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Summary: School of Lectio Divina

Purpose Statement

The Benedictine Center of St. Paul’s Monastery is offering the School of Lectio Divina to adapt the ancient monastic riches of sustained lectio divina to contemporary people.

Through an intensive retreat experience set in the rhythm of life at St. Paul’s Monastery, participants receive teaching about lectio divina, spend time meditating on a sacred text significant for them, have the opportunity for individual spiritual direction, and participate in reflective conversation with other participants.

In addition, the Center will provide a variety of on‐going support activities and resources after the retreat participants make sustained lectio core to individual prayer and spiritual development.

Audience

The School of Lectio Divina accepts applicants who have had some initial experience with lectio divina, including but not limited to participation in introductory experiences offered at the Benedictine Center and elsewhere. With its primary focus on the Scriptures, the School is Christian and ecumenical in its commitments.

Outcomes
As a result of their participation in the School, individuals can expect the following:
• To understand the teaching around lectio and its fundamental structure
• To gain insight into the obstacles to practice and how to respond
• To explore forms of meditation that support the practice of lectio
• To identify a text for sustained lectio
• To plan how to cultivate lectio as a regular spiritual practice

Structure/Process
1. An application process will help individuals and the Center determine readiness for participating in the School.

2. Participants will complete assigned reflection exercises and make initial discernment of the text they will use for lectio.

3. Maximum enrollment of 14 persons. Two cohorts would be offered each year.

4. There will be one primary teacher for each cohort plus three spiritual directors to offer support and counsel as participants seek them. The teacher for the first cohort in fall 2010 will be Sr. Meg Funk OSB; subsequent cohorts will be taught by persons who know Sr. Meg’s work and have a well-developed practice of lectio themselves. Spiritual directors will be members of the Center’s staff.

5. The retreat will be five days in length, beginning at midday (option available to arrive that morn) and concluding at 1p.

Samuel Rahberg , Associate Director
Benedictine Center of St. Paul’s Monastery
2675 Benet Rd, St. Paul, Minn. 55109
651.777.7251 651.773.5124 fax
office hours M-F 9a-4p