Ever Ancient, Ever New: The Art and Practice of Lectio Divina

St. Augustine of Hippo’s phrase “ever ancient, continued in the Middle Ages in religious orders, ever new” describes the renewed interest in pray- such as the Benedictines and Carmelites, that ing with Scripture that has re-emerged in today’s not only practiced lectio divina daily but passed Church. Around the country, parish Bible study this treasure from the past on to the next groups, small Christian communities, and other generations. The practice of lectio divina is resur- faith sharers have rediscovered a simple, insight- facing today as a wonderful way to meditate on ful way to hear and experience the Word of God God’s Word. with one another through an ancient prayer form, lectio divina. What Does the Latin Name Mean? The Latin phrase “lectio divina” may be translated “The reading from the Word of God at each Hour . . . as “divine reading.” Lectio divina is a method for and readings from the Fathers and spiritual masters praying with the Scriptures. As one reads and at certain Hours, reveal more deeply the meaning of invites the Word to become a transforming lens the mystery being celebrated, assist in understanding that brings the events of daily living into focus, the psalms, and prepare for silent prayer. The lectio div- one can come to live more deeply and find the ina, where the Word of God is so read and meditated that it becomes prayer, is thus rooted in the liturgical presence of God more readily in the events of celebration.” each day. The method of lectio divina follows four steps: lectio (reading), meditatio (meditation), “Meditation engages thought, imagination, emotion, contemplatio (contemplation), and oratio (prayer). and desire. This mobilization of faculties is necessary in “Lectio,” or “reading,” is the first step in the order to deepen our convictions of faith, prompt the prayer process. The early monks understood that conversion of our heart, and strengthen our will to fol- the fruitfulness of a monk’s prayer depends upon low Christ. Christian prayer tries above all to meditate the simplicity, reverence, and openness to the on the mysteries of Christ, as in lectio divina or the rosa- Spirit with which the “reader” approaches the ry. This form of prayerful reflection is of great value, but Word of God. The goal of this reading is not to Christian prayer should go further: to the knowledge of rush through several chapters of Scripture. The the love of the Lord Jesus, to union with him.” reader, rather than trying to take in large sections —Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2nd ed., nos. 1177, 2708 of Scripture, adopts a reflective stance towards a (Washington, DC: Libreria Editrice Vaticana–United short Scripture passage, pausing on a single word States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2000) or phrase that resonates with the mind and heart. This “reading” leads to the second step, Lectio divina is a form of meditation rooted known as “meditatio”—Latin for “meditation”— in liturgical celebration that dates back to early which invites one to reflect upon what was read. monastic communities. It was a method practiced Ancient monks explained this process as a deep, by monks in their daily encounter with Scripture, unhurried thinking about the Word one has both as they prepared for the Eucharist and as read—a rumination, somewhat like the way a they prayed the Liturgy of the Hours. Its use

