e t h m k t o k e e p H i m
, he e scap e s ,

fr o m u s Y i e ldi n g agai n t o t h e t e ar s an d p u r su i t
.

O f o u r so u l H e a l l o w s H i m s e l f t o b e l ai d h o ld o f
, ,

b ut by n o m e an s t o b e r e tai n e d ; fo r s u dde n ly H e
es cap e s a se c o n d ti m e fr o m o u r h an d s I f t h e d e v ou t
‘

so u l p e r s e v e r e s i n p ra ye r s a nd t e ar s H e wi l l r e tu rn ,

agai n a n d n o t di sap p oi n t t he de s i re s o f h er h eart ;

b ut so o n agai n H e w i l l di sapp e ar a n d S h e s h al l see
Him n o m o r e u n l ess S he r e cal l s H i m agai n by t he
,

wh o le str e n gth o f h e r d e si r e s Th u s th e n e v e n
.
, ,

wh i l e t he so u l is i n th i s b o dy S h e m av ta st e t re ,

q u ent , b u t n o t fu l l d e l i g h t i n t h e p r ese nc e o f h e r
,
 J OYS AND S U F F E R INGS 8
3 5

S p o u se fo ,
th o ugh H is v i s i t s gi v e h er jo y t h os e
r
, ,
” 1
vici ssi tu d es m ak e h e r s u ffe r .

F i n d i n g it i m p o ss ib l e t o kee p h er W e ll b e l o v e d -
,

wi t h h e r a n d i m p o ss i bl e al so t o r e k i n dl e t he fire o f
,

h e r l o v e sh e b e wai l s h er n egl i g e nc e a n d b itt e r l y

,

accu se s h e r se lf i n t h e languag e o f S t B e rn ard : I .

w as ru n n i n g w e l l b u t 10 ! I struck agai n st a
,

s tu mbl i n g b l o ck i n t h e way
-
an d I h av e fall e n , .

P ri d e h as b e e n f o u n d i n m e a n d t h e L o rd h as ,

t u rn e d away i n a n g e r fr o m H is se rva n t H e n ce ; .

t h i s ba rr e n n e ss a n d t h i s d e a rth o f d e v o ti o n wh i ch I
n o w e xp e ri e nc e H o w h as my h ea rt b e c o m e so dry
‘

.
,

l i k e cu rdl e d m i l k l i k e t o a lan d w i th o u t wat e r

,
?

I can fi n d n o te ar s o f c o m pu n ct i o n so ,

gr e a t is t he hard n ess O f my h ea rt Th e p sal m s .

hav e l o st th e i r sav o u r r e adi n g p l e a se s m e n o t , ,

p ray e r h as n o charm I ca n n o l o n g e r mak e m y c u s

,

t o m ary m e ditati o n s What th e n h as b e c o m e o f

.
, ,

that i n e b ri a ti o n O f t h e so u l ? Wh e r e th e n is that , ,

se r e n i ty o f m i n d that pe ac e an d jo y i n t h e H o ly
,

Gh o s t ? T h i s is t he r e a so n wh y I am so l azy at
ma n ual w o rk S o d r o w sy at w a t ch i n g so pr o m p t t o
, ,

a ng e r S O sl o w t o f o rgi ve so we a k in my p r e ach i n g
, , .

A la s ! t h e L o rd v i s i t s a l l t h e m o u ntai n s r o u n d
ab o ut b u t n e v e r draw s n e ar t o m e
‘

Th e s o u l s u ff e r s al so wh e n Go d sh o w s he r i n
’

c o n t e m p l ati o n H is t e rri fy i n g j u stic e t h e m u l titu d e ,

o f h e r p e r so n al S i n s h e r o w n l o n g l i f e S O e m pty o f
,

v i rtu e s t h e c o u nt l e ss o fle n c e s wh i ch o u trage H is
,

sanctity t h e r a g e o f th o se w h o h at e H i m
, t h e l o ss ,
’

o f s o man y so u l s t h e e v i l s o f t h e C h u rch t h e s u fl e
, ,
r

S er m on s on Ca n t . o
f Ca n t .
, x x x u . 2.
3 86 ON MYS TI CAL P RAYE R

i n gs of H is P a ss i o n l itt l e r e tu rn w e mak e fo r
, the

t h e l o v e o f o u r D i vi n e M a s t e r an d man y o th e r ,
“
s uch l i k e s ubj e ct s fo r so rr o w S ix y e ar s had
.

pa sse d away s i n c e S t Te r esa had had h e r v i s i o n o f

.

h el l an d ye t s uc h w as t h e te rr o r t hat se i z e d h e r
, ,

wh e n wri ti n g ab o u t i t that t h e v e ry b l o od fr o ze i n
,
” 1
h er v e i n s Wh e n t h e sam e sai n t c o n s i d e re d
.

wh a t sh e w as t he fav o u r s o f h e r Go d u se d t o
,

th r o w h e r i n t o i n e xp r e ss ib l e c o n fu s i o n ; t h e m e m o ry
o f h e r g o o d w o rk s se e m e d t o b e b l o tt e d o u t he r ,

i m p e rfe cti o n s al o n e p r e se n te d th e m se l v e s t o h e r
m i n d an d S h e n e e de d m o r e st r e n gth t o re c e i v e s uch
,

grac es than t o carry t h e h eav i e st cr o sses 2— S h e .

u se d t o s u ffe r al m o st c o n ti n u al pai n a n d l o o k u p o n
h e r se l f as t h e gre at e s t S i n n e r i n t h e w o r l d wh e n ,

S h e th o u g h t h o w l i ttl e grati tu d e S h e had S h o w n

t o ward s H i m w h o ha d h e ap e d u p o n h e r S O m an y .

fav o u r s 3
.
—
S h e w as o ve rwh e l m e d w i th sham e that ,

S h e w a s ab l e t o m ak e o n ly so p o o r a r e tu r n t o that

G o d w h o h ad g i v e n h e r so m u ch a n d th i s i n ab i l ity ,

w as fo r h e r t h e gr e at es t o f p e n a nc e s 4 — S h e s u ff e re d .

fr o m b e i n g e xp o se d t o t h e c o mplai nt s cri ti ci s m s , ,

an d s u sp ici o n s o f so m e p e r so n s an d t o t he p rai se ,

a n d ad m i rati o n o f o the rs wh e n t h e fav o u r s S h e had

,

re c e iv ed fro m Go d b e ca m e p ub l i c 5— A dd t o t h i s
t h e fe ar o f l o s i n g G o d a n d o f b e i n g a p r ey t o th o se

i l l u s i o n s wh i ch h a v e mad e so m any v icti m s S t

, . .

