L ectio D ivina
and
T aiz
Meditative Reflections Help Bring U
M
editative prayer is a wonderful way for us to grow closer to God — and here at Our Lady of the Assumption, we offer the opportunity each month to participate in contemplative prayer and Scripture reflection through Lectio Divina and Taizé Prayer. These monthly, 30-minute retreats accompanied by Eucharistic Adoration came about after ministry leader Kristine Breault attended a retreat put on by the Sisters of the Society Devoted to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. “At the retreat, they used Lectio Divina as an alternate examination of conscience,” Kristine says. “I felt so moved by the Gospel passage they read, and it spoke to my own life so intensely. It was the first time that I understood how ‘the word of the Lord is living and effective,’ as St. Paul says in Hebrews 4:12. It paved the way for me to learn to pray with Scripture, and it taught me how to converse with the Bible, how to read it, and hear it speak to my life. “I began working with the concepts that they discussed at that retreat to put together a ‘joyful examination of conscience’ as an RCIA resource,” she adds. “I went to consult Deacon Michael about it, and we put together a trifold for RCIA. Then, he was inspired to ask me to collaborate with Casey Oliver on an event us-
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ing Lectio Divina. She introduced me to Taizé Prayer, and we found that the two practices really worked well together.” The retreat is usually scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on the fourth Thursday of each month, unless in the case of a holiday or other special event. “The environment is lovely — we dim the lights, and light candles around the altar,” Kristine says. “We have beautiful piano music, and we read the Gospel for that coming Sunday. The purpose is to reflect on the Gospel, to prepare us for Mass and Communion, and to allow the Word of God to speak to and change our hearts.” Taizé prayer was formed out of an ecumenical Christian community in France and has spread to parishes and communities of many denominations. This form of prayer is a simple one- or two-line chant, which here at our parish is accompanied by piano. “The songs themselves are prayers — some are from the Psalms,” Kristine says. “I find the music essential to properly hear the readings and to fully engage in Eucharistic Adoration. I am reminded of the Eucharistic Prayer when the priest calls, ‘Lift up your Hearts’. Then we respond, ‘We lift them up to the Lord.’ To me, this means that we must change the orientation of our hearts in order to understand
