Our Lady of Sorrows (Stacy Wills, 2012)
Visio Divina (Latin for divine seeing) is the practice of praying with images. Like Lectio Divina (divine reading), it has four basic movements:
1. Read the text...or in this case...the art, slowly. Notice the colors, the shapes, the lines, the subject. What catches your eye first? What feelings are stirred within? What emotions are evoked? What do you like about the image? What do you dislike?
2. Gaze...take a deeper look. Engage with your imagination. What is happening here? What do you see? Is there a deeper meaning that emerges? Can you place yourself in the piece, and if so, where? What do you see from that perspective? Are there any memories that arise?
3. Respond...with prayer. Have you been reminded of a situation, an experience, a person or issue that you would like to lift in thanksgiving or intercession? Offer your prayer to God.
4. Rest...rest into the quiet center of your being, and listen for what the Spirit is saying.
You can use any type of art (photograph, collage, painting, sculpture, etc.) in the practice of Visio Divina. You are also more than welcome to use this image to practice with. If you do, I would love to hear from you. :-)
