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Aigner, Jill, OSB. Foundations Last Forever: Lectio Divina, A Mode of Scripture Prayer

This small book is not only instructional but traces the tradition of lectio to the 3^rd century showing its relevance for the 21^st century. Aigner states: “Recent psychological studies of personality types and their prayer preferences show that lectio is a form of prayer not only suitable but suggested for all personality types.”

The reader is gently encouraged to reflect on their intent and personal experience of lectio through the questions at the beginning and end of the book. This book is a reference for those beginning to practice “one of the oldest traditions in the long history of prayer experiences” as well as teach it.

Arico, Carl. A Taste of Silence (Ch. 5), New York: Continuum, 1997.

Within the context of presenting the fundamentals of Centering Prayer, Arico devotes Chapter 5 in his book to the method of Lectio Divina. Arico has a special gift to teach the essentials in a clear and concise way, flavored with a touch of humor.

Laurel Simon

Bianchi, Enzo, Praying the Word, Kalamazoo, Michigan: Cistercian Publications, 1998

To make the Word become prayer is the focus of this small but excellent work.  "I will try to present Lectio Divina, the prayerful reading of the Word of God, in a way I make bold to call 'Trinitarian', because as Christians our prayer and lives are Trinitarian".

Bianchi's work makes the patristic way of reading Scripture not only intelligible but most attractive.  An excellent summary of lectio's historical and theological background is clearly presented. Chapter 5 "Formation for Lectio Divina" and all of part II "Guidelines for Lectio Divina" will be helpful to those who pray and those who teach Lectio Divina

Casey, Michael, Sacred Reading Liguori, Missouri: Liguori/Triumph, 1995.

A book of instruction on the ancient practice of lectio divina, Sacred Reading offers a bold and engaging consideration of this method of prayer. Casey shares many of his insights that come from his faithful practice of this way of praying.

Dumm, Demetrius, Flowers in the Desert, A Spirituality of the Bible, New York: Paulist Press, 1987.

Not just knowing the Bible, but living it is one of the fruits of Lectio Divina.  Flowers in the Desert provides a fresh approach to praying with the Scriptures by focusing not just on God's call to humanity in general, but on the personal call of God to each of us in our particular current circumstances.  This book is excellent background reading for those less familiar with the Hebrew and Christian scriptures.

____________, Cherish Christ above All, the Bible in the Rule of St. Benedict. NewYork: Paulist Press, _______

The practice of Lectio Divina is enriched by biblical understanding.  Biblical scholar Demtrius Dumm provides a context for the practice of Lectio Divina by explaining the way in which a loving reading of the Scriptures can inform all of our lives.  Chapter 10 on personal prayer focuses on the awareness of the Divine Presence as both the foundation and the gift of regular attentiveness to the Word in Scripture and in life. His work an aid longtime practitioners to broaden and deepen their understanding of Lectio Divina.  

de Wahl, Esther, A Life-Giving Way, A Commentary on the Rule of St. Benedict, Collegeville: Liturgical Press, 1995, (Chapter 47-48). Laurel Simon

Through Esther de Wahl’s personal interpretation and lived experience of the Rule of St. Benedict, she is able to render contemporary meaning to Benedict’s instruction in the Prologue of the Rule to “listen with the ear of the heart.” In her translation of Chapter 48 of the Rule, De Wahl clearly describes “prayerful reading,” the process of lectio divina. A Life-Giving Way is an excellent resource for those desiring to integrate Benedictine spirituality into their lives.

Earle, Mary C., Broken body, Healing Spirit: Lectio Divina and Living with Illness, New York: Morehouse Publishing, 2003.

Through the experience of illness, Earle found that the practice of lectio divina nourished the life and spirit of her body. Her regular practice of reading the scriptures let her to the practice of lectio divina with life. As she read her life and her illness as the “text” for her lectio, Earle began to experience how God was present in the daily events of her life.

This book is an excellent help in learning how to pray the living scriptures of our daily lives with a particular focus on physical illness. Lectio on Life has also been used very effectively with young people.

Guenther, Margaret, The Practice of Prayer, Cambridge, Massachusetts: Cowley Publications, 1998.

