"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 , September 2005

Lectio Divina is not a catechesis or a teaching but it is a prayer, a divine reading, a personal encounter with God in Sacred Scripture.

Each episode begins with a glimpse of Cardinal Collins presiding over Vespers at St. Michael's Cathedral in downtown Toronto. Lectio Divina follows immediately afterwards. In each session, Cardinal Collins slowly reads an excerpt from Scripture, offers a short reflection, and invites the congregation to quietly meditate on the passage. More than that, Lectio Divina is not intended to increase our intellectual knowledge of the Bible [though it also has that effect]; instead, it is intended to draw us closer to God, and to transform our attitudes and behaviour.

Season 11: Holy Wisdom
2017 – 2018
Life is difficult, and we often make mistakes. We seek to understand how to make good decisions, and how to live in a healthy relationship with God, our neighbours, and ourselves. We need all the help we can get as we navigate through life, and that can come from friends, and from wise reflection upon experience. The wisdom tradition of the Bible is a treasure, divinely inspired and humanly insightful, that can guide us on our way.

Here are the airdates for the season:

September 17, 2017 Episode 1
Duties Towards God (Sirach 2:1-18)
October 8, 2017 Episode 2
Compassion and Humility (Sirach 3:11-31)
November 12, 2017 Episode 3
Practical Advice for Daily Life (Sirach 5:1-6:4)
December 10, 2017 Episode 4
Friendship (Sirach 6:3-22)
January 14, 2018 Episode 5
Prudence and Common Sense (Sirach 8:1-19)
February 11, 2018 Episode 6
The Human Condition (Sirach 17:1-32)
March 11, 2018 Episode 7
Loose Talk and True Wisdom (Sirach 19:4-30)
May 13, 2018 Episode 8
Remember Your Creator (Ecclesiastes 12:1-14)
June 10, 2018 Episode 9
Death and Immortality (Wisdom 2:17-3:9)


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** For more information on Lectio Divina with Cardinal Thomas Collins, including the Cathedral schedule, and archive of previous sessions, visit the Archdiocese of Toronto website.


Witness Interview - Archbishop Thomas Collins :