97. In what order are the considerations, affections, and resolutions produced?
97. In what order are the considerations, affections, and resolutions produced?
Ordinarily the order is the following: considerations, affections, resolutions.
98. Must we always strictly adhere to this order?
No, for sometimes the affections present themselves before the considerations, and the resolutions before the affections; in such cases we must follow the movements or inspirations of divine grace.
99. What important observation can be made on this point?
The observation that in mental prayer the considerations, affections, and resolutions may either follow one another, or intermingle in various ways. The soul in its interview with God must be allowed to act with perfect liberty and simplicity. It should dwell on each of the different parts of mental prayer as long as it feels itself so inclined-now dwelling longer on the considerations, now insisting more on holy affections, now devoting more time to practical resolutions. All this depends on the movements of grace and on the dispositions which animate the soul at the moment.
100. What different names are given to mental prayer according to the predominance of the considerations, the affections, or the resolutions?
Mental prayer is called prayer of meditation when the considerations predominate; it is called affective prayer or prayer of supplication when the affections predominate; it is called prayer of conformity with God's holy will when the resolutions predominate.
- taken from Catechism of Mental Prayer, by Father Joseph Simler