Scripture brings the Word of God to us when we read and welcome it in faith as the Word which comes from God and leads to God. Scripture is the means by which we live in God. The ancient monastic (and patristic) way of reading Scripture involves reflection (mediation) and prayer. It is listening to the Word, allowing the Word to become active in our lives. It is, in the words of Saint Jerome, 'opening our sails to the Holy Spirit without knowing on what shores we will land.'

Enzo Bianchi was born in Castel Boglione, Piedmont, Italy, in 1943. In 1965, after graduating from the University of Turin, he founded an ecumenical monastic community - the Bose Community - of which he is still the prior. A well-known author of books on lectio divina and the spiritual life, which have been translated into many languages, Fr Bianchi has dedicated himself to the search for spirituality capable of giving vitality to Christians today and furthering communion among all people.