Lectio Divina: How to Pray With Scripture in Four Steps (Catholic Guide)

By /
Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Lectio Divina (“divine reading”) is the Church’s ancient way of praying with Scripture: reading a short passage slowly, meditating on it, speaking to God about it, and resting in his presence. Monks have practiced it since the early centuries, and the Church today encourages every Catholic to use it. As St. Ambrose put it, “we speak to him when we pray; we listen to him when we read the divine oracles” (CCC 2653). Below are the four steps, a worked example with a Gospel passage, and practical tips.

The four steps of Lectio Divina

The traditional ladder was described by the twelfth-century Carthusian monk Guigo II in his Ladder of Monks. The Catechism sums up its spirit: “Seek in reading and you will find in meditating; knock in mental prayer and it will be opened to you by contemplation” (CCC 2654).

  1. Lectio (Reading). Choose a short passage, often the Gospel of the day. Read it slowly, out loud if you can, two or three times. Notice a word or phrase that stands out.
  2. Meditatio (Meditation). Reflect on that word. What does it mean? What is God saying to me through it, today, in my life? “Meditation engages thought, imagination, emotion, and desire” (CCC 2708).
  3. Oratio (Prayer). Answer God in your own words: thank him, ask forgiveness, ask for help, offer what you have read.
  4. Contemplatio (Contemplation). Rest silently in God’s presence, without many words, simply loving him and letting him love you.

Many teachers add a fifth step, Actio (Action): one concrete way to live the Word today.

An example: Martha and Mary

Read this passage slowly:

Now it came to pass as they went, that he entered into a certain town: and a certain woman named Martha, received him into her house.
And she had a sister called Mary, who sitting also at the Lord’s feet, heard his word.
But Martha was busy about much serving. Who stood and said: Lord, hast thou no care that my sister hath left me alone to serve? speak to her therefore, that she help me.
And the Lord answering, said to her: Martha, Martha, thou art careful, and art troubled about many things:
But one thing is necessary. Mary hath chosen the best part, which shall not be taken away from her.

  • Reading: perhaps the words “Mary hath chosen the best part” stand out.
  • Meditation: Am I so busy with “many things” that I never sit at the Lord’s feet? What would choosing the “best part” look like this week?
  • Prayer: “Lord, I am anxious about so many things. Teach me to listen to you first.”
  • Contemplation: sit quietly for a few minutes, like Mary, at his feet.
  • Action: set aside ten minutes tomorrow morning for prayer before checking my phone.

Passages to begin with

Tips for praying Lectio Divina

  1. Begin by asking the Holy Spirit for light. See the Come Holy Spirit prayer.
  2. Keep the passage short: a few verses are enough.
  3. Don’t study, listen. Commentaries are good, but Lectio is about meeting God, not gathering information.
  4. Be faithful to a time and place, even fifteen minutes a day.
  5. Write down the word you receive and return to it during the day.
  6. Pray it with others: Lectio Divina works well in families and small groups, each person sharing the word that struck them.

Frequently asked questions

What does Lectio Divina mean?

Latin for “divine reading” or “sacred reading”: reading Scripture as a way of listening to God.

Is Lectio Divina Catholic?

Yes. It comes from the Fathers and the monastic tradition, and the Second Vatican Council and recent popes have warmly recommended it to all the faithful.

How long should Lectio Divina take?

Anywhere from ten minutes to an hour. Fifteen to twenty minutes a day is a good start.

What is the difference between Lectio Divina and Bible study?

Bible study aims to understand the text; Lectio Divina aims to pray with it and let God speak to the heart.

More ways to pray

Texts and sources

  • Scripture: Luke 10:38–42; Psalm 22:1 (23:1), Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner), public domain.
  • Catechism of the Catholic Church 2653–2654, 2705–2708; Second Vatican Council, Dei Verbum 25.
  • The worked example was written for this page.