For my parish’s men’s group this coming week, I will be giving a short presentation on prayer. I prepared a handout for them that is a brief Catechism on Prayer from the saints:
A Catechism on Prayer from the Saints
What is prayer?
“Prayer is the inner bath of love into which the soul plunges itself.” – St. Jean Marie Baptiste Vianney
“For me prayer is a surge of the heart, it is a simple look towards Heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy.” – St. Therese of Lisieux
“Mental prayer is nothing else but being on terms of friendship with God, frequently conversing in secret with Him.” – St. Teresa of Avila
Is prayer necessary?
“Without prayer we have neither light nor strength to advance in the way which leads to God.” – St. Alphonsus Maria de Liguori
“It is simply impossible to lead, without the aid of prayer, a virtuous life.”
– St. John Chrysostom
“Let him never cease from prayer who has once begun it, be his life ever so wicked; for prayer is the way to amend it, and without prayer such amendment will be much more difficult.” – St. Teresa of Avila
How should we pray?
“Pray with great confidence, with confidence based upon the goodness and infinite generosity of God and upon the promises of Jesus Christ. God is a spring of living water which flows unceasingly into the hearts of those who pray.” – St. Louis de Montfort
“As far as possible, you should pray in quiet silent devotion. Try to have a favorite topic of prayer, such as a devotion to the passion of Jesus, the Blessed Sacrament, awareness of the divine presence: go directly to Jesus without too much fuss.” – St. Peter Julian Eymard
“Much more is accomplished by a single word of the Our Father said, now and then, from our heart, than by the whole prayer repeated many times in haste and without attention.” – St. Teresa of Avila
Final thoughts
“Pray, hope, and don’t worry.” – St. (Padre) Pio of Pietrelcino
“You cannot be half a saint; you must be a whole saint or no saint at all.” – St. Therese of Lisieux