#lectiodivina

“Speak, Lord, for Your servant is listening.”

— 1 Samuel 3:10

✧ What is Lectio Divina?

Lectio Divina, meaning “Divine Reading,” is an ancient Christian practice of prayerfully reading Sacred Scripture. It is not simply studying the Bible or seeking information—it is allowing God’s Word to speak personally to your heart.

Through Lectio Divina, we approach Scripture not only as a text to understand, but as a place where we encounter the living God.

“Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ.”

— St. Jerome

✧ The Four Steps of Lectio Divina ✧

Ⅰ. Lectio — Read

Begin with a quiet heart.

Choose a passage of Scripture, make the Sign of the Cross, and slowly read the text. Do not rush. Pay attention to words, phrases, or verses that stand out to you.

—> Ask yourself:

✦ What is God saying through this passage?

✦ What word or phrase is inviting me to pause?

Allow Scripture to be received, not merely read.

Ⅱ. Meditatio — Meditate

Reflect on what you have read.

Carry the words of Scripture into your heart and consider what they reveal about God, yourself, and your life.

—> Ask:

✦ Why might the Lord be showing me this today?

✦ What is He inviting me to understand, change, or surrender?

Allow the Word of God to illuminate your thoughts and actions.

Ⅲ. Oratio — Pray

Respond to God.

After listening to His Word, speak to Him honestly. Offer your gratitude, your struggles, your fears, and your desires.

Prayer is not a performance—it is a conversation between the soul and its Creator.

—> Ask:

✦ What do I want to say to God after hearing His voice?

✦ What grace do I need from Him?

Ⅳ. Contemplatio — Contemplate

Rest in God’s presence.

You do not need many words. Simply remain with the Lord, allowing His peace to fill your heart.

This is a moment of loving silence—being with God and allowing Him to transform you.

—> Ask:

✦ How is God inviting me to remain close to Him?

✧ Living the Word ✧

Lectio Divina does not end when we close the Bible. The Word we receive is meant to bear fruit in our lives.

Before finishing, choose one small action:

✦ A virtue to practice

✦ A prayer to repeat throughout the day

✦ A change of heart the Lord is asking from you

Let Scripture become not only something you read, but something you live.

✧ Prayers you can make before Lectio Divina ✧

- Veni Sancte Spiritus (Come, Holy Spirit)

- Prayer of St. Thomas Aquinas before study

- Come, Holy Spirit / Veni Creator Spiritus

“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”

Two of the disciples of Jesus were on their way to a village called Emmaus, seven miles from Jerusalem, and they were talking together about all that had happened. Now as they talked this over, Jesus himself came up and walked by their side; but something prevented them from recognising him. He said to them, ‘What matters are you discussing as you walk along?’ They stopped short, their faces downcast.

Then one of them, called Cleopas, answered him, ‘You must be the only person staying in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have been happening there these last few days.’ ‘What things?’ he asked. ‘All about Jesus of Nazareth’ they answered ‘who proved he was a great prophet by the things he said and did in the sight of God and of the whole people; and how our chief priests and our leaders handed him over to be sentenced to death, and had him crucified. Our own hope had been that he would be the one to set Israel free. And this is not all: two whole days have gone by since it all happened; and some women from our group have astounded us: they went to the tomb in the early morning, and when they did not find the body, they came back to tell us they had seen a vision of angels who declared he was alive. Some of our friends went to the tomb and found everything exactly as the women had reported, but of him they saw nothing.’

Then he said to them, ‘You foolish men! So slow to believe the full message of the prophets! Was it not ordained that the Christ should suffer and so enter into his glory?’ Then, starting with Moses and going through all the prophets, he explained to them the passages throughout the scriptures that were about himself.

When they drew near to the village to which they were going, he made as if to go on; but they pressed him to stay with them. ‘It is nearly evening’ they said ‘and the day is almost over.’ So he went in to stay with them. Now while he was with them at table, he took the bread and said the blessing; then he broke it and handed it to them. And their eyes were opened and they recognised him; but he had vanished from their sight. Then they said to each other, ‘Did not our hearts burn within us as he talked to us on the road and explained the scriptures to us?’

They set out that instant and returned to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven assembled together with their companions, who said to them, ‘Yes, it is true. The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.’ Then they told their story of what had happened on the road and how they had recognised him at the breaking of bread.