Lectio Divina (Divine Reading)

W E L C O M E

To inquire about an upcoming Lectio Divina session for Youths/Adults
Contact us via Parish office/Facebook

“Lectio Divina (LD) is an answer to a prayer and satisfaction to a hunger I never knew I had. There’s so much going on around us that causes me great sadness, grief, and anxiety. And I’m not an anxious person. Praying the LD focuses my eyes and heart completely on the Lord and reminds me to take rest in Him.” [Michelle, F]

“When I found your words, I devoured them;
your words were my joy, the happiness of my heart.”
[Jeremiah 15:16]

“The Church has always venerated the divine Scriptures just as she venerates the body of the Lord, since, especially in the sacred liturgy, she unceasingly receives and offers to the faithful the bread of life from the table both of God’s word and of Christ’s body.”
[Dei Verbum, 21]

“Lectio divina is similar to Eucharistic communion in that, through it, Christ in a certain sense enters under our roofs, infuses our bodies and souls with his divine presence, and forms us into his own body.”
[USCCB]

          Contents

[1] What Is Lectio Divina?
[2] Sunday Gospel Resources for Young Families
[3] Group Lectio Divina Prep for Teens & (Young) Adults
[4] Meditatio resources for Teens & (Young) Adults
[5] Group Lectio Divina Guide for Teens & (Young) Adults
[6] Individual Lectio Divina
[7] Library for Reading The Bible & Testimonies

[1] WHAT IS LECTIO DIVINA?

Lectio Divina (Latin for Divine/Holy/Sacred Reading) is a method of prayer that dates back to early monastic tradition. It is one of the many ways to pray with the scripture that engages scriptural reading, meditation, and prayer.

Lectio Divina is not Bible study. It is a listening experience of how God is speaking to us here and now. While it is not a Bible study, our adapted version welcomes the experience of the participants, Biblical interpretation and scholarship, theological and doctrinal truths; yet, the focus remains on hearing the Living God who speaks to us through His Living Word.

The traditional practice of Lectio Divina consists of four interchangeable parts: Lectio (read), Meditatio (meditate), Contemplatio (contemplate), and Oratio (pray).

Those who engage Lectio Divina faithfully tend to grow in the knowledge of God’s word and experience of communion with God and his people. Although one may pray with any Bible Gospel passage, our focus is on the Gospel of the upcoming Sunday in a family or group setting. The customized Divine Reading below combines elements of Lectio Divina and “Breaking Open the Word” used in the RCIA process.

On the 40th Anniversary of “Dei Verbum,” Pope Benedict XVI said, “I would like in particular to recall and recommend the ancient tradition of Lectio Divina: the diligent reading of Sacred Scripture accompanied by prayer brings about that intimate dialogue in which the person reading hears God, who is speaking, and in praying, responds to Him with trusting openness of heart [cf. Dei Verbum, n. 25]. If it is effectively promoted, this practice will bring to the Church – I am convinced of it – a new spiritual springtime.”

Here’s an article on Lectio Divina for individual use.

[2] SUNDAY GOSPEL RESOURCES FOR YOUNG FAMILIES

Gospel Reading Audio
Gospel Reading Text
Gospel Weeklies – Families & children (Preschool ~ 9th Grade)
A Lectionary Resource for Catholics (Preschool ~ 9th Grade)
Loyola Press – Families and children (1st Grade ~ 8th Grade)
Weekly Lectio Divina Guide by USCCB (Family – All Ages)

RCL Benziger – Families and children (1st Grade ~ 9th Grade)
To use RCL Benziger, see the top ↑ of this webpage for the current liturgical calendar

En Español
Gospel Weeklies – familias y niños (Preschool ~ 9th Grade)
Guía Semanal de la Lectio Divina (USCCB) (Familia – Todas Las Edades)

[3] GROUP LECTIO DIVINA PREPARATION
FOR TEENS & (YOUNG) ADULTS

  1. Open with a prayer
  2. Read the Gospel with a new eye/ear/heart
  3. How does this Gospel speak to you? (Feel free to jot it down)
  4. Jot down any questions/concerns/insights/intrigues
  5. Read/watch any of the suggested “Meditatio resources for Teens & (Young) Adults.” See below ↓ (Jot down any points of interest)
  6. Close with a prayer

[4] MEDITATIO RESOURCES FOR TEENS & (YOUNG) ADULTS

Gospel Reading Audio
Gospel Reading Text

Additional Resources
1] Weekly Lectio Divina Guide in English (USCCB)
2] Guía Semanal de la Lectio Divina en Español (USCCB)
3] Catholic Culture
4] The Sunday Website at Saint Louis University
5] Girardian Reflections on the Lectionary
6] Sunday Connection to Daily Life | Loyola Press [Available weekly]
7] The Mass Readings Explained | Dr. Brant Pitre [Available weekly]
8] A Lectionary Resource for Catholics

[5] GROUP LECTIO DIVINA GUIDE
FOR TEENS & (YOUNG) ADULTS

CONDENSED GUIDE
Weekly Lectio Divina Guide in English (USCCB)

Guía Semanal de la Lectio Divina en Español (USCCB)


