What is mental prayer? Is it merely praying silently in our minds instead of out loud?What is the “goal” of mental prayer?Why is it helpful to affix our minds on a holy mystery to aid in mental prayer?What is the difference between meditation and contemplation?How can we become more aware of God’s presence?What is your favorite form of meditation? Does it involve a book, rosary beads, or images? What do you find helpful in keeping your mind on target during these meditations? How is it possible to “hold one

hold oneself in great reverence when speaking to the Divine Majesty” without distractions and proud thoughts entering our minds? 

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Jul 6, 4:31 PM

SrSusan (Guest): q What is mental prayer? Is it merely praying silently in our minds instead of out loud

Jul 6, 4:31 PM

Simone (Guest): Glad to hear Carol.. Angels come in a lot of ways

Jul 6, 4:31 PM

Dawn (Guest): Prayer for your sister in love…

Jul 6, 4:32 PM

Kathy (Guest): It is contemplating and meditating on the life and events of Jesus.

ul 6, 4:35 PM

Simone (Guest): I must say.. over the years.. I got really frustrated, tired… confused, etc.. to understand what the individual spiritualities mean with their different ways of naming different ways of prayer. For me.. mental prayer is now everything that is silent prayer – and not structured. But I think Kathy’s answer is the proper one

Jul 6, 4:36 PM

Simone (Guest): Every time I go to confession and speak about my prayer life.. and if I have a different priest.. we have to establish what we mean.. when we talk about mental and vocal prayer.

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Jul 6, 4:36 PM

Simone (Guest): sorry for the rant

Jul 6, 4:36 PM

Simone (Guest): I love mental prayer.

ul 6, 4:37 PM

Simone (Guest): oh.. Hi Ruth!

Jul 6, 4:37 PM

Carol (Guest): Hi Ruth!

Jul 6, 4:37 PM

SrSusan (Guest): I alsothink of it as meditation, with or without a written guide

Jul 6, 4:37 PM

Kathy (Guest): I assume mental and vocal prayer can be done at the same time, such as meditating on the mysteries of the rosary, while saying the individual prayers out loud?

Jul 6, 4:37 PMCarol (Guest): It’s almost like learning a new language for every order

Jul 6, 4:38 PM

Dawn (Guest): When God communicates with us Mostly it is mentally.

Jul 6, 4:38 PM

Simone (Guest): exactly Carol.. makes it just difficult.. also in the writings

ul 6, 4:38 PM

Simone (Guest): Kathy.. what you are suggesting.. is a very high form of mental prayer I find.. my husband prays like this actually

Jul 6, 4:38 PM

Ruth (Guest): Hi, Was here when no one else was. Now playing catch up again. sorry.

Jul 6, 4:38 PM

Carol (Guest): Or contemplation, in which we are silent and Jesus is speaking

Jul 6, 4:39 PMSimone (Guest): my favourite kind of prayer.. contemplation

Jul 6, 4:39 PMSimone (Guest): well.. I actually do love Gospel meditations quite a bit too

ul 6, 4:39 PM

Simone (Guest): for me loud words are often distracting to my “loving on God”

Jul 6, 4:39 PM

SrSusan (Guest): In the old days the Superior read out “points” for meditation

Jul 6, 4:40 PM

SrSusan (Guest): not sure what that was tho

ul 6, 4:40 PM

Simone (Guest): St. Ignatius does that too – in His Spiritual Exercises

Jul 6, 4:40 PM

Carol (Guest): That sounds helpful

Jul 6, 4:40 PM

SrSusan (Guest): style in those days

ul 6, 4:40 PM

SrSusan (Guest): everyone meditated on the same thing at the same time

Jul 6, 4:41 PM

Carol (Guest): I think we do that at some meals in our minastery

Jul 6, 4:41 PM

Kathy (Guest): It could help keep your mind more focused and less tempted to wander.

ul 6, 4:41 PMSrSusan (Guest): like shared prayer but they did not share

Jul 6, 4:41 PM

Simone (Guest): oh.. I love that.. having a meal … and contemplate on a Gospel passage in silence with points..

Jul 6, 4:41 PM

Dawn (Guest): I believe Religious sisters, and Monks

Jul 6, 4:41 PM

SrSusan (Guest): q What is the “goal” of mental prayer?Why is it helpful to affix our minds on a holy mystery to aid in mental prayer?

