Franciscan Lectio

This unique Franciscan reader is like nothing else in its field--and so well put together! Why didn't someone think of this before? It took us a long time to sincerely honor our own inspired sources. --Fr. Richard Rohr, O.F.M. In this practical and illuminating book Franciscan friar, Dan Riley, invites the reader into a Franciscan way of looking at and reading the world. By extending the meaning and practice of 'lectio divina, ' an ancient portal into the sacred by prayerful, meditative reading of a passage from Holy Scripture, Riley shows how the same practice can lead us into contemplation of the world itself. It is a practice that derives from the author's own experience and that of spiritual icons like Saints Francis and Clare of Assisi. In the words of Saint Clare, we begin to realize our own God-given union with the Divine when we learn how to see everything with eyes that prayerfully 'gaze, consider, contemplate and imitate.' A prayerful reading of this book reveals what those four words mean and how their wisdom is open to all who learn to see again by opening their eyes to what is already there in themselves and in the world: the presence of God who made and loves everything that is.To prayerfully read this book is itself a 'lectio' on how to read the world. --Fr. Murray Bodo, OFM, author of Francis: The Journey and the Dream This book is a guide and companion for anyone searching for spiritual insight and renewed focus. Dan Riley OFM leads the reader in a wise and gentle way with this ancient practice of learning to read the world without and within. His personal stories illuminate the path. --Marcia & Jack Kelly, authors of Sanctuaries: A Guide to Lodgings in Monasteries, Abbeys and Retreats and 100 Graces: Mealtime Blessings Franciscan Lectio by Father Dan Riley takes you on a spiritual journey that leads to authentic discovery of what was always there, just hidden. The calm yet captivating voice of this book allows the reader to listen, hear beyond the words and become one with the Word. The truest meaning of Lectio is revealed through Dan's shared memories of his early life. Illuminating how what was, is now, and always will be. Franciscan Lectio serves as a guide to experiencing oneness with God, each other and all of creation. It inspires a feeling of love, hopefulness, beauty and inner peace. It is an absolute must read for those who desire a deeper understanding and heartfelt communication with God that dwells within us and abides all around us. --Matrecia S. L. James, Ph.D., Dean of St. Bonaventure University School of Business and Founder of Multi-level Sustainable Leadership Consulting Franciscan Lectio introduces us to a spiritual practice of reading so old that it feels new. Today we live our lives constantly plugged in, bombarded by information that gives us the illusion of connectedness while often leaving us feeling empty and alone. Father Dan invites us to slow down so we can truly feel Scripture, by which he means all of Creation, with our whole being. He gives us the gift of seeing and hearing and feeling God in the world as if for the first time. --Matthew J. Cressler, author of Authentically Black and Truly Catholic: The Rise of Black Catholicism in the Great Migration Since I have personally experienced Fr. Dan's 'Lectio Divina' through my many times at the Mountain and his 'Mountain on the Road' program, I initially felt that his new book, 'Franciscan Lectio', would be simply a basic technical overview of this ancient practice. Was I ever surprised! Probably due to that expectation, the first part of the book took me a while to grasp and grapple with the terminology, history, and the variety (infinite!) of Lectio Divina practices. But as I got more into it, what seemed to be a fair amount of repetition became more fluid in a beautiful prose style, and was even personal given some of Dan's life experiences which parallel mine in several ways including being a graduate of St. Bonaventure. What I came to appreciate in the overall flow of his wonderful book was that what I thought was repetition was actually Lectio in practice! He and his co-author utilized their voices and that of others to infuse me with a heightened awareness and understanding of the four Lectio principles: Gaze, Consider, Contemplate, and Imitate . The World needs this book at this time! --William Wynne, author of Understanding and Combating Racism: My Path from Oblivious American to Evolving Activist God is experience, and this book is both personal memoir and a profound sharing of Fr. Dan's mystical experiences and those possible for all of us when we engage deeply in reading all that is life. Where traditional Lectio focuses on reading scripture, Fr. Dan expands our understanding by sharing his personal experiences with art, music, nature, family and all of creation. This book is deeply Franciscan! --Pauline J. Albert, Ph.D., Franciscan Scholar and Chairman of the Board, Franciscan Media 'Be still. Be.' I have an image of sitting with Fr. Dan at Mt. Irenaeus and being introduced to Lectio. It was an unfamiliar practice to me, but one that was beautifully simple. As a young person interested in contemplation and action, the practice of sitting with a text in community with others taking little bites of scripture was an opportunity to pause and reflect. I was learning to sit with the beauty of the ordinary. Just as rain was Merton's festival, wooded hills in Western New York have provided a background for Fr. Dan to interweave his own life's journey with a richness of experience, reflection, and embrace. He offers an introduction to a practice retrieved and re-imagined in a way that is truly Franciscan. At the heart of this practice is connection through conversatio. In this book, we find an invitation to engage meaningfully and deeply. --Timothy J. Shaffer, PhD, Stavros Niarchos Foundation Chair of Civil Discourse, Joseph R. Biden, Jr. School of Public Policy and Administration at the University of Delaware I've been blessed to walk with Fr. Dan Riley in many ways and in many places: from the campus of St. Bonaventure University (including the altar where he presided over the sacrament of marriage) to the piazzas and churches of Assisi; from the hills of Mt. Irenaeus to the valleys of the Washington, D.C., area. I've also been beyond blessed to co-minister with Fr. Dan on more than 250 podcasts over 10 years. This book brings those podcasts to life in a new way - a new invitation to see the world through a Franciscan lens. The ancient practices described here are modern today in many secular ways. The modern ways we live today with apps, multimedia and information overload call us to discover the ancient practice of Franciscan lectio to balance our lives and find deeper meaning all around us. Fr. Dan captures the essence of being still--and knowing that God is all around us, especially in all forms of creation. May the good journey found in these pages enlighten our hearts, open our eyes and invite us to be still. --Greg Licamele, Mt. Irenaeus Board Member, Communications Committee Chair and Clouds and Sun Podcast Co-Minister Fr. Dan Riley has been a friend and mentor for over 40 years. Our journey started at St. Bonaventure University, as his student and friend, the Franciscan values he modeled led to a passion to use my gifts to serve others. Dan's book is an extraordinary gift for self-discovery. Come, join the journey, learn who you are, and walk with us in God's love. --Robert Cancalosi, author of Four Loop Learning In these most amazingly spiraling, up-and-down times, Dan Riley OFM has given us a plumbline. Franciscan Lectio provides circles of holonarchy and infinite possibilities, allowing us to forgive the unforgettable, heal abuse of power, find unity in the strength of diversity, and have hope in actions without 'razon.' In these converging cycles of great change, knowing we are beyond the twelfth hour, thanks to Dan Riley's authorship we can still live our lives in communion with the earth. We can bring ourselves to the moment-by-moment peace that passeth all understanding. --Nettie Jean Scarzafava, Retired Judge, New York State