T e re sa s u ff e r e d a l l th i s d u ri n g l o n g y e ar s ; he r
h u m i l i ty an d t h e de l icacy o f h e r c o n sci e nce re n d e r e d
h e r t ea rs o n l y t h e m o r e a l a rm i n g 6 I n t he m i d s t o f .

Lif e , x x x i i. t Ca st l e , 7 t h m a n s
\ . c . 11.

x x x ix . 5 [ b l ah 6 t h m a n s . c . V i i.

Ca s t l e , 6 t h m a n s . ci t -1 Li fe , 0 . X x iii a n d
.
j
’
.
 C H A P TE R X II

D ANG E R S AND ILL U S IO NS

I .
—DANG ER S .

T HE R E a re so m e da n g e r s wh e n t h e grac e s o f p ray e r
ab o u nd o th e r s wh e n th e se gr ac e s a re w i thdrawn
,
.

I
.
— In t h e m i d st o f t h e j o y s o f di vi n e c o n so la
ti o n s w e hav e t o f e ar vai n c o m p l ac e n cy an d s p i ri
tua l gl ut t o ny .

Th e se fau l t s m ay b e m e t wi th i n s i m pl e m e di ta
ti o n ; b u t wh e n t he so u l f ee l s he r se lf so u gh t afte r
by Go d t e n d e rly l o v e d by h e r D iv i n e M a ster a n d
,

tr e at e d wi t h m arke d p r e d i l e cti o n sh e h as a m o r e
,

s p e ci o u s p r e te xt t o l o o k u p o n h e r se l f with c o m

p l a ce n c y ,a n d t o b e l i e v e h e r se lf t o b e s om e t h i n g .

I n a n o th e r way sp i ri tual c o n so lati o n s a re so sw e e t

, ,

t h at o ne is l e d t o se iz e u p o n t h e m w ith a gr e e di n es s
w h ich tu r n s i n t o p o i so n t h e g e n e r o u s w i n e o f c o n
t e m p l at io n M y sti ca l acti o n h o w e v e r str o n gly u rg e s
.
, ,

t h e so u l t o ward s h u m i l i ty an d d e tach m e nt F ar f ro m .

b e i n g t h e cau se o f th o se m i se ri es i t is o n ly th e i r
,

i n n o c e n t o cca s i o n t h e w h o l e fau l t c o m es fr o m o u r
“

s e lv e s
. It w o u l d th e re f o re b e u nj u s t t o r e gard
, ,

that acti o n wi th s u sp ici o n an d t o av o i d it o n t h e ,

pre t ext that i t e xp o ses u s t o t he mal i c e o f t h e

d e m o n an d o f n atu r e ; i t w o u l d i n fact b e j u st as
, ,

3 88
 D AN G E R S AN D I LL U S IO N S 8
3 9

r e a so n ab l e t o o m i t t h e p racti ce o f v i rtu e t h r o u gh
fe a r o f p ri de w h i ch fi n d s t h e r e i n it s m o st d e l i cat e
,

n o u ri s h m e n t .

B u t t he m o r e Go d e l e vat es u s t he m o r e o u gh t w e
,

t o h u mb l e o u r se lv e s .T h ese th i n g s a re grac es a n d
n o t o u r m e ri t s ; th e y a re p o w e rfu l i n s tru m e n t s o f

p e rfecti o n n o t pe rf ecti o n i ts e lf ; i n sp it e o f t h e m a
, ,

man may b e m uch i n fe ri o r t o h is b r e th r e n m ay ,

gr o w t e p i d a n d b e l o st Go d wi l l r e q u i r e m o re
, .

fr o m h i m t o w h o m He h as g ive n m o r e In t he .
~ -

s am e way w e m u s t r e n o u nc e o u r gre e d i n ess fo r

,

c o n so lati o n s a n d c o mbat it wi th u n re m i tti n g

,

e n e rgy . I t is be tt e r t o accu st o m o u r se l v es t o w i ll
o n ly G o d s g o o d p l e a s u r e t o r e m ai n i n a h o ly in
’
,

di ff e re n ce w i th re gar d t o sw ee t n ess o r b i tt e rn ess ,

c o n so lat i o n s o r trial s P r o v i d e d t h at w e b e l o n g
.

en ti r e ly t o Go d a n d Go d t o u s w h at s i g n i fy t h e
,

way s a n d t h e me an s co n so lati o n s o r ari dit i es

, ,

s w e e t c o n t e m plat i o n s o r p a ss i v e p u rg at i o n s ? Th e
o ne t h i n g e sse nt i al is t o arri v e at o u r e n d by t h e

s h o rt e st a n d be s t w ay A ft e r al l i t is Go d w e wa n t
.
,

rath e r tha n H is g ift s H is w i l l a n d n o t o u r

.

p l e as u r e i s t h e ru l e o f w h at i s g o o d t h e s o l e r o,a d o f
p r o gre ss a n d w e s ho u l d stu dy t o se rve H im w i t h
,

di s i n t ere ste dn ess an d at o u r o w n e x p en se .

C an t h e i n e b riati o n p r o du c e d by t he str e n gt h
,

an d sw ee tn ess o f d iv i n e l o ve o cca s i o n a n y di so rde r

,

i n t he se n se s ? S t T e re sa n e ve r e x p e ri e nce d a ny
.

th i n g o f t h e k i n d i n t h e S u p e r n atu ra l p he n o
m e n a wh ich s h e h as d escrib e d an d t h is k in d o f ,

th i ng s m e d o e
ee t h r n ot e v e n p s ib l
o s e 1 Q u i te.
 3 O N MYS T IC AL P R AY E R
“
‘
90

d i ffe r en t is t he o pi n i o n o f S t J o h n o f t h e C r o ss .
,

Wh e n th e r e is qu est i o n o f so u l s i mp e rf ectl y p u ri
'

fi e d ; 1 a n d that o f S t G r e g o ry t h e G re at is n o t l ess
.

