Mental Prayer Part 1

As we complete this liturgical year, it's imperative that we continue our spiritual pilgrimage to our Lord with our gaze on the final destination: Eternal Life. I am sharing with a heavy heart the loss of our brother Raphael Lee. His sudden passing has left an emptiness that can only remind me and us all that "the Lord gaveth, and the Lord Taketh away" (Job 1:21). For this reason, it's all the more important for us to keep focused on our journey for "no one knows the day or the hour" but the Father only. Please continue to keep his wife Theresa and his two sons Chris and Aiden in your prayers during this very difficult time in their lives.

I've been introducing the art of mental prayer these last weeks. As we conclude this liturgical year, this is a wonderful time to begin putting the art into practice. I mentioned that I will continue to introduce the prayer as we enter the Advent season. I will be using a mystical doctor of the church, St. Theresa of Avila's Interior Castle, to expound in greater detail about this practice. In the meantime, I invite you to consider doing 15 minutes, 30 minutes or an hour of mental prayer everyday depending on your current level in the spiritual life.

If it's your first time, 15 minutes is wonderful goal! First, you prepare for the prayer with a spiritual book. You can use the Holy Bible, or another spiritual book from a saint. There are many to choose from in the library.

Second, you begin your prayer by introducing yourself to the Lord. An example prayer may be: "My Lord and my God, I firmly believe that You are here. That you see me, that you hear me. I adore You with profound reverence. I ask Your pardon for my sins and the grace to make this time of prayer fruitful. My Immaculate Mother, St. Joseph my father and lord, my guardian angel, intercede for me. Amen."

Third, you focus on a topic to discuss. This topic can come from something you read in the Holy Bible or the spiritual book. You can read a short paragraph or two and repeat these to really understand what wisdom our Lord may offer by your meditation. You may discuss about this topic with our Lord in greater detail. It's helpful to reflect on how this theme is lived in your own spiritual life.Forth, you may sit in silence and wait for God to share with you some deeper insight. Your conscience may receive certain sparks of inspiration. Fifth, you conclude by wishing our Lord well. An example prayer may be:

"I thank You my God, for the good resolutions, affections, and inspirations that You have offered me in this time of prayer. I ask Your help in putting them into effect. My Immaculate Mother, St. Joseph my father and lord, my guardian angel, intercede for me.

Amen."

May we begin again as we unite with our King and Lord, and may we finish strong as we pray for all the Faithful departed—especially Raphael Lee.

Always,

Fr. Daniel