The practice of Lectio Divina has developed since Christian antiquity. Most of the work of the Fathers of the Church is the fruit of being with The Word. The multitude of commentaries on the books of the Bible testifies to their closeness and intimacy with the Holy Text. Here is an example from the works of Origen, who in his letter to his friend Gregory recommends:
“Devote yourself to the Lectio of the Divine Scriptures; apply yourself to this with perseverance. Do your reading with the intent of believing in and pleasing God. If you encounter a closed door during the Lectio, knock and it will be opened to you by that guardian of whom Jesus said: The gatekeeper will open it for him. By applying yourself this way to Lectio Divina, search diligently and with unshakable trust in God for the meaning of the divine Scriptures, which is hidden in great fullness within. You ought not, however, to be satisfied merely with knocking and seeking: to understand the things of God, what is absolutely necessary is Oratio. For this reason, the Saviour told us not only: Seek and you will find, and: Knock and it shall be opened to you, but also added: Ask and you shall receive.” (Origen, Epistula ad Gregorium, 3: PG 11, 92)
Lectio Divina retreats are based on the practice of praying the Word of God. It is a practice available to all believers: clergy and laity.
It consists of four movements of praying with the Word of God:
- Lectio (reading)
- Meditatio (consideration)
- Oratio (prayer)
- Contemplatio (contemplation)
Following the path of Lectio Divina faithfully helps to penetrate the Word of God, to the point of total union with the Father in Jesus Christ, the Incarnate Word, who transforms human life and becomes its Lord.
A special Patroness of our path Lectio Divina is Our Lady, whom we revere as the Mother of the Word and the Mother of Beautiful Love. The Word became flesh in Her, so who better than She can teach us a close and tender intimacy with the incarnate Word of God. The Word, placed in the center of everyday life, organizes and cleans it of chaos and anxiety. It becomes a reference point in discerning daily choices. It teaches how to seek God’s will and respond to it. It educates people to contemplate in the midst of everyday life. A special devotion to Mary is the Holy Rosary. By praying it, we go through the following mysteries and meditate with Mary on the whole Gospel.
In the Rosary, Mary guides us, teaching us to live in the rhythm of the Word of God.
In the image below, we see Mary singing her Magnificat to God. Every soul is called to sing this Song of Glory as Our Queen sang it.
