Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and to come into His glory?” Then beginning with Moses and with all the Prophets, He explained to them the things written about Himself in all the Scriptures.
Luke 24: 26-27

Getting Started

Below you can find tips on Lectio Divina as well as books on other topics such as growing in virtue, theology, the mass, devotion to Mary, the Holy Eucharist, and so on. If you aren't sure where to start, check out the Voces blog "Reading in My Spiritual Life" to understand what spiritual reading is and how to begin, then come back here to find a book to start with!
​
.

Reading in My Spiritual Life

There is a natural or perhaps better, a supernatural progression in the spiritual life. One normally begins with lots of vocal prayers, going through many different prayer books and that is a good thing, very pleasing to God. Then, God will give the person a hunger for spiritual reading in addition to their other forms of prayer and then one learns things about their faith very much like they learn things in any other course of study.

Sacred Scripture
Lectio Divina

​What is Lectio Divina?
Lectio Divina ('Divine Reading') is the reading of scripture in a very spiritual way. It is a meditation, but not rigid. It is a conversation with God, and engagement with the text but also with the author of the text, of the Spirit who wrote it. God is transcendent, but reveals Himself to us in the Scriptures. 
How do I prepare?
It is important to dispose ourself for Lectio Divina as we do for any prayer: with humility, confidence in God, and with perseverance. We must seek to remove disordered affections and have a pure intention. I must want to listen to the word of God.

Practically speaking, it is beneficial to find a quiet place to pray and dedicate a certain amount of time, ideally thirty minutes to an hour, to praying and meditating on the word of God. We can begin with a prayer such as below:

Prayer Before Reading Sacred Scripture:
Lord, inspire me to read your Scriptures and to meditate upon them day and night. I beg you to give me understanding of what I need, that I in turn may put its precepts into practice. Yet, I know that understanding and good intentions are worthless, unless rooted in your graceful love. So I ask that the words of Scripture may also be not just signs on a page, but channels of grace into my heart.
+Amen.
What are the basic steps?
Prepatory Prayer 
I must put myself in a quiet place, place myself in the presence of God, and ask for light to know and do His will.

Step 1 - Lectio / Read
What does the text say?
It is more listening than reading. I can pick the Gospel passage of the day or something of similar length. What does it say? I'm reading the words. 

Step 2 - Meditatio / Meditate
What does the text say to me?
We now go over the text again and again. What does the text say? What does it mean? 

Step 3 - Oratio / Prayer
What do I say to God?
It flows from the heart and towards the divine word. I am praying with the ideas found in the text. I am seeking a theme such as faith or humility.

Step 4 - Contemplatio / Contemplation
What must I do to be like God?
This is simpler than prayer. We have aspirations of admiration, astonishment, it is a hymn of praise. We express the sweetness of what was read; it is similar to the joys of heaven. This is how St. Jerome read the scriptures. 

Thanksgiving
We give thanks to God for the many graces recieved. This prayer is something that we should continue throughout the day, allowing us to be connected to God's word during our various activities, for as St. Paul "Indeed, the word of God is living and effective" (Heb. 4:12)
Additional Resources

Growing in Virtue

Fr. Fuentes's Virtus Collection
The Virtus Collection is published by IVE Press.

Additional Spiritual Reading

Below is a suggested reading listen drawing from the "classics" of Catholic literature. The list is not exhaustive, but a great place to start.
HOLY MASS ADORATION AND MEDITATION Devotion to the Virgin Mary
  • True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, Saint Louis Marie Grignion de Montfort
  • The Secret of Mary, Saint Louis Marie Grignion de Montfort
  • Mother of the Savior, Fr. R. Garrigou Lagrange
HOLY ROSARY
  • The Secret of the Rosary, Saint Louis Marie Grignion de Montfort
LITURGY OF THE HOURS Interior Life
  • The Soul of the Apostolate, Dom J. B. Chautard
Prayer
  • Difficulties in Mental Prayer, Fr. Eugene Boylan
LIVES OF THE SAINTS
  • The Family that Overtook Christ, M. Raymond
  • Three Religious Rebels, M. Raymond
  • Saint Francis, G.K. Chesterton
  • Saint Thomas Aquinas: the Dumb Ox, G.K. Chesterton
  • Various biographies of saints by Louis de Wohl
  • The Curé d’Ars: St. Jean-Marie-Baptiste Vianney, Abbé François Trochou
  • Autobiography of Saint Anthony María Claret
  • Writings of Saint Anthony María Claret
  • Story of A Soul, The Autobiography of St. Therese of the Child Jesus
  • The Intimate Life of Padre Pro, Fr. Antonio Dragón, S.J.
  • Forget not Love: The Passion of Maximilian Kolbe, André Frossard
  • John Paul the Great: His Five Loves, Jason Evert
SPIRITUAL THEOLOGY
  • Theology of Christian Perfection, Fr. Antonio Royo Marín, O.P.
  • Three Ages of the Interior Life, Two Volumes, Reginald Garrigou-Lagrange, O.P.
  • I Want to See God: Synthesis of Carmelite Spritiuality, Vol. I, Fr. Eugene-Marie of the Child Jesus, OCD
  • I Am a Daughter of the Church: Synthesis of Carmelite Spritiuality, Vol. II, Fr. Eugene-Marie of the Child Jesus, OCD
VARIOUS TOPICS
Spirituality
  • Dark Night of the Soul, St. John of the Cross
  • Ascent to Mt. Carmel, St. John of the Cross
  • Way of Perfection, St. Teresa of Avila
  • Interior Castle, St. Teresa of Avila
  • Introduction to the Devout Life, St. Francis de Sales
  • The Dialogues, Saint Catharine of Siena
  • Imitation of Christ, Thomas à Kempis
Charity
  • Practice of the Love of Jesus Christ, St. Alphonsus Maria Liguori
  • Practice of the Love for God, St. Francis de Sales
Confidence in Divine Providence Marriage and Family Life

D.C. Metro Area:
Regular Meetings
-Thursdays at 7:00pm
-1st Saturday Adoration at 6:30pm

The Ven. Fulton Sheen Seminary
​5706 Sargent Rd
Chillum, MD 20782

*Sign up for our email list to stay up to date on events! You can also reach us directly:
​vocesverbiusa@ive.org

Voces Verbi USA

Where Catholic young adults become "voices of the Word" (​voces Verbi).

​Forming the generation that will help to restore all things in Christ and in which we can hope for the building of a true Christian society.

Join the Voces Verbi e-list.