{ This is so precious } From the Book: Way of Divine Love + Josefa Menendez + THIS NOW IS WHAT HE SHARED WITH JOSEFA WHEN SHE CALLED HIM FATHER: Page 329: Jesus to Josefa: "Do not be afraid," He said. "I am watching over you. . . . I am guiding you. . . and I love you." How can the Fatherhood of God be better expressed? And Josefa relates: "As He is so good," she wrote, "I called Him Father, and I tried to say how tenderly I love Him." "When you call Me Father," He replied, "It pleases Me, Josefa, and when you give Me that name I feel bound to take care of you. When here below a little child begins to talk and utters the sweet name ofFather, with what joy parents press their child to their hearts, for the world holds no greater pleasure for them. If this is true of an earthly father and mother, how much truer of Me, for I am your Father, Mother, God, Creator, Savior and Bridegroom! . . . And none equals My Heart in loving kindness. "Yes, Josefa, when you feel oppressed and sad, hasten to call on your Father, and rest on His Heart. "If on account of your work you cannot throw yourself at My feet as you would like, only murmur the one word Father and I will help, sustain, guide, and comfort you. "Now go in peace to your rest. Another day is over and it will count for all eternity."
The suggestion for a retreat immediately excludes many many people. I suggest a pullback from unnecessary social encounters and TV Facebook etc. A good confession and weekdayMasses when possible, some spiritual reading like ‘Introduction to the Devout Life’ by St Francis de Sales- a section per day(repeated if necessary). Follow his meditations and do a general confession when you get to that.
You explained WHY it is important to do mental prayer, however you did not explain HOW to engage in mental prayer other than go get a book. Can you be responsive and help us HOW to begin mental prayer.
I find a good "match" for beginning mental prayer to be a verse of Scripture or a story in the Holy Bible. Just when Fr Albert said "fire" I remembered the reading today (7-19-17) about Moses and the encounter with God at the burning bush. There is plenty to think about in this story. I tend to try too hard, so this is a way to make prayer easier. Also as a new convert, I have so much to learn, that I have many opportunities to re-think what I have been taught that needs to be changed to the Roman Catholic perspective. Passages of the Gospel now make more sense taking them out of the Protestant "setting" in which I learned them and returning them to their proper place.
@Abel Derrick What does that have to do with prayer? The priest said without mental prayer you can’t be saved. May I suggest you listen to him and spend time in prayer.
I’m very focused on any advice and help from People on Catholic knowledge within my very own Prayers ,,My goodnight Prayers are normal for me and I do listen or watch. My Wife and I will keep up with the Rosary via you tube. Thank you. Nifty.
One of the questions St. Thomas Aquinas posed in his short treatise on prayer (Summa Theologiæ, II-II, Q. 13, Art. 12) was, “Should prayer be vocal?” The answer is: Yes, if it increases our devotion.This is the best and most reassuring information I've found so far.... vocal prayer is increasingly, but not always, a distraction when praying the rosary, or chaplets. Vocal prayer is very very good though, in praying at other times of the day, for example, the Fatima prayers which I pray all together three times a day, prayers of reparation, and a couple of others - all of which I take from TAN Books' Catholic Prayers, a small blue paperback with Our Lady on the cover.
I agree, It was hard for me before to pray the rosary and now i pray it every day! And that has allowed me to get closer to God. I am taking baby steps and I feel i am in the right direction. Verbal and mental prayer are both essential, for some of us we need to start with verbal prayer and St. Teresa de Avila in one of her books states that some people The Lord only allows them verbal prayer (not sure why) and that is good too.
Father Albert, God be with you; lately my mind take me about how Jesus was crucifyd. I heard from Sensus Fidelius that the screws on his feet and hands was really hard operation, then i meditate that moment, it's really powerful, i feel it because tears come to my eyes. And i have this thought during the day, in the evening... Do you think this is a meditation prayer? Thank you. God bless
I like the analogy of "get the fire going" that makes so much sense, the fire of love for God. I do want to go on a retreat for sure, hopefully Covid 19 moves on soon! Thank you Father Albert. 🙏
{ This is so precious } From the Book: Way of Divine Love + Josefa Menendez +
THIS NOW IS WHAT HE SHARED WITH JOSEFA WHEN SHE CALLED HIM FATHER:
Page 329: Jesus to Josefa: "Do not be afraid," He said. "I am watching over you. . . .
