A Lectio Divina for Dehonian Youth on Mission
Inspired by the spirituality of Father Léon Dehon during this jubilee year, the Superior General invites young people to meditate on the Passion of Christ through the eyes of three key figures: the Evangelist Saint John, Mary the mother of Jesus, and the beloved disciple.
On the occasion of the Jubilee of Hope 2025 and the double Dehonian Jubilee — the centenary of the death of Fr. Jean Léon Dehon (1925–2025), Founder of the Congregation of the Priests of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and the 150th anniversary of its foundation (1878–2028) — the Superior General, Fr. Carlos Luis Suárez Codorniú, is offering a Lectio Divina intended for Dehonian youth as well as all young people living according to Dehonian spirituality.
Drawing from the spirituality of Father Léon Dehon, the Superior General invites young people to meditate on the Passion of Christ through the lens of three key figures: Saint John the Evangelist, Mary the mother of Jesus, and the beloved disciple. Each one represents a path of hope, love, and faithful commitment. The text emphasizes the importance of living spiritually “at the foot of the cross” and becoming, like Father Dehon, active witnesses of God’s love in today’s world. It concludes with a missionary call to radiate this love in everyday places — work, school, and family — by being influencers of hope and mercy.
Gathered in the Dehonian Basilica of Christo Re (Christ the King) in Rome for the Jubilee of Youth, Dehonian youth from various countries in Europe and Latin America, guided by young Dehonian confreres, had the opportunity to hear this message from the Superior General during this Lectio Divina prayer. He encourages Dehonian youth and all young Dehonians around the world not only to benefit from the fruits of this Lectio Divina, but also to become its missionaries:
“I warmly invite you to make this Lectio Divina a living tool in our youth ministry. It is an open door to the heart of Christ, a path of contemplation and commitment inspired by the gaze of Saint John, Mary, and the beloved disciple. May it be, in your communities, groups, and gatherings, an opportunity to nourish faith, rekindle hope, and form young ‘pilgrims of the heart’, capable of loving, discerning, and bearing witness. With Father Dehon, let us be bold bearers of that love which heals and transforms the world.”
You can download the Lectio Divina in various languages by clicking below.
