CANADA
Discalced Carmelite Secular Order Canada OCDS
Discalced Carmelite Secular Order Canada OCDS
Discalced Carmelite Secular Order Canada OCDS
Discalced Carmelite Secular Order Canada OCDS
OCDS
OCDS
OCDS
OCDS
OCDS
OCDS
Prayer of Recollection
"Prayer...means taking time frequently to be alone with the One who we know loves us."
-St. Teresa of Avila
Preparation
Choose a quiet place where you are not likely to be interrupted. Sit comfortably in a chair with your feet placed separately on the floor in front of you, your hands joined on your lap or placed separately on your thighs. If you are accustomed to praying in another position, for example on a prayer bench, assume this position. Close your eyes. Then take a deep breath, and slowly exhale. Repeat this deep breathing several times. Gradually relax your whole body. Next, quiet your mind. Acknowledge any thoughts, or preoccupations, or worries, or anxieties. Whatever concerns you may have for your family, or your work, or your daily activities, simply surrender them to God.
Meeting the Lord
Now recall that you are in God’s presence. Recall, too, that Jesus Christ, our risen Lord, true God and true man, is within you. Quietly sit with Jesus, aware of his presence within. To remain attentive to Jesus’ presence, recall a passage from the Gospel, like Jesus with the woman at the well, or the risen Jesus with Mary of Magdala. Recall that Jesus Christ, our Lord and God, is present within you just as he was present before the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well or with Mary in the garden after his resurrection. Look at our Lord Jesus present within. In place of these passages, you might wish to use other New Testament accounts of Jesus’ encounters with individuals, for example: Jesus and the rich young man (Mk 10:17-22); at the Last Supper with the disciple whom he loved (Jn 13:23-26); on the cross, with the good thief (Lk 22:39-43); Jesus after his resurrection, with the apostle Thomas in his disbelief (Jn 20:24-29); or other texts. When you notice your mind wandering, immediately bring your attention back to the Lord present within you. You don’t have to think about him, you don’t have to reason about him, you don’t have to form an image of him. Simply look at him with eyes of faith. And in faith be aware that he is looking at you. Looking at a picture or icon of Jesus or repeating his name or a phrase like “My Lord and my God,” or “Come, Lord Jesus,” may help you look in faith at Jesus within you.
Intimate Sharing
As you look in faith at Jesus present within you, you may feel moved to speak to him. You may want to speak to him as father, or brother, as spouse, or friend (The Way of Perfection, 28.3; The Book of Her Life, 37.5). You may want to ask for the “living water” he promised the Samaritan woman. You may want to tell him that you love him or to thank him for his many gif s to you. You may want to ask a favor of him, for strength in a trial you are going through now. Just speak to the Lord however your heart moves you to speak. If you do not feel moved to speak to him, just remain quietly with Jesus, looking at him with eyes of faith and love. Come to him as you are. If you are joyful, look at him as risen; if you are in pain, look at him in his suffering (The Way of Perfection, 26.4-5). No matter what you are feeling, you will f nd the Lord looking at you with understanding and love. At times, you may experience a deep peace, or recollection, or communion with Jesus. Rest in this deep communion as long as it lasts. When it passes, let it go. Do not cling to it. With eyes of faith and love bring your attention back to the Lord present within you. If your mind wanders again, say to yourself nonjudgmentally, “Oh, my mind is wandering again,” and gently bring your attention back to Jesus within you. With eyes of faith and love look at him who is looking at you, and allow your heart to express whatever your love desires to say to the Lord.
Conclusion
Remain in this prayer for at least 30 minutes. As your time of prayer draws to a close, open your eyes. Continue to sit comfortably for a few more minutes, gradually becoming aware of your surroundings. You may wish to conclude your time of prayer by saying slowly and ref ectively the Our Father, the Hail Mary, or some other prayer (The Way of Perfection, 25.3).
Reminders
Make Time for Regular Periods of Mental Prayer
“Mental prayer … means taking time frequently to be alone with Him who we know loves us” (The Book of Her Life, 8.5). Teresa speaks of “the hour I had determined to spend in prayer” (The Book of Her Life, 8.7). “I should consider the time of prayer as not belonging to me and think that He can ask it of me in justice when I do not want to give it wholly to Him” (The Way of Perfection, 23.2).
Distractions Are Normal
Distractions are “unavoidable … and should not be a disturbance or aff iction for you … Pay no attention to these thoughts … and let’s not blame the soul for what a weak imagination, human nature, and the devil cause” (Interior Castle, IV.1.13-14). “I consider [distractions] an incurable disease” (Letters, October 9, 1581).
Be Prepared for Dryness
“As for … dryness, it seems to me that the Lord is now treating you as one who is strong. He wants to try you in order to know the love you have for Him, whether it is present in dryness as well as in spiritual delights. Take it as a very great favor from God. Don’t let it cause you any grief, for perfection does not consist in delight but in the virtues. When you least expect, devotion will return” (Letters, August 7, 1580).
Pray Always
“The true lover loves everywhere and is always thinking of the Beloved! It would be a thing hard to bear if we were able to pray only when off in some corner” (The Book of Her Foundations, 5.16). “If you grow accustomed to having Him present at your side, and He sees that you do so with love and that you go about striving to please Him, you will not be able — as they say — to get away from Him; He will never fail you; He will help you in all your trials; you will f nd Him everywhere” (The Way of Perfection, 26.1)