Methods of Praying 
General articles on prayer.
Ever heard of the Orthodox rosary called a “komboskini” or “prayer rope”?
Tradition attributes to St. Pachomius the invention of the prayer rope (a loop, usually made either of virgin wool — symbol of the purity of the Lamb of God — or of silk threads, braided with knots) back in the 4th century, making this devotional accessory as old as monasticism itself. When monks and anchorites began to… Read More ›
My mother’s daily conversation with God and His Blessed Mother
“It’s not the beads that matter; it’s the prayers,” she would say of her rosary. Mom always said the rosary, every single day. One of my earliest memories of her is how she would sit up in bed when she first woke up, taking her beads and silently reciting the prayers. I can’t remember thinking… Read More ›
The Rosary Is Our Spiritual Weapon of Mass Destruction Against Satan
I just returned from leading a retreat in Los Alamos, New Mexico. It was organized by those belonging to TOOL, which stands for “Teams of Our Lady”. What an exceptional group of Catholics, who witnessed to me while I witnessed to them. Considering the location, you might say the retreat was radioactive! Now, if you… Read More ›
Rosary Advice from Louis de Montfort (part 2)
(continued from yesterday) With Attention (Forty-Second Rose) When praying the rosary it is important to concentrate on the prayers being prayed and the mystery being contemplated. As De Montfort wittingly notes, “How can we expect God to listen to us if we ourselves do not pay attention to what we are saying?” It would be… Read More ›
Rosary Advice from Louis de Montfort (part 1)
Study the lives of the saints and you will discover each had a sincere devotion to the mother of God. Their expression of devotion may come from their prayers, homilies, or treatises. Of the great Marian saints, St. Louis de Montfort, should come to mind, who died on this date 300 years ago (April 28,… Read More ›
Before the Jesus Prayer
After almost 1600 years, John Cassian’s instructions for meditative prayer remain as relevant — and useful — as ever. “God, come to my assistance.” “Lord, make haste to help me.” Several times today, throughout the world, monks, nuns, clergy and laypersons of the Christian faith, across several denominations, will pray these words, usually at the… Read More ›
Cherokee World War II Veteran’s Copy of Lord’s Prayer Donated to Smithsonian
A copy of the Lord’s Prayer in the Cherokee language carried by a Cherokee World War II veteran is now in the possession of the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C. The late Woodrow Roach of Tahlequah fought for the U.S. Army from 1944-45 and believed the prayer to be… Read More ›
Justice, Prayer and Mercy
A devotion that I personally feel an attraction towards is the mercy chaplet. I tend to use it often throughout the day to keep my mind focused, in an attitude of prayer. It keeps me aware, alert, and of course in the Eternals presence. It is said on rosary beads, for it is a round… Read More ›
Incense as a Sacramental
Let my prayer be counted as incense before you, and the lifting up of my hands as an evening sacrifice. Ps. 141:2 (NRSV) Roman Catholics are familiar with the use of incense in Church, particularly for the major feast days like Easter and Christmas. Protestant churches almost never use it. It is within the Eastern… Read More ›
The Icon Corner: A How to Guide
Benedictine Oblates are encouraged to create a “cell” in their own home– a special place set aside only for prayer and for Lectio Divina. This has been a long tradition for the Eastern Rite Churches. This article by Dr. Alexander Roman is a great introduction. Icon corners started out as a characteristically feature of an… Read More ›