The Order of Saint Benedict

Lectio Divina

You will not see anyone who is really striving after his advancement who is not given to spiritual reading. And as to him who neglects it, the fact will soon be observed by his progress. --from an Easter letter by Saint Athanasius.

On this page are links to thoughts on lectio divina and information on this practice of sacred reading as a way of prayer. For suggested reading material which could be used in prayer, please see the main page on lectio divina.

American-Cassinese Congregation, Renew and Create (1969).
The Cloud of Unknowing, chapter 35 (anonymous 14th-century English author).
Vincent Dwyer, OCSO, Lectio Divina from "Many Paths to Prayer (video)."
Luke Dysinger, OSB, Accepting the Embrace of God: The Ancient Art of Lectio Divina (1990).
Mary Margaret Funk OSB, Lectio Matters: Before The Burning Bush: Through the Revelatory Texts of Scripture, Nature, and Experience (Continuum, 2010).

Guigo II (d. 1193), Scala claustralium. The classic text on lectio divina.
- L'échelle du paradis (Ladder of Paradise). 1922 translation. At the official web site of the Carthusians.
- The Ladder of Four Rungs. 54K text, 140K graphics.
- Scala paradisi. In Latin.

Claudette Jacques, Chemins de contemplation (1997).
Thomas Keating OCSO, The Classical Monastic Practice of Lectio Divina (Centering Prayer).

Sam Anthony Morello, OCD, Lectio Divina, Framework of Teresian Prayer (1991).
Armand Nigro, SJ, and John Veltri, SJ, Praying with Scripture.
From The Nine Ways of Prayer of St. Dominic (1260-1288).

Abbot General Bernardo Olivera, OCSO, Letter on Lectio Divina (1993).
Excerpts from the Rule of Saint Benedict concerning lectio divina.
Abbot Armand Veilleux, OCSO, Lectio Divina as School of Prayer among the Fathers of the Desert (1995). Also en français or en españa.
From William of St. Thierry (d. 1148) on Lectio Divina.

Comments, questions or suggestions concerning lectio divina should be directed to Elizabeth Knuth, M.A., M.Div. <eknuth@unix.csbsju.edu>, Alcuin Library, Collegeville, MN 56321.

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