Franciscan Lectio: Reading the World Through the Living Word

by Dan Riley OFM, Stephen Copeland (Editor)

Franciscan Lectio is for Christians who long to see the world more beautifully and deeply and become more attentive and present. An ancient tradition dating back to the third century, lectio divina has long served as an avenue of contemplative prayer, but the practice has often been systematized, intellectualized, or only practiced by monastics. Few authors have attempted to universalize lectio using contemporary language or approach it from a Franciscan perspective. St. Paul says that the Word of God is alive and active in our hearing, and if the incarnation is true, then the Word can be experienced in all places. Lectio, therefore, is not only a spiritual practice for reading sacred texts but can be applied to any felt experience. Our experiences, too, are we need only to acknowledge their depth and beauty. In the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi, we can see the God of all creation who has always been “hidden in plain sight”—a presence that shows forth in every created thing. In Franciscan Lectio, Fr. Dan Riley comes alongside us in our own encounters with lectio and inspires our spiritual imagination through story, art, poetry, nature, Franciscan mysticism, and Scripture — helping us to see that all of life is unitive and sacred.

Genres: Religion

240 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 4, 2022

Reviews

[Casan Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this was very well done. Lectio Divina seemed like a pretty inaccessible topic to a new Catholic like myself. But, this book was very easy to follow and sounds straightforward enough to implement. Essentially, we should look for God in all things and at all times, because there is always a possibility that God is communicating to us. My only very slight criticism is that Brother Dan does mention some secular forms of activism (think circa 2020-2021) as ways to act as a Franciscan. In my opinion, I think the Franciscan way would be to rather avoid mainstream and social media activism trends and instead serve the poorest of the poor. All that being said, it was a beautiful book and I’m very thankful to have it. I feel it will serve me for the rest of my life.

[Reagan Vernon · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful exposition of one man's contemplative disposition. Rooted in the theology of Saint Francis, St. Claire, and Thomas Merton. An easy five stars.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reading the book of nature

I bought this blind, based only on the title, thinking it'd be a collection of texts which interpreted themselves, as it were, by a prayerful reader interested in applying the Benedictine monastic tradition of prayerfully and slowly engaging with Scripture on the page before the contemplative cleric or nun. Instead, I found a series of conversational reflections expanding Clare of Assisi's prayerful suggestions before the Cross, where one will gaze, consider, contemplate, and imitate. This book addresses, if implicitly, those already well-versed in the biographical, historical, and theological contexts within which the Little Poor Man of Assisi and Clare and their companions lived and practiced. Fr Dan Foley takes his inspiration from his Franciscan forebear as he applies Clare's four-step program to today's realm, where our extended focus away from a screen diminishes. It's no schematic, how-to guide, but a call to perceive knowledge first, and facts second, as we learn to discern God's presence in all around us. Sounds predictable, if you've perused your share of spiritual books. It's too much "spin in the sun, dance in the forest" for my style.

But mull over this friar's awareness of how signs and symbols all around both our natural and artificial realms which we live within may encourage us to return momentarily to the pre-literate mindset of our forebears. To see as nearly everyone outside monasteries did in the era of Francis and Clare how in images, depictions, and representations spoken, heard, sensed, and sought in solitude where the "thin places" emerge and the divine presence seeps through into our hard-hearted and bull-headed sensibilities the Incarnational message preached both in the gospels and in our surroundings. This emphasis dominates this collection of anecdotes from Foley's life, Bonaventure's innovative blend of theology and application, and Cosmic Christ-centered conceptions of the axial-rooted, iconic crucifix which Francis, in the ruined church of San Damiano, prayed to as his understanding broke through verbal limitation and found the imitation of Christ in a dynamic manner which didn't keep him behind sanctuary walls, but which impelled him to rebuild a Church tottering. Both practically around him, and, of course, collectively.

Which obviously carries relevance nine hundred years later. While Foley embodies contemporary tropes of a more forgiving rather than a less merciful attitude from the Son of God towards his wayward followers ever since, this spreads into another scene. His forecast pings off a Panglossian cheer that it's all for the best no matter what shadows our circumstances. An anodyne answer? I found hard to square off blithe contentment against harsh realities that bedevil many of us in precarious professions and dispiriting predicaments which those among many clergy, securely employed and attentively supplied, may not deal with firsthand and daily...maybe it's just my mood. Still, I found this creation spirituality provides moments that spur self-examination and nourish active outreach beyond our self-interested routines. And he points us to God's panorama that encourages us both from the page and in the air and earth to recognize, in the etymology of this verb, ways of seeing into rather than merely watching as spectators necessary hidden truths. Not where to start a Franciscan journey but it's a seasoned pilgrim's itinerary.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Franciscan Lectio reads like a breath of fresh air. Lectio is a way of reading scripture looking for spiritual insight. This book presents a Franciscan view of this reading which expands beyond scripture to include all of life, which I found refreshing and deeply engaging. I read this as part of my devotional time but will be going back to it.

