done with the greatest calmness, stillness, peace, and tranquillity possible. The loss of that interior calmness disturbs recollection, distracts the attention, and hinders the workings of the Holy Spirit. So that, if your tranquillity is disturbed, you must endeavor by all means to restore it before you go further, even though the whole time of your prayer be occupied in doing this.
Another way of practising interior prayer is to take some devout book, read a little in it, and then reflect upon what has been read, and make acts of the will and affections upon it. When the mind grows a little weary, take the book up again, and read a little more, and so on. The same can be done with any vocal prayer, as explained above. In this way we turn vocal prayer into mental.
When the time for ending the meditation is come, it should not be prolonged because the soul is dissatisfied with its success. That would bring on weariness and scruples. When something happens that the prayer must be curtailed or even omitted, let it be done with liberty and without scruple; only not out of a spirit of sloth or disgust. For the rest of your time, endeavor to keep quietly and gently recollected in God.
Vocal Prayer.[1]
VOCAL prayer is prayer recited with the lips, and usually according to some certain formula. Although in itself vocal prayer is not so excellent as mental prayer, we should, nevertheless, beware of underrating its usefulness or necessity. All true Christians frequently recite vocal prayers, such as the Our Father, the Hail Mary, the Apostles' Creed, the acts of faith, hope, charity, and contrition. The Church prescribes vocal prayer very strictly to her priests and her Religious,
- ↑ From Father Girardey's " Instructions on Prayer. "