11 cow chews the cud. As the Word is read in this ally. As one participant remarked to Sr. Simons, step, the process of ruminating gradually draws “On Sunday the readings are already familiar to the meditator’s focus from concerns of the mind me. I hear the Word of God with my heart and to concerns of the heart. find deeper meaning with Jesus in my life.” The Word moves a person more deeply with Sr. Rosemary Quigg, IHM, who ministers in the third step, which the ancients called “con- St. Rose of Lima Parish in Miami, Florida, hosts a templatio” or “contemplation.” Contemplation mid-week morning Bible study session for people is characterized by an openness of the heart, by of varying ages and occupations. Among the par- which the reader experiences God as the One ticipants are nurses coming home from night duty who prays within, who allows the person in con- and flight attendants on their day off. The par- templation to know the Word wordlessly and ticipants practice lectio divina as they reflect on without image. By God’s grace, contemplatio gives and prepare for the proclamation of the Scripture one a unique ability to connect one’s newly dis- readings at the following Sunday’s Eucharist. Sr. covered insights to daily life experiences, with Quigg once heard a participant say, “This is the the inspiration that comes from the Word of God most important thing we do here!” and that has the gracious capacity to refresh the heart and mind. Is Lectio Divina for Catechists? cow chews the cud. As the Word is read in this ally. AsThe one fourth participant and final remarked step, “oratio to Sr.,” Simons,mean- Around the time of the new millennium, I had step, the process of ruminating gradually draws “Oning Sunday “oration” the or readings “prayer,” are invites already one’s familiar personal to the privilege of meeting with eleven diocesan the meditator’s focus from concerns of the mind me.response I hear theto God. Word This of God response with ismy dialogical heart and and catechetical leaders from around the country. to concerns of the heart. findcan deeper be understood meaning aswith “a conversationJesus in my life.” between We participated in a week of seminars each sum- The Word moves a person more deeply with friends,”Sr. Rosemary as St. TeresaQuigg, ofIHM, Avila who defined ministers prayer. in mer at a different Catholic university. Selected the third step, which the ancients called “con- St.One Rose takes of Lima the timeParish to intalk Miami, to God Florida, about hostswhat a as National Catechetical Scholars, we were templatio” or “contemplation.” Contemplation mid-weekwas read, morning heard, or Bible experienced, study session or about for people the sponsored by the National Catholic Educational is characterized by an openness of the heart, by of questionsvarying ages that and have occupations. arisen in the Among depth the of one’spar- Association (NCEA) and major publishers of which the reader experiences God as the One ticipantsbeing. Thisare nurses response coming can becomehome from transformative night duty catechetical materials. Each of us pursued a cat- who prays within, who allows the person in con- andwhen flight one attendants accepts the on promptingstheir day off. of Thethe Wordpar- echetical project under the leadership of Robert templation to know the Word wordlessly and ticipantstoward practicean embrace lectio of divina all that as theylife now reflect holds. on Colbert, the religion department director without image. By God’s grace, contemplatio gives andOne prepare can find for theGod proclamation in the ups and of downsthe Scripture of life, of NCEA. one a unique ability to connect one’s newly dis- readingsin times at of the joy following and pain, Sunday’s as well asEucharist. in ordinary, Sr. During these sessions, one colleague, Sr. covered insights to daily life experiences, with Quiggeveryday once moments. heard a participant say, “This is the Finnuola Quinn, OP, designed a program for cate- the inspiration that comes from the Word of God most important thing we do here!” chists in her Louisiana diocese that used lectio divi- and that has the gracious capacity to refresh the How Can Lectio Divina na to foster a prayerful understanding of the justice heart and mind. Is LectioEnrich Divina Parish for Catechists? Life? themes found in the Lectionary readings of the The fourth and final step, “oratio,” mean- AroundIn the theChurch time today,of the lectionew millennium,divina can provide I had liturgical year. As catechists practiced lectio divina, ing “oration” or “prayer,” invites one’s personal thea simpleprivilege yet of prayerful meeting methodwith eleven for faith diocesan shar- Sr. Quinn hoped, they would achieve a deeper response to God. This response is dialogical and catecheticaling among leadersChristians from at around every stagethe country. of life. For understanding of concepts of justice as revealed can be understood as “a conversation between Weexample, participated Sr. Diane in a weekSimons, of seminars IHM, director each sum of - in the sacred readings. Needless to say, Sr. Quinn friends,” as St. Teresa of Avila defined prayer. merreligious at a different education Catholic (DRE) university. and pastoral Selected associate returned the following summer with wonderful One takes the time to talk to God about what as ofNational Annunciation Catechetical Parish Scholars, in Bellmawr, we were New Jersey, stories about catechists and lectio divina. was read, heard, or experienced, or about the sponsoredwelcomes by parishioners the National each Catholic Wednesday Educational evening. In the Diocese of Camden, New Jersey, questions that have arisen in the depth of one’s AssociationThey spend (NCEA) an hour and majorin prayer, publishers concluding of where I have often served as a master catechist, being. This response can become transformative catecheticalwith a period materials. of lectio Each divina of based us pursued on one a catof the- our diocesan catechist formation courses always when one accepts the promptings of the Word echeticalcoming projectSunday’s under readings. the leadership It is a sacred of Robert time for incorporate lectio divina. This “divine reading” toward an embrace of all that life now holds. Colbert,the parishioners, the religion both department communally director and individu- offers a methodology that catechists can use in One can find God in the ups and downs of life, of NCEA. the parish with those they catechize, whether in times of joy and pain, as well as in ordinary, During these sessions, one colleague, Sr. everyday moments. Finnuola Quinn, OP, designed a program for cate- 2 chists in her Louisiana diocese that used lectio divi- How Can Lectio Divina na to foster a prayerful understanding of the justice Enrich Parish Life? themes found in the Lectionary readings of the In the Church today, lectio divina can provide liturgical year. As catechists practiced lectio divina, a simple yet prayerful method for faith shar- Sr. Quinn hoped, they would achieve a deeper ing among Christians at every stage of life. For understanding of concepts of justice as revealed example, Sr. Diane Simons, IHM, director of in the sacred readings. Needless to say, Sr. Quinn religious education (DRE) and pastoral associate returned the following summer with wonderful of Annunciation Parish in Bellmawr, New Jersey, stories about catechists and lectio divina. Thiswelcomes article is parishionersadapted from an articleeach byWednesday Sister Antoine evening. Lawlor, IHM, D.Min.,In originally the Diocese written for of Catechetical Camden, Sunday New 2009. Jersey, They spend an hour in prayer, concluding where I have often served as a master catechist, Copyright © 2009, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, D.C. All rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted to duplicatewith a periodthis work of without lectio adaptation divina based for noncommercial on one of use. the our diocesan catechist formation courses always coming Sunday’s readings. It is a sacred time for incorporate lectio divina. This “divine reading” Excerpts from the Catechism of the Catholic Church, second edition, copyrightoffers © 2000,a methodology Libreria Editrice that Vaticana–United catechists States can Conferenceuse in ofthe Catholic parishioners, Bishops, Washington, both communally D.C. Used with and permission. individu All -rights reserved. the parish with those they catechize, whether

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