Please explain "Circumincession/Perichoresis" and prayer. We never learned this in Catechism!

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“Horror”, again? Already fully explained, above. Here’s how my previous explanation began: “‘To my horror’, because nobody ever explained to me that we would be ‘entering into’ the Conversation am…”. Reread.
 
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I know… wiki is wiki. I will try to find a more religious site.
 
The penetration and indwelling of the three divine persons reciprocally in one another. In the Greek conception of the Trinity there is an emphasis on the mutual penetration of the three persons, thus bringing out the unity of the divine essence. In the Latin idea called circumincession the stress is more on the internal processions of the three divine persons. In both traditions, however, the fundamental basis of the Trinitarian perichoresis is the one essence of the three persons in God. The term is also applied to the close union of the two natures in Christ. Although the power that unites the two natures proceeds exclusively from Christ’s divinity, the result is a most intimate coalescence. The Godhead, which itself is impenetrable, penetrates the humanity, which is thereby deified without ceasing to be perfectly human.
Source

 
How about Catholic Culture, which I rely on for my Saint of the Day



They are just terms for the intimate relationship between the three persons of the Trinity.

If these three persons are in an intimate relationship and you start praying to God, or essentially talking to God (in the person of the Father, Son or Holy Spirit, or any combination of them), then you’re just joining in the conversation and intercommunication they already have going on.

Maybe tell your priest to explain in “plain English” words next time. Sounds like he has spent a lot of time in theology class, but his audience hasn’t.
 
Many thanks! The two “big words”, the concept of the Holy Trinity intermingling. I’ve understood since childhood; just not by those “big words”. It is the concept of how the human enters into that Triune Coalescence, that which we call prayer, that I hadn’t known of. How does that work, if known? My priest does have a lack of time, but his intentions are always the best. Yes, his audience, me, is trained in the medical field; not Theology. 😁
 
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Hello! Thank you so very much for going to the trouble to find a Catholic source. Much appreciated. I hope that you don’t mind if I review here the heart of my lack of understanding? Taken from another post which I replied to: The two “big words”, the concept of the Holy Trinity intermingling. I’ve understood since childhood; just not by those “big words”. It is the concept of how the human enters into that Triune Coalescence, that which we call prayer, that I hadn’t known of. How does that work, if known?
 
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I just saw your post. It didn’t come to email. My forte is NOT in the explaining of what I understand in my mind, of a certainty. At the simplest level I pray, & am certain that God hears, & understands. My training in the medical field probably leans all my understandings to simplistic, & tangible ones; not to the more esoteric. I have zippo training in Philosophy, & Theology. Just wasn’t interested. It is the the two “big words”, the concept of the Holy Trinity intermingling. I’ve understood since childhood; just not by those “big words”. It is the concept of how the human enters into that Triune Coalescence, that which we call prayer, that I hadn’t known of. How does that work, if known?
 
I want to go to Heaven, to be at God’s Feet, to love & adore Him for eternity. The best way that I can think of to accomplish this is to become as much like the Virgin of Sorrows as possible. I can’t do this on my own; I need Grace. So, while I train my being towards God, I ask Heavenly Mother to make me like She is.
 
I hope that I responded to everyones posts/questions. If not, please forgive. Unintentional. This format, although common, is a little confusing to me. 🙃
 
I reckon it works the same way as it works if you’re at a cocktail party and you go up to three related people who are all having an intimate conversation and you join in their discussion and they include you in their discussion.
 
Pardon. Mea culpa. I spoke, closer to the beginning of posts (I think - maybe different thread), of my great ability to confuse people. Bottom line: Sometimes difficult for me to transmit my thoughts, accurately, to manual. What I meant was that my replies are going to end of posts, instead of just under the post that I was responding to; the physical setup.
 
A beautiful Mystery is our Holy Trinity! I prefer St. Patrick’s using the Shamrock when he taught the Irish who have always been eager to learn. Three in One. Yep, prayer is talking with God. Talking with God the Father is a time to be amazed and thankful with His Creation (me and everyone/thing else). With Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ is time, pondering His Birth and early life with Mary And Joseph. The reason He became Man so we could learn to know, love and serve Him in this world. His Sacrifice so we can be saved for eternal Life with Him. The Holy Spirit is always with us as Jesus told at the Last Supper - our Holy Eucharistic Jesus Whom we receive in Holy Communion and remains present in the Tabernacle for our Adoration and visiting. Engaging in conversation with Our Lord is a time to speak and listen. We are so Blessed and still we need to practice. Its so great to be Catholic!
 
Hi, grotto. If this topic confused St. Augustine, what of us? There were just two points, at this time, that were troublesome for me. The first one has been pretty well explained to me. THANK YOU EVERYBODY. I’ll list it anyway: 1.) The Holy Trinity has an “ongoing conversation” among the 3 Persons. NEW CONCEPT for me, but understand ok now.

2.) Nobody ever explained to me that prayer is “entering into” the conversation/dance among the 3 persons of the Holy Trinity.

This second idea, also a new concept, is the one that I’m trying to figure out “how” it works. Maybe it isn’t known?
 
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I think you figured it out the “how it works” part. It isn’t known. So much of not “knowing” God is with us - as He has told us through Our Lord Jesus Christ. We will “know” when our earthly life is over and that leaves us with the great Gift of Faith! We will struggle to finish the race. The ability to"know" God is thrilling to think that before we were created in our mother’s womb, God knew and loved us! Our beautiful soul as a conceived infant enclosing our born Life leading us to our eternal Life with God. This thought can be so comforting and smooths all the rough edges! It also creates a fire in my soul to defend the unborn babes - we need above all else - end the butchering and marketing of all babes - teach women to be loving mothers.
I don’t mean to lecture - I just enjoy discussing this subject! Thanks
 
Circumincession and Divine Perichoresis

It merely means where you find the Holy Spirit, there you ALSO find Jesus and God the Father as well.

Or where you have The Father, there is the Son and the Holy Spirit too.

Or where Jesus is, there is God the Father and God the Holy Spirit.

The Triune God is omnipresent of course, so this is exactly what you’d expect.

Hope this helps Scoochy.

God bless.

Cathoholic
 
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2.) Nobody ever explained to me that prayer is “entering into” the conversation/dance among the 3 persons of the Holy Trinity.

Thanks, Cathoholic. Yes, your post explanation is the part that I understood. It is the second concept, that I don’t understand. Maybe it is unknown as yet, as another poster, grotto, suggests.

Maybe you would care to comment on my “2.)” concept?
 
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Ok, grotto. Of course, nobody on here knows anything about anybody’s background. So, how is it that you think that the “how it works” part isn’t known, please? Thank you.
One thing that I’m certain of, that ISN’T known, is just how horrific our actions are in the taking of an innocent life. Well said, you.
 
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