Cinema Divina: Seeing the Sacred in Film
Visio Divina (“Divine Seeing”) is a contemplative prayer practice that involves meditating on images to connect with God. It is similar to Lectio Divina (“Divine reading”), which focuses on scripture and scripture adjacent texts. Visio Divina, however, uses painting, icons, or sculpture as a focal point for prayer and spiritual reflection. Since the twentieth century, photography and more contemporary forms of art have been used as well.
Almost all religious traditions have been using Visio Divina as a tool for spiritual engagement in various forms for centuries. Hindu and Buddhist traditions use mandalas, Greek and African traditions use religious statues. Even though Islam generally discourages the use of icons, Islamic art emphasizes geometric patterns and calligraphy and appreciation of these forms can lead to meditative experiences. In Medieval Europe stained-glass cathedral windows and illuminated Bible manuscripts were particularly important during the first 1500 years of Christianity, when access to written scriptures was scarce and illiteracy rates were high. While Lectio Divina was only available to the educated few, Visio Divina served as a powerful tool for spiritual engagement for the masses.
The practice of Visio Divina involves gazing deeply at an image, meditating on its details and emotions, and listening for God's message through the visual experience.
This can be done solo, or as a group. The benefit of doing Visio Divina solo is that you can practice virtually anywhere, for example in an art museum, or looking through art books in a library, in a cathedral or church, on an airplane with the headphones on. Doing Visio Divina as a group is a fascinating experience, mostly because of the multiple perspectives and insights that are shared. For example if you are sharing with a group of five, you will get five unique and different perspectives. This can be a mind-blowing experience. It can also be unsettling.
The Center for Spiritual Imagination is where I first practiced Visio Divina. This is what they include in their practice:
1. Look: Be present with yourself and all that this image evokes in you.
2. Be Curious: Reflect on what draws your eye and on your reactions to this image.
3. Reflect on the Context: Does this context affect your experience of the art?
4. Study the margins: Think about what rests in the edges of this image and what is left out altogether.
5. Consider yourself: Where are you in relation to this image?
6. Consider God: Where is God in relation to this image?
7. Converse: Allow these reflections to stir conversation with God about how this experience of seeing might be addressing your life. Speak to God openly about what it is like to see this image with your whole being - with the eyes of your heart. Once you have said everything you have to say, rest your eyes and your heart in the presence of God.
8. Reflecting Together: Share your insights that came up in the practice.
There are plenty of great works of classical religious art to choose from. However, it is interesting to mix up the practice with contemporary art. Visio Divina can be practiced with any type of image - religious or secular - and allows for a multisensory, contemplative approach to spiritual connection. The subject can be a painting, a sketch, a collage, a photograph, stain-glass, architecture, or a sculpture. Generally speaking the baseline criteria for Visio-appropriate work is that it transcends commercial communication (e.g., its sole purpose is something beyond selling you something), however even then there can be exceptions (Warhol’s Soup Cans come to mind). The selection of the work to be contemplated is itself a creative act.
I was first introduced to Visio Divina during one of our candidate cohort meetings at the Center for Spiritual Imagination. I had studied painting, but I had never looked at art in this way. That background was helpful to me, in particular for curating works for contemplation. But an art school background is not necessarily a benefit for Visio. As with Lectio Divina, participants are encouraged not to look at the object of contemplation intellectually, or technically (e.g. what materials were used in the creation of this piece). This practice stands in stark contrast to our usual tendencies toward image consumption, which is ever increasing.
It is quite an experience when other participants see things in a piece that you completely missed, or when the practice brings up a distant memory, or when it affects you viscerally with an emotion that you don’t really understand.
It’s worth noting too that the practice can work well as a distributed group using Zoom, Google Meets or whatever. I have never actually done Visio Divina as a group in person; I imagine that would be an even more intense experience.
Cinema Divina
I recently discovered Cinema Divina, which is a similar spiritual practice that integrates film viewing with prayer and reflection. This approach allows individuals to engage with cinematic narratives as a means to explore personal faith and spiritual growth. The concept of Cinema Divina emerged in the late 20th century, particularly through the works of Benedictine monks such as Matthias Neuman and Benedict Auer. Neuman suggested that films can, like scripture and painting, serve as a medium for divine communication. Auer further articulated that Cinema Divina requires a willingness to engage critically and positively with films, using them as tools for spiritual reflection.
The practice typically follows five steps, mirroring the structure of Lectio Divina:
Begin by reading a chosen Scripture passage before watching the film. This prepares the viewer to see connections between the text and the film. After viewing, reflect on which parts of the film resonated most deeply. Consider what scenes or characters invite further contemplation. Allow spontaneous prayer to emerge from the reflections on both the film and Scripture.
Spend time in silence, savoring the insights gained from both the film and the Scripture, allowing for a deeper connection with God. Determine a concrete action inspired by this experience, which may involve sharing insights with others or applying lessons learned in daily life. You might also consider what emotions and insights came up over the course of the narrative.
If in a group setting, share your insights with other participants. Inevitably, you will be surprised by what themes and scenes each group member will choose to discuss, or what elements in the film you might have missed completely.
If you are interested in giving this a try, you may already have a film in mind. However, if you are looking for some recommendations to get started, here are two ideas. One is a full-length documentary that runs 2 hours and 40 minutes, another one is a shorter 63 minute documentary. Both are highly recommended, whether you are watching as a part of this practice or in a less structured context.