”
f o rm al o n th i s p o i nt I t o ft e n happ e n s
. . say s ,

th i s latt e r that t h e so u l is e l e va te d by t he D iv i n e
,

S p i ri t e v e n t o t he h e i ght s o f pra ye r and n ev e r t h e , ,

le ss t he fl e sh mak e s pai n fu l a ssau lt s u p o n

, At
t h e v e ry m o m e n t wh e n s h e is l e d t o t h e c o n te m pla

ti o n o f h e av e n l y th i n g s i magi nati o n s o f i l l ici t ,

acti o ns p re se n t th e m se lv es t o h e r an d t he sti n g o f
'

t he fl e s h m a k es i t s e lf pai n fu l l y f e l t i n h i m w h o had ,

b e e n ra i se d ab o v e t he fl e sh by c o n te m plat i o n I t .

se e m s a s i f h e a v en a n d h e l l w e r e he re m i n gl e d

t oge th e r s i nce t he sam e so u l fi n d s h e r se lf at o n c e

,

i l l u m i n e d by t he l i gh t s o f c o n t e m plati o n a nd
” 2
c l ou de d o v e r by i m p o rtu nat e t e m ptati o n s .

I n s u ch a c a se l e t t h e so u l strive t o av o id al l
,
'

dang er o f c o n se n ti n g t o s u ch t e m ptati o n s ; l et h e r
m o de rate if she can t h e e xce ss o f se n s ib l e de v o
'
‘

, ,

ti o n ; le t he r h u mbl e h e r se lf o n acc o u n t o f he r
m i se ry an d no t b e di sc o u rag e d
, Th i s p u r e ly .

'

mat e ri al d i so rde r is n o t w i l l e d by h e r e i t h e r as an ,

e n d o r a s a m ean s a n d 1s s u p e ra b u n dan t l y c o m p en
,

sate d fo r by t h e fru it s o f c o n t e m p l at i o n Th i s “

pai n fu l co n dit i o n th e re f o re o u g h t n o t t o l ead u s t o

, ,

aban d o n so d es i rabl e a f o rm o f p ray e r .

F o r a str o n g e r r e a so n c o n t e m plat ive s are n o t ,

e xe m pt fr o m th i s k i n d o f h u m i l i ati o n o u t s i de t h e

t i m es of my stica l u n i o n “
C o nt e m p l ati o n l i ft s
'

”
h sa y s S t r 3
"

t m ab e th e m se lve s
e o v Gr e g o y e l se
, .

wh ere ,a n d I b e h o l d i m m e d iat e l y
, ,

Fir ! A’r g h t , iv
’

S a u d r e a u , Vi e d Un iOfl
'
s
. .
39 2 ON M YS T IC A L P R AY E R

so u ls . L o rd l o ve s t he b rav e h e art s w h o h av e
Our
n o f e ar o f H is cr o ss We a re t he b r o th e r s o f t h e
.

C ru c ifie d Go d w e m u s t b e w i l l i n g t o b e crucifi e d
,

wi th H i m i f w e w o u l d r e se mb l e a n d p l e a se H i m
,
.

B es i de s i f w e p r o fi t m uch du ri n g t he o u tb u r st s o f
,

d ivi n e l o v e p e rhap s w e m ay de ri v e as ma n y ad v a n
,

tage s fr o m tri a l s a n d aban d o n m e nt s w e l l b o rn e .

L e t u s al l o w Go d t o l e a d u s by t he way s wh ic h see m
t o H i m t o s u it u s b e s t ; l e t u s p l ace o u r pe r fe c t 1o n i n
f o l l o wi n g H i m w i t h l o ve a n d d o ci l i ty e sp e cia l ly ,

w h e n He l e ad s u s by pat h s w h er e i n se l f l o v e -

p e ri sh e s an d fa l l s e xha u s t e d fo r w an t o f f o o d .

11 —.I L L U S IO NS .

O ne fi r s t i l l u s i o n s is t o b e l i ev e o u rsel v es
o f t he

m o re adva n c e d than w e r e ally are We p osse ss a .

t h eo r e tica l k n o w l e dg e o f my sti cal way s an d th e n ,

w e l e t o u r se l v e s b e l i e v e that w e a r e a l r e ady i n th e se

way s m e re ly b ecau se w e hav e r e ce iv e d so m e m o r e

,

vi vi d l ight i n p raye r o r so m e m o r e marke d d e v o

,

ti o n The h o ly m o u n tai n o f c o nt e m p lat i o n is sti ll

.

re a l l y v e ry far away a n d ye t w e t h i n k w e h ave

,

a l r e ady r e ach e d i t ; w e have hardly b e gu n t o a sc e n d

th i s m o u n ta i n wh e n w e i m agi n e w e a re u p o ri it s
su m m i t Th i s i l l u s i o n is t h e dau g h t e r o f p ri de
. .

S t B e rn ard t e l l s u s th at
.
1 i f th e r e are am o ng st
m o n k s c o n t e m plati v e s w h o i m itate M ary th e y a re ,

not to b e l o o k e d fo r am o ng st n o vi c es 2 w ,

ha v i n g o n ly j u st di e d t o s in a re lab o u ri ng , ,

S er m o n s o n t h e Ca n t .
f
o C
an t , lvu . n
°
1 1.

H e m e an s s u c h a s a r e n o v ic e s in t
v ir u e - Tra n s .
 D AN G E R S AN D IL L U S IO N S 393

gr o a n i n g s an d t h e fe ar o f j u dgm e n t t o h e al th e i r ,

s ti l l fr e sh a n d b l e e d i n g w o u n d s No b ut th ey a re
.
,

f o u n d t o b e th o se w h o afte r a l o n g c o o p e rati o n
,
-

wi th grac e h av e arri v e d at a b e tt e r st at e wh e r e i n
, ,

th e y a re l e ss o ccu p i e d i n tu rn i n g o v e r a n d o v e r t he
s ad p ictu r e o f th e i r s i n s th an i n mak i n g i t t h e i r jo y

t o m e d itat e day a n d n igh t o n t h e law o f t he L o rd ,

”
wi th o u t e v e r b e i n g ab l e t o hav e e n o u g h o f i t .