The Practice of Prayer by Margaret Guenther is Volume 4 in the series, The New Church’s Teaching. Chapter Four, “Prayer through the Centuries” explains lectio divina as well as other “methods” of prayer. Guenther describes lectio divina as “deceptively simple moving one toward God by resting, beyond words, in God’s presence.” Within three pages, she shares her understanding and experience of lectio and encourages readers to slow down and go deep.

Hall, Thelma, Too Deep for Words, New York: Paulist Press, 1988.

This book is an excellent Lectio Divina text for beginners and at the same time a wonderfully insightful and refreshing approach for those experienced in Lectio Divina. Hall draws from Merton and St John of the Cross and other spiritual masters but never loses sight of the fundamental essence of lectio as a developing love relationship with God. It is a short book (56 pages), but a fully satisfying and delightful treat, something to return to time and again. There is an added bonus at the end of the book of 500 scriptural texts organized under themes such as anxiety, compassion, false self, true self.

Keating, Thomas, Intimacy with God (Ch. 5), New York: The Crossroad Publishing Company, 1994.

Keating’s talk on Lectio Divina (Ch.5) is a concise explanation of this method of prayer. He also give a clear explanation of the “four senses” of scripture and how they begin to unfold as a dynamic within one’s own life.

________, The Ancient Monastic Practice of Lectio Divina, Contemplative Outreach News, Vol. 12, Number 2: Winter, 1998.

This short two-page essay briefly explains what lectio is and what it is not. It describes the difference between Scholastic and Monastic methods of lectio and it touches on the relationship between Centering Prayer and Lectio Divina. In a few paragraphs it also effectively explains the theological basis for the process of lectio. It is a very dense two page document that can be used as a reference over and over again.

Magrassi, Mariano, Praying the Bible, an Introduction to Lectio Divina, Collegeville: Liturgical Press, 1998

Responding to the admonition of Vatican II and the 1985 synod of bishops, Archbishop Magrassi writes to urge every Christian to recover the Bible. Drawing upon the Church Fathers with copious citations (the quotes from the Fathers alone make this volume an outstanding resource), Magrassi demonstrates how the practice of lectio is the practice that will recover the Bible for every Christian and the Church. With great insight Magrassi reveals the synergy between private lectio and corporate worship. The volume carefully lays the theological and spiritual foundations for lectio. The first two moments of scholastic lectio are excellently treated. The third moment is adequately described, but the movement into contemplatio seems a little haphazard. The treatment of collatio (“conference” or group lectio) is a bit muddled and too brief. Nonetheless, it points to the profound dynamic of group lectio that is lacking in most books on lectio divina. Quoting Isidore of Seville, Magrassi contends that group lectio is “superior to individual reading: ‘It is better to confer together than to read’” (121). Overall the volume is outstanding—essential reading for any teacher of lectio.

Masini, Mario, An Ancient Prayer that is ever new: Lectio Divina, New York, New York: Alba House, 1998.

This volume deals with the same issues and from the same perspective as Magrassi’s Praying the Bible (see above). One could almost call it an abbreviated and less academic version of Magrassi. Nonetheless, Masini offers some additional insights that enhance and expand the teaching. This is especially true with his treatment of collatio.

Merton, Thomas, Opening the Bible, Collegeville, MN: The Liturgical Press, 1986.

Merton’s essay on how we need to approach the Bible is a helpful introduction to the practice of Lectio Divina. Merton helps us examine our approach to the “word of God” and warns us that the very nature of the Bible is to challenge, confront and even astonish us. It does something to anyone who really “hears” it: it transforms one’s entire existence.

Miller, Robert J., Falling Into Faith: Lectio Divina Series, Franklin, Wisconsin: Sheed And Ward, 2000.

This book is a clear example of how the practice of Lectio Divina can lead us to discover the truth found in sacred scripture. Using the lectionary, cycle C, Fr. Miller shares with us his reflections on the Sunday readings. He invites us to enter into the scriptures with him and then continue to let our reflections unfold.

For those who find it helpful to have the scriptures “broken open”, Fr. Miller’s reflections are insightful and help one plumb the deeper meaning of the Word.

