Lectio Divina
Reading Scripture slowly until the words become prayer
Lectio divina is the prayerful, meditative reading of Scripture as a path to communion with God. Rooted in Origen and the monastic tradition, it was given classic shape by Guigo II, who described moving from reading to meditation, prayer, and contemplation. Rather than studying the text for information, the practitioner dwells on it slowly, letting the words draw the heart toward God. It remains widely practiced across Christian traditions.
How it traveled
- The Letters of St. JeromeBethlehem · 420applies
- The Conferences of John Cassian. Part I. Containing Conferences I-XMarseille · 435explains
- Thoughts Helpful in the Life of the SoulZwolle · 1471applies
Key passages(20)
Letters of St. Augustin · Augustine of Hippo
The Conferences of John Cassian. Part I. Containing Conferences I-X · John Cassian
The Conferences of John Cassian. Part II. Containing Conferences XI-XVII · John Cassian
The Book of Pastoral Rule, and Selected Epistles, of Gregory the Great · Pope Gregory the Great
On the Duties of the Clergy · Ambrose of Milan
The Book of Pastoral Rule, and Selected Epistles, of Gregory the Great · Pope Gregory the Great
The Homilies of St. John Chrysostom on Timothy, Titus, and Philemon · John Chrysostom
The Homilies of St. John Chrysostom · John Chrysostom
The Letters of St. Jerome · Jerome
The Letters of St. Jerome · Jerome
The Letters of St. Jerome · Jerome
The Homilies of St. John Chrysostom on the Gospel of St. John · John Chrysostom
A Commentary on the Acts of the Apostles · John Chrysostom
Internal Consolation · Thomas à Kempis
The Book of Pastoral Rule, and Selected Epistles, of Gregory the Great · Pope Gregory the Great
The Church History of Eusebius · Eusebius of Caesarea
The Confessions · Augustine of Hippo
Expositions on the Book of Psalms · Augustine of Hippo