1. Spiritual Theology (THE 390)
Contemplative Prayer
Spiritual Theology (THE 390)

2. I. Grades of Prayer in the Mystical Way
Infused Contemplation or Mystical Prayer (As an overall category)
Definition: “an experiential knowledge of God” which involves the operations of the supernatural faculties
Theological Conclusions Concerning Infused Contemplation

3. Infused contemplation is not the same as gratia gratis data
infused contemplation is substantially supernatural whereas gratia gratis data is only modally supernatural
infused contemplation is ordered toward sanctifying the individual whereas the other is order toward the good of the Church

4. Infused contemplation requires Sanctifying Grace and the Gifts of the Holy Spirit
It requires the impulse of actual grace and charity
It requires a separate actual grace to move the Gifts of the Holy Spirit into action
It requires the habits of the infused virtues and gifts

5. The affective infused virtues (like hope and charity) are dispositive and not the immediate illiciting principle of contemplation
Informed faith provides the substance of the act of contemplation while the gifts of wisdom, understanding and knowledge provide the supernatural mode of act
these gifts give contemplation which becomes an experiential knowledge

6. Distinctive Notes which help the Spiritual Director recognize infused contemplation and distinguish it from other phenomena
Often gives an experience of the Presence of God
mystics often witness the loving presence of God in their souls
yet, this is not an essential note because of its frequent absence during the passive purgations

7. The invasion of the soul by the supernatural
Contemplation is a “gentle inflow of God into the soul” (St. John of the Cross)
It is often expressed by the mystics as an inundation or being submerged in God

8. Mystical experience is impossible to be produced by one’s own efforts
this becomes well known and realized by the soul
this is true of all grades of mystical prayer
The soul is more passive than active
Contemplation is an experience of the patiens divina (Pseudo-Dionysius)
Soul does not act as mover but as one moved (St. Thomas)

9. The knowledge experienced is obscure and confused
Contemplation gives full security and assurance that the soul is under the action of God
soul normally doesn’t have the slightest doubt that God is acting upon it
during the mystical prayer itself the soul has no doubts that God is acting upon it, though it may doubt the experience after the time of prayer

10. Contemplation gives the moral certitude that the soul is in the state of grace
proof that one is in mystical union is likewise proof that one is in the state of grace (necessary for the Gifts of the Holy Spirit to be active)
the moral certitude is much greater than that possessed by the ordinary Christian when diligently examining his conscience

11. Mystical experience is ineffable
The soul experiences an impossibility in trying to express clearly one’s prayer experience
By nature, such an experience cannot be expressed in human language
Soul must resort to images and allegory to describe the experience

12. Contemplation admits of various forms illumination of the intellect
inflammation of the will
It admits of variations and fluctuations within the same soul
duration can be short or long

13. Mystical contemplation frequently causes reactions in the body
this is especially the case in the lower grades of mystical prayer
can cause startling phenomena of the sensitive order
body can become visibly changed
body participates in the absorption experienced by the spirit

14. It often produces a suspension or binding of the faculties
absorption in God frequently results in an inability to perform other prayers or activities, especially at the moment of the experience

15. Infused Contemplation causes a great impulse to the practice of virtue
one of the surest signs of contemplation
often soul receives, experiences a virtue that never was able to acquire previously
“Mystical contemplation greatly aids the sanctification of a soul, but it does not instantaneously or necessarily produce a saint” (Royo, 537).
Thus, spiritual directors need to be careful not to dismiss mystical experience because defects and imperfections are still present in the soul

16. Infused Recollection
Definition: “...type of mystical contemplation which is especially characterized by the union of the intellect with God”
With the operation of the gifts of Wisdom, Understanding and Knowledge, the intellect penetrates the marvels of God
Occurs when God wishes, in an instantaneous fashion, without previous discursus

17. Concomitant phenomena
Lively sense of the Presence of God
Admiration at God’s marvels
spiritual silence or suspension – profound humility and deep respect
vivid light concerning God and His Mysteries

18. Practical Conduct
Do not cease discursive meditation until it is clearly realized that God is giving the invitation to mystical prayer
If meditation is abandoned too soon, aridity follows as well as restlessness
One should immediately terminate discursive prayer when the impulse comes toward infused recollection

19. The Holy Spirit is subtle in His promptings and an inappropriate response can circumvent His work
The Spiritual Director will have to go through great pains to get some souls to abandon their devotions and normal prayers and “waste time” with God

20. One should give oneself completely to the interior life
break with attachments
give complete strength to practice of virtue
practice interior and exterior silence
respond to the impulses to practice prayer and sweet repose

21. Prayer of Quiet
Definition: “...type of mystical contemplation in which the soul experiences an intimate awareness of God’s presence which captivates the will and fills the soul and body with ineffable sweetness and delight” (Royo, 541).