_________, Fire in the Deep, Franklin, Wisconsin: Sheed and Ward, 2001

Using the Sunday readings from the lectionary, Cycle A, Fr. Miller helps us listen to God’s Word as to a faithful companion on our journey in becoming who we are. He warns us “DO NOT READ THIS BOOK UNLESS YOU ARE WILLING TO HAVE THE TRANSFORMING FIRE OF GOD’S SPIRIT RESHAPE EVERY THOUGHT, DESIRE, AND MOTIVATION OF YOUR ENTIRE BEING!” The introductory chapter explains how to use Lectio Divina in your prayer life.

Mulholland, Jr. M. Robert, Shaped by the Word, Revised Edition, Nashville, TN: The Upper Room Books, 2000.

Reflecting on the scriptures can be a transforming grace. Mulholland clearly describes both the informational and formational approach to scripture and clarifies how there needs to be an interplay and balance between the two if spiritual formation is to take place. Being shaped by the Word is a process that culminates in our becoming the “word” God created us to be. This book is an excellent resource for anyone who regularly practices Lectio Divina .

Pennington, Basil, Lectio Divina: Renewing the Ancient Practice of Praying the Scriptures, New York: The Crosswords Press, 1998.

An informative and practical guidebook for today’s Christian describing the time-tested method of praying with the Scriptures. Fr. Basil defines Lectio Divina as the art of letting God, our Divine Friend, speak to us through his inspired Word. He speaks also of Lectio

Divina being our response to the Word received. It is a way of conversing with God.

Salvail, Ghislaine, At the Crossroads of the Scriptures: An Introduction to Lectio Divina, Boston, Massachusetts: Pauline Books and Media, 1996

In this concise essay, Salvail seeks to pass on the gift of Lectio Divina. She hopes to lead others by her simple explanation of Lectio Divina to try the experience of the daily Lectio Divina. For those who have practiced Lectio Divina for many years, she offers her essay as a stimulus to make one more receptive to the Word.

Smith, Martin, The Word is Very Near You, A Guide to Praying with Scripture, Massachusetts: Cowley Publications, 1989.

Smith in his book provides a practical teaching of how to pray the Scriptures. He shows that a contemplative reading of the Scriptures is compatible with well-grounded interpretation of the Bible. Smith also provides his readers with themes for prayer by citing hundreds of Scripture passages. He also tackles some of the deeper questions that arise as one reflects on Scripture such as, “who God is and what it is about us that makes intimacy between God and human beings possible, and not only possible but the very thing we most need and seek, and yet avoid.

Stewart, Columba, Prayer and Community, Maryknoll, New York: Orbis Books, 1998.

Of particular interest to Centering Prayer practitioners who read this book will be the author's focus on the growth of habitual mindfulness as a fruit of daily Lectio Divina.  Benedictine Columba Stewart also provides a brief history of the Lectio Divina which will help one situate this style of prayer in the overall history of Christian prayer. "Lectio Divina is a conversation with God about one's life" is his summary of its purpose. In relatively few pages, he manages to provide an overview of Lectio Divina and inspiration to remain faithful to its daily practice.

________, Praying with the Community, Vest, Norvene, Gathered in the Word, Praying the Scripture in Small Groups, Nashville, TN: The Upper Room Books, 1996.

This book is a very practical guide to praying the Scriptures in small groups. Norvene Vest gives clear guidelines to follow and she anticipates questions that might arise in a group lectio experience. She also suggests some scripture passages that are fitting for a group Lectio Divina prayer experience.

 

Lectio Divina Practice by Fr. Carl Arico in the series The Practice that Brings the Fruits of Centering Prayer into Daily Life published by Contemplative Outreach.

This Contemplative Outreach tape is an excellent introduction to Lectio Divina, especially for those who may not have access to a lectio workshop.    Father Arico's approach is relaxed, informal and yet thorough. He touches on the history of Lectio Divina, describes the relationship of Centering Prayer and lectio and explains the unique form of Lectio Divina as a group practice He compares the movements in the practice of lectio to the movements in dance and presents  lectio and Centering Prayer as dancing together to assist us in the letting go of our dependence on self and other characteristics of the false self. This tape can also be a valuable refresher for facilitators and presenters.

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