The Idea of the Application of Senses in Meditations about The Passion Exemplified in a Manuscript Stored at Archive of the Sisters of St. Norbert’s Order in Zwierzyniec

This article presents the method of the application of senses presented in anonymous meditations
entitled Kontemplacja Męki i śmierci Chrystusa Pana. The manuscript dates back to the XVII century and
is stored in the archives of the Sisters of St. Norbert’s Order in Cracow, so it is possible to make the thesis
that the author of this manuscript belonged to this abbey. Contained in the manuscript are meditations
that induce contemplation of The Passion with accommodation of the senses, the method introduced
by Ignatius of Loyola, and with co-operation of three spiritual rules: the memory, intellect, and volition
in meditation of circumstances of Christ’s life and mysteries of faith. Upon the conception of the five
spiritual senses wrote Origen as well as Saint Bonaventure.
In the anonymous manuscript the method of application of senses are used mainly in meditations
about Christ’s Agony in the Garden, the flagellation, Saint Mary’s feelings during Christ’s lashing, the
crowning of thorns and crucifixion. The meditations advice precise “observation” by seeing, hearing,
smell, feeling and taste of the suffering of Christ. The article submits that all senses used in meditations in
the proper way conduce not only to better knowledge of disclosed laws but also to the regular officiating
of spiritual exercises and to interior improvement.