Alphonsian Meditation

St. Alphonsus always encouraged people to pray; he insisted that it was necessary for salvation. "Because if we leave off praying, we shall be lost. There is nothing easier than prayer" (Prayer, the Great Means of Salvation). Among the basic forms of prayer St. Alphonsus taught the poor people with whom he worked was the discipline of mental prayer. It was simple, short and didn't require any special books or prayers. His methods are as useful today as they were in his time.

A guide to Alphonsian Meditation

Beginning
Make an act of faith and humility, and a petition for light and strength; say a brief prayer to Mary, St. Joseph, your guardian angel, and patron saint.

Meditation
Read a few verses from Scripture or a spiritual book; think and reflect about what you read: what it means, what it taught you. What have I done about this in the past; what shall I do about it now?

Need some help finding a reading to pray with? Try one of these sites:

Daily Scripture readings
www.usccb.org/nab/index.htm

Daily reflections on Scripture
http://www.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html

Acts of Love
Pray for the grace to love God; tell God you love Him!

Prayer of Petition
Pray for the graces you need both for your daily living and for your spiritual journey.

Resolution
Make one practical resolution that you can do today.

Conclusion
Thank God for whatever grace you have received, renew your resolution, ask for the love of Jesus and Mary to keep your resolution.