How to do Lectio Divina

Home The Theology of the Body Resources Articles Essays Links Email

Before you begin the prayer process of Lectio Divina, remember that “Prayer is not a burden!” So don’t treat it like one. Take your time and relax. Go to a place that reminds you of God (a holy place: a church, a chapel, a prayer corner, or even in the quiet of nature. Think of a word that reminds you of Jesus, and if you get off track use the word. Before you begin take some “silent time.”

Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ. - St. Jerome

There are four steps to the Lectio Divina process. You can redo steps and take them in any order.

1. Lectio – Come into His presence and call upon the Spirit.

Lectio -- Holy Reading (mainly scripture, although you can use spiritual classics)
Think in terms of “grazing like a cow.” The cow is in no hurry.
Reading and Re-Reading silent or out-loud
Use a short reading. No more than 10 -20 verses.
If you are gifted with several languages, read in both languages.
“Lectio is the eager seeking after the word of God and divine truth and the way by which God’s truth is imparted to us.”

2. Meditatio - Listening for 15 -20 minutes; wait for the Lord.

Meditatio – Meditation and listening for God.
Think again of the cow. Think of how he chews his food. Once again in no hurry.
May include commentaries.
May include research.
Bringing the word of God and transporting it to your life.
How does this relate to your life?
Where do you see these passages in your life?
“In meditation we must welcome the word of God into our lives and turn it from a seemingly dead word to it’s own truthful lively state.”

3. Oratio – Giving a response to God.

Oratio – Prayer / our response to God.
Our response is expressed through: words, feelings, resolutions, decisions, commitments, or through sorrow for past failures.
Pouring out of heart. Do not be afraid to open yourself to God.
In Oratio we enter into an intimate relationship with God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.
Spontaneous prayers of : Love, thanksgiving, sorrow, dedication, adoration, and petition.

4. Contemplatio – Put it all together.

Contemplatio – Contemplation. Home-coming
Being absorbed in God
Lost in wonder love and peace
Bringing it all together.
Allow the word to become flesh and manifest itself in your life.

Deus Amandus Est ---- God is a must-be-loved.

Lectio Divina for Seminarians

by Daniel Good

The process of Lectio Divina is one of the oldest traditions of prayer in the Catholic Church. It is really a process of "holy reading." The Bible is the Word of God, which is a living word. God's Word speaks directly to each and every one of us. Saint Jerome said, "Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ." In the Post-Synodal Exhortation Pastoros Dabo Vobis John Paul II mentioned three sources for the priest: Eucharist, Penance, and Sacred Scripture. John Paul II said, "The priest is first of all a minister of the word of God...For this reason, the priest himself ought first of all to develop a great personal familiarity with the word of God...Only if he "abides" in the word will the priest become a perfect disciple of the Lord. Only then will he know the truth and be set truly free, overcoming every conditioning which is contrary or foreign to the Gospel." (PDV 26.) If we are to have this as priest we must engage the Word of God NOW!

The process begins with reading the Word of God, this is called Lectio. You should read slowly and more than once through. “Lectio is the eager seeking after the word of God and divine truth and the way by which God’s truth is imparted to us.” Pick a small section of text and really read it. The next step is to quietly listen reflect on the given word, this is called Meditatio. “In meditation we must welcome the word of God into our lives and turn it from a seemingly dead word to it’s own truthful lively state.” How does this passage of Scripture apply to me in my life? How do I see this in its true daily application? The next step is prayer or Oratio. Prayer is a response from faith from God’s working in our lives. Our response is expressed through: words, feelings, resolutions, decisions, commitments, or through sorrow for past failures. It is truly a pouring out of heart. Do not be afraid to open yourself to God. In oratio we enter into an intimate relationship with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The final step is contemplation or Contemplatio. Contemplation is being absorbed in God and lost in wonder, love, and peace. Through contemplation we allow the word to become flesh and manifest itself in our lives. In plain English contemplation is prayerful quiet-time, where we cool off. These steps are not ‘rules,’ but guidelines that will help. If the Spirit moves you to change around your method à DO IT.