What is Lectio Divina?
A reading and reflection on the Scriptures which leads to prayer and transformation of life.
How to do Lectio Divina
David Walker Video
Reading – getting to know the text (Senses)
- Take in all the elements of the text.
- Be aware of context, related texts, quotes.
- Who are the key characters; what are the key words.
- Don’t choose any one thing to work with at this stage.
- You are gathering food for thought.
Meditation – engaging with the text, making it my own (Reason)
What does the text tell me?
- about God who speaks?
- about responding to that God?
- about my faith?
- about what I need to do to transform my faith life?
Prayer – let prayer emerge from your working with the text (Will)
- Our prayer is rooted in our reading/meditation.
- Meditation humbles us, so we turn humbly to God.
- We seek the grace we need to do what we must.
- We acknowledge that alone we can do nothing.
- All that we can do in prayer, is done here.
Action – throughout the day
- Now choose a word, phrase sentence.
- Bring it to mind frequently during the day.
- Let it recapture the experience of your lectio.
- Use it especially in situations relating to your lectio.
“Daily and hourly till the soil of the heart with the Gospel plough”
Our Team
David Walker is the emeritus bishop of the diocese of Broken Bay. He has degrees in both theology and scripture and in his ministry has worked to apply both areas to the Christian faith life. He is a member of the Executive Committee of the Catholic Biblical Federation and has a special interest in encouraging the faithful to read the Scriptures as a regular part of their faith journey.
John is Vice Rector, Holy Spirit Seminary, Harris Park. This is the Seminary for Diocese of Parramatta. John Frauenfelder is a lecturer, researcher and adult faith educator in the fields of Liturgical Studies, Sacraments, Pastoral Theology and Spirituality for the Ageing.
John has led in Adult Faith Formation for Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Broken Bay, and has been a contributor to The Parish Companion to the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. He has co-authored Lectio Divina for Lent and Advent with Bishop David Walker, a publication of the Diocese of Broken Bay.
Virginia was the Workstream Lead – Evangelisation and Catechesis for Catholic Schools Broken Bay and
previously the Assistant Director – Evangelisation and Catholic Formation for 44 schools in the Diocese of Broken Bay.
Virginia has been an educator for over 30 years. REC, Director of Mission and Development and Adult Faith Education and Pastoral Formation Coordinator at The Broken Bay Institute. She was the national co-ordinator for the ACBC eConferences on Paul, Luke, Mary and Jesus the Christ and edited Mission
and Spirituality News.
Virginia was a founding Member of Good Samaritan Education and a founding Member of The Broken Bay Institute and Chair of the Centre for Christian Spirituality.