WHAT THE SAINTS HAVE THOUGHT OF MENTAL PRAYER.

They have devoted to it long hours day and night, and no argument is equal to that. Many amongst them have praised it very highly in their writings.

St. Bonaventure, quoted or analyzed by St. Peter of Alcantara, makes the following poetic eulogy of it: “If you would suffer with patience the adversities and miseries of this life, be a man of prayer. If you would obtain courage and strength to conquer the temptations of the enemy, be a man of prayer. If you would mortify your own will with all its inclinations and appetites, be a man of prayer. If you would know the wiles of Satan and unmask his deceits, be a man of prayer. If you would live in joy and walk pleasantly in the ways of penance, be a man of prayer. If you would banish from your soul the troublesome flies of vain thoughts and cares, be a man of prayer. If you would nourish your soul with the very sap of devotion, and keep it always full of good thoughts and good desires, be a man of prayer. If you would strengthen and keep up your courage in the ways of God, be a man of prayer. In fine, if you would uproot all vices from your soul and plant all virtues in their place, be a man of prayer. It is in prayer that we receive the unction and grace of the Holy Ghost, who teaches all things. I say more: if you would raise yourself to the heights of contemplation and enjoy the sweet embraces of the Spouse, practice mental prayer. It is the way by which the soul is raised to the contemplation and enjoyment of heavenly things.”  –‘The Ways of Mental Prayer’ written by RT. Rev Dom Vitalis Lehodey