“Meditation is a means to attaining God, but it is not a goal in itself. Meditation aims at the love of God and neighbor.”
—Padre Pio
Padre Pio had a rather structured prayer life. In addition to some of the things he is more well known for, he was also a treasured spiritual adviser to many. He often corresponded with people, trying to help them live more fulfilling prayer lives. One of the things he often told people was that he believed there were five principles that every Catholic should practice in their lives.
Those principles were: go to Confession weekly; receive Communion daily; perform an examination of conscience every evening; do spiritual reading every day; and meditate twice a day. For him, these steps were the key to maintaining—and growing—a strong faith life.
How can we implement some of those practices during Lent and beyond?
In Padre Pio’s Own Words
Here is what the church fathers have to say when exhorting souls to read [holy books]. St. Bernard, in his ladder of perfection, says there are four ways or steps by which to climb up toward God and perfection: reading, meditation, prayer, and contemplation. To bolster what he says, he quotes from the divine Master:
“Seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you” [Matthew 7:7].
Applying those words to the four ways or steps to perfection, he says that one seeks God in the reading of sacred Scripture and holy, devout books. With meditation one finds God, with prayer one knocks at his heart, and with contemplation one enters into the great theater of divine beauty that was opened up precisely through reading, meditation, and prayer.
(To Raffaelina Cerase, July 28, 1914)
Prayer
St. Pio, thank you for the spiritual direction you have provided us with through your five principles.
May they help us to live a more fruitful faith life.
