practice

LECTIO DIVINA

Lectio Divina means "divine reading" or "sacred reading" and scripture is the primary source. This practice dates back to ancient Christianity (4th Century), when a "reader" was assigned to read scripture for a gathered group.  The text was read multiple times so that it could be absorbed, and eventually memorized.  The prayer practice includes four phases: (1) lectio (read), (2) meditatio (reflect), (3) oratio (respond) and (4) contemplatio (remain).