Ge n e rally s p e ak i n g th e r ef o re a p e r so n mu st hav e
, ,

p racti se d m e ditati o n a n d a ff e cti v e p ray e r fo r a l o n g

t i me a n d m u st h av e mad e gr e a t p r o gr e ss 1n v i rtu e
, ,

b e f o r e c o n te m pl ati o n is re a ch e d The s l o w a n d
.

pai n fu l pa ss i v e p u rgati o n o f t h e se n ses is t h e gat e

o f c o n t e m p lati o n ; it s e v e ry d e gr e e is a l o n g s tag e ,

w h i c h u su al ly re qu i re s y ear s fo r it s acc o m p l i sh
me n t ; a n d ve ry fe w are t h e so u l s th at get b ey o n d
t he s i m p l e stat e o f qu i e tu d e P r o gr e ss i n p r a y e r
.

sh o u l d g iv e ri se t o a n e v e r a sce n di n g p r o gre ss
-

t o ward s p e rf e cti o n .I f tan gib l e r e s u l t s are n o t

o bta i n e d t he so u l is n u r s i n g h e r se l f i n i l l u s i o n s o r
, ,

s h e is ab u s i n g grac e ; a n d i n st e ad o f f ee di n g h e r se l f
,

wi th va i n fan ci e s sh e h as n ee d t o str e n gt h e n h e r se lf
,

in h u m i l ity i n se l f r e n u n ciati o n a n d i n o b e d i e n ce
,
-
, .

I t is a n i l l u s i o n t o th i n k that th e se my st i cal stat es

can n o t c o m e t o a n e n d A ctual c o n t e m p l a t io n is
.

a lway s o f sh o rt d u rat i o n Th e se v e ri ti es o f t h e
.

pa ssi v e p u rgati o n s alt e rn at e w i th t h e sw ee t s o f c o n

so l i n g pray e r The my s ti ca l stat e i t se l f m a b
y e
.

l o s t e i th e r by i n fid e l i ty i n c o rr e sp o n d i n g wi t h i t o r
,
,

by t h e s p eci a l w i l l o f Go d w h o e v e r r e m ai n s m aste r
,

o f H is g ift s , a n d al o n e k n o w s wh e th e r th e y a
re
i nj u ri o u s o r u se fu l t o u s .
3 94 O N M YS TIC A L P R AY E R

I t is an i l l u s i o n t o dr e a m o f v is io n s re v e l at io n s
“ '

, ,

l o cu ti o n s an d t h e o th e r p h e n o m e n a o f d i sti nct c o n
,

t e m p l at io n .U s u ally t h e l i v e s o f t h e sai n t s a re fu ll
o f th e se fact s wh ich e n t e rtai n b o th t h e writ e r an d

t he re ad e r . Ce rtai n m o d e r n a ut h o r s go t o t he
o pp o s i t e extr e m e an d s u p pr ess t h e s u p e rnatu ral as ,

far as p o ss ib l e i n t h e l if e o f a sai n t Th e truth is

, . ,

that t he gre at e r n u mbe r o f t h e gr eat se rva n t s o f "

Go d h ave b ee n fav o u r e d large ly wi t h t h ese g ift s .

H eav e n h o n o u r e d it s e l e ct i n o rde r t o accr e di t t h e

,

m i ss i o n with wh ich t h ey we r e c h arge d t o awake n ,

t h e fai t h o f t h e ma sse s o r i n v i e w o f th e i r o w n pe r
,

so n al sa n c t ifi c a t io n Th e i r sa nctity d i d n o t c o n si st
.

in th e se e xtra o rdi nary fav o u r s ; b u t i n th e i r b e i n g

‘
‘

c o m pl e t e ly d ead t o se l f a n d i n t h e h e r o i s m o f th e i r
,

v i rtu e s ; a n d t h e grac e s o f p ray e r c o ntri b ut e d muc h ‘

m o r e t h an v i s i o n s t o l e ad th e m o n t o pe rfe ct i o n
, .

B e s i d es vi s i o n s re ve lat i o n s a n d o t h e r fact s o f t h i s
, ,

n atu re e a si ly o p e n a d o o r t o a th o u sa n d i l l u s i o n s ;
,

e v e n ca n o n i se d sai nt s i n t h e i r l i fe t i m e h av e n o t -

alway s be e n abl e t o av o i d t h e dec e it s o f t h e d e m o n o r

t h e r e v e ri es o f t he i magi nati o n Wh o d oe s n o t k n o w .

h o w u r ge ntly S t jo h n o f t h e C r o ss e x h o rt s h is
.
t .

re ad e rs t o d i stru s t v i s i o n s r e v e l ati o n s ; o r l o cu ti o n s
,

t o r e s i s t th e m a n d t o ge t ri d o f t h e m
, S t T e re sa .

gi ves he r re a de r s t h e sam e c o u n se l I n s u c h m at
t e rs t h e re is alw ay s re a so n t o fe a r u nt i l t he so u l is ,

c e rtai n t h at t he y p r o ce e d fro m t h e S p i ri t o f Go d .

T h i s is w h y I say that i n t h e b e gi n n i n g t he b est

, ,

c o u r se t o ad o pt is alway s t o c o mbat th e m I f Go d is
‘

t h e i r a ut ho r th i s h u m i l ity o f t h e so u l i n gu ar d i n g
, , .

h r lf agai n s s uc h fav o u r s w i l l o n ly t he b ett e r d is

e se t
, , ,
396 O N M YS T I L A L P R AY ER

no t f o rge t what S t T e r e sa say s o f t h e u n i o n o f a l l

.

t h e p o we r s : T h e so u l i n th i s s tat e is n o t s tr o ng
e n o ugh t o e xp o se h e r se lf w i th o u t p e ri l t o o cc as i o n s
” 1
of s in .

I t is a n i l l u s i o n t o b e l i e v e that t he my sti ca l stat e

di spe n se s u s fr o m cu lt i v ati n g C h ri sti an v i rtu es fr o m ,

d i sc hargi n g t h e d u ti e s o f o u r stat e fr o m o b se rvi n g ,

o u r ru l e s & c
,
. O n t h e c o n trary t he m o r e Go d g1v es ,

u s t he gr e at e r m u s t b e t h e r e tu rn w e make H i m ; i f
,

H e c o n fid e s t e n ta l e n t s t o u s H e ri g o r o u s l y re qu i r es
,

that th i s cap ita l s hal l n o t r e mai n u n p r od u cti v e .

