← [[session-05-f1a|Fundamental Attitudes and Convictions Necessary for Growth in Prayer]] | [[formation-I-a-handbook|Table of Contents]] | [[session-07-f1a|Prayer of Recollection]] → # Vocal and Mental Prayer “Sometimes when I am in such a state of spiritual dryness that not a single good thought occurs to me, I say very slowly the Our Father or the Hail Mary and these prayers suffice to take me out of myself and wonderfully refresh me.” — St Therese of the Child Jesus Required Reading: The Way of Perfection chapters 22, 24, 25 Additional Reading: Catechism of the Catholic Church 2697-2708: Expressions of Prayer. (Appendix G) WP Study Edition Glossary: Vocal Prayer pg 515; Meditation pg. 510; Mental Prayer pg. 511 Essential Points to Discuss: • When we pray vocally (e.g. Our Father, Hail Mary, Creed), it’s not as necessary to think of the words we say as it is to adopt a suitable attitude of mind, realizing to whom we turn in these prayers (see 22.1). • Vocal and mental prayer may open the heart to contemplation. “I tell you that it is very possible that while you are reciting the Our Father or some other vocal prayer, the Lord may raise you to perfect contemplation” (25:1). • Vocal prayer, mental prayer and contemplation all must have the essential ingredient of prayer – communion with God. The difference lies in the fact that contemplation (supernatural prayer) cannot be acquired through human effort; it is a gift from God (see 25:2-3). Assigned Meditative Reading (choose one per week): • Matt 6:1-4 – avoiding vainglory • Matt 6:5-6 – solitude • Matt 6:7-8 – sincerity and trust • 1 Cor 13:1 – “If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels but have not love, I am only a ringing gong or a clanging cymbal.” • I Kings 19:11-12 – and after the fire a still small voice • Life of St Teresa 8:5 – “For mental prayer in my opinion is nothing else than an intimate sharing between friends.” --- **Source:** Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites, *Formation I Year A: The Way of Perfection* (US National Formation Program, 2024).