Lectio Divina

"Lectio Divina", a Latin term, means "divine reading" and describes a way of reading the Scriptures whereby we gradually let go of our own agenda and open ourselves to what God wants to say to us. In the 12th century, a Carthusian monk called Guigo, described the stages that he saw as essential to the practice of Lectio Divina. There are various ways of practicing Lectio Divina either individually or in groups but Guigo's description remains fundamental.
He said that the first stage is lectio (reading) where we read the Word of God, slowly and reflectively so that it sinks into us. Any passage of Scripture can be used for this way of prayer but the passage should not be too long.
The second stage is meditatio (reflection) where we think about the text we have chosen and ruminate upon it so that we take from it what God wants to give us.
The third stage is oratio (response) where we leave our thinking aside and simply let our hearts speak to God. This response is inspired by our reflection on the Word of God.
The final stage of Lectio Divina is contemplatio (rest) where we let go not only of our own ideas, plans and meditations but also of our holy words and thoughts. We simply rest in the Word of God. We listen at the deepest level of our being to God who speaks within us with a still small voice. As we listen, we are gradually transformed from within. Obviously this transformation will have a profound effect on the way we actually live and the way we live is the test of the authenticity of our prayer. We must take what we read in the Word of God into our daily lives.
These stages of Lectio Divina are not fixed rules of procedure but simply guidelines as to how the prayer normally develops.

“Quick example...I read the Wedding Feast at Canna and imagined I was a Disciple witnessing the 1st miracle and how Mary knew that it was time for this miracle even when Jesus said “my time has not yet come” Mary directed the wine steward to do as her Son said. I imagined the disciples walking away and believing. The way that scripture spoke to me was that Christ was showing me that I didn't need to worry about my doubts that I could take them to Mary and she would help to show me the miracle of Jesus.”

The object is to let God speak to us as He chooses. Sometimes this means going over the passage many times. The one thing that is most important is that the person NOT try to make something happen, allowing the Lord to speak when and how He chooses. How we bring ourselves to Lectio Divina is MOST important. Our inner preparation is almost as important as the actual reading. It is most important to let go and not try to accomplish anything. This can be the most difficult part of Lectio for us in our culture. This is not the same as centering prayer.

The Lectio Divina method has been advocated and practiced by a wide range of Christians over the centuries, including the Benedictine monks, Martin Luther and John Wesley.

I am so frustrated with our new church

My dh and I just moved to a new diocese and were the entire congregation stands after the reception of communion. I am not comfortable with this, as I have always knelt after communion and standing seams disrespectful to me. I have decided that I will continue to kneel when I get back to my pew after communion as I think that if we really believe in really presence we would never get off our knees in the presence of the lord.

What is practice in your parish?

The Immaculate Conception

Today is the feast of the Immaculate Conception, Mary was conceived immaculate, through the grace of God and in anticipation of the merits of Jesus Christ; Mary was preserved from original sin from the first instant of her conception.

What a wonderful gift that Jesus gave his mother, if there was any one person that Jesus was going to give this wonderful gift to it makes sense that it was his mother.

Hail Mary full of grace (from the moment of your conception)
The Lord is with you
Blessed are you among women (and how much she must have been blessed to chosen as the mother of Jesus)
And blessed is the fruit of your womb Jesus
Holy Mary (how holy she must have been)
Mother of God
Pray for us sinners (please pray for us Mary)
Now and at the hour of our death

Amen

I cannot imagine a faith that doesn’t include a love and devotion to this wonderful woman.

Back

It is so nice to have my internet up and running. What a month! We are all moved in and getting settled. Now hopefully our house will sell soon. Prayers would be much appreciated!! Please pray to good ST Joseph for the quick sale of our home.

Thanks!! :)

Mary

And We're Off

Today is my last day of work two days of packing like a crazy person await me and then on Friday - We're off. Off to the great white northern (lower) MI. So Hubby can start his new job Monday. I am very proud of him but I am having a hard time leaving my family, friends, house, life as I know it. I hope that once I feel like I have a handle on the packing I will be more excited about our move. This has the potential to be such a good thing for my DH and I really want to be happy about it.