H u m i l i ty ab n e gat i o n o b e d i e n ce r e c o l l e ct i o n t he
, , , ,

s p i ri t o f p ray e r an d ab o v e all c h ari ty t o wa rd s

, , ,

H i m se l f a n d t o ward s o u r b r e th re n s h o u l d i n cr ea se
i n p r o p o rti o n t o o u r gi ft s ; th e se v i rt u e s a re t h e
e n d t o wh ich Go d wi s h e s t o l e ad u s my s tical s t a te s ,

a re o n ly t h e way ; i f o u r m e an s o f l o c o m o ti o n a r e

m o re p e rfe ct al l o u r v i rtu es a l so sh o u l d i n cr e a se
,

t h e i r p ac e t o ward s p e rfecti o n A n e le vat e d stat e o f

.

praye r w ith o u t th i s w e l l mark ed p r o gr ess is e i th e r

,
-
,

a n i l l u s i o n o r a b ri e d tal e n t We m u st t h e re f o r e
u — .
, ,

acc e pt o f the se my sti cal stat es wi t h h u m i l i ty c o r ,

r esp o n d t o t h e m w i th g e n e r o s i ty fe ar t h e m wh i l e ,

d e s i ri n g th e m aba se o u r se lv es i n p r o p o rti o n as
,

Go d e le vate s u s h i d e t h e d iv i n e gi ft fr o m t h ose
,

w h o hav e n o ri gh t t o b e i nf o r m e d o f i t l o ve m o r e ,

t ha n e v e r o u r ru l e w h ich is o u r safe gu ard fly

, ,

exe m pti o n s a n d s i n gu lariti e s p u t o u r tru st n o t i n

,

my s tical grac es b u t i n h u m i l i ty se l f r e n u nci at i o n

, ,
-
,

o b e d i e n ce , an d t h e o t h e r v i rtu es wh ic h sh o u l d b e .

th e i r fru it .

Ca s t l e, st h m a n s . c. iv .
 D ANG E R S AN D I LL U S IO NS 397

It an i l l u s i o n t o n e gl e ct t h e duti es o f o u r s tate
is .
,

i n o rd e r t o give m o r e ti m e t o c o n te m plati o n It .

is c e rtai n o n t h e c o n tr a ry
, s ay s F athe r B alt h a sar ,

A l var e z t h at w e o u gh t t o qu i t c o nt e m plati o n t o
,

fu l fi l t h e d uti es o f o u r charge o r t o h e l p o u r n e i g h .

b o u r i n h is n e ce ss i ti es I h a ve c o m e t o
.

” “
k n o w by e xpe ri e n c e h e ad d s e l se w he r e , that ,

Go d giv e s m o r e t o a m o rti fi e d so u l i n o ne h o u r o f ,

pr ay e r tha n i n m any h o u r s t o a n o t h e r t h at is n o t
,

so , an d that t h e o ccu pati o n s wi t h w h ic h o be d i e nce ,

b u rth e n s u s are m o re p r o fitabl e t o my so u l t ha n

,
” 1
s p i ri tu a l r e a d i n g o r r e p o s e .

I t is a n i l lu s i o n t o b e l i e v e t h a t in t he gu idanc e o f ,

my st ica l so u l s e v e ryth i n g s h o u l d b e o u t o f t h e
,

o rd i nary c o u r se as i f Go d had tak e n u p o n H i m t o

,

gu ide th e m H i m se lf by i n t e ri o r i n s p i rati o n s an d ,

t h at th e y h av e n o n e e d o f a s u p e ri o r o r a sp 1r it u al
fath e r D e pl o rabl e i l l u s i o n t h e d au ght e r o f p ri de 1
.
,

Ve ry p r e s u mptu o u s is h e w ho b e l i e ve s h i m se lf t o b e
i n sp i r e d an d p r e s u m es t o lay d o w n t h e law fo r h im
,

sel f an d o th e r s ! V e ry f o o l ish h e w h o we lc o m es ,

i n sp i rati o n s b u t l i ttle c o n fo rmabl e t o c o m m o n se n se

a n d t o fai th Ver y ras h he w h o b ase s h is c o n duct ,
"
u p o n so s haky a fo u n dati o n 1 Th i s p e r so n ,

say s S t Te r esa s p eak i ng o f h e r se lf

.
, n e v e r r e gu ,

lat e d h e r c o n duct by t h e i n sp i rat i o n s sh e re ce i v e d

i n p ray e r ; an d w he n h e r c o n fe sso r s t o l d h er t o act
,

in a way O p po se d t o t h e m sh e u se d t o o b e y wit h o u t , .

” 2
t h e le a s t r e p u g n ance S he t ea c h e s e l se whe r e 3
‘
.
,

Life o
f Fr . Ba l t ic A l v a r a
. , b y t h e Ve n D u p o n t ,
. c . x i ii. a n d

x l i. st h d iff .

Cas t le , 6 t h m a n s . c. in
.
398 .
O N M YS T IC A L P R AY E R

that su ch is t he w i l l o f O u r L o rd bu t a d d s
”

Whe n e v e r i nt e ri o r w o r d s t e n d o n ly t o c o n so l e
y o u o r,
t o adm o n i s h yo u o f y o u r fau l t s w h o e v e r b e ,

t h e i r au th o r an d e v e n w e r e t h e y a n i l l u s i o n t h e y
'

, ,
”
ca n n o t d o yo u a ny harm Go d l o v es c o n t e m pl a
.
-

tive so u l s wit h p r e d i l e cti o n is p r o di gal o f H is ,

graces in t h e ir r e gard a n d l e ad s th e m m o re tha n

‘

, ,

He d o es ot h e r s; by t h e r o yal r o ad o f s u ffe ri n g a n d
h u m i l i ati o n; bu t H e h as n o t u n d e rtak e n t o gu i d e
th e m m i racu l o u sly I t is t he l aw o f P r o vi d e nce
.

