Visio Divina - divine seeing, is a prayerful way of encountering God through sacred art and visual images. Rather than reading words, pupils engage their eyes and hearts, entering into quiet reflection and attentive prayer by gazing deeply at a chosen image.

'Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in Your law.' — Psalm 119:18 - This ancient prayerful insight reminds us that God can meet us not just through words, but through what we see, feel, and ponder.

Why We Practice Visio Divina

At Loyola Prep, Visio Divina is used across the school to help pupils:

• Notice God in what they see – By looking closely at sacred images, pupils learn to see beyond the surface and recognise deeper meaning.

• Develop reflective prayer – This practice encourages stillness, quiet attention, and contemplative listening to God’s Spirit.

• Make Scripture and faith personal – Pupils imagine themselves within the scene or the story, helping Gospel moments become alive in their own lives.

• Appreciate beauty and tradition – Visio Divina connects pupils with the Church’s rich heritage of sacred art as a doorway to God.

How to Pray Visio Divina

Visio Divina can feel simple and powerful. Here are the five steps of Visio Divina:

Visio Divina in School Life

Visio Divina may be used:

• In RE lessons to deepen understanding of Scripture and Catholic art.

• During prayer and reflection time to build contemplative habits.

• In chapel, assemblies, or pastoral sessions as a way of inviting God into pupils’ daily lives.

Through Visio Divina, pupils are invited to see with the eyes of faith, discovering how God speaks through beauty, colour, and image, mand how He meets each of us in the stillness of prayer.

Contemplative prayer often brings us to an intimate encounter with the love of God, revealed to us in Jesus. In such an experience we come to know ever more deeply that God is not against us, but for us; not far from us, but with us; not outside of us, but deeply within.