Pray with an image of the sculpture of the Holy Family, “A Quiet Moment,” by Timothy Schmalz, allowing yourself to experience the safety of their loving embrace. Download the journaling pages to guide your prayer and reflection by clicking here or on the image below.
Visio Divina How To’s:
Visio divina is Latin for divine seeing and is a similar practice to lectio divina, but is practiced with images. It is a prayer practice that allows us to encounter God’s presence through sacred art.
Below are the five basic steps to praying with sacred art using the Visio Divina process. Use these steps as a guideline, allowing space for the Holy Spirit to direct your time in prayer.
Step 1, Visio: Spend time gazing upon the image, trusting that God will use it to speak to your heart. Become aware of what strikes you most about the image and tell the Lord about it.
Step 2, Meditatio (Meditation): If the image represents a particular Scripture passage, in the meditative stage reflect on the meaning of the Scripture. Take to prayer a word or phrase that struck you from the Scripture reading.
Step 3, Oratio (Prayer): Use the provided reflection questions to engage in conversation with the Lord regarding the theme of the visio divina.
Step 4, Contemplatio (Contemplation): Now, rest in God. Allow your body to be very comfortable, sinking into the Lord’s presence, allowing for a time of intimacy and encounter with Him.
Step 5, Operatio (Action): As you close your time of prayer, you may make a resolution with God, that is, a decision or intention for applying the insights or inspirations you may have received through the prayer time.
Click the image below to download the journaling and reflection pages.
May you be blessed by it!
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