The Jesus Prayer In Traditional Catholicism

[Errham]

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner

I was wondering if this prayer - which features so prominently in Orthodoxy and the Eastern Rites - has ever held a place in traditional Catholicism. Although entire books have been written about this short little prayer, the general teaching is that it serves as a “mini Catechism” of sorts, summing up the entirety of Christian doctrine and teaching. Would Catholics agree with this? What’s more, the prayer is supposedly quite ancient, dating at least from the time of the Desert Fathers in the 5th century - which would make it perfectly Catholic as well. So why did it never take hold in the West like it did in the East? Is it because of the overly Hesychastic associations is carries?

Pax,
-Errham

 

[Johann_du_Toit]

I would definitely say the Jesus prayer is important in Catholicism. I pray it every day since my Priest advised me to do so.

The Jesus prayer is also in almost every prayer book I know of.

 

[Phillip_Rolfes]

I was wondering if this prayer - which features so prominently in Orthodoxy and the Eastern Rites - has ever held a place in traditional Catholicism. Although entire books have been written about this short little prayer, the general teaching is that it serves as a “mini Catechism” of sorts, summing up the entirety of Christian doctrine and teaching. Would Catholics agree with this? What’s more, the prayer is supposedly quite ancient, dating at least from the time of the Desert Fathers in the 5th century - which would make it perfectly Catholic as well. So why did it never take hold in the West like it did in the East? Is it because of the overly Hesychastic associations is carries?

Pax,
-Errham

As a number of the Eastern saints have pointed out, the essence of the Jesus Prayer is the simple calling upon the Holy Name. Simply saying the Name, “Jesus,” is essentially the same as praying the full Jesus Prayer.

With this in mind, one could make the claim that the Jesus Prayer took a different form in the West than it did in the East. The East is uncomfortable saying the Holy Name by itself, as Met. Kallistos (Ware) of Diokleia points out. So they would pray “Lord Jesus,” or “Lord Jesus, have mercy,” or some other form of the Holy Name. The West, on the other hand, is perfectly comfortable simply saying, “Jesus.” If you look at the lives of the saints you will found countless examples of devotion to the Holy Name in the West. St. Francis of Assisi is said to have been so devoted to the Holy Name that whenever he would see the name of Jesus appear in the Bible he would kiss it. The Name, supposedly, was actually worn off the pages of his Bible from him kissing it so often.

I myself learned a form of the Jesus Prayer when I was very young from a Roman Catholic priest. As a penance after my confession he assigned me to say simply, “My Jesus, mercy.” This simple penance was the beginning of my personal journey into the Jesus Prayer; a journey that continues nearly 20 years later.

 

[RCbkr]

I was told by a priest that this prayer was one that could be prayed as an act of contrition for confession. It might have been because it was at a Lenten evening of confession for multiple churches and the lines were long, but I followed his advice and felt wonderful afterwards. I have, though, wondered since if other priests would accept this.

 

[GLam8833]

I found the Jesus Prayer to be the BEST defense
for the onslaught of satan, it paralyses the enemy
implores God’s and Jesus’ help and the Holy
Spirit strengthens me so that I couls PRAY!

MY version of it is “Jesus Christ, Son of the living
God, have mercy on me!”

 

[Micosil]

My favorite version of the Jesus prayer is in my signature, in Spanish. I also find it helps to curb evil thoughts.

 

[Neofight]

I find your use of the term “Traditional Catholicism” troubling. You seem to be implying that Eastern and Orthodox Catholics are some weird anomaly, and only the Roman Rite or Western Church is “traditional Catholic”.

Some, especially brothers and sisters from the East, might argue that the Eastern Church is the Traditional Catholic Church, and the Western Church is a spin-off.

East and West are both Catholic, as St. JP II said, the East and the West are the two lungs of the Church.

Peace and all good!

 

[Thomas_White]

I find your use of the term “Traditional Catholicism” troubling. You seem to be implying that Eastern and Orthodox Catholics are some weird anomaly, and only the Roman Rite or Western Church is “traditional Catholic”.

Some, especially brothers and sisters from the East, might argue that the Eastern Church is the Traditional Catholic Church, and the Western Church is a spin-off.

East and West are both Catholic, as St. JP II said, the East and the West are the two lungs of the Church.

Peace and all good!

I believe the term “Traditional Catholic”, as it is used by Roman Catholics, is a reference to the Roman Catholic Church as it was immediately prior to Vatican II. As such, it is simply a reference to a particular era in the history of the Roman Catholic Church. As such, the term is not intended to be offensive to anyone.

 

[Neofight]

I believe the term “Traditional Catholic”, as it is used by Roman Catholics, is a reference to the Roman Catholic Church as it was immediately prior to Vatican II. As such, it is simply a reference to a particular era in the history of the Roman Catholic Church. As such, the term is not intended to be offensive to anyone.

Yes, of course thats what it typically means,but you need to read the use of the term in context of the OP, as it is used to separate East from West, and not pre and post V2 Roman catholics.

 

[Thomas_White]

Yes, of course thats what it typically means,but you need to read the use of the term in context of the OP, as it is used to separate East from West, and not pre and post V2 Roman catholics.

Yes. I re-read the OP’s question, and I now see your point. In the question, the term “traditional Catholicism” apparently is used as a reference to Roman Catholicism, and without respect to Vatican II.

 

[Errham]

To clear things up: I simply meant pre-“Modern” Catholicism, without any reference to a particular age or era. Perhaps a better term would be pre-“information age” Catholicism, back when most people didn’t quite know about the traditions of Orthodoxy and the Eastern Rites and were much less informed about them.

 

[GLam8833]

I NOW see the real benefits of praying the Jesus Prayer!
It is important to realize that we are sinners in need of
THE Savour, the Son of God, who came that we might
have Life and bear His name!

 

[Marie5890]

I use it as my act of contrition during Confession and try to remember to use it during the day as well.

 

[Marie5890]

I was told by a priest that this prayer was one that could be prayed as an act of contrition for confession. It might have been because it was at a Lenten evening of confession for multiple churches and the lines were long, but I followed his advice and felt wonderful afterwards. I have, though, wondered since if other priests would accept this.

I always use it as mine. Infact, once in our weekly bulletin, our pastor even mentioned it as good act of contrition.

 

[fred_conty]

I was wondering if this prayer - which features so prominently in Orthodoxy and the Eastern Rites - has ever held a place in traditional Catholicism. Although entire books have been written about this short little prayer, the general teaching is that it serves as a “mini Catechism” of sorts, summing up the entirety of Christian doctrine and teaching. Would Catholics agree with this? What’s more, the prayer is supposedly quite ancient, dating at least from the time of the Desert Fathers in the 5th century - which would make it perfectly Catholic as well. So why did it never take hold in the West like it did in the East? Is it because of the overly Hesychastic associations is carries?

Pax,
-Errham

Jesus told the story of two men in the temple praying, one in front and one in back. The one in front was praying, “Lord, I’m glad I’m not like the rest of sinners.” And the one in back was praying, “Lord have mercy on me for I am a sinner.” And so we have the sinner prayer … a prayer of humility. A beautiful prayer where we throw ourselves on his mercy and love.

It is an important lesson how to pray and how not to pray. For the way not to pray is to be demanding and insisting on getting what we pray for because we are so good and not like the rest of mankind. Whereas the other person is telling God how poor he is and unworthy of any of his blessings but simply to show mercy…which moves God to pity.

Blessed be God who comforts us in all our trials.