Lectio Divina is a method of prayerful reading of the Holy Scriptures, which is often associated with the monastic tradition, particularly the Carmelite. If the holy reading has been open to the laity – especially since the Second Vatican Council – and can be practiced by any Christian at home, it is also the object of community practice. “Because where two or three gather in my name, there I am in their midst”. (Matthew 18: 20).
In which community framework to practice lectio divina?
Lectio Divina can be the object of specific meetings; in many parishes there prayer groups that regularly gather some parishioners around the sacred texts. It can also simply be the object of a moment of recollection during a pastoral meeting, a spiritual meeting. It is also possible to practice it with your family, with your children or your spouse. No prerequisite is necessary, beyond the desire to share this moment of welcome and prayer with all benevolence and fraternity.
However, to ensure good listening quality, it is important to take enough time (especially if the group is large) and to avoid too many participants (beyond 10 people, it can be more difficult).
How to practice lectio divina among several?
ascending preparation
If this is done in a relatively formal setting (especially in a sharing group), the text will be chosen from the bottom up. Some notes and comments can be prepared on this to feed the meditation phase. You can choose a sentence in relation to the passage read.
These elements should be able to feed and illuminate everyone’s thinking, but it is important to be careful not to limit or guide the understanding of the message.
Development of lectio divina in group
The entrance at the time of sharing can be made with the sign of the cross, a song if necessary and above all an invocation to the Holy Spirit to guide everyone in their reading and listening.
Next we find the four stages of lectio divina
• The lectio: The passage will be read at least three times, once or twice aloud with the participation, if possible, of different readers. Allow each one a little time to reread the passage silently.
• La meditatio: If notes or comments have been sought, they can be delivered at that time. Everyone has time to talk to express their feelings and questions; talk about what you felt or understood. It is good to come out of a first round in which each one speaks on their behalf and does not seek to bounce off what the other might say. Once everyone has spoken; a second round can help deepen understanding of the message, in light of what everyone has said.
• Oratio and contemplatio: Prayer can be collective followed by a time of silence that allows each one to continue their prayer and their time of heart-to-heart adoration with the Lord. The moment of sharing can end with an Our Father.
With , join various communities to learn to pray and read the bible
offers you numerous options for you to learn to pray and grow in your daily prayer life. For example, if you join the “reflection of the day” community, you can, through the Holy Scriptures, have a spiritual moment and live an encounter with God through prayer.
You can also deposit a prayer intention, so that other Christians pray with you for your request.