Do you Love Me?
Discovering the Word of God and praying the Gospels through Lectio Divini, is a theme that has been taken up by the Catholic Bishops of England & Wales in their pastoral document “Do you Love me?” Our own special Bishop Noble headed the working party that developed the pastoral leaflet “Do you Love Me?” which can be used by individuals and it provides supplementary reading that will reinforce the focus of Gospel Prayer Group at All Saints. “Do You Love Me?” is available in the Parish Piety Shop and costs £3.50. Also available are pocket-sized copies of individual Gospels – St Mark and St Luke (£2.50 each) published by the CTS.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church defines Lectio Divina as contemplative prayer where
“. . . the silence, the “symbol of the world to come” or “silent love”.
Words in this kind of prayer are not speeches, they are the kindling that feels the fire of love. In this silence . . . . the father speaks to us his incarnate word . . . . Where the Holy Spirit enables us to share in the prayer of Jesus.”
Just half-an-hour a month would provide a focus for your personal spiritual formation and to live your faith actively. It is not necessary to attend the group every month, just come when you can. This is an open invitation for you to live our faith through the Gospel. Come and experience the prayer group.
After each prayer meeting group member’s participants are given a copy of the text that has been the focus of meeting – together with an additional text – and commentaries on both texts. If you wish, you can leave your email address and you will be posted with future texts and commentaries so that that you can continue Lectio Divina individually in your own time. Exploring the Gospel in this way will help you develop a more intimate relationship with God and also instil a sense of peace and calm in your life.
The Prayer Group will re-convene after the summer break on Wednesday, 9th September, at All Saints following the 7.30 evening Mass. The meeting will take just 30 minutes of your time. All parishioners are invited to come. You can express their views as to the timing and venue of the prayer meeting. Is the group meeting at the right time and in the right place? Come and encounter the peace of Christ.