Lectio Divina

"Lectio Divina" (divine reading) is one of the oldest and most popular forms of prayer in the Christian tradition. This monastic method of praying over the Scripture dates back to the 4th & 5th centuries. Using Sacred Scripture as a starting focal point, it becomes like a ladder of escalation or intensification of prayer with four steps: Lectio (reading), Meditatio (meditation), Oratio (prayer), and Contemplatio (contemplation). Here is a brief description of each step.

Lectio

Read the selected Scripture text slowly, several times over, trying to savor each word. Remember that God speaks to us through this inspired word of Sacred Scripture. Focus on any thought, word, or line that captures your attention. Be open and attentive to whatever new perceptions, insights, inspirations, thoughts, and feelings that arise. At any distraction simply return to the Biblical text and dwell on it as long as necessary.

Meditatio

Having read and received God's word, we need to meditate and ponder it. Reflect on how this Scripture applies to our life. Two traditional ways to meditate on Scripture are: Imagine these words and events happening directly to us now (Augustinian method). Or try to place our self back into the biblical situation, and image that we are present as the words or events first occurred, and then draw something from this experience (Ignation method). Through reflection and meditation we try to personally relate the message and meaning of the text to our life.

Oratio

Having read the Scripture and reflected on its message and meaning in our life, we need to respond in some way. Our response is often expressed through words, thoughts, desires, feelings, resolutions, decisions, etc., or in the four types of traditional prayer: Adoration, Contrition, Thanksgiving and Supplication or petition (ACTS). All of them may be part of our personal response to God in prayer. This is a time for a heart to heart (affective) conversation with the Lord.

Contemplatio

Having read, reflected, and responded to God's Word in the Sacred Scripture, we now await and hope for whatever graces God may wish to offer us. This is a time simply to be quiet, to listen, and to be open to whatever God may wish to do. Try to be aware of anything that happens within us. Often we will not be aware of anything happening, but we should trust that the grace of God is working within the depths of our soul. All we seek is union with our Lord.

These four steps of Lectio Divina may be followed in any order we may be led, so that one may go from one to the other and then back again. For example, quiet periods of contemplation can be interspersed throughout the reading, meditation and oration. They can be used interchangably with each other.