”
that m e n s h o u ld b e gu i de d by o t h e r m e n H av e .

n o t th ese so ul s at t h e i r se rvi c e t h e S p i ri tual wri t e r s

wi th al l t h e i r k n o w l e dg e a n d exp e ri e nc e ? A b o v e
al l Go d h as gi v e n t h e m s u pe ri o r s a n d a sp i ritu al
'

di re ct o r a n d t o th e se th e y o ug h t t o m an ife st t h e i r
, _

i n t e ri o r wi t h d o ci l i ty i n o rd e r t o s ubj ect w h at pa ss es
,

t h e re m t o d u e c o n tr l o 1 Go d se n t a n a n g e l t
. or

h e l i u s t o r e fe r h i m t o S t P e t e r 2 O u r L o rd H im . .

se lf a p p ea re d t o S au l b u t se n t h i m t o c o nsu l t
'
-

A na n ia s 3 .

M any o th e r i ll u si o n s m igh t b e p o i n t e d ou t It .

is e a sy t o see th at th e y al l a r ise fro m p ri d e o r fr o m

‘

a n i n o rdi n at e d e s i r
"

e o f e n jo m e n t A o u l i n s uc h
f
y s .

di s p o s it i o n s is e xp o se d t o a t h o u sa n d e rro r s ,t o t h e
'

m o s t di ve r se fau l t s Wi t h h u m i l i t y d e tach m ent

.
'

an d d o c i l i ty sh e h as l e ss t o fe ar i n t h e stat e o f
o b scu r e c o n t e m plati o n t ha n i n m e dit ati o n Go d .
,

w h o l e ad s by th e se way s me n o f g o o d wi ll o we s it ,

t o H i m se lf no t t o l e t th e m go a stray .

St Lig u o ri, P
'

. ra x zs , 1
4 3 a n d 1 44.

Ad s, x. 3, 5 .
3
 o n M YS T IC AL P R AY ER
400

M an y a ut h o r s cl e ar l y assert t h at i t is n o t p e r
m i ss ibl e t o d e s i r e e c sta sy We d o n o t see why a
.

so u l al re ady arri v e d at t h e stat e o f qu i e t o r at t h at

, ,

o f fu l l u n i o n m i g h t no t de s i re a n i ncr e a se o f l i gh t
,

a n d o f i n fu se d l o ve e ve n th o u g h t h e al i e n ati o n o f
,

t h e se n se s sh o u l d b e t h e re s u lt He r i n t e n ti o n s
.

a re p u re ,
t h i s h o p e an i m at e s h e r t o p racti se vi rt u e ,

a n d aft e r t h e fav o u r s al r e ady r e c e iv e d

,
is i n n o way ,

p res u m ptu o u s n o r d o es s h e d es i r e th i s t o tak e pl ac e

,

i n p ubl ic ; i n w h at th e n is sh e t o b e blam e d
, ,

I f a p e r so n h as n o t ye t e n t e r e d u p o n my sti cal c o n
t e m p l at io n m ay h e d e s i r e an d ask it ?
,

S o m e c e l e b rat e d a u t h o r s 1 m a i n tai n t h at n o t o n ly
h e may b ut that h e o u g h t t o d o so
,
S c a ra m e l l i .

adm it s that th i s de s i re is p e rm i ssi bl e bu t i m m e ,

d iat el y s u rr o u n d s i t wi t h a m u lti tu d e o f r estricti o ns .

.
2
S t L i gu o ri t e ac h e s t h at i t is saf e r fo r so u l s w h o -

h av e n o t yet b ee n rai se d t o my st ical u n i o n t o d e s i r e ,

o n ly t h e acti v e u n i o n — B u t t h e c o m m o n a n d al m o st
.

u n ive r sal o p 1n 1o n 15 t h at t h e y m ay de si r e a n d ask

,

t h e gi ft o f s u pe rn atu ral c o nt e m plati o n r vi d d

p o e ,

that t h i s d e s 1re d o es n o t ari se fr o m p rid e o r se n s u

a l i ty , an d th at i t is acc o m pa n i e d w ith a n h u mbl e
s ubm i ss i o n t o t he D ivi n e Wi ll .

T h e se grace s o f p ray e r s p ri n g i n fact fr o m l o v e ;

t h ey h av e fo r p ri nci p l e t h e H o ly G h o s t an d H is

b e tt e r gi ft s ; fo r o bj e ct Go d ; fo r e n d d i v i n e u n i o n
, , ,

Go d ta st e d a n d p o sse sse d ; th e y e n ri ch t he s o u l wi th
man y m e r i ts u rge i t o n t o h e r o ic vi rtu es d i sp o se
, ,
.

Va l l o g o r n e r a Mys t ic a l Th eal
, . d iv i . Th o m a} . P h il ip o f t he
Ho l y Tr in it y, S u m m a Th eo ]: M yst . An t h o n y o f t h e H o ly G h o st

P ra x zs ,
'

14 3 .
 D E S I RE O F C O NT E M P L AT IO N 40 1

’
i t t o d o gr e at th i n g s fo r Go d a n d fo r o n e s n e i gh
b o u r a re a p o w e rfu l l e v e r t o rai se he r fr o m e art h
,

a n d t o u n i t e h e r t o t he so ve re i g n g oo d ; t h e y a re
e ve n a f o r e ta st e o f t h e o ccu p at i o n s a n d t h e hap p i

n e ss o f o u r h e av e n ly h o m e H o w , th e n is i t .
,

p o ss ibl e n o t t o d e sire t he m '

I t is o bj e ct e d th at th e se fav o u rs mak e u s qu i t t h e
c o m m o n w ay s a n d i n du l g e i n s tra n g e f a m i l iari ti e s

wi th Go d ; o u g ht n o t h u m i l i ty t he n p r o m p t u s t o
av o i d th e m — No m o r e t h an i t sh o u l d p r o m p t u s t o
a v o i d H o ly C o m m u n i o n a n d all c o m m e rc e wi t h

Go d by p raye r Fo r w h o w o u l d v e n tu re t o
.
,

b e l i e v e h i m se l f w o rt h y t o c o nv e r se wi t h I n fi n it e
M aj e s ty o r t o b e u n i t e d i n ti mat ely w it h t h e Go d
,

o f t he E u c h ari st ? Th e v o i ce o f o u r n e e d s cri e s o u t
m o re l o udly t h an that o f o u r re spect L e t u s ad o re .
,

a n d l e t u s al so d esi r e .

