And miles to go

Lectio Divina Prayer Groups

I am so grateful for all that I have learned these past six years in being the Bishop of New Ulm. For example, this past October I was able to offer the first of a monthly holy hour at the University of St. Thomas campus for college-age men and women. I was so pleased with the 200 some students who attended. It was a wonderful experience!

The method of prayer that we used is called lectio divina or the sacred reading of Scripture, which is really an ancient form of monastic prayer in the Church.

My inspiration for holding such prayer sessions was an article I read in America magazine some six years ago. A high school teacher at George­town Prep in Washington , DC , wrote an article entitled, "Can High School Students Pray?"

He insightfully observed that we teach young people how to say their prayers, but do we really teach them how to pray? He asked some of his students to gather for the 14th Annotation of St. Ignatius' Exercises. After the fact, he reported that they indeed showed great interest in, and aptitude for, prayer.

Encouraged by that teacher's success, I invited some young men from our Cathedral High School in New Ulm to join me and one other priest for prayer one Sunday a month during the school year. We used the lectio divina format, as it is the method of prayer I use. We gathered from 6:00-7:00 p.m. , with a popcorn, pizza and Mountain Dew reception afterward. They were all on their way home by 8:00 p.m.

Each month a different member of the group selected the Scripture passage to be used and led us through the process. The format is quite simple:

•  The leader begins with a prayer to focus and calm us down.

•  The leader reads the Scripture passage through the first time slowly and reverently. Everyone is attentive to any word, phrase or image that strikes him. (St. Benedict says that one listens to the word with the ears of one's heart.)

•  The leader pauses, then reads the passage again.

•  After the second reading, the leader stops and asks if there are any questions with the text, anything that is not clear or not understood.

•  The leader reads the passage a third time. Again, each one focuses on the word, phrase or image which stands out.

•  All go separately to a quiet place to "ruminate" for twenty minutes or so, over his word, phrase or image and its meaning. This "rumination" can lead to meditation (how does this passage speak to my life), or to contemplation (resting with the Lord in that word) or oratio (expressing a prayer of praise, thanksgiving or petition). Then one writes down his re­flec­tions.

•  The group reassembles and each person has a chance to share his reflections. (No one is ever asked to share if he prefers not to do so.)

•  The leader concludes with a sum­mary prayer of praise and/or thanksgiving.

It is quite a simple process, but the joy lies in the fact that it really works! I have been quite impressed with the depth of some of the reflections offered.

Now, one does not have to be a bishop to begin such a prayer group. I encourage any parish priest to do so on a parish or deanery level. I do suggest limiting the number of the group to eight to ten so that everyone has an opportunity to share.

Families, too, could use this method once a week as a special way of gathering parents and children in prayer.

My hope is that this prayer becomes a daily routine for each participant. Because all of Scripture is inspired, any passage may be selected. If God wishes to communicate with us (and he does), he will use any passage of the Bible to speak to our hearts.

I encourage you to try lectio divina as one proven method of prayer. And may you be blessed in doing so.

May God love you!

December, 2007

Falta Mucho por Recorrer

Estoy muy agradecido por todo lo que he aprendido en estos seis años como el Obispo de New Ulm. Por ejemplo, en Octubre tuve la oportunidad de ofrecer la primera hora santa mensual en la Universidad de San Tomas para jóvenes en edad universitaria (hombres y mujeres). Quede muy contento con los 200 estudiantes que asistieron. ¡Fue una experiencia maravillosa!

El método de oración que utilizamos se llama lectio divina/lectura divina o lectura sagrada de la escritura, lo que realmente es una forma antigua de oración monástica en la iglesia.

Cada mes un miembro diferente del grupo escoge la lectura de la escritura que se utilizará y nos guiará con el proceso. El formato es bastante simple:

- El líder comienza con la oración concentrándose en calmarnos.

- El líder lee el pasaje de las Santas Escrituras lenta y reverentemente. Todos escuchan bien atentos a cualquier palabra, frase o imagen que les llame la atención. (El Santo Benedicto dice que uno escucha la palabra con los oídos de su corazón).

- El líder hace una pausa breve, luego lee el pasaje otra vez.

- Después de leer por segunda vez, el líder hace un alto para chequear si hay preguntas según el texto, o si no han entendido.

- El líder lee el pasaje por tercera vez. Otra vez, cada uno se concentra en la palabra, frase o imagen que les llame la atención.

- Luego por veinte minutes más o menos cada uno se dirige a un lugar tranquilo para "rumiar, reflexionar" sobre su palabra, frase o imagen y su significado. Esta "reflexión" puede liderar a una meditación (este pasaje, ¿de que manera se dirige a mi vida?), o a la contemplación (descansar con el Señor en esa palabra) o al oratio / oración (manifestar una oración de alabanza, de acción de gracias o de súplica). Luego uno escribe sus reflexiones.

- El grupo se vuelve a reunir y cada uno tiene la oportunidad de compartir sus reflexiones. (no se sienta obligado a compartir sus reflexiones).

- El líder termina con el resumen de la oración de alabanza y/o de acción de gracias.

- ¡Es un proceso absolutamente simple, pero la alegría yace en el hecho que realmente da resultado! He quedado bastante impresionado con el sentido profundo de algunas reflexiones que se han ofrecido.

Mi esperanza es que esta oración se convierta en una rutina diaria para cada participante. Ya que todas las escrituras sagradas son inspiradas, cualquier pasaje se puede escoger. Si Dios desea comunicarse con nosotros (él lo hace), él utilizará cualquier pasaje de la Biblia para hablar a nuestro corazón.

Exhorto a todos ustedes a que traten lectio divina / lectura divina como un método de oración comprobado. Que Dios los bendiga cuando lo hagan.

¡Que Dios los bendiga!

December 2007)