Jul 6, 4:42 PM

Simone (Guest): I think – every prayer’s goal is to come closer to God

Jul 6, 4:42 PM

Carol (Guest): The goal is to let Christ touch us

Jul 6, 4:42 PM

Dawn (Guest): Have much to teach us of prayer , having committed their life to him

Jul 6, 4:42 PM

Simone (Guest): oh Carol.. that sounds so poetic. love it

Jul 6, 4:43 PMSimone (Guest): Dawn.. I am not sure if I understand

ul 6, 4:43 PM

Dawn (Guest): My post was broken up, no wonder. No worry

Jul 6, 4:43 PM

Simone (Guest): mental prayer is for me “soul to soul” time with God. or maybe better.. heart to heart time

Jul 6, 4:44 PM

Simone (Guest): I remember times.. a while ago though.. where just reading a paragraph in a holy book.. let me fall into mental prayer for quite a while.. Nowadays it seems that I have to aid some more mental contribution to it. but God still allows me to see His heart

Jul 6, 4:45 PM

Ruth (Guest): Simone,at 7:41, I think that is what Benedictines frequently or usually do at meals,or least some of their meals.

Jul 6, 4:45 PM

Kathy (Guest): Visualizing the events of the Gospels also gives us a deeper understanding of its message.

Jul 6, 4:45 PM

SrSusan (Guest): also used to be done in choir together

Jul 6, 4:45 PM

Simone (Guest): Ruth, I think several monasteries have this “ritual”.. I find it so wonderful

ul 6, 4:46 PM

Simone (Guest): choir.. is the place in a monastery where you meet to pray, right Sister?

Jul 6, 4:46 PM

Dawn (Guest): I first came to this chat room as I knew those religious having committed their life to God would have the most to teach

Jul 6, 4:46 PM

Simone (Guest): You are right Kathy.. it is amazing how we can experience a Gospel passage differently when we immerse ourselves in it

Jul 6, 4:46 PM

Carol (Guest): I have visited places that stopped doing it. I was expected to be a brilliant conversationalist, lol

Jul 6, 4:47 PM

SrSusan (Guest): yes Simone

Jul 6, 4:47 PM

Simone (Guest): oh Carol.. and I am sure you are 

ul 6, 4:47 PMCarol (Guest): Not me!

Jul 6, 4:47 PMSimone (Guest): well.. you write very well.. that’s for sure

Jul 6, 4:48 PM

Carol (Guest): Thank you. Id probably have been fine if I had been allowed to talk about Jesus

Jul 6, 4:48 PM

Simone (Guest): thanks Dawn for clarifying – you are right.. we can learn a lot from those who have committed their lives to prayer

Jul 6, 4:48 PM

Carol (Guest): Please pray for me that I can write God’s words

ul 6, 4:49 PM

Simone (Guest): are you planning a writing project?

Jul 6, 4:49 PM

Carol (Guest): I was, but I’m stalled

Jul 6, 4:49 PM

Simone (Guest): I do remember now..

ul 6, 4:51 PMCarol (Guest): In mediation we focus on something as an aid. In contemplation we abandon ourselves to God in silence

Jul 6, 4:51 PM

Simone (Guest): Amen Sister

Jul 6, 4:51 PM

Ruth (Guest): This is my own idea but somehow I think.

Jul 6, 4:52 PMSimone (Guest): In meditation I initiate the heart to heart meeting.. In contemplation God initiates I find

ul 6, 4:52 PM

Ruth (Guest): That is pretty much what I was about to write, Carol, not from study as such but from practice.

Jul 6, 4:52 PM

Kathy (Guest): Contemplation is a silent mind. I think of the story from St. Vianney about the man who just sits in front of the monstrance, face to face with Jesus.

ul 6, 4:53 PMSrSusan (Guest): meditation can lead to contemplation

ul 6, 4:53 PM

Kathy (Guest): Contemplation is beautiful.

Jul 6, 4:53 PM

Carol (Guest): Great minds think alike Ruth

Jul 6, 4:53 PM

Dawn (Guest): Thank you Sr

ul 6, 4:53 PMSimone (Guest): quick mental side step.. our new church has currently no crucifix.. I really suffer with that.. BUT.. I start to realize how wonderful it is to focus on the tabernacle too.. A whole new feeling for me during mass

Jul 6, 4:54 PM

Ruth (Guest): Meditation has content a scripture verse and idea a picture perhaps whereas contemplation is more like just being with the one you love whole being once whole being being united without much effort.

Jul 6, 4:54 PM

Simone (Guest): Yes Sister Susan.. meditation can lead to contemplation.. in fact.. that is in built in the rhythm of Lectio Divina.. but most people skip the contemplation part

ul 6, 4:55 PMDawn (Guest): Helpful , Ruth!

ul 6, 4:55 PMKathy (Guest): Simone, I have gone after adoration and knelt in front of the tabernacle. Had some very powerful moments!

Jul 6, 4:55 PM

Simone (Guest): If I remember correctly- St. Francis was not really big on “praying without imagination”.. in a way contemplation— can you shed some light on this Sister maybe?

