"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 12: Christian Community: Stewards of the Mission
2018 – 2019
Through Baptism, we individually begin our life in Christ, but we do so by entering the community of His disciples and apostles, entrusted with his mission on earth.

The New Testament offers us several passages that illuminate what it means to be disciples of Jesus, filled with the Spirit, and living in an evangelizing Christian community.

Here are the airdates for the season:

September 16, 2018 Episode 1
The Call of the Disciples to Community with Jesus (John 1.35-51)
October 21, 2018 Episode 2
Christian Community Commitment and Mission (Luke 9.57-10.21)
November 11, 2018 Episode 3
The Washing of Feet (John 13.1-20)
December 9, 2018 Episode 4
The Vine and the Branches (John 15.1-27)
January 13, 2019 Episode 5
Pentecost (Acts 1.21-2.13)
February 10, 2019 Episode 6
Spiritual Life and Death in a Christian Community (Acts 2.43-47; 4.32-5.11)
March 10, 2019 Episode 7
The Conversion of St. Paul (Acts 9.1-31)
April 14, 2019 Episode 8
Letters to the Churches (Apocalypse 2)
May 12, 2019 Episode 9
Letters to the Churches (Apocalypse 3)
June 9, 2019 Episode 10
Jerusalem (Apocalypse 21.1-8; 22.6-21)


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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 :