Do you weep when you are at prayer?

[romano]

Saint Isaac the Syrian tells us that: “Tears during prayer are a sign that a person’s repentance has been accepted by God.” Do you weep when you are at prayer?

An extremely interesting account of the nature and significance of such tears of repentance or compunction will be found in Hilarion Alfeyev, THE SPIRITUAL WORLD OF ISAAC THE SYRIAN. Kalamazoo, Michigan: Cistercian Publications, 2000. ISBN 0 87907 775 X. See his Chapter V, ‘Tears’, pages 129-142.

 

[PJR]

Sometimes even while listening to the radio, when the topic really seems to be speaking to my heart. I always respond with tears to profound experiences, whether they be joyful, remorseful, etc…

I often get a little watery at Mass and sometimes feel kind of dorky for it, like I should hide any emotional reaction, but sometimes I feel more attuned to it and it seems to overtake me.

I always look to see if anyone things I’m a fruitcake.

 

[serendipity]

romano:

Saint Isaac the Syrian tells us that: “Tears during prayer are a sign that a person’s repentance has been accepted by God.” Do you weep when you are at prayer?

This is reassuring, because I was beginning to wonder if it were a sign of mental instability!!

 

[sarcophagus]

I do this alot…usually when I’m trying to speak to God directly. I get it when i say the rosary too. You know that overwhelming feeling you get in your cheeks and eyes right before you ball your eyes out? THat’s what it is except during the whole thing

 

[Fergal]

Speaking of tears, does anyone know what the gift of tears actually is?

I have heard very little about it and sometimes wonder if it is another makey upey Charismatic thingy??

Apologies to Charismatics but I really don;t know very much about the movement at all. My ignorance … I already know.

 

[Augustine]

Fergal:

Speaking of tears, does anyone know what the gift of tears actually is?

In the case of such a sinner like myself, I’m afraid it’s mere crocodile’s tears.

May God have mercy on our souls.

 

[Kyenta]

When I’m praying and pleading for help for my teenage daughter. I would have to bring hankies with me during prayer before the Blessed Sacrament.

The good news is that Our Heavenly Father, through the intercessions of the Blessed Mother and St. Joseph heard my cries. Miracles abounded. Thank you Sweet Jesus.

 

[aine]

Just felt likw sharing this, I was having a problem with one of my friends and i offered it up in the Rosary before i went to sleep. I was praying and suddenly i found myself weeping. I am someone who cries a lot (unfortunately…sympathetic crier) but i felt as if Mary had wrapped her arms around me and allowed me to cry everything out. When i was done i felt as if i could continue on. Although things are still not resolved, i think that night really helped to heal my heart. I think tears are very precious, they can be symbols of joy as well as sorrow. Tears for humanity as well as self.

Our Lady of Tears, pray for us.

 

[slinky1882]

Rarely as I tend to be a stoic and internalize, but in the last few years, I have on occasion. Although I may not always weep tears physically, I have always wept internally where only God could see the tears. May God grant us the Grace to Love through Mercy and Justice and accept our humble tears (inside and out). Thanks and God Bless.

 

[WynCatholic]

Fergal:

Speaking of tears, does anyone know what the gift of tears actually is?

I have heard very little about it and sometimes wonder if it is another makey upey Charismatic thingy??

Apologies to Charismatics but I really don;t know very much about the movement at all. My ignorance … I already know.

For me, in all my misery, I am not/was not a cryer. at all. ever. … until God started me (in a Mennonite church choir Christmas 2004) on my journey to His Church {which happened Easter 2005}. I am not crying my eyes out, just so ya know… just tearing up when God wants me to pay attention.
I haven’t teared in sorrow, in guilt, in sadness, or in human gratitude, or in ways that would’ve been disruptive to the mass or the public teaching of the Word.
I have teared up in worship, in prayer, in talking or meditating about God or some theological truth, at mass, while reading the scripture privately. {I should write that journey down before it is lost in time…}
Anyway, I was told I had this gift by my sponsor [not a charismatic] after he got to know me.It’s usefullness to the Body isn’t fully understood & I will continue to think about.
as a gift… it is less painful than stigmata, I am fairly sure, for which I am truly grateful. I am also not a charismatic…[says he in bold,rash ignorance just hours before his first Pentacost Mass]
Wayne

 

[deb1]

PJR:

Sometimes even while listening to the radio, when the topic really seems to be speaking to my heart. I always respond with tears to profound experiences, whether they be joyful, remorseful, etc…

I often get a little watery at Mass and sometimes feel kind of dorky for it, like I should hide any emotional reaction, but sometimes I feel more attuned to it and it seems to overtake me.

