Very Rev. Joseph Simler - Catechism of Mental Prayer

Catechism of
Mental Prayer

Very Rev. Joseph
Simler

Copyright 1988 by Rev. L. Beck. Third edition published by the Brothers of Mary, Dayton, Ohio. in 1911. Retypeset and published in 1984 by TAN Books, an Imprint of Saint Benedict Press, LLC.

Library of Congress Catalog Card No.: 84-51901

ISBN: 978-0-89555-256-3

Typography is the property of TAN Books and may not be reproduced, in whole or in part without written permission of the publisher.

TAN Books
Charlotte, North Carolina
www.TANBooks.com
2012

PREFACE

This little Catechism is a substantial summary of the Guide of the Man of Good Will in the Exercise of Mental Prayer by the same author.

It is published with the view of aiding especially the young in the proper understanding and practice of mental prayer. It treats the subject with so much clearness and simplicity that any person of good will cannot but study it with profit.

Although the book is intended alike for general and private use, its present form and arrangement will render it particularly serviceable as a textbook in novitiates, preparatory seminaries, and other institutions where young persons are initiated into the practices of a religious life.

May God abundantly bless this little work, and grant that it may serve to render the practice of mental prayer both profitable and easy. May the august Queen of Heaven, the patroness of devout souls, look down with approval upon the efforts of all who shall study its pages: may she herself teach them the art of praying well, that they may gradually be brought to an ever more perfect knowledge and love both of herself and of her divine Son.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER I

GENERAL IDEAS

1. N ATURE OF M ENTAL P RAYER

1. What is prayer?

Prayer is an elevation of our soul toward God to render Him our homage.

2. How does the soul elevate itself toward God?

The soul elevates itself toward God by thinking of Him, loving Him, and conversing with Him.

3. What kinds of homage should we render to God?

We should render to God four kinds of homage: We should adore Him, beg His pardon for our sins, thank Him for His benefits, and petition His graces.

4. How many kinds of prayer are there?

There are two kinds of prayer: vocal prayer and mental prayer.

5. What is meant by vocal prayer?

By vocal prayer is meant every prayer performed by means of a given formula.

6. Why are such prayers called vocal prayers?

They are so called because ordinarily the voice is used in reciting them.

7. What is meant by mental prayer?

By mental prayer is meant every prayer performed without aid of any particular formula.

8. Why is this kind of prayer called mental prayer?

It is so called because it is made by the mind, generally without any articulation of words.

9. What is mental prayer ordinarily called?

It is ordinarily called meditation.

10. In what does mental prayer essentially consist?

Mental prayer essentially consists in thinking of God or of holy things, with the intention, at least virtual, of rendering Him our homage. Thus every pious thought, every pious desire, is a mental prayer.

11. Give a more complete definition of mental prayer .

Mental prayer is a pious communication of the soul with God by means of considerations, affections, and resolutions. Its object is to make us know, love, and serve God better, and to promote the knowledge of ourselves and the faithful discharge of our duties. In practice, therefore, it is the art of becoming better.

2. N ECESSITY AND E XCELLENCE OF M ENTAL P RAYER

12. Is mental prayer necessary?

Mental prayer, in its essence, is necessary for every Christian who wishes to be saved.

13. Demonstrate this necessity .

1. Every Christian is obliged to pray; it is impossible for him to pray well without reflecting on what he says, consequently, without meditating.

2. Without meditation, he does not know his wants, and therefore does not think of praying. Thus, meditation is as necessary for him as is prayer in general.

14. How else can you prove this necessity?

Without meditation, everything is done by routine; and, by degrees, routine leads to thoughtlessness, spiritual blindness, and insensibility. Hence, the Holy Ghost says: With desolation is all the land made desolate; because there is none that considereth in the heart. ( Jer . 12:11).

15. Is it a duty of state for a religious to practice mental prayer?

Yes: 1. Because without mental prayer he cannot advance toward perfection, for which he ought unceasingly to strive.

2. Because without mental prayer he will be much exposed to losing his vocation, as is proved by experience. Therefore, the founders of religious orders and the masters of the spiritual life have made this holy exercise a duty of state for religious persons.

16. Has the religious who is devoted to an active life any special reason for applying himself to mental prayer?

Yes: 1. Because mental prayer is the only means which can efficaciously preserve him from the spirit of the world, and keep up in him the spirit of faith.

2. Because the salvation of souls is above all the work of grace, and grace is obtained principally by prayer.

3. Because Our Lord, Who came on earth to save mankind, devoted far more time to prayer than to preaching.

4. Because the Apostles freed themselves from all other cares, in order to devote themselves exclusively to prayer and to the ministry of the word. ( Acts 6:4).

5. Because those evangelical laborers who gained the most souls for God distinguished themselves by their application to mental prayer.

17. Is mental prayer an exercise of any particular excellence?

Yes, mental prayer is most excellent, not merely by reason of its necessity, but also on account of its advantages, and because it is most honorable for us.

18. Name some of the advantages of mental prayer .

By the light and strength it imparts to us, mental prayer:

1. Keeps sin far from us and saves us from Hell.

2. Preserves us from lukewarmness, or cures us of it.

3. Is the common source of all virtues. It is thus the shortest way of arriving at perfection, and the most efficacious means of persevering in our vocation.

19. Why is mental prayer such a great honor for us?

Because in mental prayer we are admitted to the audience, not of a prince, of an earthly ruler, but to that of God Himself.

3. F ACILITY OF M ENTAL P RAYER

20. Is mental prayer easy?

Yes, mental prayer is easy, whether it be considered on the part of God, or on the part of man.

21. Show that meditation is easy when considered on the part of God .

Since meditation is necessary for everybody, God must make its practice easy, because only easy things can be performed by all men.

22. Show that mental prayer is easy when considered on the part of man .

To make mental prayer means to recall to mind, with the help of grace, some good thoughts, to make in all simplicity acts of faith, hope, and charity, of confidence and humility, of repentance and firm purpose of amendment, of petition, etc. Who would affirm that this is something difficult?

23. Does mental prayer not also offer some difficulties?

Mental prayer does offer some difficulties, as does every work, and every struggle of virtue against vice.

24. Whence come these difficulties?

They come:

1. From the devil, who endeavors to keep us from this holy exercise.

2. From spiritual sloth, which deters us from efforts which must be renewed, as it were, every day.