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Tell everyone that you speak to, that Jesus Christ is the door to the Father. Jesus said to him,  “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, then you will also know my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” – John 14:6-7 (NABRE) Image Credit:  Salvator Mundi  by Andrea Previtali St. Bonaventure Quotes "Do not believe that reading is sufficient without unction, speculation without devotion, investigation without wonder, observation without joy, work without piety, knowledge without love, understanding without humility, endeavor without divine grace..." (From The Journey of the Mind to God ) "It is impossible, therefore, for anyone to achieve a firm understanding of the truth of all sacred Scripture unless he first receives the gift of faith in Christ. This faith is the foundation of the whole Bible, a lamp and a key to its understanding." (From a discourse on Sacred Scripture)...

What is Lectio Divina?

Lectio Divina (pronounced "lec-tsee-oh di-vee-nah) is Latin for "divine reading". It is a traditional Benedictine practice of spiritual reading and prayer. The purpose of this practice is to increase our knowledge of the Word of God and foster our communion with Him. Monks that practiced Lectio Divina would journal about the Scripture verses that inspired them. The basic process consists of four movements, stages or steps.
  1. Lectio (Reading)
  2. Meditatio (Meditation)
  3. Oratio (Prayer)
  4. Contempatio (Contemplate)
2 Optional Additional Steps:
  1. Reading
  2. Research
  3. Meditation
  4. Prayer
  5. Contemplate
  6. Journaling
In the dogmatic constitution Dei verbum ("Word of God") Lectio Divina is recommended. In 2005
Pope Benedict XVI reaffirmed the practice on the 40th anniversary of Dei verbum when he made the following statement:[1]

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. If it is effectively promoted, this practice will bring to the Church – I am convinced of it – a new spiritual springtime. 


Visit the websites below to learn more about Lectio Divina

• Address of His Holiness Benedict XVI to the Participants in the International Congress Organized to Commemorate the 40th Anniversary of the Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation "Dei Verbum"

• Catechism of the Catholic Church: (CCC 2708)

• Dei Verbum

• Lectio Divina, A Guide: What it is and how it helps Prayer Life

• Praying with Scripture

• The Word of God in the Life and Mission of the Church: (CHAPTER V - 38. Lectio Divina)


Vatican Documents (Important Information on Meditation)

• Jesus Christ the Bearer of the Water of Life: A Christian Reflection on the "New Age"

• Letter to the Bishops of the Catholic Church on Some Aspects of Christian Meditation
(III. Erroneous Ways of Praying, "12. With the present diffusion of eastern methods of meditation in the Christina world and in ecclesial communities, we find ourselves faced with a pointed renewal of an attempt, which is not free from dangers and errors, to fuse Christian meditation with that which is non-Christian." . . . avoid the danger of falling into syncretism.)

1. Vatican website Address at the 40th anniversary of DEI VERBUM, Castel Gandolfo, Friday, 16 September 2005