52. What is the body of mental prayer?
52. What is the body of mental prayer?
The body of mental prayer is the interview, properly so called, of the soul with God.
53. How is this interview begun?
By summarily recalling to mind the object and end of the audience, i.e., the subject of mental prayer and the fruit we wish to draw from it; these are sometimes called the first and the second prelude.
54. Is it useful to divide the subject into several points?
Yes, we can thus comprehend and retain it better than if it were considered as a whole.
55. Must we adhere strictly to the division proposed in the meditation books?
No, we may advantageously adopt another division which might present itself to our mind as more satisfactory, or which might be better adapted to the fruit we wish to draw from the meditation.
56. How long should we dwell on each point?
As long as the soul can occupy itself usefully with it.
57. Must we meditate on all the points?
No, this is not necessary; we may dwell on only one point, if this point suffices to occupy our soul during the entire exercise of meditation.
58. Which faculties of the soul are brought into activity during mental prayer?
All the faculties of our soul may be brought into activity; but it is customary to ascribe all the acts of mental prayer to the intellect, the heart, and the will.
59. How are the acts of these three principal faculties designated?
The acts which are produced during mental prayer by the intellect, the heart, and the will, are respectively termed considerations, affections, and resolutions.
- taken from Catechism of Mental Prayer, by Father Joseph Simler