C o n te m plat i o n i n tr o duc es u s i n t o a w o rl d so v e ry
s u p e rn atu ral — I n t h i s stat e i n d ee d t h e s u pe r
.
, ,

n atu ra l is ce rtai n ly m o r e m a n i fe st B u t is i t n o t .

t ru e that a m e r e ly C h ri s tia n l i fe gr ac e t h e sacra , ,

m e n t s i n fu se d v i rt u es t h e gi ft s o f t he H o ly G h o st
, , ,

a re al l a s u p e r natu ral w o rl d qu i te as re a l t h o ug h ,

n o t so ma n i f e st ?

I n c o n t e m p lati o n Go d s h o w s u s so m u c h l o ve !
’

S h o u l d w e dar e t o r e ce i ve H is c a r e ss s
e — We d a re
t o r e c e iv e H o ly C o m m u n i o n D u ri n g p ray e r t oo
.
, ,

as w e l l as at t he H o l y Tab l e W e ad o re w e h u mb le
, ,

o u r se lv es w e m ak e o u rse lv e s qu i t e
,
l i tt l e ; b u t ,

n e v e rth e l e ss w e l o v e an d e at be cau se w e n ee d t o
,

do so
—O
.

O ne m ay m i s u se c o n t e m pl at io n l ne m ay a l so
40 3 O N M YS T IC A L P R AY E R
.

m i s use t h e c o n so l a t i o n s o f o rdi n ary m e di tat i o n . .

P o ve rty a n d ric he s o ffice s a n d e m p lo ym e n t s, re st

, .

an d wo rk c o n so latio n s a nd ari di ti e s h e a l t h a n d
, ,
‘

s ick n e ss ,
l if e a n d de at h t h e sacram e nt s t h e H o ly , ,

S cri ptu r e al l t he gi ft s o f God wi t h o u t e xc e pti o n

, , ,

may b e ab u se d an d tu rn e d a s i d e fro m t h e ir e n d I t ~
.

is s u p re m e ly u nj u st t o c o nd e m n w h at is g oo d o n
acc o u n t o f p o ss ib l e a bu se s L et u s guard ag a i n s t .

da ng e r s a n d i l l u s io n s by h u m i l ity ab n e gati o n and , ,

o b e di e nc e t o a wi se di re ct o r L e t u s k e e p o u r in t e n .

ti o n ri gh t o u r he art d e tach ed o u r w i l l s ub mi ss iv e t o
. ,

D ivi n e P r o vi d e n c e a n d t h en w e m ay d e sir e ard e n tly

, ,

a n d a s k wi th c o nfid e n c e t h ese grac e s o f pray e r .

“
B u t th e re is a dan g e r fo r O n t he
c o n trary n o k i n d o f p ray e r is be tt e r calculat ed ; t o
,

crucify se lf l o v e an d t o p e n e trat e a ma n wi t h t he
-

se n se o f h is o w n n o t h i n g n e s s n o n e o th e r is mo re ,
,

” 1
. apt t o excl u d e e ve ry m o v e m e n t o f p ri de .

”
A t p r ese n t say s — ;F ath e r L o u is L al l e m a n t
, if ,

a ny o n e a s p i re s t o so m e gi ft o f p raye r a l ittl e ab o v e
t h e c o m mo n way h e is cl e a rl y t o ld t h at th ese a re
,

e xtra o rd i nary gi ft s wh i c h Go d gi v e s o n ly w h e n H e

p le a se s an d t o w h o m H e pl ea ses an d that w e m u st
,
‘

n e i th e r d es i r e n o r as k th e m ; th u s t h e d o o r is c l o se d
”2
T h is is a gr eat ab u se . .

”
Th i s ; t oo is t he o p i n i o n o f S t Th o ma s S t
, . .
-
.

Te r esa m ai nta in s t th e s a m e i n m o re than twe n t y

a ag 3 S
p s s e s o f h e r w r it i n
gs s t jo h n o tf t h e C r o ss . .

c o m p o se d h is wo rk fo r t h e s o l e pu rp o se o f l e ad i n
g
'

D oc .
p i r it
s , 7 t h p r in c ip l e , c i . . art. 3, §2 .

P b u la in , ~

Gr ac és o f P r a w n xx x v . n
° \
1 7 1 8 19
404 O N M YS T IC A L P R AYE R

sp o n d s u ffici e n tly wi t h it s grace s t he da n g e r o f

,

i l l u s i o n s m ay all se rv e t o l ead t h e so u l t o m o d e rat e

,

th i s d e s i r e by a c o m pl e t e aban d o n m e n t o f h e r se l f
i n t o t h e h an d s o f Go d w h o k n o w s wh at is b e st for
us . Th i s fil i al an d l o v i n g aban d o n m e n t d o e s n o t
e x c l u d e d e s ire ; b ut fe ar i n g t o b e d ec e i v e d i n a
'

m att e r so fa r ab o ve he r o w n f ee ble l i gh ts sh e l eav es

,

h e r se l f t o t he wi sd o m a n d g o o dn e ss o f H i m Wh o ,

p o ssesses all he r l o v e a n d c o n fide n ce . No o t h e r

d i sp o si ti o n see m s t o u s so calcu lat e d t o c h arm Go d
a n d i n d uce H i m t o be st o w H is gi ft s .
 C H A P TE R X I V
‘

C O NC L U S IO N

If t h e re ade r h as ha d t h e pati e n c e t o rea d t o t h e

e n d th i s u n p r e t e n di n g w o rk o f o u r s he h as se e n
,

h o w Go d l ead s t h e s o u l fr o m me d it ati o n t o a ff e cti v e

p ray e r,
a n d fr o m th i s ,t o t h e diffe r e n t d e gr e e s o f

my sti cal c o nte m plati o n i n o rd e r b y m e a n s o f th i s

, ,

ladd e r o f p ray e r t o rai se h e r u p t o t he s u b l i m e

,

h e igh t s o f p e rf e ct i o n . I t o nly r e mai n s fo r u s d e ar ,

r ead e r t o e xp r e ss o u r s i nc e re de s i r e th a t Go d i n
, ,

H is i nfi n ite b o u n ty may de i g n t o lavi s h u p o n yo u

,

grac e s o f p ray e r wh i c h m ay e n ab l e yo u t o l ay
,

d o w n s te p s o f a sc e n t i n y o u r h ea rt a n d mak e yo u ,

ri se fr o m vi rtu e t o v i rtu e M ay i t pl e ase H e av e n

.
,

th at e v e ry o n e o f o u r b re th re n i n r e l i gi o n may walk
i n t h e f o o t st e p s o f o u r w i se r f o r e f a th e r s w h o we r e ,