I always look to see if anyone things I’m a fruitcake.

I do this too during mass. Because I see no one else crying, I fight very hard to hide my tears. I don’t want people thinking that I am odd-especially as I don’t even start RCIA until this Tuesday!!! It is actually a relief to me to find that other people do this also.

 

[Highwayman]

I often begin the morning process for people who are still alive. I went to pray for Pope John Paul II and could not stop weeping the morning before he died. I often see weeks and even months ahead to someones passing. I knew of several family members time was coming. The last time I saw my father I knew he only had a week to live. It can be a bit hard to expain this emotion, especialy when no one seems to see what you see. I saw September 11th almost one month ahead and woke that morning in tears and dread. None of my family takes me seriously so I keep it to myself and pray alone and greave. God Bless

 

[juno24]

romano:

Saint Isaac the Syrian tells us that: “Tears during prayer are a sign that a person’s repentance has been accepted by God.” Do you weep when you are at prayer?

An extremely interesting account of the nature and significance of such tears of repentance or compunction will be found in Hilarion Alfeyev, THE SPIRITUAL WORLD OF ISAAC THE SYRIAN. Kalamazoo, Michigan: Cistercian Publications, 2000. ISBN 0 87907 775 X. See his Chapter V, ‘Tears’, pages 129-142.

Wow, Romano! Thank you so much for the quote and resource for St. Isaac the Syrian. One time recently at Mass, I had been praying for forgiveness for arrogance, asking for humilty, and thanking God for continuing to bring me back to His Church. Well, it came time for to receive the Eucharist, and I felt compelled to approach Father for a blessing (I am making my way back into the Church, and have not yet been to confession). I was just going to step out of my pew to let others pass when I felt something inside me pull me forward. I asked the priest for a blessing, and I just started bawling. I mean deep sobs just kept coming. I finally regained my composure, but I sat quietly crying for the rest of Mass. I have to say, after that experience I felt such great JOY and elation. I felt as though a huge weight had literally been lifted from me.

 

[PJR]

Hey Deb, It’s hard to explain isn’t it. I’m a convert too, 25 yrs now. My calling to Christ in the Eucharist was an overwhelming and almost crushing emotion. I had no formal knowledge to explain why being in front of a tabernacle would make me react that way. I thought I was just goofy. I knew I had to be a Catholic though, because it’s the same as when I cry now. I know that I am in the presence of a love so beyond definition and understanding it overwhelms me. It’s very humbling. I like you am afraid to look silly, and like Judy said above if you want humility, well…it’s certainly humbling to step out of your comfort zone and appear vulnerable in front of everyone.

You know how we are supposed to see Jesus in others? Do you ever get all emotional all of sudden when you see someone else who radiates a Christlike aura? When it’s someone you may not care for or notice much it really hits home. When did I see you hungry…?

Unfortunately, my moments of enlightenment are fleeting, and I soon return to distractions, pride and uncharitable thoughts. I am glad I have those moments and I am really glad to now know they are a gift.

Welcome to RCIA. I will pray that your journey home will continue to be an inspiration to you. Paula

deb1:

I do this too during mass. Because I see no one else crying, I fight very hard to hide my tears. I don’t want people thinking that I am odd-especially as I don’t even start RCIA until this Tuesday!!! It is actually a relief to me to find that other people do this also.

 

[romano]

juno24:

Wow, Romano! Thank you so much for the quote and resource for St. Isaac the Syrian.

Hi Judy:

Not at all. Thank you. St Isaac’s explanation of ‘the gift of tears’ came as a real revelation to me. Anyone who prays at all (and certainly if they are fortunate enough to find themselves weeping at prayer - it’s a grace!) should try to get hold of and read the short chapter I referenced in my first message.

