Reading can lead to praying

(These three articles preview the Spiritual Wellness Day, March 3, 9 a.m. - 12:45 p.m., at St. Ambrose parish in Latham. Co-sponsored by the Albany diocesan Consultation Center and St. Bernard's School of Theology and Ministry, the day includes a keynote and workshops. For information and cost, call 489-4431.)

For her presentation at St. Ambrose parish in Latham, Sister Joanne St. Hilaire, CSJ, intends to explore how to find spiritual books that lead readers to prayer.

Her workshop will be filled with suggestions for Lenten reading and other books that can move a person into a prayer experience.

"I'll talk a little about the history of spiritual reading, how it started and how it led us to what we do now," she told The Evangelist. "When I was a novice, praying [the Liturgy of the Hours] was required. It is a very important source of spiritual nourishment."

Many forms

Sister Joanne said that there are other kinds of spiritual readings, including Scripture, biographies of holy people and the lives of saints.

She will also discuss poetry, theology, and books on peace and justice as ways to lead people to prayer.

She also hopes to spend some time discussing Lectio Divina, in which a Scripture passage is read and then contemplated.

Spaces, too

"St. Isaac of Syria said that, when we do spiritual reading, we should read the spaces as well as the words," the nun explained.

"To me, spiritual reading is where we find glimpses of the presence of God that we ordinarily wouldn't find on our own."

(Sister Joanne taught English and American literature at the College of St. Rose in Albany for many years. She now directs retreats, and lectures on spirituality and prayer. "Spiritual Reading as Prayer" is scheduled from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., March 3, at St. Ambrose Church in Latham.)

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