Love's Awakening: How to Receive the Prayer of Recollection

In this episode of our Advent series, Sr. Shawn Pauline explains the second "Water of Prayer" according to St. Theresa of Avila. Sr. Shawn Pauline and Jess discuss:

• At this stage, God leads the soul into the prayer of recollection, which is the still awareness of God's presence within the soul
• How St. Theresa uses the images of an aqueduct to describe the prayer of recollection
• How a soul can open itself to receiving the gift of this prayer

Sr. Shawn Pauline is a religious sister in the community of the Carmelites of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus of Los Angeles.

Here are Sr. Shawn Pauline's notes on the second water of prayer:

2nd Water: The Prayer of Quiet; Infused Recollection

Teresa’s Image: The Aqueduct (or garden hose)

Characteristics of this prayer:

·       Begins to be recollected and realizes that it can in no way acquire this prayer through any efforts on its own (14.2)

·       Here the water is higher and the labor is much less… the water is closer because grace is more clearly manifest to the soul (14.22)

·       The faculties (memory and intellect) are gathered within so as to enjoy that satisfaction with greater delight, but they are not lost or asleep (14.2)

·       Only the will is occupied and must consent itself to be captivated by Love Himself (14.2)

·       The Lord is beginning to “take a walk” in the garden of the soul. The soul longs for the flowers of virtue that are beginning to bloom, to increase in fragrance so as to bring Him delight and glory. The soul knows this grace of “fragrance” comes from Him, through the weeding out of its vices, and begs Him to increase it (14.9)

Effects on the soul in this prayer:

·       Satisfaction of peace is bestowed on the soul

·       A little spark of the Lord’s true love enkindles the soul (15.4) … a pledge that he gives to show that he chooses it for great things if it will prepare itself to receive them (15.5)

·       The soul begins to lose its cravings for earthly things- detachment from personal honors (14.5)

·       God gives self-knowledge (true humility)

·       A strong desire to advance in prayer, desire for humiliations

·       A mature, trusting fear in God and a distrust of self (15.14)

Work of the soul in this prayer:

·       Practice the life of virtue to be able to respond to the graces in prayer

·       Remain in its joy and quietude

·       Proceed gently and noiselessly- not running about with the intellect looking for many words (16.6)