The Thomistic Institute Introduction to Mental Prayer | Fr. Thomas Joseph White, OP
Apr 21, 2024
Fr. Thomas Joseph White, OP, discusses mental prayer, meditation, and contemplation, emphasizing the importance of connecting with God through internal reflection and acts of faith, hope, and charity. He explores the transformative power of faith in reshaping desires and deepening one's devotion to Christ, while cautioning against extremes in prayer practices.
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Chapters
Transcript
Intellect Gathers Truth While Will Turns To Love
- Intellect assimilates truth while the will responds by loving; prayer engages both by bringing truth in and afire the heart toward God.
- Fr. Thomas Joseph White frames prayer as cognition (gazing/judging) plus an ecstatic will that rests in perceived goods, using aesthetic and relational examples.
Peasant's Simple Gaze Illustrates Contemplation
- A French peasant stood before the tabernacle: "I'm looking at him and he's looking at me," illustrating simple contemplative gaze.
- Fr. White uses this story to show contemplation can be a humble, direct presence rather than complex methods.
Commit To Daily Time For Mental Prayer
- Reserve daily time for mental prayer, aiming for at least 20 minutes and ideally 30 to 60 minutes, preferably before daily worries accumulate.
- Do it in a stable place like before Mass or the Blessed Sacrament or at home early in the morning to build the habit.