Conclusion of Mental Prayer

101. What is meant by the conclusion of mental prayer?

By the conclusion of mental prayer is meant the acts made before retiring from the divine audience.

102. What are these acts?

They are:

1. An act of thanksgiving for the favors obtained during mental prayer.

2. An act of regret for the faults committed during mental prayer.

3. Renewal of the firm purpose to avoid sin and practice virtue.

4. The spiritual bouquet.

5. The colloquy.

6. The concluding vocal prayers.

103. What must we do if we have not yet determined our resolution?

We must determine it at once, according to the indications already given.

104. What is meant by the spiritual bouquet?

By the spiritual bouquet is meant a thought of faith or a maxim taken from the Scriptures or from a saint, a supplication which sums up and recalls to mind the good sentiments and the resolutions of the meditation. We should recall the spiritual bouquet often during the day.

105. What is meant by the colloquy?

By the colloquy is meant a parting word addressed to God, to the Blessed Virgin, or to some saint, on the subject and the purpose of the meditation.

106. Why is mental prayer terminated by some vocal prayers?

In order to recommend to God, to Mary, and to our other heavenly protectors the resolutions and fruits of this exercise.

107. Against what must we be on our guard after meditation?

After meditation we must be on our guard especially against infractions of the rule of silence and against dissipation.

- taken from Catechism of Mental Prayer, by Father Joseph Simler