"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 13: Men and Women of the Old Testament
2019 – 2020
We learn about God from the stories of how people encounter God, and make him present in their life. During Lectio Divina this year, we will prayerfully meditate on passages about men and women in the Old Testament who illustrate the human condition, with its temptations to sin, and its opportunity for the grace of repentance and salvation.

Here are the airdates for the season:

September 15, 2019 Episode 1
Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:1-19)
October 13, 2019 Episode 2
Lot (Genesis 19:1-28)
November 10, 2019 Episode 3
The Sacrifice of Isaac (Genesis 22:1-19)
December 8, 2019 Episode 4
Joseph and his brothers (Genesis 37:1-28)
January 12, 2020 Episode 5
Moses (Exodus 2:11-3:14)
February 9, 2020 Episode 6
Naomi and Ruth (Ruth 1:1-22)
March 8, 2020 Episode 7
The Call of Samuel (I Samuel 3:1-21)
April 12, 2020 Episode 8
David, Bathsheba, and Uriah (II Samuel 11:1-27)
May 10, 2020 Episode 9
Elijah (I Kings 19:1-18)
June 14, 2020 Episode 10
Jonah’s Mission to Nineveh (Jonah 3 and 4)


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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 :