Gourt > Society > Religion and Spirituality > Christianity > Prayer > Meditation and Contemplation > Lectio Divina
Lectio Divina is Latin for “spiritual reading” and represents an early monastic technique of prayer which continues in practice though less widely, intended to achieve communion with God as well as providing special spiritual insights and peace from that experience. It is a way of praying with Scripture that calls one to study, ponder, listen and, finally, pray from God's Word.
History
Lectio Divina was first expressed in the year 220 AD. It was found that to read the Bible profitably it is necessary to do so with attention, consistency and prayer. The systematization of “spiritual reading” into four steps dates back to the 12th century. Around 1150, a Carthusian monk, wrote a book entitled “The Monk’s Ladder,” where he set out the theory of the four rungs: reading, meditation, prayer and contemplation. In 2005, Pope Benedict XVI stated, “This is the ladder by which the monks ascend from earth to heaven.”
Method
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Accepting the Embrace of God: The Ancient Art of Lectio Divina - By Luke Dysinger of St. Andrew's Abbey, an introduction to the practice of personal or group lectio divina.
Carmelite Order: Lectio Divina - An introduction to this way of prayer, and aids to using the Sunday Gospel readings of the Catholic Church in prayer.
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Lectio Divina - A Poetic Interpretation - A series of meditations on the ancient monastic practice. Scripture with poetry enliven the basic principles of meditating on the Word of God.
Lectio Divina and the Practice of Teresian Prayer - An article by Sam Anthony Morello, O.C.D., which originally appeared in the Summer 1991 issue of Spiritual Life magazine.
Lectio Divina as school of prayer among the Fathers of the Desert - Translation of a talk given by Armand Veilleux in 1995.
Order of St. Benedict: Lectio Divina - Lectio divina means divine reading, and is an ancient Christian way of prayer, using the Bible or other suitable reading material. Information about lectio divina can be found here, along with links to reading material that could be fruitfully used in prayer.
Meta Description: [ Guide to reading material suitable for lectio divina, along with information on this way of prayer, from the Order of St. Benedict. ]
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Praying with Scripture - How to listen to God in prayer.
Meta Description: [ From Orientations Vol. 1, a handbook of suggestions and resources for personal prayer, for guiding retreats and for the accompaniment of others on the spiritual journey. ]
The Ladder of Four Rungs - Standard medieval explanation of the meaning and practice of lectio divina.
Meta Description: [ Julian of Norwich, Birgitta of Sweden, Revelationes, Magister Mathias, Guigo II, Carthusian, Ladder of Four Rungs, Scala Claustralium, Scala Paradisi, Westminster Manuscript, Lesson, Meditation, Prayer, Contemplation, Climacus, Scala Virtutum, Sinai, St Catherine's Monastery ]
| DVD Documentary on the monastery in Norcia, Italy. Three monks talk about lectio divina--its purpose, importance and relevance in the Church today. Visit | |
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