Prayer Method: Lectio Divina

Lectio Divina is a classical method of Christian Scriptural prayer.  There are basically four steps.  Move from step to step at your own pace.

Lectio: Choose a passage from the Bible. I suggest, Jn 5:1-15. Read the passage slowly and attentively several times, until you get a grasp of the text.

Meditatio: Reflect on the passage, thinking about its significance to your life at this moment.  Gravitate to any particular phrase or word that seems to be of particular importance to you. Repeat those words within yourself for sometime, and then move on to another part of the passage.  This should not be confused with exegesis, but is a very personal reading of the Scripture and application to one's own life.

Oratio: Respond to the passage by opening your heart to God. This is not primarily an intellectual exercise, but more of the beginning of a conversation with God. Pray spontaneously using the text.

Contemplatio: Listening to God in the depths of our heart. Now slowly move from words to silence. Move from the mind to the heart. Listen to God. Open your hearts to God by becoming aware of your feelings.  Be available to God.

SHAKE IT OFF!!

One day a farmer’s donkey fell down into the well. The animal cried piteously for hours as the farmer tried to figure out what to do. Finally he decided the animal was old and the well needed to be covered up anyway. It just wasn’t worth to retrieve the donkey so he invited all his neighbours to come over and help him. They all grabbed a shovel each and began to shovel dirt into the well.

At first, the donkey realized what was happening and cried horribly. Then, to everyone’s amazement, he quieted down. A few shovel loads later, the farmer looked down into the well and was astonished at what he saw. With every shovel of dirt that hit his back, the donkey was doing something amazing. He would shake it off and take a step up. As the farmer’s neighbours continued to shovel dirt on top of the animal, he would shake it off and take a step up.

Pretty soon everyone was amazed as the donkey stepped up over the edge of the well and trotted off!

Lesson:
Life is going to shovel dirt on you, all kinds of dirt. The trick to getting out of the well is to shake off and take a step up. Each of our troubles is a stepping stone. We can get out of the deepest wells just by not stopping, never giving up! Shake it off and take a step up!!

INTRACTIVE LORD'S PRAYER

Our Father who art in Heaven....

Yes?
Don't interrupt me. I'm praying....

But you called Me.
Called you? I didn't call you. I'm praying.Our Father who art in Heaven....

There, you did it again....
Did what?

Called Me. You said, "Our Father who art in Heaven.."Here I am. What's on your mind?
But I didn't mean anything by it. I was, you know, just saying my prayers for the day. I always say the Lord's Prayer. It makes me feel good, kind of like getting my duty done.

All right. Go on....

Hallowed be thy name.

Hold it. What do you mean by that?

By what?

By "Hallowed be thy name.".....

It means....it means....good grief, I don't know what it means. How should I know? It's just part of the prayer. By the way, what does it mean?

It means "Honored, Holy! Wonderful."

Hey, that makes sense. I never thought about what "Hallowed" meant before...Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.

Do you really mean that?

Sure, why not?

What are you going to do about it?

Doing? Nothing, I guess. I just think it would be neat if you got control of everything down here like you have up there.

Have I got control of you?

Well, I go to church.

That isn't what I asked you. What about that habit of lust you have? And your bad temper? You've really got a problem there, you know. And then there's the way you spend your money ...... all on yourself. And what about the kinds of books you read?

Stop picking on me! I'm just as good as some of the rest of those phonies at the church.

Excuse me .... I thought you were praying for my will to be done. If that is to happen, it will have to start with the ones who are praying for it. Like you, for example.

Oh, all right! I guess I do have some hang-ups. Now that you mention it, I could probably name some others. So could I haven't thought about it until now, but I really would like to cut out some of those things. I'd like to, you know, be really free.

Good, now we're getting somewhere. We'll work together .... you and I. Some victories can truly be won. I'm proud of you.

Look Lord, I need to finish up here. This is taking a lot longer than it usually does....Give us this day our daily bread. You need to cut down on the bread too ... You're overweight as it is.

