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I would like in particular to recall and recommend the ancient tradition of Lectio divina: the diligent reading of Sacred Scripture accompanied by prayer brings about that intimate dialogue in which the person reading hears God who is speaking, and in praying, responds to him with trusting openness of heart (cf. Dei Verbum, n. 25). If it is effectively promoted, this practice will bring to the Church – I am convinced of it – a new spiritual springtime.

- Pope Benedict XVI, 16 Sept 2005

Lectio Divina is Latin for “divine reading”, and is a popular form of Catholic prayer amongst religious and lay people alike.

How To Pray With the Bible: The Ancient Prayer Form of Lectio Divina Made Simple by Karl A. Schultz   Praying with the Bible is an active dialogue with God through which we may be taught, healed and transformed. It is God and the praying person communicating and offering themselves to each other. Learn an ancient prayer technique known as lectio divina – a simple, natural rhythm of reading and reflection that can be used for individual or family prayer, Bible study, or small faith-sharing groups. Lectio, or “holy reading”, is well-known to monks and nuns, but it actually began with and is equally appropriate for laypersons. Acclaimed author and retreat leader Karl A. Schultz, author of eight related books, will teach you an intuitive way to use this process for the Liturgy of the Hours, the Rosary, the Stations of the Cross, the Mass, modern papal encyclicals, spiritual classics, journalling, and stress management. This book is not only about how to pray with the Bible, but how to bring it to life using your own experience, which contributes significantly to a meaningful encounter with God’s Word. How To Pray With The Bible: The Ancient Prayer Form of Lectio Divina Made Simple   Available at Wellsprings for S$19.90.

Praying Scripture for a Change: An Introduction to Lectio Divina by Dr. Tim Gray   As St Augustine notes, “When we pray, we speak to God; when we read Scripture, God speaks to us.” The key to enriching our prayer is learning the language of Christianity, and the most effective way to learn this language is an ancient techniquq known as lectio divina (“divine reading”). In these pages, you will learn: - How God speaks directly to each of us in His Word. - How to overcome the obstacles to a consistent and fruitful prayer life. - Why the fourfold method of lectio divina leads us directly into the heart of contemplative prayer. - Strategies for reading and praying the Bible fruitfully. - What Christian meditation is and how it differs from non-Christian approaches. - How everyone – not just saints and mystics – can truly reach mystical union with God. In this succinct book, Catholic theologian and biblical scholar Dr. Tim Gray walks you through the Bible and the wisdom of the saints to reveal the practical steps of this great treasure of our Tradition. Learning the simple steps of lectio divina will provide a practical and effective way for you to enhance your prayer life through the power of God’s Word. Praying Scripture for a Change: An Introduction to Lectio Divina   Available at Wellsprings for S$20.90

Reading with God: Lectio Divina by David Foster, OSB   David Foster is a Benedictine Monk of Downside Abbey and chaplain to Downside School. He has always been concerned to bring the riches of the monastic tradition to lay people as they struggle to live the Christian life in the modern world. Lectio Divina, or the art of spiritual reading, is an art which is all but lost outside monastic communities. Following St Benedict’s opening command in his Rule to ‘listen’ – attending to the word of God through the printed text – is an art which needs to be rediscovered in a world in which we are surrounded by a cacophony of sound and noise. David Foster has written a masterly guide to this art. This work is a practical handbook for beginners to introduce them to the practice of lectio divina, sharing this monastic method with all interested lay-people.   Reading with God: Lectio Divina   Available at Wellsprings for S$49.90

Lectio Divina: Renewing the Ancient Practice of Praying the Scriptures by M. Basil Pennington   This informative and practical guidebook for today’s Christian describes the time-tested method of praying with the Scriptures for wisdom and guidance and joy. Father Basil Pennington defines Lectio Divina as the art of letting God, our Divine Friend, speak to us through his inspired Word. But more than that, lectio also involves our response to the Word received: it is a two-way communication. This method and discipline is universal in application and has been practiced by monastics and other Christians for over a thousand years. Lectio Divina: Renewing the Ancient Practice of Praying the Scriptures   Available at Wellsprings for S$33.90

Lectio Divina: An Ancient Prayer That is Ever New by Mario Masini   The text offered here presents in an easy-to-read and systematic way the “meaning” and the “steps” involved in the practice of lectio divina. Lectio Divina: An Ancient Prayer That Is Ever New   Available at Wellsprings for S$11.90 Thanks for reading this update. peace, peter.

Notes from Peter .. I found these two books to be extremely useful.

It is easy to make choices between good and bad, good and evil. However, it is extremely difficult to decide when the choices presented before you are all good. How shall one proceed to make an informed and discerned choice among the good ones.