22. The Prayer of Quiet especially affects the will.
The intellect and memory are tranquil, but they remain free to realize what is happening
The will is totally absorbed in God
“Mary and Martha” are more perfectly realized
tradere contemplata (St. Thomas)
Basin of the soul is filled silently from within and overflows profusely

23. The effects of the Prayer of Quiet
a great liberty of spirit
filial fear of God
profound confidence in God
love of mortification and suffering
deep humility
disdain for worldly pleasures
growth in all the virtues

24. Concomitant phenomena
Sleep of the faculties
not yet totally captivated but they seem to function from some unknown source
disdain for world – souls seeks solely to enjoy God
the intellect and will are united with God but the memory and imagination remain free

25. Inebriation of love
causes a certain “foolishness of love”
soul often cries out verbally
body sometimes leaps with a surge of joy

26. Prayer of Union
Definition: “that grade of infused contemplation in which all the internal faculties are captivated and occupied with God” (Royo, 546)
Even the memory and imagination are captivated
Only the bodily senses are free
The intensity of the mystical experience is indescribable
The soul’s faculties are completely occupied with God

27. Characteristics of the Prayer of Union
Absence of distractions
memory and imagination are normally sources of distractions but they are now suspended, fixed on God and held captive
distractions during prayer of union are psychologically impossible
Certitude of being intimately united with God

28. soul cannot doubt the experience, even after it has terminated
devil cannot falsify this type of prayer
Teresa of Avila said that this secret prayer is unknown to the devil
Absence of weariness and tedium
no matter how long the prayer of union lasts, the soul never experiences any fatigue

29. Effects of the Prayer of Union
Soul will gladly die a thousand deaths in order to praise God
Soul possesses vehement desires toward solitude and penance
Soul experiences a great dissatisfaction with all things on earth and longs for heaven

30. Concomitant phenomena
Mystical touches
instantaneous supernatural impression upon the soul which gives it an ineffable delight
Flights of the Spirit
strong and unexpected impulses of love leaving the soul with a consuming thirst for God

31. Fiery Darts
certain hidden touches of love experienced as if a fiery arrow pierces the soul
such cause the soul great affliction
Fiery Darts are normally caused by infused knowledge of God through creation

32. Wounds of Love
these are more profound and lasting than the Fiery Darts
normally caused by knowledge of God through His Divine Mysteries

33. Prayer of Conforming Union (Ecstatic Union)
Definition: This grade of mystical prayer usually terminates with the spiritual espousal. The Prayer of Ecstatic Union adds to the previous grade of prayer the suspension of the external senses. As a result of the weakness of the body and the intensity of the mystical union, the body falls into ecstasy.

34. Two components are necessary:
Elevation of the soul to God
Detachment of the soul from the sensible world

35. Causes of Ecstasy
Supernatural
causes by the gifts of the Holy Spirit to such an intense charity
prophetic ecstasy
simple ecstasy
rapture
natural
fainting or swooning
somnambulism
hypnotic trance
hysteria
diabolical

36. Effects of Ecstasy
Body
Insensibility – no awareness through senses
Natural heat of body diminishes
Soul
communication of a supernatural energy
charity becomes much more ardent
“ecstasy of love” produces “ecstasy of works” (St. Francis de Sales)
The promise of God to lead the soul to marriage is normally effected in one such ecstasy of the Prayer of Conforming Union (spiritual espousal)

37. Prayer of Transforming Union
Definition: “this grade of prayer is a total transformation of the soul in the Beloved, in which God and the soul give themselves completely to each other with a certain consummation of divine love, so that the soul is made divine, so to speak, and participates in God as much as is possible in this life” (Royo, 556; cf. Spiritual Canticle, stz. 22).

38. Transformation in the Beloved
soul appears to be God and have all that God has
soul is distinct from God but is God by participation
soul is in the furnace of Divine Love like an iron plunged into a furnace of fire

39. Mutual Surrender of Love
like two spouses in an act of love mutually surrendering themselves to one another (the two shall become one)

40. Permanent Union of Love
transforming union is superior to all other grades of prayer in that, among other ways, it brings to the soul an awareness of the permanence of this mutual love experienced
in the transforming union the soul is “confirmed in grace” – God gives a special grace to the soul so that it avoids all future mortal sins
the transforming union is not the beatific vision but it is the prelude to it

41. Effects of the Transforming Union
Forgetfulness of self
no desire whatsoever remains of self
“only the Glory of God dwells here” (what was first in the order of intention is last in the order of execution)

42. Great desire to suffer
nonetheless, to suffer or not to suffer, either is readily accepted and embraced
Delight in persecution
no enmity is felt when persecuted, but rather an increase in joy and peace and love for the enemy

43. Intense desire to serve God
from “I want to see God” to “I am a daughter of the Church”
example of St. Teresa of Avila during her last ten years and Mother Teresa during her last 40 years
soul here desires not to die as it previously had but to live and suffer for many years in order to glorify God

44. Complete detachment from creatures
constant interior recollection
tranquility of soul admitting of no doubt of its cause
Absence of ecstasies
God gives special strength to body
Thus, few, if any raptures