Visio Divina for women: Thursday, May 27

Published by CN Admin2 at May 27, 2021

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visio divina

By Petrina Yip Hoi

Petrina Yip Hoi does not consider herself an artist and for that reason, she has never signed a single piece of her art. When asked about her creative side, she rejoices in sharing that her whole family is artistic but she holds no claim to the title.

This 47 year past pupil of St Joseph Convent, a parishioner of La Divina Pastora in Siparia and a mother of one teenaged son said that she painted this piece to soothe her soul. “I really only started back painting last year as a way of reorienting my brain”. Petrina also said that drawing images of Jesus brings her peace. “ Last year I was going through a very turbulent time in my life, that constantly had me reaching out to my parish priest, who gave me so much support, it was unbelievable” This experience also drew Petrina closer to her paintbrushes.” It took a lot of mental, physical and spiritual energy to get these done and it was just what I needed to get me through”

A devout cradle Catholic, Petrina confessed to feeling extreme anguish in moments when she thinks she is failing God and not living out the commandments, this is just one of the many reasons why Petrina’s plans post COVID 19 lockdown is to pursue her Masters in Psychology to assist women who may also be going through a tough time in their lives.

Join us now as we journey through a Visio Divina experience with this piece. . If you are not familiar with Visio Divina, you may know, Lectio Divina which is a method of praying with scripture, started by the late great Fr. Michel De Verteuil. Visio Divina (Latin for “divine seeing”) is a method for praying with images.

Through Visio Divina, we invite you to see beyond first and second impressions, and even beyond your initial ideas, judgments, or understandings. Our hope is to create a connection to the divine through art in Trinidad and Tobago.

By Petrina Yip Hoi

So here is how we are going to do it.

1. Set aside 20 minutes in the day for the guided prayer experience

2. As you begin to prayer take a few minutes to open your heart and mind to God.

3. When you are ready, slowly look and notice the image, taking your time to let feelings and thoughts come to you as you take in forms, figures, colors, lines, textures, and shapes. What does it look like, or remind you of? What are your initial thoughts? What feelings are evoked?

4. Now, return to the image with an open heart and mind again. You may now experience new thoughts, meanings, and feelings. Start, exploring new meanings and feelings that come to you associated with the image. Be aware of any assumptions or expectations that you bring to the image. Regardless of your response to the image — delight, disgust,

indifference, and confusion — contemplate prayerfully the reason for your response and what these responses might mean for and about you.

5. As you go deeper in this prayer, open yourself to what the image might reveal to you. What does the Spirit want to say, evoke, make known, or express to you in quiet meditation? What are your feelings, thoughts, desires, and meanings evoked by the image, and how they are directly connected to your life?

6. Now, take the time to respond to God. Jot down in a journal the insights you want to remember, actions you are invited to take, the wisdom you hope to embody, or any feelings or thoughts you wish to express. Bring your prayer to a close-by resting in God’s grace and love.