Contemplative Haven

Sep 13 2009

Sister Donna’s Prayer of the Heart Series: Part 3 of 6

Published by gabrielle at 7:48 pm under Contemplation, Mysticism, Prayer, St. Teresa of Avila, The Way of Perfection

Part 3: Exploring Prayer of the Heart (Based on Chapter 28) The Prayer of Recollection

“…wherever God is, there is heaven.”

“Do you think it matters little for a soul with a wandering mind to understand this truth and see that there is no need to go to heaven in order to speak with one’s Eternal Father or find delight in Him? Nor is there any need to shout. However softly we speak, He is near enough to hear us.”

“All one need do is go into solitude and look at Him within oneself, and not turn away from so good a Guest but with great humility speak to Him as to a father.”

“This prayer is called “recollection,” because the soul collects its faculties together and enters within itself to be with its God.

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Sister Donna makes another great connection between prayer of the heart and Mass in this segment. When she is describing how St. Teresa of Avila says that God does not come alone into our hearts when we pray, but with all of His courtiers (the angels, the saints and those who have gone before us), she connects this to the Introductory Dialogue (just after the Prayer Over the Gifts): ”Lift up your hearts. We lift them up to the Lord”. We then proceed to the Eucharistic Prayer, where we pray in union with the whole Church and in communion with the saints.

5 responses so far

5 Responses to “Sister Donna’s Prayer of the Heart Series: Part 3 of 6”

# Sheilaon 13 Sep 2009 at 11:58 pm

I’d often wondered what it was like to settle down with Him of a chilly night around a small fire; voices suddenly soft in a quieted world, Love sitting in the center of their midst, whispering them into calm strength. Perhaps both in Mass and in prayer of the heart, there is a small fire..
# Cathyon 14 Sep 2009 at 6:23 am

“Do you think it matters little for a soul with a wandering mind to understand this truth and see that there is no need to go to heaven in order to speak with one’s Eternal Father or find delight in Him? Nor is there any need to shout. However softly we speak, He is near enough to hear us.”

I like this quote…There is no need to SHOUT! Sometimes I think that I do that, not because God can’t hear me, but because I can’t hear me. I’m shouting over my head’s incessant “babbling” at the same time. Thank you and have a grand day!
# gabrielleon 15 Sep 2009 at 12:42 am

Sheila, oh yes… perhaps St. John of the Cross’s Burning Flame of Love, and the fiery tongues of flame of the Holy Spirit, the burning furnace of the Sacred Heart of Jesus…

St. Teresa says in this chapter: “The fire of divine love is more quickly enkindled when they blow a little with their intellects. Since they are close to the fire, a little spark will ignite and set everything ablaze. Because there is no impediment from outside, the soul is alone with its God; it is well prepared for this enkindling.”

Cathy, I’m pretty sure most of us can relate! But we continue…
# Carolon 18 Sep 2009 at 10:17 am

She’s so lovely. And fun. Nuns, or at least nuns today, seem to be some of the happiest women on earth ever. It’s a joy just to behold her face. I’m sure you were thinking the same as you happened upon her. Thanks so much, G, for this series.
# gabrielleon 21 Sep 2009 at 3:35 pm

Carol, I was! I think we need more Catholic joy on the internet, so when I find it, I want to share it!