LENTEN DEVOTIONAL JOURNAL
A visio devina journal for use from Ash Wednesday through Easter with art from The Saint John’s Bible
Job Frontispiece, Donald Jackson
Visio Divina and The Saint John’s Bible
Visio Divina (Latin for "divine seeing") is a form of prayerful meditation using visual imagery, similar to Lectio Divina, but instead of meditating on words, one contemplates sacred images. This practice invites a slow, reflective engagement with an image, allowing it to speak to the heart and soul.
Practicing Visio Divina with The Saint John’s Bible
The Saint John’s Bible is a hand-illuminated manuscript that blends Scripture with stunning artwork, making it an excellent resource for Visio Divina. Here’s what to do:
Visio - Vision
Look at the image and take the entire image in. Take note of where your attention gravitates. Allow yourself to focus toward the particular object of your attention. Behold and observe the particularities of what you see.
Meditatio - Meditate
Be attentive to words, phrase, and ideas that come to mind as you observe the image. What is striking you? You might like to jot down a few of those words or ideas.
Oratio - Pray
From your observations and meditation, pray. Speak with God about what you are seeing. What you are thinking, and what you are curious about?
Contemplatio – Contemplate
Rest in God’s presence. You might like to set a timer to guide this period of silence. You might like 2-10 minutes. Trust the process and value of this step.
Actio – Act
Ask how we might live out the prayer you found in this Visio Divina. Now is the time to begin constructing your journal reflection.
March 5, 2025 | Ash Wednesday
The Spirit of the Lord said to me, ‘Mortal, can these bones live?’ I answered, ‘O Lord God, you know.’ Then he said to me, ‘Prophesy to these bones, and say to them: O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. – Ezekiel 37:3-4
Valley of the Dry Bones, Donald Jackson, © 2005 The Saint John’s Bible, Saint John’s University, Collegeville, Minnesota, USA. Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, Catholic Edition, Copyright 1993, 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used with permission. All rights reserved.
March 7, 2025
‘Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return there; the Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.’ – Job 1:21
permission. All rights reserved.
Job Frontispiece, Donald Jackson, © 2006 The Saint John’s Bible, Saint John’s University, Collegeville, Minnesota, USA. Used with
March
14, 2025
Wisdom has built her house, she has hewn her seven pillars. – Prov. 9:1
Pillars of Wisdom, Donald Jackson, © 2006 The Saint John’s Bible, Saint John’s University, Collegeville, Minnesota, USA. Used with permission. All rights reserved.
March 21, 2025
You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. – Acts 1:8
To the Ends of the Earth, Donald Jackson with contributions from Andrew Jamieson and Sally Mae Joseph, © 2002 The Saint John’s Bible, Saint John’s University, Collegeville, Minnesota, USA. Used with permission. All rights reserved.
March
28, 2025
Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her. – John 8:7b
Woman Taken in Adultery, Aidan Hart with contributions from Donald Jackson and Sally Mae Joseph, © 2002 The Saint
Bible, Saint
University, Collegeville, Minnesota, USA. Used with permission. All rights reserved.
John’s
John’s
April 4, 2025
Let me go to the field and glean among the ears of grain, behind someone in whose sight I may find favor. – Ruth 2:2
Ruth the Gleaner, Suzanne Moore, © 2010 The Saint John’s Bible, Saint John’s University, Collegeville, Minnesota, USA. Used with permission. All rights reserved.
April
11, 2025
Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul… - Acts 4.32a
Life in Community, Aidan Hart with contributions from Donald Jackson, © 2002 The Saint John’s Bible, Saint John’s University, Collegeville, Minnesota, USA. Used with permission. All rights reserved.
April 17, 2025 | Maundy Thursday
Surely he has borne our iniquities and carried our diseases – Is. 53:4
Suffering Servant, Donald Jackson, © 2005 The Saint John’s Bible, Saint John’s University, Collegeville, Minnesota, USA. Used with permission. All rights reserved.
April 18, 2025 | Good Friday
Father, into your hands I commend my spirit. Having said this, he breathed his last. – Luke 23:46
Crucifixion, Donald Jackson, © 2002 The Saint John’s Bible, Saint John’s University, Collegeville, Minnesota, USA. Used with permission. All rights reserved.
April 19, 2025 | Holy Saturday
I am the Resurrection and the Life – John 11:25
Raising of Lazarus, Donald Jackson, © 2002 The Saint John’s Bible, Saint John’s University, Collegeville, Minnesota, USA. Used with permission. All rights reserved.
April 20, 2025 | Easter
Jesus said to her, “Woman why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?” – John 20:15
The Resurrection, Donald Jackson, © 2002 The Saint John’s Bible, Saint John’s University, Collegeville, Minnesota, USA. Used with permission. All rights reserved.
April 21, 2025
While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. – Luke 24:15-16
permission. All rights reserved.
Road to Emmaus, Sally Mae Joseph, © 2002 The Saint John’s Bible, Saint John’s University, Collegeville, Minnesota, USA. Used with
WARDENS AND VESTRY
Arnie Peinado, Senior Warden
Dara Near, Junior Warden
Rob Kao, Clerk of the Vestry
Sue Bovan, Michael Cerino, Libby Clarke, Todd Corbin, Heather Finan, Jean Funk, Winston Kung, Anne Miller, Chuck Nwachuku, James C. Sammartino, Jennifer Vinsonhaler
Jacob Cherian, Treasurer
Bonnie Rountree, Assistant Parish Treasurer
Lise Davis, Parish Counsel
CLERGY AND STAFF
The Rev. Bowie Snodgrass, Rector
The Rev. Paul Keene, Assistant Rector
The Rev. Dr. Timothy Mulder, Priest Affiliate
Dr. Andrew Paul Moore, Organist & Choirmaster
Chris Whitaker, Communications, Outreach, & Youth
The Rev. Dr. R. Kevin Johnson, Children’s Ministry
Georgeann duChossois, Parish Administrator
James Johnson, Plant Supervisor
Lydia Zapico, Finance Manager
Jennifer McGregor, Director of CCNS
Janet Aulet Maulbeck, Director of Interweave