Hey, wait a minute! What is this, "Criticize Me Day?" Here I was doing my religious duty, and all of a sudden you break in and remind me of all my hangups.

Praying is a dangerous thing. You could wind up changed you know. That's what I'm trying to get across to you. You called me, and here I am. It's too late to stop now. Keep on praying. I'm interested in the next part of your prayer .................... Well, go on.

I'm scared to.

Scared? Of what?

I know what you'll say.

Try me and see.

Forgive us our offenses as we forgive those who offend us.

What about Mark?
See I knew it! I knew you would bring him up! Why, he's told lies about me, cheated me out of money .... He never paid back that debt he owes me. I've sworn to get even.

But your prayer ...... What about your prayer?

I didn't mean it.

Well, at least you're honest. But it's not much fun carrying the load of bitterness around inside is it?

No, but I'll feel better as soon as I get even. Boy, have I made some plans for ol' Mark! He'll wish he never did me any harm.

You won't feel any better. You'll feel worse. Revenge isn't sweet. Think of how unhappy you are already. But I can change all that.

You can? How?

Forgive Mark. Then I'll forgive you. Then the hate and sin will be Mark's problem and not yours... You may lose the money, but it will be settled in your heart.

But Lord, I can't forgive Mark.

Then I can't forgive you.

Oh, you're right! You always are. And more than I want revenge on Mark, I want to be right with you ............... All right! I forgive him. Help him to find the right road in life, Lord. He's bound to be awfully miserable, now that I think about it. Some day, some way, show him the right way.

There now! How do you feel?

Hmmmmmm .... not bad. Not bad at all, In fact I feel pretty great. You know, I don't think I'll have to go to bed uptight tonight for the first time since I can't remember. Maybe I won't be so tired from now on because I'm not getting enough rest.

You're not through with your prayer ..... Go on.

Oh, all right .....Do not let us enter into temptation, but deliver us from error. Good ....

Good, I'll do that. Just don't put yourself in a place where you can be tempted.

What do you mean by that?

Quit hanging around the wrong places, watching inappropriate movies and television, listening to sinful conversations. Change some of your friendships. Some of your so-called friends are beginning to get to you. They'll have you completely involved in wrong things before long. Don't be fooled. They advertise they're having fun, but for you it would be ruin. Don't use me for an escape hatch.
I don't understand.

Sure you do, You've done it ..... lots of times. You get caught in a bad situation, you get into trouble and then you come running to me. "Lord, help me out of this mess, and I promise you I'll never do it again." You remember some of those bargains you tried to make with me?
Yes, and I'm ashamed Lord. I really am. I'm sorry Lord, I really am. Up until now I thought if I just prayed the Lord's prayer every day then I could do what I liked. I didn't expect anything to happen like it did.
Go ahead .... Finish your prayer.

Oh yes ....For Thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
Do you know what would bring me glory? What would make me really happy?
No, but I'd like to know. I want to please you. I can see what a mess I've made of my life, and I can see how great it would be to really be one of your followers.

You just answered the question.

I did?
Yes, the one thing that would bring me glory is to have people like you truly love me. And I can see that happening between us. Now that some of these old sins are exposed and out of the way .... well, there's no telling what we can do together.
Lord, let's see what we can make of me, OK?

Yes, let's see .....

Source of the prayer
From the "Good News" Newspaper, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, November 1999
This page is dedicated to the Seekers of the World in Love and In Peace.

