The intellect and memory appear to have greater activity for the things of God in this state, but not so much for worldly affairs. The prayer of quiet does not entirely impede the exercise of the faculties of the soul. (5) Even then it is subject to interruptions and alterations of intensity, sometimes strong and sometimes weak. In this case it occurs not only at the time set for prayer, but every time that the thought of God presents itself. (4) A time often comes when the prayer of quiet is not only very frequent but habitual. (3) A degree of prayer is not a definite state excluding reversions to former states. (2) It takes place when the soul has already arrived at the prayer of recollection and silence, or what some authors call the prayer of simplicity. (I) At first the prayer of quiet is given from time to time only and then merely for a few minutes. Some authors say that this is not to be understood of the ordinary gift of wisdom which is necessarily connected with sanctifying grace and is possessed by every just man, but of wisdom as one of the charismata or extraordinary graces of the Holy Ghost, specially granted to privileged souls. According to Scaramelli the office of this gift, at least to a certain extent, is to render God present to the soul and so much the more present as the gift is more abundant. The gift of wisdom is especially employed in this degree, as it is in every degree of contemplation. The certain sight of God therein obtained is not the same as the light of faith, though it is founded upon faith. It is God Himself who makes His presence felt in the inmost soul. This mystic gift cannot be acquired, because it is supernatural.

The manifestation increases in distinctness, as the union with God becomes of a higher order. In this prayer God gives to the soul an intellectual knowledge of His presence, and makes it feel that it is really in communication with Him, although He does this in a somewhat obscure manner.

As the name implies the prayer of quiet is that in which the soul experiences an extraordinary peace and rest, accompanied by delight or pleasure in contemplating God as present. It holds an intermediary place between the latter and the prayer of union.

It has to be distinguished therefore from meditation and from affective prayer. Quiet, PRAYER OF The Prayer of Quiet is regarded by all writers on mystical theology as one of the degrees of contemplation.

Prayer of Quiet by Donna Fasano