Jul 6, 4:56 PM

Kathy (Guest): Sometimes when meditating,

Jul 6, 4:56 PM

Simone (Guest): Thank you Kathy.. I am sure God met you beautifully

Jul 6, 4:56 PM

Kathy (Guest): Oops…

Jul 6, 4:56 PM

SrSusan (Guest): well I think he agreed with St Jane that Visitandines at least should make of their prayer a simple gaze on God

Jul 6, 4:57 PM

SrSusan (Guest): and he said being a ststue in a niche before God or something like that

Jul 6, 4:57 PM

Dawn (Guest): This. Sr, thank you.

Jul 6, 4:57 PM

Simone (Guest): I love the “gaze on God” prayer – the name itself helps me to pray like this

Jul 6, 4:57 PM

Carol (Guest): And He looks back at you

ul 6, 4:57 PM

Kathy (Guest): And it turns into contemplation, it feels like God wants me to be quiet.

Jul 6, 4:57 PM

Simone (Guest): I know .. so wonderful to sit under His gaze of love

Jul 6, 4:58 PM

Simone (Guest): yes Kathy.. like a quieting of the whole being, right?

Jul 6, 4:58 PM

Kathy (Guest): Exactly!

ul 6, 4:58 PMRuth (Guest): To bask in the SON!

Jul 6, 4:59 PM

Simone (Guest): that would be a great T-shirt for the summer Ruth!

Jul 6, 4:59 PM

Kathy (Guest): Love this Ruth!

Jul 6, 5:00 PM

SrSusan (Guest): How can we become more aware of God’s presence?

Jul 6, 5:01 PM

SrSusan (Guest): I’d say becoming still within and without

Jul 6, 5:02 PM

Simone (Guest): silence and solitude is very helpful

Jul 6, 5:02 PM

Dawn (Guest): Ask the Holy Spirit to come ..

ul 6, 5:02 PMKathy (Guest): I am overcome with emotion when He is there. Quietness usually brings it about.

ul 6, 5:02 PMCarol (Guest): To focus on Him, and also to be alert to His presence throughout the day

Jul 6, 5:02 PM

Simone (Guest): I have recently found God’s presence in beauty … very new to me

Jul 6, 5:02 PM

Ruth (Guest): I think it is easiest either in the presence of5(3 leased Sacrament OR when “soaking in” beauty in any of its presentations. That can lead back to the ONE who made all beauty.

ul 6, 5:04 PM

Ruth (Guest): ?,? Of the Blessed Sacrament

Jul 6, 5:04 PM

SrSusan (Guest): What is your favorite form of meditation? Does it involve a book, rosary beads, or images?

Jul 6, 5:04 PM

Simone (Guest): In the time when God spoke so much to me.. I describe it.. as ” he drenched my life with silence”

Jul 6, 5:04 PM

Kathy (Guest): Simone/Carol, like noticing the colors of an early morning sky, the flowers, and green grass? He gave us such a beautiful creation!

Jul 6, 5:04 PM

Carol (Guest): Great art stirs the soul and makes you look up

Jul 6, 5:05 PM

Simone (Guest): Yes Kathy.. my soul responds to the beauty of nature so much more recently than it has been in the past. Sometimes I am overwhelmed at the beauty of a flower

Jul 6, 5:05 PM

Ruth (Guest): I feel so blessed to live here in the Adirondack mountains.

Jul 6, 5:05 PM

Simone (Guest): God’s handiwork very visible all around you Ruth, right?

ul 6, 5:06 PMDawn (Guest): I imagine the Rosary but not only

ul 6, 5:07 PMRuth (Guest): Some neighbors seem to think that even while flowers along the road and trees on my property, are there to be plowed down But to me whatever the sea as weeds, I see as Gifts of flowers and fruit.

Jul 6, 5:08 PMDawn (Guest): I spent days in a mountain valley named The Smiles Of God. It surely was…

Jul 6, 5:08 PM

Simone (Guest): oh my goodness Dawn.. that is an amazing name

Jul 6, 5:08 PM

Ruth (Guest): Wild flowers.

ul 6, 5:09 PM

Simone (Guest): Ruth.. the way you describe it – reminds me of a mother – who looks at her child.. when everyone around just might see a failure.. or wild behaviour.. a mother always sees the potential –

Jul 6, 5:09 PM

Dawn (Guest): Sr, are you going to VA? Wonderful

Jul 6, 5:09 PM

Carol (Guest): And each flower, tree and all creatures have their place in the heart of God

Jul 6, 5:09 PM

Ruth (Guest): They see as weeds, I see as gifts.

Jul 6, 5:11 PM

SrSusan (Guest): That coulld be the week after next. Next week I may not be able to come here as our Federation president will be visiting.

Jul 6, 5:11 PM

Simone (Guest): ok.. so in two weeks..sigh….

