Holy Week Visio Divina

What is Visio Divina? 

Our world today is very noisy, visually. We have our phones and computers and TVs, yes, but there’s also visual “noise” on every street: businesses, advertisements, yard sales, political billboards, lost dogs… everything we see is demanding our attention.

None of this is bad in itself: we are made to look around, to take in our surroundings, to see and connect with each other. Through Visio Divina, we use God’s gift of sight and attention to detail to pray.

The process of Visio Divina is the same as Lectio Divina, but instead of reading scripture, we will be “reading” a piece of art.

All the images in this set are paintings by artist James Tissot, who lived in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. He had a re-conversion to the faith later in his life, and painted over 350 images of Jesus and the New Testament. These have to do with the events that happened between Holy Thursday and Easter Sunday.

View the images & prayer guide here.

How do I pray Visio Divina?

Visio Divina is a slow, prayerful examination of a work of art. It’s a tool for lifting your heart and mind to God and His mysteries. Gaze at the image and use it as an inspiration to pray, following the same steps as Lectio Divina.

First, choose an image to pray with (here). Then, in a quiet space, reflect on these questions.

Lectio: Read

Read the image: take several long moments and slowly examine the content. Look for unusual details. What is the first thing that grabs your attention? What is the meaning or story behind in this picture?

Take a moment to allow this picture to be your focus. If you get distracted, that’s okay, don’t feel bad. Just come back to Jesus.

Meditatio: Meditate

Meditate on the image: what you know about this story? Take several moments to notice its colors, expressions, and symbolism. Imagine yourself present in this image: who are you? Where are you? What are you feeling, thinking, or doing?

Don’t be afraid to go deeper here. What does it sound like in this image? What does it smell like? What makes this day or moment different from every other day?

Oratio: Pray

Pray with the image: talk with God about what you see here, and what it means to you. Ask God to show you what He wants you to see or understand through this image. Give him time to respond in your heart.

You might want to close your eyes for this step, or keep your eyes focused on Jesus, or whatever detail is speaking to you most at this moment.

Contemplatio: Contemplate

Contemplate the image: take one more moment to quietly examine the image. What has God has taught you through your prayer with this work of art? What advice, consolation, or challenge will you take with you into the rest of your day? Thank God for this time, and for His presence in your life. 

 What do you want to ask God for, or thank God for, in this moment? Pray that prayer right now.

We end this prayer as we end all things, by giving Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.