The Lectio Divina forms part of prayer, as during the Lectio Divina the monks are receptive and quiet as they are in prayer.
For the monks the Lectio Divina constitutes an exceptional and important spiritual practice: a slow, attentive and in-depth reading of the Bible. This is how the monks absorb the Word of God and go in search of the true sense and meaning behind the words of the Scripture, which are liberating and healing.
The Lectio Divina also includes scripture that stimulates and deepens the understanding of the Bible. This may include the writings of church fathers like St Augustine or works by ancient monastic and medieval spiritual authors.
The Lectio Divina as an element of prayer
The Lectio Divina is an element of prayer, as during the Divine Reading the monks are receptive and quiet so they can hear the Voice of God, just as they do in prayer. Reading the words slowly, one by one, allows them to find their deeper meaning. The ultimate goal is that, by doing so, they grow even closer to Christ.
In fact, the Lectio Divina is the essence or the core of all reading. The monks spend the best moments of the day reading scripture, preferably in the early morning after Vigils.
Nevertheless, the practice of Lectio Divina does not preclude other forms of reading. Any type of reading that engenders a life of prayer and thus increases the love of God and one’s fellow beings, can be considered.