On this All Saints Day

Lord, have mercy on us. Christ have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, hear us, Christ, graciously hear us.
God, the Father of heaven, Have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, Have mercy on us.
God, the Holy Spirit, Have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God, Have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, Pray for us.
Holy Mother of God, Pray for us.
Holy Virgin of virgins, Pray for us.
Saint Michael, Pray for us.
Saint Gabriel, Pray for us.
Saint Raphael, Pray for us.
All ye holy angels and archangels, Pray for us.
All ye holy orders of blessed spirits, Pray for us.
Saint John the Baptist, Pray for us.
Saint Joseph, Pray for us.
All ye holy patriarchs and prophets. Pray for us.
Saint Peter, Pray for us.
Saint Paul, Pray for us.
Saint Andrew, Pray for us.
Saint James, Pray for us.
Saint John, Pray for us.
Saint Thomas, Pray for us.
Saint James, Pray for us.
Saint Philip, Pray for us.
Saint Bartholomew. Pray for us.
Saint Matthew, Pray for us.
Saint Simon, Pray for us.
Saint Thaddeus, Pray for us.
Saint Matthias, Pray for us.
Saint Barnabas, Pray for us.
Saint Luke, Pray for us.
Saint Mark, Pray for us.
All ye holy apostles and evangelists, Pray for us.
All ye holy disciples of our Lord. Pray for us.
All ye holy Innocents, Pray for us.
Saint Stephen, Pray for us.
Saint Lawrence, Pray for us.
Saint Vincent, Pray for us.
Saints Fabian and Sebastian, Pray for us.
Saints John and Paul, Pray for us.
Saints Cosmas and Damian, Pray for us.
Saints Gervase and Protase, Pray for us.
All ye holy martyrs, Pray for us.
Saint Sylvester, Pray for us.
Saint Gregory, Pray for us.
Saint Ambrose, Pray for us.
Saint Augustine. Pray for us.
Saint Jerome, Pray for us.
Saint Martin, Pray for us.
Saint Nicolas, Pray for us.
All ye holy bishops and confessors, Pray for us.
All ye holy doctors, Pray for us.
Saint Anthony, Pray for us.
Saint Benedict, Pray for us.
Saint Bernard, Pray for us.
Saint Dominic, Pray for us.
Saint Francis, Pray for us.
All ye holy priests and levites, Pray for us.
All ye holy monks and hermits. Pray for us.
Saint Mary Magdalen, Pray for us.
Saint Agatha, Pray for us.
Saint Lucy, Pray for us.
Saint Agnes, Pray for us.
Saint Cecily, Pray for us.
Saint Catherine, Pray for us.
Saint Anastasia, Pray for us
All ye holy virgins and widows, Pray for us.
All ye holy men and women, Saints of God, Make intercession for us.Be merciful, Spare us, O Lord.Be merciful, Graciously hear us, O Lord.
From all evil, O Lord, deliver us.
From all sin, O Lord, deliver us.
From Thy wrath, O Lord, deliver us.
From a sudden and unprovided death, O Lord, deliver us.
From the snares of the devil, O Lord, deliver us.
From anger, and hatred, and all ill will, O Lord, deliver us.
From the spirit of fornication, O Lord, deliver us.
From lightning and tempest, O Lord, deliver us.
From the scourge of earthquake. O Lord, deliver us.
From pestilence, famine and war, O Lord, deliver us.
From everlasting death, O Lord, deliver us.
Through the mystery of Thy holy Incarnation, O Lord, deliver us.
Through Thy coming, O Lord, deliver us.
Through Thy nativity, O Lord, deliver us.
Through Thy baptism and holy fasting, O Lord, deliver us.
Through Thy Cross and Passion, O Lord, deliver us.
Through Thy death and burial, O Lord, deliver us.
Through Thy holy Resurrection, O Lord, deliver us.
Through Thine admirable Ascension, O Lord, deliver us.
Through the coming of the Holy Spirit the Paraclete, O Lord, deliver us.
In the day of judgment, O Lord, deliver us.
We sinners, We beseech Thee, hear us,
That Thou wouldst spare us, We beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou wouldst pardon us, We beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou wouldst bring us to true penance, We beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou wouldst govern and preserve Thy holy Church We beseech Thee, hear us.,
That Thou wouldst preserve our Aposto-lie Prelate, and all ecclesiastical orders in holy religion, We beseech Thee, hear us,
That Thou wouldst humble the enemies of Thy holy Church, We beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou wouldst give peace and true concord to Christian kings and princes, We beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou wouldst grant peace and unity to all Christian people, We beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou wouldst bring back to the unity of the Church all those who have strayed away, and lead to the light of the Gospel all unbelievers, We beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou wouldst confirm and pres-erve us in Thy holy service, We beseech Thee, hear us. That Thou wouldst lift up our minds to heavenly desires, We beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou wouldst render eternal blessings to all our benefactors, We beseech Thee, hear us. That Thou wouldst deliver our souls, and the souls of our brethren, relations and benefactors, from eternal damnation, We beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou wouldst give and preserve the fruit of the earth, We beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou wouldst give eternal rest to all the faithful departed, We beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou wouldst graciously hear us We beseech Thee, hear us.
Son of God, We beseech Thee, hear us.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Have mercy on us.
Christ hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.