We often turn to God when we are at crossroads. The milestones of our lives are at times riddled with bad decisions that leave us helpless. More often than not, God is silent. Or even He is speaking, we are not listening nor equipped to listen.

How then do I make a choice based not on which side of the bed I get up from in the morning but a systematic test-proved Spirit-filled method?

Ignatius of Loyola has discovered a way and the method he taught is time-tested and time-proved over 450 years. The Jesuit form of discernment enables us with a tool, a way to make decision in the face of difficult choices, based on a life of prayer.

Many people who came to Wellsprings looking for books to satisfy their restless hearts and most do not even know the reason for their being. This restlessness manifests itself in our relentless search to fill our cup with activities that do not satisfy.

“I DON’T LIKE MY JOB”, “I HATE MY MY BOSS”, “HELP! I AM STUCK IN A BAD RELATIONSHIP”, “WHERE DO I GO NOW?” are some of the cries that I hear. At the root, we are at crossroads, not knowing which direction to head for, wanting someone to lead us or even to push us, yet we are reluctant to let go and let God. Our past is present.

“What’s Your Decision? – How to Make Choices with Confidence and Clarity. An Ignatian Approach to Decision Making”

Available at Wellsprings for S$19.90.

Finding Intimacy with God Wherever You Are … Making an Ignatian Retreat in your daily life instead of going off to a retreat house.

Available at Wellsprings for S$26.90

Thanks for reading this update.

peace, peter.

Notes from Peter …

I have recently discovered a DVD produced by a Jesuit University with some leading Jesuit priests who are involved in the development of spiritual exercises of St Ignatius and I thought it would interest you. Ignatius of Loyola has meant this set of exercises for the lay people and recently there are a lot of interest in this field. This video sheds light on the developmental achievements as well as the dynamics of the exercises. Viewing this video requires some understanding of the spiritual exercises. Worth a look. Call me at 97493702 if you want a copy.

With blessings and peace.

DVD – Renewal and Dynamics:  The Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius Loyola

New from Georgetown University!

Since the Second Vatican Council, the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius Loyola have been the subject of extensive research leading to a renewal of the way the Spiritual Exercises are practiced.

In recent years Georgetown University, at the invitation of President John J. DeGioia, has brought in leading experts in this renewal to put on record their understandings and personal perspectives on the history of this renewal, on the dynamics of the Exercises, and on new developments in the practice of the Exercises.

Through these videos Georgetown now offers the resulting interviews to a wider public, including those who are just becoming acquainted with the Spiritual Exercises as well as those well versed in the Exercises who are searching for greater insights.

DVD – Renewal and Dynamics: The Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius Loyola

Available at Wellsprings for S$34.90

Finding God In Each Moment: The Practice of Discernment In Everyday Life

by Carol Ann Smith

Finding God in Each Moment is an invitation to become more attentive to the way the Spirit leads you and perceive more clearly God’s presence and action in the world by considering your relationships as the very places in which you daily experience God’s guidance. Through nine Moments of Love, the spiritual stages through which any healthy, growing relationship progresses, you will learn how to experience God’s action while identifying the Qualities needed for becoming more responsive to God’s invitation to growth. Selections from scripture, the writings of St. Ignatius, and the documents of Vatican II will lead you to discover how each moment holds the opportunity to be taught by God.

Finding God In Each Moment: The Practice of Discernment In Everyday Life

Available at Wellsprings for S$33.90.

Moment by Moment: A Retreat In Everyday Life

by Carol Ann Smith & Eugene F. Merz

Drawing on the classic retreat model of The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius, Moment by Moment offers a new and inviting way to find God in our often busy and complex lives.

In a series of 32 “Moments”, the text guides the reader with thought-provoking questions, practical suggestions, and excerpts carefully chosen from scripture and The Spiritual Exercises. Its simple format can be used by an individual or by groups in a number of ways: as a way of making the Spiritual Exercises in daily life, as a guide for daily prayer, as a companion for reflection, or as suggested themes for a retreat.

Drawing upon their extensive experience as spiritual directors, the authors write in their introduction, “This book offers a way to reflect and sift through one’s multiple life experiences and to discover in them the leading thread of God’s longing and desire to make us a holy people who are given in service to others.” Anyone seeking spiritual growth will discover that Moment by Moment offers wise direction and fosters a holistic spirituality firmly rooted in the daily experience of God in one’s life.

Moment by Moment: A Retreat in Everyday Life

Available at Wellsprings for S$25.90

Thanks for reading this update.

peace, peter.

I have recently compiled a catalog_spirituality on the spiritual exercises of St Ignatius of Loyola. All the books are available at Wellsprings store. You may wish to get them physically at the store or buy them online at wellsprings.com.sg