gr e at 1n h o l i n ess b ecau se th e y w e r e e m i n e n t i n
p ray e r ! M a
y i t pl e a s e G o d th a t t,h e y m ay apply
th e m se l v e s t o p u ri fy th e i r c o n sci e n c e t h e i r m i n d , ,

th e i r h ea rt a n d t h e i r wi l l that t h e y may av o i d
,

p o u ri n g t h e m se lv e s f o rt h e n t i re ly U p o n e xt e rn a l
th i n g s t h at th e y may atte nd t o t h e se rath e r o n ly
,

th r o u gh a se n se O f du ty an d th e i r ta s k o nc e d o n e
, , ,

th e y m ay ha st e n t o re e n t e r t he so l i tu d e o f th e i r
-

so u l ! T h e re c l o s i n g t h e d o o r s o f t h e sanctu a ry
, ,

a nd ba n i s h i n g fr o m G o d s h o u se t h e tu m u l t o f c ar e s
’

405
406 C O NC L U S I O N

an d p re oc cu pati o n s may th e y plac e t h e i r ha p p i n ess

,

i n b e i n g al o n e wi th Go d a l o n e i n p o u ri n g f o rth ,

th e i r h e art i n H is p r ese nc e an d alt o g e th e r u n i t e d t o

,

H i m may th ey ta st e h o w sw e e t is t h e L o rd E art h .

h as so l i ttl e t o say t o h i m w h o k n o w s h o w t o l i st e n
,

t o G o d s v o ic e ; i t is so e a sy t o d e sp i se t h e vi l e t h i n g s
’

O f t h i s n e th e r w o rl d w h e n o n e h a s o nce r e l i sh e d t h e
,

S o v e r e i gn G o o d ; a n d a h e art w h ich is e n am o u r e d
,

O f t h e di v i n e l o v e fi n d s so gre at a charm a n d so
,

m uch faci l ity i n c o n v e r s i ng w it h H i m w h o m i t l o ve s

an d se rv es 1
Th o se w h o a i m at pe rf e ct i o n say s t h e Ve n , .

“
L o u i s D u p o n t 1 o ugh t t o c o m m e nce an d c o n
,

t in u e th e i r car ee r by wa l k i n g i n t h e way O f m e d ita

,

ti o n (an d t he o th e r k i n d s o f o rdi nary p ray e r ) u n ti l ,

Go d by a sp eci a l v o cati o n rai se s t h e m t o a mo r e

, ,

e l e vat e d d e gr ee ; b u t as so o n as th i s Ca l l is
c e rtai n it s h o u l d b e fai th fu lly o b e y e d TO wi sh t o
, .

rai se o n e se l f t o c o nt e m p l ati o n wi th o u t b e i n g cal l e d

,

th e re t o o r t o r es i st th i s attracti o n wh e n Go d h as
, ,

d e i g n e d t o g iv e i t a re t he t w o e xtre m e s b etw e e n
,

wh ich a re t o b e f o u n d tru th a n d v i rtu e O ne .

m u st t h e r e f o r e b e war e o f wi sh i n g t o aban d o n t oo
h a sti ly m e d i tati o n fo r a ff e cti v e p ray e r o r p re ma , ,

t u re l y t o l e av e th i s fo r my s ti cal c o n t e m p lat io n
, .

Th e f o rm o f o u r p ray e r is an i n stru m e n t O f pe rfe c

ti o n a n d e v e ry i n stru m e n t sh o u l d b e p r o p o rti o n e d
,

t o o u r s iz e an d o u r s tr e n gth NO d o ub t w e m ay .

d e s i re an d a sk p r o gre s s i n p ray e r ; b u t w e sh o u ld
m uch m o r e e arn e st l y ask a n d d es i r e p r o gr ess in
v i rtu e ; an d wh i l e wait i n g i n h u mbl e p ati e nce fo r
,

L if e ]
0 F r Ba it /z A l v a r ez
. .
, x iii. ne a r t he e nd.
 46 l 3 58 O NC LU S IO N
’

40 8 C

ti o n s o u r p eti ti o n s ha v e m ade grac e ab o u n d a n d

, ,

a l l th ese a re bl o sso m s t o b e aft e rward s d e ve l o p e d

i nt o fru i t s Th e b est p ray e r is n o t that wh ich is
.

m o st sav o u ry b u t that wh ich is m o st fru itfu l ; n o t

,
:

that wh i ch c o n so l e s b u t t h at wh i ch tran sf o rm s u s ;
,

no t that wh ich e l e vat e s u s i n t h e c o m m o n o r

t h e my sti cal way s b u t th at w h i ch m ak e s u s h u mb l e
, ,

d e tach e d o be d i e n t g e n e r o u s fai th fu l t o al l o u r
, , ,

dut i es A ss u re d l y w e h i gh ly e st ee m c o n t e m p l a
.
,

ti o n p r o v i d e d h o w e v e r i t u n it e s o u r wi l l t o G o d s
, , ,
’
,

tran sfo rm s o u r l i fe o r at le a st advan c e s u s i n

, , ,

vi rtu e . A s t h e S o v e re i g n J udg e h as d e clar e d

“
t h e tr ee is k n o w n by it s fru it s We sh o u l d
.
,

t h e r e f o r e d e s i r e t o adva nc e i n p ray e r o n l y i n o rde r

, ,

to mak e p r o gr e ss i n p e rfecti o n I n st e a d o f
.
’

cu ri o u sly e xam i n i n g w h at d e gr ee o u r c o m m u n ic a
t i o n s wi t h GO d hav e attai n e d w e sh o u l d r ath e r
,
‘

c o n si d e r wh e th e r w e h av e d e r ive d fr o m t h e m al l
p o ss ib l e p r o fit i n o rd e r t o d ie t o o u r se lve s a n d
,

d e v e l o p i n o u r so u l t h e D i vi n e l i fe .

TH E E ND .