What is lectio divina and how do I do it?

Lectio divina ("divine reading") is the ancient monastic way of praying with Scripture. The Catechism calls it a form of meditation in which "the Word of God is so read and meditated that it becomes prayer" (CCC 2708; Dei Verbum 25).

The four steps (the ladder of Guigo II, twelfth century):

1. Lectio (read). Choose a short passage, a few verses of a Gospel. Read it slowly, twice, aloud if you can. Notice a word or phrase that catches you.
2. Meditatio (meditate). Chew on that phrase. What is it saying? What does it reveal about God? About you? Let the Fathers' image guide you: the bee drawing honey from the flower.
3. Oratio (pray). Respond to God. Thank Him, ask Him, tell Him what the text stirred up. This is a conversation.
4. Contemplatio (rest). Stop talking. Simply be with God in silence, held by the word He gave you.

Many add a fifth: Actio, one concrete thing to do today because of what you heard.

Practical tips

• Fifteen minutes is plenty. Use the day's Gospel from Mass if you want a ready-made passage.
• Do not try to cover ground. One verse can feed a whole week.
• Keep a notebook. Write the word you received and how you responded.
• Pope Benedict XVI hoped lectio divina would bring "a new spiritual springtime" to the Church (Verbum Domini 87). It is the best way to let Scripture form you rather than just inform you.

Ask AskCatholic for a lectio on any passage and it will structure the four movements for you.