The Alfeyev book may sound heavy but it’s beautifully written, extremely clear, consists largely in full extracts from St Isaac, and is not difficult to read at all. It’s a valuable book that we are very lucky to have, and I’d grab up a copy while it’s still in print.

The book is available from Cistercian publications:

spencerabbey.org/cistpub/

Follow the links: Catalogue – By Subject – Christian Spirituality – The Eastern Tradition – The Spiritual World of Isaac the Syrian / Hilarion Alfeyev in detail

Click on the in detail and you’ll be taken to the book.

 

[juno24]

romano:

Hi Judy:

The Alfeyev book may sound heavy but it’s beautifully written, extremely clear, consists largely in full extracts from St Isaac, and is not difficult to read at all. It’s a valuable book that we are very lucky to have, and I’d grab up a copy while it’s still in print.

The book is available from Cistercian publications:

spencerabbey.org/cistpub/

Follow the links: Catalogue – By Subject – Christian Spirituality – The Eastern Tradition – The Spiritual World of Isaac the Syrian / Hilarion Alfeyev in detail

Click on the in detail and you’ll be taken to the book.

Thanks again, Romano. I did order the book as soon as I read your original post. I should have it in about 3 weeks.

 

[romano]

Fergal:

Speaking of tears, does anyone know what the gift of tears actually is?

Please read my first message. It’s all in St Isaac:

An extremely interesting account of the nature and significance of such tears of repentance or compunction will be found in Hilarion Alfeyev, THE SPIRITUAL WORLD OF ISAAC THE SYRIAN. Kalamazoo, Michigan: Cistercian Publications, 2000. ISBN 0 87907 775 X.

See his Chapter V, ‘Tears’, pages 129-142.

 

[Joysong]

Dear Romano,

Although you provided a “book” reference, we are unable to read a description of the gift of tears, which is what Fergal asked about. It is not too probable that many of our readers will purchase the book in order to learn what this means. Incidentally, your first post did not provide a link, just the mention of the book.

Juno:

I was just going to step out of my pew to let others pass when I felt something inside me pull me forward. I asked the priest for a blessing, and I just started bawling. I mean deep sobs just kept coming. I finally regained my composure, but I sat quietly crying for the rest of Mass. I have to say, after that experience I felt such great JOY and elation.

I thought about this thread today at mass, for when I entered the church, I was rejoicing with quiet tears in the presence of God on this holy feast day. The words in our opening hymn were especially poignant: "O Comforter, to Thee we cry, Thou heavenly gift of God, most high, Thou font of life, and fire of love, and sweet anointing from above!"

This will be helpful for Fergal if he is still following along. When tears come as a result of the “sweet anointing from the Comforter,” our spirit is refreshed inwardly and the body overflows with tears as a release to the intense “fire of love” or holy compunction which Judy speaks about above, depending on the way He moves us. I don’t know why the emotions cause this release, but it is a result of the giftedness of the Spirit, to which some have applied the term, “gift of tears.”

Many years ago, I was blessed with a conversion wherein I started bawling with deep sobs in the manner Judy described. They are not tears of sadness or grief, but sacred tears which cleanse our spirits with contrition. Actually, when I am in true grief, I am unable to cry, so deeply do I feel it sometimes, and tears would be a welcome release – but they fail to flow when spiritual grief is that heavy.

I remember one time at mass when I was distributing holy communion, the choir began the hymn “Panis Angelicus.” Its beauty and meaning penetrated my heart so abundantly that joyous tears flowed copiously, and I was not even able to speak the words, “the Body of Christ” as people approached to receive Him. With both hands holding the cup and passing the host, I could not even wipe my eyes, so it was rather embarrassing. Such is the power of the Spirit!

May He bless His Church with many gifts on this holy day!

Carole

 

[PJR]

Thanks Carole. Awesome. I’ve had similar experiences when singing The Magnificat. The congregation sings it in such a heartfelt way it bowls me over. I can’t even keep playing sometimes. Just listen.

 

[Exporter]

Do you weep in prayer.

Yes. Sometimes.

I did this morning just after Holy Communion - I think it was a worship and thanking the Trinity.