Читать книгу The Practice of Mental Prayer - Father Rene de Maumigny - Страница 56

PRINCIPAL ACTS OF PRAYER

I say that the understanding must do this as far as it can, for some intellects would be wearing themselves out to no purpose by trying to penetrate the subject more deeply. These should be satisfied with the first method, that is, simply to make what they have heard or read part of themselves.

Thirdly, the intellect ought to make some personal and practical applications with a view to the correction of faults, the acquisi- tion of virtue and the union of the will with God's. These are called resolutions, and they form one of the principal ends of meditation. The work of their formation can be definitely accomplished only by the will which accepts them, but the understand- ing must do the preparation.

Resolutions ought to be particular, appli- cable here and now, supported with reasons, and humble.¹

Particular. It is not enough to say in a general way: I will be humble, charitable, obedient; but we must say: I will accept this humiliation, pardon that injury, do generously that special thing which costs me an effort.

¹ Roothaan, De ratione meditandi, Proposita.