Mixed Meditation

COMPENDIUM

By mixed meditation is meant mental prayer combined with some other spiritual exercise, as with vocal prayers, spiritual reading, Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, the Way of the Cross, the assistance at an instruction or conference, Holy Mass, preparation for Holy Communion, and the like. Some vocal prayers that may easily combine with meditation are the Our Father, the Hail Mary, the Apostles' Creed, the Acts of Faith, Hope, Charity, and Contrition, and the Mass prayers. Some spiritual books that may furnish matter for mixed meditation are the Holy Scriptures, especially the Psalms and the Gospels, the Imitation of Christ, and the Spiritual Combat.

To undertake mixed meditation:

1. The ordinary acts of the immediate preparation are made;
2. The subject of the meditation is read or recited slowly, entirely or partially, according to the subject chosen;
3. One point or idea after another is taken up;
4. On each point the considerations, affections and resolutions are made according to the method indicated for the ordinary meditation.

This kind of meditation is earnestly recommended by St. Francis de Sales, St. Alphonsus Liguori, St. Philip Neri, and, in general, by the masters of the spiritual life. It is advisable to adopt it when, in the exercise of pure meditation, we meet with difficulties against which we have vainly endeavored to struggle. We must, however, be on our guard in the exercise of mixed meditation against the danger of changing the meditation into a continued reading or into a mere empty recitation.

Assistance at Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament may be combined with mental prayer by using as subjects the liturgical chants and prayers referring to the Blessed Sacrament, some chapter of the fourth book of the Imitation of Christ, or one of the Visits to the Blessed Sacrament of St. Alphonsus Liguori. We must, however, begin by placing ourselves in the presence of God sacramentally exposed on the altar.

The Way of the Cross be easily performed by way of meditation by reflections and affections on the sufferings of our Savior, since the Way of the Cross is essentially a meditation on the Passion.

We may attend an instruction by way of meditation by:

1. Evoking acts of adherence to the word of God which is being taught;
2. Applying it to ourselves;
3. Producing appropriate affections;
4. Forming corresponding resolutions.

We may assist at Holy Mass by way of meditation by:

1. Uniting ourselves in mind and heart to Jesus Christ, who is at once Priest and Victim;
2. Meditating on the four ends or purposes for which the Sacrifice is offered, on God's holy presence, on the ceremonies of the Mass, on the Passion of Our Lord which these ceremonies call to mind, or on some prayer of the Mass.

The preparation for Holy Communion may be combined with meditation (1) by reflecting on the answers to the following questions: "Who is coming to me?" "What is His object in coming to me?" "Who am I that I dare to receive Him?", and (2) by producing affections that naturally flow from the above-mentioned reflections, such as acts of faith, admiration, humility, contrition, hope, desire, love, etc.

When undertaking mixed meditation, we ought never to omit the essential acts of the preparation and conclusion.

CATECHISM

114. What is meant by mixed meditation?

By mixed meditation is meant mental prayer combined with some other spiritual exercise.

115. Mention some vocal prayers that may easily combine with meditation.

The Our Father, the Hail Mary, the Apostles' Creed, the Acts of Faith, Hope, Charity, and Contrition, the Mass prayers, etc.

116. Mention some spiritual books that may furnish matter for mixed meditation.

The Holy Scriptures, especially the Psalms and the Gospels, the Imitation of Christ, the Spiritual Combat, etc.

117. How, then, is mixed meditation to be made?

To undertake mixed meditation (1) the ordinary acts of the immediate preparation are made, (2) the subject of the meditation is read or recited slowly, entirely or partially, according to the subject chosen, (3) one point or idea after another is taken up, and (4) on each point the considerations, affections and resolutions are made according to the method indicated for the ordinary meditation.

118. Is this kind of meditation recommended?

Yes, it is earnestly recommended by St. Francis de Sales, St. Alphonsus Liguori, St. Philip Neri, and, in general, by the masters of the spiritual life.

119. When is it advisable to adopt this kind of mental prayer?

When in the exercise of pure mental prayer we meet with difficulties against which we have vainly endeavored to struggle.

120. Against what danger must we be on our guard in the exercise of mixed meditation?

Against the danger of changing the meditation into a continued reading or into a mere empty recitation.

121. How may assistance at Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament be combined with meditation?

This may be done by using as subjects the liturgical chants and prayers referring to the Blessed Sacrament, some chapter of the fourth book of the Imitation of Christ, or one of the Visits to the Blessed Sacrament of St. Alphonsus Liguori.

122. How may the Way of the Cross be performed by way of meditation?

This may be done easily by reflections and affections on the sufferings of our Savior, since the Way of the Cross is essentially a meditation on the Passion.

123. How may we attend an instruction by way of meditation?

We may attend an instruction by way of meditation by (1) evoking acts of adherence to the word of God which is being taught, (2) applying it to ourselves, (3) producing appropriate affections, and (4) forming corresponding resolutions.

124. How may we assist at Holy Mass by way of meditation?

We may assist at Holy Mass by way of meditation by (1) uniting ourselves in mind and heart to Jesus Christ, who is at once Priest and Victim, and (2) meditating on the four ends or purposes for which the Sacrifice is offered, on God's holy presence, on the ceremonies of the Mass, on the Passion of Our Lord which these ceremonies call to mind, or on some prayer of the Mass.

125. How may the preparation for Holy Communion be combined with meditation?

The preparation for Holy Communion may be combined with meditation 1) by reflecting on the answers to the following questions: "Who is coming to me?" "What is His object in coming to me?" "Who am I that I dare to receive Him?", and (2) by producing affections that naturally flow from the above-mentioned reflections, such as acts of faith, admiration, humility, contrition, hope, desire, love, etc.

126. What ought we never to omit when undertaking mixed meditation?

We ought never to omit the essential acts of the preparation and conclusion.