With the session that took place on the 9th of March last, Lectio Divina in the Church of Santa Maria in Transpontina reached its 200th edition. Under the guidance of Fr. Bruno Secondin, with the help of a group of collaborators, these sessions of prayerful reading of the Word of God began in the season of Advent in 1996. They have continued ever since with around fourteen sessions every year. Over the years, to guide the different sessions a number of important people have offered their services, among whom, the then Card. Joseph Ratzinger.

The 200th edition was guided by the Prior General, Fernando Millán Romeral, O.Carm. It was based on the text of the Gospel of the 3rd Sunday of Lent, “Zeal for your house has devoured me” (Jn 2,13-25). For further information on these Lectio divina sessions, see its own website, www.lectiodivina.it

In his words of introduction the Prior General expressed his gratitude for this service and for the perseverance of the organisers and participants. He further placed this initiative in the context of other such initiatives that are part of the life of the Order: a sign of the interest that people have in this service is the number of some 9.300,000 visits to the website of the Order www.ocarm.org since Lectio divina became part of what was on offer.