Founder of Young Catholic Workers (YCW)

Our founder: Joseph Cardijn
Family life
Joseph Cardijn was born on 13th November 1882 at Schaerbeek, a district of Brussels. His parents, Louise and Henri, were caretakers of a small block of flats. His mother suffered from bad health and young Joseph was looked after by his grandmother in Hal, a small Flemish town. A few years later his parents moved to Hal where his father ran a small coal merchants business.
Early years
Hal was fast becoming the centre of industrial growth and development. At the time he was about to leave school his parents naturally thought of him taking a job in the factory with the other working class boys of the town but Joseph had other ideas, he wanted to become a Priest.
Cardijn entered the Seminary and began his studies. Not long after this he received a message saying his father was dying. He returned home and on seeing his father who had worked hard all his life, he swore to become a Priest of the working people.
Cardijn was ordained a Priest on the 22nd of September 1906. He travelled the world seeking a solution to the problems facing young workers. He visited the Trade Union Movements and the Scouts but these offered no solution.
Prisoner of War
In 1916 Cardijn, who had worked actively in the underground since the war started and spoke out against the German armies, was arrested and sentenced to thirteen months in prison. He was to serve another prison sentence in the coming years for similar activities. Cardijn used his prison time to set plans and directions for what was to become the Young Christian Workers.
The first YCW
On his appointment as Curate in Laeken, Cardijn founded a group for young women needle workers. He also founded a group for young working boys and from this came the first three Y.C.W. leaders, Fernand Tonnet, Paul Garcet and Jacques Meert. In 1924 the Young Trade Unionists as they were called became the Young Christian Workers with Cardijn as National Chaplain.
In March 1925 Pope Pius XI received the founder of the Y.C.W. in Rome and gave the Movement the sanction of the Church.
On the 12th of February 1965 Pope Paul VI consecrated Cardijn as a Bishop and created him a Cardinal for his work with the Y.C.W. On the night of the 24th of July 1967 at the age of 85, Cardijn passed away. Cardijn's faith and optimism never blinded him to reality and his clarion call was:
"We are still at the beginning, we are always at the beginning. We must persevere!"

DeWitt Wallace

I: Inspiring Successful Story
Reader’s Digest – Popular magazine by DeWitt Wallace

When DeWitt Wallace was recovering from shrapnel wounds in the army hospital at Aix-les-Bains in 1918, he read every magazine he could lay his hands on. Most of the articles were too long. He started editing them into a shorter form.

After getting discharged from the hospital he selected a group of these condensed articles and called the collection; The Reader’s Digest, and sent samples to publishers throughout the country.

The experts were unimpressed. While many predicted that it would have a fast death and some said that it would not even cross a minimum circulation. Everyone he trusted turned down his offer. He was desperately looking for a friendly gesture from someone.

When Wallace was in Minneapolis, he found an ally, Lila Bell Acheson who had already fallen in love with Wallace. She became a source of great support to Wallace. They got married. Now both could dream together and achieve everything together.
Today, Reader’s Digest is printed in 21 languages, sells 18 million copies a month, and is distributed in 70 countries with 50 editions. In Asia alone there are six editions and five languages with 1.6 million copies sold everyday month. The company grosses an estimated $500 million a year.

This is the story of people who have understood their self worth and shared the same dream together. This is also the story of people entering into friendship having a good self image.

So the lesson is obvious:
You cannot expect someone to fill your vacuum. You cannot depend on others for your sense of self-worth. It must come from within you.



II: Event of the Week:
Release of Scaffoldings

Scaffolding is a Training Programme for Building Christian Life Skills among Youth People of Africa.
The title Scaffoldings alludes to the concept that at the beginning of learning, learners need a great deal of support; gradually, this support is taken away to allow the young people to try their independence.

The facilitator’s Manual and Student’s work book was officially released on 31st January, 09 by Provincial of the Salesians of Don Bosco (AFE).

The manual is on sell by Paulines Publications Africa.
For more information: Don Bosco Youth Ministry – Eastern Africa.

Author: Sahaya G. Selvam
A Salesian of Don Bosco, has been a missionary in Eastern Africa since 1992. Currently he is pursuing his Ph. D in Psychology of Religion in the University of London.

Contributors:
Prosper Dionis & Eddie Kabue

III: Figure to Ponder
Francis of Assisi: A young person who undertook radical choices to respond to a call of Love without compromise. From his generous response to this call, a big family in the Church started and a universal message of peace and love spread in the world.

“We all suffer leprosy deep within our souls. Even though we try to hide it with our fine clothes.”

