Sacred Reading

Sacred Reading: The 2019 Guide to Daily Prayer provides a prayerful and intimate exploration of the daily gospel readings, illuminating each passage through a simple, six-step process that draws you into a personal encounter with Christ. Unlike other prayer books using the traditional spiritual devotion of lectio divina, this guide includes the Pope’s monthly prayer intentions, allowing you to participate in the global life of the Church while strengthening your own faith.

This inviting annual prayer book from the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network—an international ecclesial ministry served by the Jesuits—breaks open the daily gospel readings with a fresh take on the traditional spiritual devotion lectio divina (sacred reading) and incorporates the Pope’s monthly prayer intentions for groups across the globe. A straightforward yet deeply prayerful approach to the ancient practice of lectio divina will help you develop a sense of the universal Church in prayer for persecuted Christians, national leaders, the elderly, and those in need.

With Sacred Reading, you will be guided to

Beginning with Advent and continuing through the entire liturgical year, this book is a practical resource for anyone who is interested in a deeper prayer life or is seeking a new approach to both praying and living the gospel.

Features & Benefits

“In his apostolic exhortation The Joy of the Gospel, Pope Francis invites us to be people of prayer. Sacred Reading is an excellent aid in responding to that invitation. This book offers a clear, helpful, and inspirational guide to deepen our love for scripture as we ponder God’s Word and live it out in our daily lives.”

Most Rev. Robert F. Morneau

Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus of Green Bay

“Sacred Reading offers a superb introduction to Ignatian prayer that anyone can use. Too often Ignatian prayer is seen as something reserved only for Jesuits, for people trained in the Spiritual Exercises, or for those who have time for a directed retreat. But this book, created by experts in the traditions of Ignatian prayer, helps the reader to encounter Jesus through short scripture passages, inviting questions, and accessible reflections. It’s an innovative way to be invited, with gentle wisdom, into meeting Jesus in your prayer.”
Rev. James Martin, S.J.

“I encourage anyone looking to deepen their prayer life to spend time learning this ancient practice, and to come to know a God who dances freely in our imaginations if we will but go there with him.”
Tim Muldoon 
Author of The Discerning Parent

 “Communion with God increases dramatically as we grow in knowledge of God’s Word. For most people the problem is simply getting started: determining where to begin. A most ancient and venerable practice is lectio divina, scripture reading that is meditation and contemplation but also application. Sacred Reading is an uncommonly useful tool in really getting into scripture in just this way.”
Rev. Michael White and Tom Corcoran
Authors of Rebuilt 

“In just six simple steps, Sacred Reading opens our minds and hearts to scripture in refreshing and profound ways. The daily meditations are clear and concise and yet filled with wisdom and promise. Reading scripture daily is good; reading scripture daily with Sacred Reading as your guide is awesome.”

 Marge Fenelon

 Author of Imitating Mary 

“This guide through the gospel texts of the daily lectionary offers a fully-embodied experience that includes the mind, heart, imagination, desire, and behavior. This way of prayerfully reading the gospels as the Spirit-empowered Word of God shows us how to open our lives to be continually formed in Christ.”
Stephen J. Binz
Speaker and author of Transformed by God’s Word 

“Sacred Reading has become a friend in prayer. I find the format particularly engaging as it inspires me to reflect on the Word of God in a prayerful, practical, and personal way.”
Hilda Walter
Administrative Assistant at Gesu Parish
University Heights, Ohio

“Sacred Reading is an invaluable companion that helps you cultivate the daily habit of praying with scripture. Learn about God, talk to him, listen to his special message for you, and rest in his presence using the engaging lectio divina format.”
Lillian Moore
High school and adult faith-formation catechist
St. Joseph Catholic Church
Honey Creek, Texas

“Sacred Reading is an indispensable resource in deepening your prayer and devotional life. Lectio divina will change how you see your relationships—with the Lord, with others, and with yourself. Highly recommended!”
Most Rev. David L. Ricken
Bishop of Green Bay

“This easy-to-use prayer guide is appropriate for teens and adults and provides a wonderful way to enter into the spirit of each day’s gospel readings.”
Barb Szyszkiewicz
Catholic blogger and editor at CatholicMom.com