Lectio Divina: The Ladder of Monks

By Guigo II

How to Pray With Scripture

In the 12th century, the Carthusian monk Guigo II composed a short letter that would become one of the most enduring guides to Christian prayer: The Ladder of Monks. In it, he describes a fourfold path-reading, meditation, prayer, and contemplation-as steps by which the soul ascends to God. This method, known today as Lectio Divina, has shaped monastic and spiritual life for centuries.

This edition presents an accessible translation of Guigo's classic, with careful attention to clarity, tone, and faithfulness to the original. Each chapter is accompanied by "Lessons in Lectio Divina," practical Scripture-based exercises designed to help readers put Guigo's method into practice. These lessons not only offer training in the fourfold pattern but also deepen reflection on the themes raised in each chapter.

As Pope Benedict XVI observed, "If it is effectively promoted, this practice will bring to the Church-I am convinced of it-a new spiritual springtime." May this volume serve as a quiet companion to those who seek that renewal, helping them to hear, ponder, and rest in the Word of God.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0FRXZDC37
• ISBN13: 9798282318203
• Release Date: September 2025
• Publisher: Independently Published
• Length: 108 Pages
• Weight: 0.25 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 5.0" x 8.0"