In June 2001, two of us had just completed a Bible Course at the Charismatic Bible School at Caroni when sessions on Lectio Divina, led by Fr Michel de Verteuil were offered.

We attended these sessions and at the end Fr Michel encouraged us (more like a command though) to “go out and form your own groups. You have been taught the method, once you stick to it you will not go wrong or lead anyone on the wrong path – the method itself will correct you.”

And so started the Sacred Heart Group in January 2002 with six members – five of whom have been constant. One of the positions can be considered transient since changes are always taking place therein, albeit for legitimate reasons.

I am happy to report however, that one of these persons is living abroad now and has since formed her own group. We are in contact with her.

Over the four-year period of our existence, we have grown tremendously, each in her own way. Never in my wildest dreams did I think that this method of reading the Bible would have brought such great benefits to us as individuals/group/community.

Individuals: Deep trust in Jesus as guide, who walks with us in the text as it relates to our personal lives. He allows us to relinquish the dross of our experiences and to accept that which is true. This method provides an opportunity to come to know the real you as Jesus sees you and to grow in your prayer life.

Group - A place in which trust is built up.
– A support system where listening ears are not judgmental.
 - Sharing provides insights that may have remained unknown.
– Forever a learning experience.

Community: Each one of us has found ourselves moving out into community life as a natural progression from our study of the Bible using the Lectio Divina method. For example, in post-Baptism ministry. One of our members is now a lay minister.

I would encourage everyone to be a practitioner of this method of Bible reading; it nourishes the soul and in turn, the body.

I am aware that many people are in touch with the method as individuals and as groups but we have never met as one body to share our experiences and to be a support for each other.

With this in mind, a meeting has been proposed for November 25, to be held at the UWI Chaplaincy, 2 Carmody Road, St Augustine from 9:00 a.m. to 12 noon.
Contact: Pearl Lezama: 650-1766/Catherine Ali: 653-7821