Lectio Divina
Christian
Fr. Douglas Leonhardt, SJ
Praying with Scripture by Fr. Douglas Leonhardt, SJ, in Finding God in All Things: A Marquette Prayer Book (Marquette University Press, 2009)
Lectio Divina is an ancient Christian practice of praying through sacred Scripture by reading slowly, listening for a word or phrase that stands out, and allowing it to open into silent contemplation. Its method goes back to the early monastic tradition, when monks gathered to hear Scripture read aloud and were encouraged to listen with their hearts.
Fr. Douglas Leonhardt, SJ, teaches at Marquette University. Ignatius of Loyola's Spiritual Exercises, which underpin the Jesuit tradition, draw heavily on prayerful engagement with Scripture. Lectio Divina as a practice dates to at least the 6th century Rule of Saint Benedict.
Tips
- Fr. Leonhardt describes this as "reflective listening" that allows the Holy Spirit to deepen awareness of God taking the initiative to speak with us. - Choose a passage you do not know well. Overly familiar texts can activate rote memory rather than fresh receptivity. - This method can also be used in groups: after a reading and silence, members may share (without discussion) the word or phrase that struck them.