Prayer and Devotions

Tuesday, January 15 2013

Recommendations regarding:	Paragraph # in Verbum Domini
Prayer & Devotions
Lectio Divina Liturgy of the Hours Private revelation Rosary Saints	87 62 14 88 48

 

Lectio Divina is to be recommended                                                                         

•  “Lectio Divina . . . ‘is truly capable of opening up to the faithful the treasures of God’s word, but also of bringing about an encounter with Christ, the living word of God’.” (Verbum Domini 87)

The Liturgy of the Hours should be promoted among the laity

•  “I recommend that, wherever possible, parishes and religious communities promote this prayer [the Liturgy of the Hours] with the participation of the lay faithful.” (Verbum Domini 62)

The faithful need to be taught to distinguish the word of God from private revelations, which can help us live that word more fully in a certain period of history

• After discussing the completeness of all revelation in Jesus Christ, Pope Benedict XVI notes that “the Synod pointed to the need to ‘help the faithful to distinguish the word of God from private revelations’ whose role ‘is not to ‘complete’ Christ’s definitive revelation, but to help live more fully by it in a certain period of history’. . . . A private revelation can introduce new emphases, give rise to new forms of piety, or deepen older ones. It can have a certain prophetic character (cf. 1 Th 5:19-21) and can be a valuable aid for better understanding and living the Gospel at a certain time; consequently it should not be treated lightly. It is a help which is proffered, but its use is not obligatory. In any event, it must be a matter of nourishing faith, hope and love, which are for everyone the permanent path of salvation.” (Verbum Domini 14)

When praying the Rosary, it is recommended to insert a brief biblical text after the announcement of each mystery

• Praying the Rosary: “It is fitting that the announcement of each mystery be accompanied by a brief biblical text pertinent to that mystery, so as to encourage the memorization of brief biblical passages relevant to the mysteries of Christ’s life.” (Verbum Domini 88)

Interpretation of Scripture includes listening to the Saints, who have truly lived God’s word

•  “The interpretation of sacred Scripture would remain incomplete were it not to include listening to those who have truly lived the word of God: namely, the saints. . . . Every saint is like a ray of light streaming forth from the word of God” (Verbum Domini 48)