What is Visio Divina?

  Sep 23, 2022

Visio Divina, translated from Latin to “divine seeing,” is a form of prayer in which one meditates on sacred art. In this new CatholicTV YouTube series, host Katie Weiss will guide viewers through the steps of Visio Divina for 7 pieces of sacred art depicting themes from the life of the Holy Family. In this introductory video, Katie shares how praying with art brought healing in her own life and helped her discern God’s will. Katie is the founder of Behold, a ministry which leads women in praying with sacred art. We produced this series in collaboration with Behold, and we are so excited to share it with you! In this video you’ll also learn a bit about the history of Visio Divina, which has been practiced in the Church throughout the ages.    Steps of Visio Divina Visio/Gaze - Look at the image and notice what strikes you. Meditatio/Meditation - Prayerfully listen to the accompanying Scripture, being attentive to what words or phrases strike you. Spend time pondering the reflection questions for the image. Oratio/Prayer - Speak to God about what you’re noticing. This is a conversation from your heart with the Lord.  Contemplatio/Contemplation - Simply rest with God. This is a time of divine intimacy.  Actio/Action - Ask God how he wants you to live out anything that came up during this time of prayer.  To learn about Behold Visio Divina and to access more resources, visit www.beholdvisiodivina.com. 

Nov 6, 2022

In this episode of "Visio Divina: Praying with Art," we're meditating on a painting that depicts the moment when Mary and Joseph finally find Jesus in the temple after searching for him for 3 days. We can imagine what anxiety they must have felt while he was missing, yet we see a peace and calm in this image. Perhaps you are feeling anxiety in your own life--how can you bring this to Jesus and receive his peace?  "The Finding of Jesus in the Temple" is by Sofia Novelli, the same artist who painted last episode's image. Sofia currently works as a commissioned painter and painting assistant at the Sacred Art School of Florence.  Visio Divina, translated from Latin to “divine seeing,” is a form of prayer in which one meditates on sacred art. In this new CatholicTV YouTube series, host Katie Weiss will guide viewers through the steps of Visio Divina for 7 pieces of sacred art depicting themes from the life of the Holy Family.  If you'd like to pray along with a physical copy of the image and scripture, you can print out a PDF here: www.catholictv.org/resources/Finding in the Temple.pdf  Scripture: "Each year his parents went to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover, and when he was twelve years old, they went up according to festival custom. After they had completed its days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. Thinking that he was in the caravan, they journeyed for a day and looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances, but not finding him, they returned to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions, and all who heard him were astounded at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him, they were astonished, and his mother said to him, 'Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety.' And he said to them, 'Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?' But they did not understand what he said to them. He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart. And Jesus advanced [in] wisdom and age and favor before God and man." -Luke 2:41-52  Reflection Questions: 1. Place yourself in this image and Scripture. What is the Lord saying to you?  2. Imagine the relief of Mary and Joseph after 3 days of anxiety. Where do I feel anxiety in my own life? How can I invoke Jesus in those places?  3. Notice Jesus' gaze and posture toward Mary. What is he saying to you?  4. How can you live out the fruits of this meditation?  To learn about Behold Visio Divina and to access more resources, visit www.beholdvisiodivina.com.  See more of Sofia Novelli's work here: https://www.sofianovelli.com/en Join this channel to get access to perks:   / @catholictv   Donate to CatholicTV: https://www.catholictv.org/donateCatholicTV website: http://bit.ly/2KlLFuXLike us on Facebook: http://bit.ly/2LWw1tmFollow us on Twitter: http://bit.ly/31eG1lfFollow us on Instagram: http://bit.ly/339rEAf