114. What is meant by mixed mental prayer?
114. What is meant by mixed mental prayer?
By mixed mental prayer is meant mental prayer combined with some other spiritual exercise, as with vocal prayers, spiritual reading, Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, the Way of the Cross, the assistance at an instruction or conference, Holy Mass, preparation for Holy Communion, etc.
115. Mention some vocal prayers that may easily combine with mental prayer.
The Our Father, the Hail Mary, the Apostles' Creed, the Rosary, the Acts of Faith, Hope, Charity, and Contrition, the Mass prayers, etc.
116. Mention some spiritual books that may furnish matter for mixed mental prayer.
The Holy Scriptures, especially the Psalms and the Gospels, the Imitation of Christ, the Spiritual Combat, etc.
117. How then is mixed mental prayer to be made?
1. The ordinary acts of the immediate preparation are made.
2. The subject of the meditation is read or recited slowly, entirely or partially, according to the subject chosen.
3. One point or idea after another is taken up.
4. On each point the considerations, affections and resolutions are made according to the method indicated for the ordinary meditation.
118. Is this kind of mental prayer recommended?
It is earnestly recommended by Saint Francis de Sales, Saint Alphonsus Liguori, Saint Philip Neri, and, in general, by the masters of the spiritual life.
119. When is it advisable to adopt this kind of mental prayer?
When in the exercise of pure mental prayer we meet with difficulties against which we have vainly endeavored to struggle.
120. Against what danger must we be on our guard in the exercise of mixed mental prayer?
Against the danger of changing the meditation into a continued reading or into a mere empty recitation.
121. How may assistance at Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament be combined with mental prayer?
This may be done by using as subjects the liturgical chants and prayers referring to the Blessed Sacrament, some chapter of the fourth book of the Imitation of Christ, or one of the Visits to the Blessed Sacrament of Saint Alphonsus Liguori. We must, however, begin by placing ourselves in the presence of God sacramentally exposed on the altar.
122. How may the Way of the Cross be performed by way of meditation?
This may be done easily by reflections and affections on the sufferings of our Savior, since the Way of the Cross is essentially a meditation on the Passion.
123. How may we attend an instruction by way of meditation?
1. By evoking acts of adherence to the word of God which is being taught.
2. By applying it to ourselves.
3. By producing appropriate affections.
4. By forming corresponding resolutions.
124. How may we assist at Holy Mass by way of meditation?
1. By uniting ourselves in mind and heart to Jesus Christ, who is at once Priest and Victim.
2. By meditating on the four ends or purposes for which the Sacrifice is offered, on God's holy presence, on the ceremonies of the Mass, on the Passion of Our Lord which these ceremonies call to mind, or on some prayer of the Mass.
125. How may the preparation for Holy Communion be combined with mental prayer?
1. By reflecting on the answers to the following questions:
"Who is coming to me?"
"What is His object in coming to me?"
"Who am I that I dare to receive Him?"
2. By producing affections that naturally flow from the above-mentioned reflections, such as acts of faith, admiration, humility, contrition, hope, desire, love, etc.
126. What ought we never to omit when making mixed mental prayer?
We ought never to omit the essential acts of the preparation and conclusion.
- taken from Catechism of Mental Prayer, by Father Joseph Simler