Letter to My Godson – Prayer

Prayer

For most of my life my prayer was limited to my bedtime prayers. Nothing wrong with bedtime prayers but they are pretty much one sided. I talk but I’m not listening for a response.

In the mid 1990’s, Ellen took a buyout from Bank of America and began training for and trying a new occupation, financial planner. It was hard work. She had to learn about securities and pass tests to be certified. She also had to build a client base as her job was based on commissions. It was very hard and put a strain on our whole household. I finally decided I had to get away.

I suppose you could call it a midlife crisis. However, unlike most midlife crises for men, running off with another woman or buying a muscle car, my midlife crisis led me to El Retiro.

El Retiro is the Jesuit retreat house in Los Altos. I went for a weekend retreat. I had never been on a retreat before.

The facility did not offer retreats in August, which is when I wanted to go. There were no retreat directors there until after Labor Day. I called them and explained what I wanted and why. The rector of the retreat center, Fr. Sullivan, agreed to direct me.

I went down there and was introduced to Ignatian Spirituality. I fell in love with it. I bought several books in their little bookstore and read all of them after my retreat was over. I decided I wanted to continue receiving spiritual direction and asked Fr. Sullivan if he knew of someone in Marin or farther north. I had to repeat my request several times until he finally put me in touch with Sr. Antonia in Santa Rosa.

I went to her for several years. I made an Ignatian 19th Annotation retreat with her with the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. Later, with Sr. Antonia’s support and encouragement, I directed twelve others, including your mother, over several years.

I encourage you to learn more about Ignatian spirituality while you are at Gonzaga.

One method of prayer I have found helpful, and is easy to use, is the Triple Colloquy.

I’m sure you have heard of Hamlet’s soliloquy where he shares his thoughts out loud. A colloquy is a conversation where you share your thoughts with someone else. The Triple Colloquy is three conversations.

The first conversation is with our Mother Mary. Sit someplace quiet and put yourself in the presence of Mary. Talk to her as you would a close friend or even your mother. Tell her what is going on in your life. Tell her the good things and even the not so good things. Be sure to pause and listen for her to talk to you. When you are finished with your conversation, ask her to go to her Son and ask Him to give you the graces you need to deal with whatever is going on in your life. This can be good things or difficult things. It may be you just want to share some good news and to express your thanks. Or it may be some difficulty you are dealing with and want some help. Or maybe you just need some advice.

Conclude your conversation with Mary by thanking her. Then close with a Hail Mary.

Next, place yourself in the presence of Jesus. Repeat the same process with Him. When you are finished with your conversation, ask Him to go to His Father and ask Him to give you the graces you need to deal with whatever is going on in your life.

Conclude your conversation with Jesus by thanking Him. Then close with the prayer, Soul of Christ.

Next, place yourself in the presence of God the Father. Repeat the same process with Him. When you are finished with your conversation, ask Him to give you the graces you need to deal with whatever is going on in your life.

Conclude your conversation with God the Father by thanking Him. Then close with an Our Father.

You can do this whenever you feel the need or just because it is a nice thing to do. Don’t think you are being foolish because you are told to listen to Mary, Jesus and God the Father. You may actually hear them talking to you or you may just have a sense of understanding what they want you to hear.

Soul of Christ (Anima Christi)

Soul of Christ, sanctify me.
Body of Christ, save me.
Blood of Christ, inebriate me.
Water from the side of Christ, wash me.
Passion of Christ, strengthen me.
O Good Jesus, hear me.
Within your wounds hide me.
Permit me not to be separated from you.
From the wicked foe, defend me.
At the hour of my death, call me
and bid me come to you
That with your saints I may praise you
For ever and ever. Amen.

Greg Gillen

July 14, 2023

Edited May 12, 2024

© 2025 Greg Gillen

Image Credit/Church of All Nations – Garden of Gethsemane/Wikipedia