"Praying without letting your mind wander is always difficult - especially when a prayer's words come automatically, as they do with the Lord's Prayer.
"Fulton Sheen used to illustrate the point by telling the story of St. Bernard of Clairvaux's encounter with a farmer who claimed he wasn't distracted in prayer. 'I'll give you my mule if you can say a single Our Father without distraction,' said the saint.
"The farmer agreed, then recited the prayer. When he got to 'Give us this day our daily, bread,' the farmer added, 'Can you please throw in the bridle and saddle as well?'
"Three images can help you focus on the Our Father. They are in front of many of us at Mass."
In a recent commentary, Tom Hoopes (writer in residence at Benedictine College,
Atchison, Kansas) reflected on some ways that may be used to help us stay focused when we pray the Lord's Prayer..
To access his complete essay, please visit:
The Gregorian Institute at Benedictine College: Tom Hoopes: 3 Ways to Pray, Not Say, the Our Father (13 JUL 21)
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