These next few weeks we will be publishing Servant of God Isaac Hecker’s notes on prayer. They were written in 1850s and used in his early morning class on prayer that he often conducted during the parish missions. Hecker would hold class often at 6 a.m. in the morning to prepare people to receive Baptism, Reconciliation or First Communion. The class was often a jumble of different people from potential converts to cradle Catholics who had never received the sacraments of initiation.

Servant of God Isaac Hecker taught:

Do not imagine that because you now enjoy the grace and friendship of Almighty God that you can keep this state independently of all aid. For to practice virtue you need the special help of God’s grace in order to persevere. If you wish to live a good life you must pray. For God’s assistance is obtained by prayer. As St. Augustine has said, “God created you without your cooperation, but he will not have you without your cooperation.” 

Even if you fail to complete the mission, forget not to pray. Pray as St. Catherine did. When she sinned, she would pray, “Behold O Lord, these are the fruits of my garden, the bitter fruit of the garden of my soul. I gave them to you in your mercy, give me the grace to do better.”

Prayer is our strength. You may have changed your heart, but the devil is not converted and neither is the world. The devil will tempt you again, and the world will try and end your prayer and seduce you again. Your sincerity will be tried and tested. Perhaps tomorrow. Perhaps another day – or next week – you will be assaulted by your old enemies and your old temptations. It is only after being greatly tested that you shall receive the crown of eternal life. For the crown is only given to those who have been in battle and have been tested and who have conquered “Man of God must pursue justice, piety, faithfulness, love, fortitude and gentleness. Run the great race of faith and take hold of eternal life.” (Timothy 6:11)

Reflection by Father Paul Robichaud, CSP

In the introduction of his morning talk on prayer, Servant of God Isaac Hecker begins with the necessity of prayer. If you are going to live a good life, you need prayer to be a part of it. Hecker reminds his listeners that while an individual may change his or her heart and experience a growing closeness to God, this relationship needs to be fed by prayer. Our hearts may change, says Hecker, but the world does not and we still have to live in world that succeeds when we drift away from prayer.

The late Albert Mollegen, an Episcopal priest, theologian and bibilical scholar whom I had the pleasure of studying with some years ago, put it simply. Mollegen used to say, “Just pray; let is come out anyway that it can but just talk to God and God will take you from where you are to where God is. God is so delighted to engage you that whether you know it or not, you have God’s ear.” This is reflected in Hecker’s quote from St. Catherine of Bologna (1413-1463). St. Catherine says even bring your sins to God and ask for help and God will help you. The saint joined the Franciscans when she was 14 and in time served as mistress of novices. An excellent painter as well as a spiritual director, her works and miniatures as well as her writings survive today. She is the patron saint of artists.

Paulist Father Paul Robichaud, CSP, is the historian of the Paulist Fathers and postulator of the Cause for the Canonization of Father Isaac Hecker. His office is located at the Hecker Center in Washington, D.C.

If you have asked Father Hecker to pray for you or another person who is ill and you believe something miraculous has happened, please phone Father Robichaud at 202-269-2519 or email [email protected] and tell him your story.