I am guiding you. . . and I love you."
How can the Fatherhood of God be better expressed? And Josefa relates: "As He is so good," she wrote, "I called Him Father, and I tried to say how tenderly I love Him."
"When you call Me Father," He replied, "It pleases Me, Josefa, and when you give Me that name I feel bound to take care of you. When here below a little child begins to talk and utters the sweet name ofFather, with what joy parents press their child to their hearts, for the world holds no greater pleasure for them. If this is true of an earthly father and mother, how much truer of Me, for I am your Father, Mother, God, Creator, Savior and Bridegroom! . . . And none equals My Heart in loving kindness.
"Yes, Josefa, when you feel oppressed and sad, hasten to call on your Father, and rest on His Heart.
"If on account of your work you cannot throw yourself at My feet as you would like, only murmur the one word Father and I will help, sustain, guide, and comfort you.
"Now go in peace to your rest. Another day is over and it will count for all eternity."
The Ways of Mental Prayer, by Vital Lehodey, is a great book for people at all levels of mental prayer.
Thank you
The suggestion for a retreat immediately excludes many many people. I suggest a pullback from unnecessary social encounters and TV Facebook etc. A good confession and weekdayMasses when possible, some spiritual reading like ‘Introduction to the Devout Life’ by St Francis de Sales- a section per day(repeated if necessary). Follow his meditations and do a general confession when you get to that.
You explained WHY it is important to do mental prayer, however you did not explain HOW to engage in mental prayer other than go get a book. Can you be responsive and help us HOW to begin mental prayer.
I find a good "match" for beginning mental prayer to be a verse of Scripture or a story in the Holy Bible. Just when Fr Albert said "fire" I remembered the reading today (7-19-17) about Moses and the encounter with God at the burning bush. There is plenty to think about in this story. I tend to try too hard, so this is a way to make prayer easier. Also as a new convert, I have so much to learn, that I have many opportunities to re-think what I have been taught that needs to be changed to the Roman Catholic perspective. Passages of the Gospel now make more sense taking them out of the Protestant "setting" in which I learned them and returning them to their proper place.
@Abel Derrick What does that have to do with prayer? The priest said without mental prayer you can’t be saved. May I suggest you listen to him and spend time in prayer.
I’m very focused on any advice and help from People on Catholic knowledge within my very own Prayers ,,My goodnight Prayers are normal for me and I do listen or watch. My Wife and I will keep up with the Rosary via you tube. Thank you. Nifty.
One of the questions St. Thomas Aquinas posed in his short treatise on prayer (Summa Theologiæ, II-II, Q. 13, Art. 12) was, “Should prayer be vocal?” The answer is: Yes, if it increases our devotion.This is the best and most reassuring information I've found so far.... vocal prayer is increasingly, but not always, a distraction when praying the rosary, or chaplets. Vocal prayer is very very good though, in praying at other times of the day, for example, the Fatima prayers which I pray all together three times a day, prayers of reparation, and a couple of others - all of which I take from TAN Books' Catholic Prayers, a small blue paperback with Our Lady on the cover.
I agree, It was hard for me before to pray the rosary and now i pray it every day! And that has allowed me to get closer to God. I am taking baby steps and I feel i am in the right direction. Verbal and mental prayer are both essential, for some of us we need to start with verbal prayer and St. Teresa de Avila in one of her books states that some people The Lord only allows them verbal prayer (not sure why) and that is good too.
Father Albert, God be with you; lately my mind take me about how Jesus was crucifyd. I heard from Sensus Fidelius that the screws on his feet and hands was really hard operation, then i meditate that moment, it's really powerful, i feel it because tears come to my eyes. And i have this thought during the day, in the evening... Do you think this is a meditation prayer? Thank you. God bless
Thank you for your question, which we will submit to Father Albert.
TheFatimaCenter Thank you! I meant before: Sensus Fidelium, the priest speaks beautiful happenings about Jesus. I do like Father Albert too!
I like the analogy of "get the fire going" that makes so much sense, the fire of love for God. I do want to go on a retreat for sure, hopefully Covid 19 moves on soon! Thank you Father Albert. 🙏