The author draws from many sources including St. Francis, St. Clare, and Thomas Merton, but also depends on reflection of experiences with the natural world and with people.

The book starts with a Note to the Reader and is followed by an Introduction, IV parts, an Acknowledgments, a section of further engagement titled "Recipes for Lectio, an Other Recommended Resources section, and a Notes section.

If you are Franciscan (as I am), feel resonance with St. Francis and Clare, or are looking for some renewal in your spirituality, especially Christian, I highly recommend the book. Read through and enjoy and then go back to practice.

[Julie Hawkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was looking for something that would speak to my soul, something that would help me show love and kindness in our broken society, something that could inspire me and not come down heavy handed with judgement (there’s enough judgement already). Something that would give me more peace and understanding of others, well I found it! I actually picked this book up first but looked at many more that caught my interest, but came back to it feeling led by the Holy Spirit. It’s called Franciscan Lectio by Fr Dan Riley, OFM
Anyone seeking meaning, peace, and love will be guided along this beautiful written work. I’m only up to page 28 yet the words have already changed me ♥️
Peace be with you♥️

[Alberto Lagomarsini · Rating 3 out of 5]

No se puede quitar que es un buen libro. Pero está influenciado por el catolicismo norteamericano especialmente por Thomas Merton. Lo que hace que a veces en vez de quedarse en las posturas de San Buenaventura, se confunde con Merton, Teihard de Cardin y otros; y no se sabe si es un libro franciscano o de misticismo católico norteamericano. Lo mismo que le pasa a otros autores norteamericanos con el tema de San Francisco de Asís.

[Rich Atkinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful

My good friends,
This book is not only for those on the Franciscan path, but for all who desire an “awakening” to the Divine around and within us. Fr. Dan shows and points out a gentle way of walking in our pilgrimage. You will be blessed. More words would mean less. Peace…

[David Ward · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has some wonderful and original nuggets of wisdom in it's pages. There are personal stories too that illustrate the author's points. But there is also a lot of repetition and outworking of ideas.

It would make a good shorter book, but is perhaps overlong as it stands. The reading list is most impressive.

[Mark D'Alessio · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite poetic but much longer than it needs to be

Glad to recommend this. However, it’s a really wonderful book that could use a good editor. Still, it’s a worthwhile read.

[David Cook · Rating 4 out of 5]

BOOK REVIEW - Franciscan Lectio, Reading the World Through the Living Word by Dan Riley (04.07.24)

Although, I am not Catholic I have found great insight and understanding though the intellectual thought of many of the Catholic orders. Franciscan Lectio is a beautiful invitation to enter the sacred rhythm of lectio divina—an ancient Christian practice of reading and praying with scripture that has shaped the contemplative life for centuries. Riley, a Franciscan friar and the founding director of Mt. Irenaeus Franciscan Mountain Retreat, offers a unique and accessible approach to this tradition by interpreting it through the lens of Franciscan spirituality.

Lectio divina—Latin for “divine reading”—is a meditative way of engaging scripture. It traditionally involves four movements:

Lectio (Reading) – slowly reading a passage of scripture.
Meditatio (Meditation) – pondering its meaning.
Oratio (Prayer) – responding in heartfelt prayer.
Contemplatio (Contemplation) – resting in God’s presence.

Riley adds a fifth step:
Actio (Action) – allowing the Word to move us into compassionate service. Action emphasizes that true contemplation naturally flows into loving action. It is not too different from what I have followed in my personal spiritual quest of knowing, doing, being.

Throughout the book, Riley reflects on how the “Living Word” speaks not only through scripture but also through the world around us—through nature, community, and our shared human experience. He encourages readers to listen deeply and reverently to the world as a sacred text, where God’s presence can be discerned in the cries of the poor, the beauty of creation, and the stillness of solitude.

His reflections are humble, honest, inviting us to see with the eyes of the heart. The teachings of St. Francis and St. Clare are woven throughout, reinforcing a spirituality grounded in simplicity, compassion, and joy.

One of the book’s most powerful messages is that reading the Word is not just about gaining insight, but about becoming more fully human—more open, more present, more loving. Riley’s words serve as both an encouragement and a gentle challenge to live the Gospel in every dimension of our lives. Riley offers not just a method for spiritual reading but a way of life—one that sees the whole world as sacred and every person as a word from God worth reading with love.

Quotes:

“The Word does not merely rest on pages or echo in sacred chapels—it breathes in the rustling trees, in the laughter of a child, in the tears of a stranger. Lectio is not confined to scripture alone, but is how we attend to God’s voice wherever love is aching to be heard.”

“To live the Gospel, we must first listen with the ear of the heart. But listening alone is not enough. We are invited—indeed, impelled—by grace to become living texts ourselves: open, vulnerable, and available to others. This is the Franciscan way of lectio, where reading becomes becoming.”