IV: Prayer Corner
When Tempted by TV commercials

Lord, I watch television
and desire to be like those
“beautiful people”
That glitter and sparkle
The people that so easily
find meaning in life
By drinking the correct soft drink
or that fine love
Through the proper pastries.

You, my Lord, have blessed my life
with family and friendships
That give meaning and love to my existence.
Teach me to recognize true values.

Lord, grant me your truth and wisdom.
Keep me aware of the fantasy
in the square-boxed view of the world.
Help me to overcome the temptation to let food,
so tantalizing disguised as a treat or as an answer.
To my problems,
be in control of my actions and habits
Help me also, Lord,
not to go to the other extreme
and to make beauty, attractiveness,
and thinness into gods to be worshipped.
Teach me the blessing of reality and
of a balanced outlook, Lord. Amen.


V: 3- Pills

If you want to experience God’s power in your life, you first must understand that God can and then begin to act like He can.

When it comes to major changes its better to be too slow than too fast because it’s easier to play catch up than clean up.

When the devil reminds you of your problems, you remind him of his defeat.

Divine Experiences of Power 2008

My spiritual desire as I went to the Divine Retreat Centre was to “experience the love of God through Jesus.” I just wanted to rest and let Him talk to me. I had to take a lot of time to convince myself that God would speak to me.

Previously I used to say prayers. But sometimes after all the prayers that I make I would still feel empty. Dryness. And even the things I pray for become worse. So, I used to get angry with God. I have attended other youth retreats in my country of origin, during the retreat I used to feel that Jesus is very close to me. But after a couple of days, I go back again to the same bad habits.

Despite all these I was consoled by the words of introduction given during the retreat: “No one has come here by chance, God brought you here and He has something for you.” As days went by, I kept praying within myself: “Be still and know that I am God.”

Today as I am writing this message I can feel from within that I am a new person. There is no way I can explain this. The struggle of my sexual desires, negative aspects in my family, my personal defects have different meaning now. The true satisfaction comes from Jesus. It is not that everything has changed from bad to good, but I know I am not alone. He makes all things new, in His time! I keep on focusing on Him in my personal prayer. In general, the “Divine trip” has helped me to renew my Christian faith and focus on Jesus.

Mr Prosper Dionis, Tanzania


It is true that I spent the first two days in the Divine Retreat Centre just wandering around and trying to be familiar with the surroundings and the people. But as time went by I was able to get into the mood of the retreat and make it a touching experience.

I felt that Jesus needs me the way I am even with my difficulties and challenges.

I remember the time when the Blessed Sacrament was placed in front of me, I felt the need for me to go to Jesus because He was there waiting for me… and I heard him telling me that all will be well.

Since the Power 2008 I am happy and calm, working hard to reach my goals in life, focused on Jesus as the centre of everything in my life. My days at the Divine have also deepened my devotion to Mary. So I pray the rosary more often. I call on the name of Jesus as many times as possible!

Miss Neema Mtui, Tanzania

There are many things that form part of my experience in Divine Retreat Centre – Power 2008:

1. I learnt how to be close to the Holy Spirit in every aspect of my life – problems, situations and decisions;
2. The spirit has enabled me to be a man of prayer. Since Power 2008, I find it good to attend daily mass. Prayer moments help me personalize all the religious instructions that I receive in different ways.
3. Fasting on Thursday of the week of Power 2008 has enabled me to continue with weekly fasting, and to receive many spiritual gifts.

I thank the Divine Retreat centre for these new developments in my life. I thank God who loves me unconditionally.

Mr Alexander Mndanga, Tanzania


First of all, I was surprised by the multitude of youth that participated in the Power 2008. It made me feel that there is something unusual taking place at the Divine Retreat Centre. The welcoming atmosphere was awesome. I felt I was in the presence of God. It was my first time to see such a big number of youth thirsting for God and searching for Him. Yes, God was to be found at the centre and I must find Him too.