Jul 6, 5:11 PM

Simone (Guest): but you said.. we can use the chat for ourselves a little while.. right?

Jul 6, 5:12 PM

SrSusan (Guest): I want to give you the backup site ****************************

Jul 6, 5:12 PM

Simone (Guest): oh yes.. thank you so much Sister

Jul 6, 5:12 PM

Simone (Guest): sorry.. for the side chat…

Jul 6, 5:12 PM

SrSusan (Guest): it won’t show it is is archivevispirit

Jul 6, 5:12 PM

SrSusan (Guest): then .org

Jul 6, 5:12 PM

Carol (Guest): I don’t know what i’d do without us

Jul 6, 5:13 PM

SrSusan (Guest): but dont put in “then”

Jul 6, 5:13 PM

Kathy (Guest): Sr Susan, I am thinking of visiting VA and/or AL this fall. Hopefully, I will get to meet you.

Jul 6, 5:13 PM

SrSusan (Guest): oh great!

Jul 6, 5:13 PM

Simone (Guest): Are we allowed to visit you Sister?

 last q What do you find helpful in keeping your mind on target during these meditations? How is it possible to “hold one

hold oneself in great reverence when speaking to the Divine Majesty” without distractions and proud thoughts entering our minds?

Jul 6, 5:19 PM

Carol (Guest): Practice, practice, practice. Abd don’t expect to be perfect

Jul 6, 5:19 PM

Simone (Guest): perfect answer Carol..

Jul 6, 5:20 PM

Simone (Guest): I find an image of Jesus also helpful

Jul 6, 5:20 PMSimone (Guest): I find it helpful if I put reverence in my tone.. even in mental prayer.. if that makes sense

Jul 6, 5:20 PMCarol (Guest): Yes, remember to Whom we are speaking!

Jul 6, 5:21 PM

Simone (Guest): When I read the question in the Newsletter.. I was like ” proud thoughts” during prayer? I struggle more with feelings of inadequacy that distract me

Jul 6, 5:21 PM

SrSusan (Guest): even if proud thoughts enter, humble oneself at that time

Jul 6, 5:23 PMSrSusan (Guest): and brush away the distractions like flies

Jul 6, 5:23 PM

Carol (Guest): And remember all is grace. Even the desire to,pray is GRACE

Jul 6, 5:24 PMKathy (Guest): If your mind wanders, take note as to why. It may be something God is asking you to tend to.

Jul 6, 5:24 PM

SrSusan (Guest): yes

Jul 6, 5:24 PMSimone (Guest): such a good reminder Carol

ul 6, 5:24 PMSimone (Guest): and yes Kathy.. God leads in the unexpected very much too

ul 6, 5:24 PM

Simone (Guest): and yes Kathy.. God leads in the unexpected very much too

Jul 6, 5:25 PM

Carol (Guest): Good point Kathy

Jul 6, 5:25 PMRuth (Guest): How can one Not! He simply IS all worthy! His word, if we get distracted can help. But I find that even just tuning over the distractions to HIM, that is, leaving them, sort of as the all you have at the moment as a sort of l gift” can transform even distractions into something good and useful for Salvation. Do not get too upset about distractions. He understands and can put them to good use, e.g., I’m teaching you something more about yourself.

Jul 6, 5:26 PM

SrSusan (Guest): great advice!

Jul 6, 5:26 PMKathy (Guest): Beautiful Ruth!

Jul 6, 5:26 PM

Dawn (Guest): Everything is grace. Lessons from the Visitines 🐦

Jul 6, 5:26 PMSimone (Guest): Wonderful Ruth! I hear your passion and your experience in it!

ul 6, 5:27 PM

Carol (Guest): We lift each other up as friends

Jul 6, 5:27 PM

Simone (Guest): oh ladies.. I have to say it.. I feel so blessed.. to be surrounded with so many women here who are so dedicated to love God. What a treasure.

Jul 6, 5:27 PM

Ruth (Guest): Kathy, I think you said it better than I did. Same general idea.

Jul 6, 5:28 PM

SrSusan (Guest): Yes real authentic spiritual women and I am going to miss you all but for sure I won’t forget and you will be in my heart and prayers

Jul 6, 5:28 PM

Carol (Guest): An we can revive a tradition and write letters to each other

Jul 6, 5:28 PM

Simone (Guest): I just said the same.. I feel so blessed. to be surrounded by so dedicated women.. who live to love God.. You are all a treasure to me

Jul 6, 5:28 PM

SrSusan (Guest): yes that too

ul 6, 5:29 PM

SrSusan (Guest): Have a blessed week and if I can be here I will but if not please carry on!

Jul 6, 5:29 PM

Simone (Guest): HAHA.. I did not see that the first was already written.. thought it got lost.. well double is better than none

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