Wednesday, March 26, 2025

A Beginners Guide to Mediation - A Franciscan Approach

In 1865, the Poor Clares in Kenmare, a small town in Ireland, published Instructions on Meditation. It is easy to read but gives a lot to think about. The book suggests using three parts of our mind when meditating: memory, understanding, and will.

This idea connects to the teachings of St. Augustine, who believed these three abilities reflect the image of the Holy Trinity within us. St. Bonaventure expanded on this, explaining that the soul moves closer to God through them—memory brings back thoughts of God, understanding helps us reflect on them, and will leads us to love and connect with God. This way of meditating is an important part of Christian and Franciscan traditions, helping people grow in their faith.