Mental Prayer — Second Ignatian Method

Ignatian — second method

15 min

The Preparation

First, consider what you are going to do: "let the mind repose a little, either sitting or walking, as shall seem best, considering meanwhile whither I am going and for what purpose."

Then the preparatory prayer, made to the Person to whom the prayer is addressed.

The Body of the Prayer

"Kneeling or sitting, as he may find himself more disposed and as greater devotion accompanies him, keeping his eyes shut or fixed on one place, without moving them hither and thither, he says Father, and rests on the consideration of this word for so long a time as he finds meanings, comparisons, relish and consolation in considerations belonging to such a word."

So, for the allotted time of prayer, the Our Father, the Hail Mary or any other prayer, psalm or portion of Holy Scripture is to be gone through.

Our Father

Our Father, who art in heaven,

hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread,

and forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

Amen.

Pater noster, qui es in cælis,

sanctificétur nomen tuum.

Advéniat regnum tuum.

Fiat volúntas tua, sicut in cælo et in terra.

Panem nostrum quotidiánum da nobis hódie,

et dimítte nobis débita nostra,

sicut et nos dimíttimus debitóribus nostris.

Et ne nos indúcas in tentatiónem,

sed líbera nos a malo.

Amen.

"If the person who is studying the Our Father finds in one word or two very good matter for thought and relish and consolation, let him not trouble to go further on." When the time is ended, the rest of the prayer is said in the usual way, and another day one begins from the word that follows.

How simple it is

Just kneel or sit down and think of God and of what you intend to do. Ask our Lord and Mary to help you to pray well for His glory. Then very slowly say the Lord's Prayer, thinking quietly and simply of each word, drawing out the meaning of it, tasting its sweetness, dwelling on it — or on a phrase such as Thy Kingdom, Thy Kingdom come, Thy will, Thy will be done — for as long as you can with profit, and then passing on. Let your whole self pray, that is, be lifted up to the thought of God.

Father — our Father — my Father — O Father infinite — eternal, loving — bountiful — I love Thee, I adore Thee, look on me, Thy child — Thy child — God's child — what love of Thine for me…

This prayer of the Our Father contains all the fulness of perfection… it raises those who familiarise themselves with it to that prayer of fire which passes all human language.

— Abbot Isaac, in Cassian, Conferences IX, 25

The Conclusion

The prayer ends with the recitation of the Hail Mary, Creed, Anima Christi and Salve Regina, vocally or mentally, "in the customary manner."

Hail Mary

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.

Blessed art thou amongst women,

and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

Holy Mary, Mother of God,

pray for us sinners,

now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

Ave María, grátia plena, Dóminus tecum.

Benedícta tu in muliéribus,

et benedíctus fructus ventris tui, Iesus.

Sancta María, Mater Dei,

ora pro nobis peccatóribus,

nunc et in hora mortis nostræ.

Amen.

Apostles' Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth,

and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,

who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary,

suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried;

he descended into hell; on the third day he rose again from the dead;

he ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty;

from there he shall come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,

the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints,

the forgiveness of sins,

the resurrection of the body,

and life everlasting.

Amen.

Credo in Deum Patrem omnipoténtem, Creatórem cæli et terræ.

Et in Iesum Christum, Fílium eius únicum, Dóminum nostrum,

qui concéptus est de Spíritu Sancto, natus ex María Vírgine,

passus sub Póntio Piláto, crucifíxus, mórtuus, et sepúltus,

descéndit ad ínferos, tértia die resurréxit a mórtuis,

ascéndit ad cælos, sedet ad déxteram Dei Patris omnipoténtis,

inde ventúrus est iudicáre vivos et mórtuos.

Credo in Spíritum Sanctum,

sanctam Ecclésiam cathólicam, sanctórum communiónem,

remissiónem peccatórum,

carnis resurrectiónem,

vitam ætérnam.

Amen.

Anima Christi

Sign of the Cross

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

In nómine Patris, et Fílii, et Spíritus Sancti. Amen.

Soul of Christ, sanctify me.

Body of Christ, save me.

Blood of Christ, inebriate me.

Water from the side of Christ, wash me.

Passion of Christ, strengthen me.

O good Jesus, hear me.

Within Thy wounds hide me.

Permit me not to be separated from Thee.

From the malignant enemy defend me.

In the hour of my death call me,

and bid me come to Thee,

that with Thy saints I may praise Thee

forever and ever. Amen.

Anima Christi, sanctifica me.

Corpus Christi, salva me.

Sanguis Christi, inebria me.

Aqua lateris Christi, lava me.

Passio Christi, conforta me.

O bone Iesu, exaudi me.

Intra tua vulnera absconde me.

Ne permittas me separari a te.

Ab hoste maligno defende me.

In hora mortis meae voca me.

Et iube me venire ad te.

Ut cum sanctis tuis laudem te

in saecula saeculorum. Amen.

Sign of the Cross

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

In nómine Patris, et Fílii, et Spíritus Sancti. Amen.

Hail, Holy Queen

Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of mercy,

our life, our sweetness, and our hope.

To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve.

To thee do we send up our sighs,

mourning and weeping in this valley of tears.

Turn then, most gracious advocate,

thine eyes of mercy toward us.

And after this our exile,

show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.

Salve, Regína, Mater misericórdiæ,

vita, dulcédo, et spes nostra, salve.

Ad te clamámus, éxsules fílii Evæ.

Ad te suspirámus, geméntes et flentes

in hac lacrimárum valle.

Eia ergo, advocáta nostra,

illos tuos misericórdes óculos ad nos convérte.

Et Iesum, benedíctum fructum ventris tui,

nobis post hoc exsílium osténde.

O clemens, o pia, o dulcis Virgo María.

Then a colloquy, in a few words, with the Person to whom you have prayed, "asking for the virtues or graces of which he feels himself to have greater need."