Untitled - Saints' Books

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464 Appendix.
word full and substantial, which in making itself heard,
produces the effect that it signifies, and is not only an
exhortation, but a power that makes others act rightly.
Where, in fact, have the saints learned to love God if
it was not in mental prayer
? Where did a St. Philip
Neri receive a love so ardent, that his poor heart, not
being able to support it, two ribs expanded
so as to
give more space to its palpitations
? Where was a St.
Peter of Alcantara inflamed with such a love for God
that, in order not to die of this love, he was obliged to
go into the field, and sometimes throw himself upon the
ice ? Where was a St. Mary Magdalene de Pazzi in
flamed with the same she fire, going nearly out of her
self on account of this love ? Where was a St. Teresa
wounded, she who has written of herself, that when
she began to practise mental prayer, only then she be
gan to feel what it is to love God ?
Ah! dear Fathers, let us not think that mental prayer
is an exercise only peculiar to solitaries, and not to
those that are occupied in an active life. Tertullian calls
all priests persons devoted to prayer and contempla
tion." The Apostles were not solitaries; they were
very great workers of the Gospel throughout the world.
Now what did they do in order to have time to devote
themselves to mental prayer? They appointed deacons
who were charged with the care of inferior things, and
they said: But we will give ourselves continually to prayer,
and to the ministry of the word? Note the words, prayer and
the ministry of the word; at first prayer, and then preach
ing, because without prayer we can do no good. What
matters it that we are not solitaries, called to a con
templative life? If we wish to sanctify ourselves by
becoming good evangelical laborers, it will be neces-
" 1
Genus deditum oration! et contemplation!."
2
Nos vero orationi " et ministerio verbi instantes erimus.
Acts,
vi. 4.