DETAILED GUIDE

  1. Checking in (How are you coming today?) [Optional]
  2. Observe a moment of sacred silence followed by Opening Prayer (Use the Collect prayer if you wish)
  3. LECTIO (Reading/”Take a bite” of the Word)
  4. Hear the Scripture (One person proclaims the gospel slowly. All listen without reading along.)
  5. Ask: Which word or phrase caught your attention? (Not a discussion!)
  6. Hear the Scripture (One person proclaims the gospel slowly. All may now read along.)
  7. MEDITATIO (Meditation/”Chew” on the Word)
  8. Ask: Which question(s) come(s) to you as you hear this Gospel/What struck you? [Refer to your notes prior to this Lectio prayer. It is ok not to know all the answers! It is ok to end the session with more questions than answers. All may briefly share one key idea from their reading]
  9. Ask: How does this gospel speak to the reality you/other people are facing today? (e.g., current events on the news/social media, hot button issues, etc)
  10. Hear the Scripture (One person proclaims the gospel slowly. Observe a moment of sacred silence for personal reflection).
  11. CONTEMPLATIO (Contemplation/”digest” the Word)
  12. Ask: After hearing this gospel anew, what meaning does it have for you/What stood out to you? (What is God doing in you through this Word?)
  13. All answer: “Because I have heard this Gospel, this week I will ___ (God wants me to be/do…)
  14. ORATIO (Prayer/”Savor” the Word)
  15. Prayer: Depending on the number of participants in the group, consider shared prayer, prayer partners, universal prayer format, etc.
  16. Closing Prayer. (Use the Collect prayer if you wish)

[6] INDIVIDUAL LECTIO DIVINA

[1] Sit quietly and rest in God’s divine presence.
Concerns, grocery lists, and worries may come to mind. Give them to God.
“Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10)

[2] When you feel at peace, pray the Lectio Divina in English or En Español.

[7] LIBRARY FOR READING THE BIBLE

  1. Get the Daily Readings Sent to Your Email Every Morning
  2. Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation Dei Verbum (Pope Paul VI)
  3. How to Read the Bible (Bible Project)
  4. Understanding the Bible (USCCB)
  5. Verbum Domini: The Word of God in the Life and Mission of the Church. (An Apostolic Exhortation by Pope Benedict XVI)
  6. Divino Afflante Spiritu (Pope Pius XII On Promoting Biblical Studies)
  7. Instruction on the Historical Truth of the Gospel (Pope Paul VI)
  8. The Interpretation of the Bible in the Church (The Pontifical Biblical Commission)
  9. Sacrosanctum Concilium: Constitution of the Sacred Liturgy. (Second Vatican Council)
  10. The Sacred Art of Biblical Storytelling (Phil Ruge-Jones)
  11. Where can I find [insert word/phrase] in the Bible?
  12. Bible Timeline Gallery
  13. Methods of Praying with the Scriptures by Felix Just, S.J., Ph.D.
  14. Biblical Exegesis/The Interpretation of the Bible in the Church [Extended Version] by EWTN
  15. Biblical Exegesis/The Interpretation of the Bible in the Church [A Short Overview] by Felix Just, S.J., Ph.D.
  16. Apostolic Letter Issued “Motu Proprio” By Pope Francis “Aperuit Illis” Instituting The Sunday of The Word of God
  17. An Overview of the Gospel Readings during Ordinary Time
ARCHIVE
1. Archive: Weekly Lectio Divina Guide in English (USCCB)
2. Archive: Guía Semanal de la Lectio Divina en Español (USCCB)
3. Archive: Catholic Culture
4. Archive: The Sunday Website at Saint Louis University
5. Archive: Girardian Reflections on the Lectionary
6. Archive: Sunday Connection to Daily Life By Loyola Press  [Available weekly]
7. Archive: The Mass Readings Explained By Dr. Brant Pitre  [Available weekly]
8. Archive: A Lectionary Resource for Catholics

** Archive: Catechism
** Archive: Word Study/Book of the Bible By BibleProject
** Archive: Fr. Ron Rolheiser

“Lectio Divina has made me make time in my busy life to really focus on each week’s gospel reading. It has been amazing how my eyes, my ears, and my heart have been totally transformed in the depth of my love and understanding of the word.” [Beth, L-M]

“It is such a joy to not just read the gospels but to truly analyze the meanings behind the words. Plus it gives me time to reflect on the scripture the week before Sunday’s Mass. I find it beneficial to discuss the readings with others, and get insight from different perspectives.” [Denise, B]

“I work full time (10+ hours/day) in a very stressful and demanding job. I’m a supervisor, teacher, and always on the go. Lectio Divina makes me a better wife, mother, friend, daughter, to be better at everything I do. Studying and encountering God’s word centers me. It also teaches me how to be patient and how the Lord works in mysterious and wondrous ways.” [Michelle, F]

“I love and always look forward to our Lectio Divina time. Lectio Divina helps me prepare for mass in a more profound way because it helps me gain a deeper understanding of the scriptures. I highly recommend people to make time to spend in Lectio Divina because it’s a beautiful spiritual exercise that draws one closer to God.” [Junieth, P]

This Lectio Divina page will be updated every Monday by 7:00 PM
in View of the upcoming Sunday gospel reading
Please contact us for any feedback/questions

God is with us!