I came to the centre so angry and bitter with so many people who had offended me. I was not able to cope any more. I was just sheltering myself and shedding tears. Forgiveness was a difficult thing for me. There came a moment of reconciliation when Fr Augustine took us through our life. I discovered that I had so much bitterness in me and that I had to forgive. As we went through all that, I was shedding tears. It is only after letting go of the bitterness that I felt relieved; I felt the presence of God in me; I felt forgiven and so I had to forgive. Yes, that was the most important moment of my retreat. That is what I value most of all. I understood that injustice is a bad thing but at the same time I have to let go of all bitterness, and also to learn from that bad experience.

Fr Maina Kirigwi, SDB, Kenya


This was my second International Youth Congress at the Divine Retreat Centre. I thank God that during the Power 2007 I had a personal experience of Jesus, the Son of God! Since then my life is different. My ministry as a Religious priest is different.

I wanted others to experience the same. So with the help of Mr Tony Miranda, we planned to bring a team of youth from Tanzania to the Power 2008.

Personally, Power 2008 was a deepening of my experience of last year. This time the Holy Spirit was becoming more realistic and experiential for me. As a priest, what I see happening in the Divine Retreat Centre not only challenges me but also empowers me in my ministry among young people as a missionary in Africa.

What struck me this time also was the number of Hindu young people who had found Jesus at the Divine Retreat Centre. For me “Potta” is a phenomenon in the history of primary evangelization (ad gentes) and in what Pope John Paul II called, New Evangelization.

Fr Sahaya G. Selvam, SDB, Indian missionary in Tanzania past 16 years.

Young People of India

“It is nice to be here” This was the self talking that I could hear from within my heart. I was blessed to be among the 2000 youth, from India (majority), Srilanka, German and Tanzania united in and for Christ.

We were in Divine Retreat Centre. All of us journeying for “God’s Experience”.
If I too was touched I am sure most of the youth if not all of them had “Personal experience of Christ”.

What is your deepest desire? Would you like to get in touch with your own self and be connected with God? Remember: “Our hearts are made for YOU oh Lord; they are restless till when they rest in YOU” St Augustine puts it very powerfully after learning the lesson from his own life.

See you next year in Divine Centre, Kerala India.
26 – 31 July, 2009
The theme for next year is “To Live is Christ” Phi. 1:21

You can search for more details from: http://www.divineyouth.org/

God is your OMEGA point.

Train The Trainer Programme

Scaffoldings in Arusha

What is Scaffoldings?

• It is a Training Programme for Building Christian Life Skills among the Young People of Africa.
• The title Scaffoldings alludes to the concept that at the beginning of learning, learners need a great deal of support; gradually, this support is taken away to allow the young people to try their independence.
  It is the same in the growth process of a young person as a Christian. Scaffoldings translates the Catechism into life-skills, and accompanies them in the process of life-skills building.

The training of Scaffolding took place in Arusha to the Canosian Sisters. The participants of the programme were novices of various religious congregations in Arusha. Participants were 72. It was five days training starting from 19th - 23rd.

The facilitators were Fr. Selvam & Mr Prosper.

Young people like to be in an atmosphere of cheer and fun. They can learn even serious things in a play-way method. Lecture method is the weakest method in imparting knowledge. Therefore this manual uses participatory method. The facilitator should not reduce the sessions into just sitting and talking.

For more information about this programme:

prokadogo@gmail.com

dbyes@donbosco.or.tz

Are You Critical Consumer?

As users of mass-media we should be aware of the dynamics of communication the interplay between sender and receiver through the media, and the possible difficulties in encoding and decoding.

On 5th April I had an opportunity to present the topic "Review of Life" through our local radio station in Dar es salaam - Radio Tumaini. I feel young people should seek such opportunities as a way foward to let the mass know how we feel and how we ought to treated as young people. Its an opportunity to listern and to be listened. Instead of just being consumers lets now become critical consumers. Lets give feedback. Feedback can be given through letter to the editor, and using “Have your say” opportunities.