The monastic life allows freedom for adopting and adapting a variety of 'methods' of prayer. Perhaps the most important prayerful practice strongly recommended in the monastic tradition is that of lectio divina, 'divine' or holy reading. There has been a revival in the understanding and practice of lectio in the period since Vatican II.

"At appointed times monks ought
to be occupied with holy reading."

Rule of St Benedict

 
It refers not only to the content of our reading, where priority is given to Holy Scripture, but extends to embrace writings of the Fathers of the Church, monastic writers, and theology especially of the 'sapiential' kind. The term also refers to a way of reading: slow and meditative, a 'listening reading' aimed not so much at mastering the text as being mastered by it - taught and enlightened by, devoted and surrendered to the Lord in his inspired and incarnate Word.

The regular and faithful practice of this prayer and reading feeds into, and is in turn nourished by, our regular liturgical prayer. Together they gradually transform our lives, our attitudes and our relationships, making us 'moulded to the pattern of his [God's] Son' (NJB Rom 8:29).