Lectio Divina, a Lenten pilgrimage with the word of God in the archdiocese, features six presentations at various churches around San Antonio to give all attendees “a living encounter with the word of God,” according to the archdiocesan Office for Evangelization.Each evening will include music, a reflection on Scripture by a biblical scholar, as well as adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.
Presentations were held Feb. 18 at Holy Trinity Church and Feb. 24 at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Little Flower. The gathering in Stone Oak featured Dr. Tim Gray, president of the Augustine Institute in Denver and the author of Praying Scripture for a Change: An Introduction to Lectio Divina. His workshop taught the practice of Lectio Divina. The Feb. 24 event peaker was Father Arturo Cepeda, STD, acting rector-president of Assumption Seminary and a lecturer at Oblate School of Theology.
Upcoming Wednesday evening presentations from 7 to 8:30 p.m. are slated for:
• March 3: Holy Redeemer Church, Father Rafael M. Ramírez, SSD, formator at Assumption Seminary and lecturer at the Mexican American Catholic College and Oblate School of Theology
• March 10: St. Leonard Church, Father David Gutierrez-Escudero, TOR, vicar provincial for the Vice-Province of Sta. Maria de Guadalupe
• March 17: St. Mary Magdalen Church, Father George T. Montague, SM, professor at St. Mary’s University and former president of the Catholic Biblical Association of America
• March 24: Resurrection of the Lord Church, Dr. Renata Furst, Ph.D., director of studies at Assumption Seminary and lecturer at Oblate School of Theology.
Lectio Divina means “spiritual reading” in Latin. It is a practice of prayer and scriptural reading which increased knowledge of God’s word. It fosters deeper listening — the ability to listen to the voice of God speaking through Scripture and in lives.
If those interested cannot attend the pilgrimage, all are invited to pray with Scripture in their own homes with family or individually. The faithful will need a quiet place, a Bible, and 10 to 15 minutes.These are the steps:
1. Lectio: Read through the Scripture passage slowly, two or three times.
2. Meditatio: Think about it; concentrate on a word of image that is compelling.
3. Oratio: Speak to Jesus, the Father, the Holy Spirit, about what the meditation is bringing us.
4. Contemplatio: Rest in silence. Allow God’s word to seep into the hidden places of the heart.
For more information on Lectio Divina, contact the Office for Evangelization on the Web at www.archsa.org/evangelization, e-mail evangelization@archsa.org, or call Lora Balusik at (210) 734-1990.