Catechism of Mental Prayer

Catechism of Mental Prayer, by the Very Reverend Joseph Simler.This very small book has been in print for over 100 years. Organized like the Baltimore Catechism as Question and Answer, it takes the reader through everything necessary to practice what Catholics refer to as Mental Prayer.Simler has separate chapters on Preparation for Mental Prayer, the Body of Mental Prayer, and the Conclusion. He offers guidance and advice for each stage, reflecting on the use of the human faculties of will, affection, and imagination during Mental Prayer.Father Simler guides us, with clarity and precision, through layers of understanding regarding the practice of Mental Prayer. He cautions us on possible difficulties in this form of prayer and ways to counter those difficulties. He reassures us that anyone can master Mental Prayer, to the benefit of his spiritual life.I love this book. I love how direct Father Simler is. I love how he has taken a spiritual practice of great saints and made it accessible to anyone. I love how unapologetically Catholic he is, how completely unaffected by the New Age zeitgeist (the book is, after all, 100+ years old) his advice is. I wish I could convey just how refreshing his view of the human person is, unfettered by psychobabble and crippling and condescending false compassion.Although Father Simler makes reference to confessors, particular Catholic oral prayers, and Orders (I suspect the first audiences for this book were members of religious orders), I recommend this tiny book on mental Prayer any Christian.

This is exactly what the title says it is: A catechism. Didn't make great reading and didn't help me develop a better prayer life.

This little booklet is field with great ideas about how to have a solid prayer life. It was full of examples and ideas. I would recommend it to everyone. Great job.

Excellent guidance for spiritual directors to use when directing a person in how to pray. It is a use of helping the soul to be attentive to God and self as a movement ofGod's grace educating, whispering to the mind and heart.

I love this book! It is an incredible work that brings the reader deeper into an examination, not only of true meditation and mental prayer, but of the very nature of the soul and it's relationship to God. I would recommend it to all persons above the age of reason and especially to those who are seeking guidance in his or her prayer life.

This little book is an explicit guide for mental prayer. Very practical and simple but sublime. The enclosed prayers and aspirations are without comparison.

If you are not an advanced individual when it comes to meditation, then this book is for you. I couldn't agree more with the author. I hope that you (the reader) will someday discover what is the will of our Heavenly Father for you. Not on Earth. But what is the will of Our Heavenly Father for you; once you see Him face to face. In other words who are you in Heaven? My desire is for all those who are not Catholics in the world to find the path of life eternal.

If you want to advance in the spiritual life, mental prayer is a non-negotiable. Only the second level above vocal prayer, which is the lowest form or prayer, it will help you deepen your relationship with God. This catechism is a great way to get started; it captures the essence of some of the more detailed and weighty works on the subject (Lehodys "The Ways of Mental Prayer" being one excellent example that I also recommend for those who want to tackle the topic more intensely). This little book will assist you on your way!