Introduction
Nicholas Ridolfi, the author of this Treatise on Mental Prayer, was born at Florence in 1578 of noble and indeed illustrious parents. When still quite young he was sent to the famous Roman College directed by Fathers of the Society of Jesus. Saint Philip Neri, the Apostle of Rome, became his spiritual director, and the holy old man was filled with delight when the boy told him that he wanted to be a Dominican. “If heaven had not reserved me for another work,” he said, “I would willingly become a friar myself along with you.” During the years which followed, the Saint did not cease to encourage Ridolfi to persevere in his holy vocation, even predicting that he would become General of the Order and have to undergo exceptionally severe trials. Saint Philip was on intimate and friendly terms with the Dominicans of the Minerva; consequently, it is hardly surprising to learn that, when at last the time came, the Prior of that convent invited him to bestow the habit himself on the youthful postulant. This touching ceremony took place about the year 1592.
After passing through his studies with distinction, and himself teaching theology at the Minerva, Nicholas Ridolfi was elected Provincial of the Roman Province in 1619. Three years later he became Master of the Sacred Palace, and in 1628, on the death of the Master General, he was appointed by Pope Urban VIII to be Vicar-General for the time being of the whole Order of Saint Dominic. At the Chapter in the following year he was elected in the first scrutiny to fill the vacant office of Master General, and immediately set about to do all that he could for the welfare of the Order thus entrusted to his care. His zeal for observance was truly admirable, and he strove to infuse everywhere regular life and religious fervour. He put a stop to abuses with unflinching firmness, and of special interest to us is the fact that he took practical steps to promote the restoration of the English Province.
Such energy, however, as may well be imagined, did not long go unopposed. Among prelates in high places as well as among his own brethren, the zealous General encountered enemies. Intrigue followed upon intrigue, streams of accusations were made to appear to be pouring in from all sides, and at last, in April, 1644, by one of those dispositions of Providence which are so difficult for us to understand, the same Pope Urban who had hitherto thought so highly of the distinguished Dominican, peremptorily deposed him from his office without so much even as trying the case. Laden with odious charges, humiliated before all the world, prevented, moreover, from attempting to justify himself, Nicholas Ridolfi fulfilled perfectly the prediction of Saint Philip. It is true that he was soon offered a bishopric, but the ex-General begged to be excused on the ground that if he was unfit to rule the Order of Saint Dominic, much less was he worthy to wear a mitre. A few months passed, and another Pope, Innocent X, ascended the Throne of Saint Peter. The case of Ridolfi was at once investigated, with the result that the deposed Superior, completely exculpated, was restored to favour. Shortly afterwards, on the death of the General who had succeeded him, Ridolfi was appointed by the Pope President-General of the Order (a purposely unique title) until the next Chapter. He would then most certainly have been again unanimously elected by the Capitular Fathers, had not his death, which occurred on May 25, 1650 (the eve of the feast of Saint Philip Neri), released him from this vale of tears.
Such, briefly, was the career of Nicholas Ridolfi, as it appeared in the eyes of the world; but the reader will probably be more interested to learn that those with whom the great Dominican was intimate regarded him as a holy religious whose entire life was consecrated to the glory of God and the salvation of souls. This little treatise itself reveals to us something of the author’s interior life; and, although there are already many books on Mental Prayer, we have not hesitated to add this one to the number, because real unction seems to flow from every page of it, filling souls with genuine fervour and making them eager to persevere in the practice of Mental Prayer, even when aridity and spiritual weariness take the place of the sweetness of sensible devotion. Though addressed in the first instance to Dominican Novices, it is perfectly applicable to all devout people, and for this reason we have not presumed to change its form. The translation has been made from the edition of Pée Meynard, O.P., of the Province of Lyons, and we have not omitted to make use of the explanatory notes of that master of the spiritual life. With him we may express the hope, nay, the conviction, that those who follow the simple directions of this little book will derive immense help and encouragement in the pursuit of the holy ways of Prayer.
– Father Raymund Devas, O.P.