Lectio Divina with Cardinal Thomas Collins  Season 5: The New Evangelization

" 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.

The theme for the 2011/12 series is The New Evangelization.

Season 5
September 11, 2011 Episode 1: The Road to Emmaus (Luke 24: 13-35)
October 2, 2011 Episode 2: We have Seen His Glory (John 1:1-18)
November 6, 2011 Episode 3: Go and Bear Fruit (John 15:1-17)
December 4, 2011 Episode 4: You shall be my Witnesses (Acts 1:1-14)
January 8, 2012 Episode 5: Pentecost (Acts 2:1-21)
February 5, 2012 Episode 6: You shall be my Witnesses (Acts 1:1-14)
March 4, 2012 Episode 7: Conversion of St. Paul (Acts 9:1-22)
April 1, 2012 Episode 8: Spirit and Flesh (Romans 7:21-8:17)
May 6, 2012 Episode 9: New Life in Christ (Colossians 3:1-17)
June 3, 2012 Episode 10: Living Hope and Holy Lives (I Peter 1:3-25)


** Please note that these are broadcast dates. 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 :