Piercing the Clouds

Lectio Divina and Preparation for Ministry

Overview

This book’s six essays pertain to the “piercing of the clouds,” or the experience of heavenly mysteries, which characterizes lectio divina practiced well. These peer-reviewed essays give special attention to the practice of lectio divina during preparation for ministry.

Editor(s): Kevin Zilverberg and Scott Carl
Published: June 16, 2021

Where to Purchase

CUA Press (print and e-book)

Amazon.com

Amazon.co.uk

Eurospan Bookstore (Europe)

Description

This book’s six essays pertain to the “piercing of the clouds,” or the experience of heavenly mysteries, which characterizes lectio divina practiced well. Moreover, these peer-reviewed essays give special attention to the practice of lectio divina during preparation for ministry, especially the ministry of Catholic priests. That being said, any current or prospective Bible-reader may profit from this book; most of its content applies to Catholic seminarians and literate Christians alike.

Here follow brief descriptions of each chapter. Laurence Kriegshauser, OSB, begins the book with a chapter on the Western monastic tradition of lectio divina and seminary formation, including an historical survey of lectio divina, a description of its characteristics, and reflections on its practice in seminaries. Michael Magee reflects upon the implications of exegetical method for lectio divina, with a comparison and critique of three commentaries’ treatments of John 6. Konrad Schaefer, OSB, advocates for fostering growth and formation through lectio divina, beginning his chapter with a description of its theological underpinnings and then taking up some practical considerations for students. Marcin Kowalski focuses on meditatio of lectio divina following upon exegesis-informed lectio, with an examination of Romans 7:7–25 as a test case. Daniel Keating examines oratio and contemplatio (and actio) of lectio divina, giving attention to theologians from twelfth-century Carthusian Prior Guigo II to Pope Benedict XVI. Anthony Giambrone, OP, contributes the final essay, on searching the Scriptures and the mystery of preaching. For him, exquisitio (intellectual engagement) leads to supplicatio (prayerful supplication), which culminates in praedicatio (preaching).

Kevin Zilverberg, SSD, and Scott Carl, SSL, are diocesan priests and professors of sacred Scripture at The Saint Paul Seminary School of Divinity at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN. They also serve together on the seminary’s priestly formation team. Carl edited Verbum Domini and the Complementarity of Exegesis and Theology in 2015, and Zilverberg authored the forthcoming monograph The Textual History of Old Latin Daniel from Tertullian to Lucifer (Madrid: CSIC).

Reviews

Msgr. Michael Heintz. Antiphon: A Journal for Liturgical Renewal 26, no. 1 (2022): 101–104. doi:10.1353/atp.2022.0010.

Christian Raab, O.S.B., American Benedictine Review 73, no. 3 (2022): 343–345.

Laurie R. Brink, OP, The Bible Today 61, Mar.-Apr. (2023): 125.

Details

List Price: $24.95
ISBN: 978-1-953936-04-2 (paperback)
ISBN: 978-1-953936-54-7 (e-book)
ISSN: 2765-9283

Table of Contents (PDF)

Introduction (PDF)

Series

Catholic Theological Formation Series

Testimonials

“This is a rich and eminently practical collection of essays, of benefit to any serious Christian. Seminary formators in particular—whether charged with intellectual, spiritual, or pastoral formation—will find in this book not only a thoughtful orientation to the history, theology, and spirituality of lectio divina, but also thoughtful pedagogical proposals and some concrete models of the practice.”

— Msgr. Michael Heintz
Academic Dean
Mount Saint Mary’s Seminary, Emmitsburg, MD

“[T]he book . . . should be beneficial to anyone with a serious interest in lectio divina, ministerial formation, or Scripture studies. . . . Piercing the Clouds gives some fresh suggestions for how to approach lectio. Not only does it present again Guigo’s ladder, it introduces Benedict XVI’s innovation to the classic four-step method, and shows how to make use of commentaries/modern exegesis in a way that enriches rather than detracts from spiritual reading. . . . In an age when multi-author edited volumes have a hard time finding a publisher or market, this book is a testimony to their value. By bringing together such a terrific collection of essays into one space, the book accomplishes much, and proves to be more than the sum of its parts.”

— Christian Raab, O.S.B.
Saint Meinrad Archabbey and Saint Meinrad Seminary