June 17th
St Chantal on Prayer
Faith, the Science of Saints

Faith is the light of a new universe, it is the science of saints.  In prayer more is accomplished by listening than by talking.  It is our business to give ear to the Son of God and not to speak.  We are not worthy to utter a word in His presence.  Let us leave to God the decision as to what shall be said, without troubling ourselves to find a theme or subject in our own minds.  God speaks to the heart only when the heart is recollected.  You tell me that you have no thoughts, that you have no feelings toward God.  But if it is God Himself you hold, why be concerned about anything else?  What does there remain for you to desire?

Here you are at prayer.  God is granting you nothing whatever.  Well, if you did not know how to do anything else, you could adore Him, adore His presence, adore His ways, His works; and, for such a prayer, what need is there of great and high thoughts?  You adore Him better by your silence than by your speeches.  If you are incapable of anything whatever, then suffer.  If you cannot pray by effort, then you will pray by endurance.  In such an extremity, turn your face towards the Blessed Virgin, or towards any of the saints.  Beg them to make your prayer for you, or to grant you some share in that prayer which they utter forever in heaven.

Are we then to be entirely idle and inactive in prayer?  No, we must submit our minds to the Holy Spirit who means to be our light and our guide.  Were you to do no other thing than to stand in the presence of God and consume your life away before Him, like a candle burning itself up in the presence of the Sacrament, would you not be blessed and fortunate?