A scene from Into Great Silence (2005)
Into Great Silence
"Into Great Silence" is a contemplative documentary film directed by Philip Gröning that offers an intimate portrayal of the Carthusian monks living in the Grande Chartreuse monastery in the French Alps. The Carthusian order emphasizes a life of solitude, silence, and contemplation. This 2005 documentary is remarkable for its minimalist style. Gröning spent six months living in the monastery in 2002 and 2003, filming and recording entirely on his own without a crew or artificial lighting. The film deliberately lacks voiceover commentary, added sound effects, a musical score, or archival footage. If this sounds as interesting as watching paint dry, you will likely be very surprised. Without giving too much more away, this is an ideal film to practice contemplation. Into Great Silence is available to stream on YouTube.
A scene from Outcasts (2016)
Outcasts
If you are looking for something a bit more conventional, but no less inspiring there is the 2016 documentary the Outcasts. "Outcasts" is a powerful documentary that highlights the work of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal (CFR), a religious order dedicated to serving the marginalized and impoverished communities. The congregation was formed in response to a desire for a return to an authentic Capuchin way of life, inspired by St. Francis of Assisi's call to "Repair my House. The film, produced by Grassroots Films and directed by Clifford Azize, showcases the friars' commitment to living among and aiding those in desperate situations across various locations, including New York City, England, Ireland, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Our Franciscan Group viewed this a few months ago. We watched it independently and convened afterwards to discuss. Without giving away any spoilers it is a powerful experience that resonated with me personally. Outcasts is available to rent on Vimeo for $5.99 (it’s well worth the price, I promise!)
Other Film Recommendations for Cinema Divina
Both films are contemporary masterpieces of the documentary genre. However, if these recommendations do not sound appealing, or if you’ve already seen these here are a few more suggestions:
The Lives of Others A powerful exploration of surveillance and humanity in East Germany prior to the fall of the Berlin Wall. This German-language film invites viewers to reflect on themes of sacrifice and moral courage. It has been praised for its storytelling and emotional depth, making it an ideal choice for spiritual reflection. Directed by Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck (2006).
Into the Wild Based on a true story, this film follows a young man who ventures into the Alaskan wilderness seeking freedom and meaning. It raises questions about society, nature, and the pursuit of happiness, encouraging deep personal reflection. Directed by Sean Penn and adapted from Jon Krakauer's non-fiction book (2007).
Babette's Feast This Danish-language film tells the story of a French woman who prepares an extravagant meal for a group of austere Danish villagers. It beautifully illustrates themes of generosity, grace, and the transformative power of food and community. Written and directed by Gabriel Axel (1987).
The Tree of Life A visually poetic exploration of existence and grace through the lens of one family's life in 1950s Texas, prompting profound reflections on faith and nature. Directed by Terrence Malick (2011).
Of Gods and Men This french-language film explores the lives of Trappist monks living among the Muslim population in Algeria, facing threats during the Algerian Civil War. It provides an opportunity for deep reflection on faith, sacrifice, and the nature of community and peace. It's particularly fitting for those interested in Eucharistic themes or the contemplation of martyrdom. Directed by Xavier Beauvois (2010).
Cinema Paradiso An Italian film about love, cinema, and the passage of time, it can be used for Cinema Divina to explore themes of nostalgia, mentorship, and the spiritual aspects of film. The relationship between the young protagonist and the cinema projectionist offers a lens into understanding human connection and the sacredness of storytelling. Directed by Giuseppe Tornatore (1988).
Nomadland The story follows Fern, a woman in her sixties portrayed by Frances McDormand, who loses everything due to the Great Recession, and decides to travel around the United States in her van as a nomad. The film is set against the backdrop of America’s vast landscapes, highlighting the lives of real-life nomads. Directed by Chloé Zhao (2020)
The Way The last film I watched with my father before he passed away a few weeks later. The Way is a film that was written and directed by Emilio Estevez and starred his father Martin Sheen. Sheen's character decides to walk the Camino de Santiago, a Christian pilgrimage route to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia. His son has recently died on the Camino, and the father decides to take his son’s ashes and complete the trip. Directed by Emilio Estevez (2010).
A final note on Cinema Divina. This practice goes hand in hand with minimizing the consumption of digital content. For many, this is a difficult prospect, and dopamine addiction is a very real thing. There is an entire movement dedicated to digital detoxing, which I find admirable. However, what the divina practices bring to light is that you don’t have to eliminate all digital stimuli. In fact, they can be helpful in your practice. But it is helpful to slow down, study these images carefully. I heard once that we are exposed more images in one day than a person living in the middle ages would see in a lifetime. The human body was not designed for such an onslaught of information. However, our access to great art from any time period is a blessing, not a curse and so rather than drinking from a firehose, perhaps we can sip from a glass instead? As my blessed spiritual director once said to me “everything can be divinized on the Christ path.”
Have you ever used Cinema Divina in your own contemplative practice? What films would you recommend for this practice? Please share your thoughts and experiences in the comments.
In a subsequent post we will look at Musica Divina. In Musica Divina, participants listen to a piece of music with the "ear of the heart," allowing the music to facilitate a connection with the divine.
Join Kyle and his fellow novices for three sessions of Visio Divina on Zoom this Lent on March 17, 24, and 31. You can find more details and register for sessions individually here.
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References:
What Is Visio Divina and How Do I Pray with It? https://www.catholictv.org/
Visio Divina: Sacred Seeing to Encounter God https://worship.calvin.edu/resources/articles/visio-divina-sacred-seeing-encounter-god
The Ancient Tool That Will Change Your Life: Visio Divina https://thoughtsprayersandart.com/2022/02/17/the-ancient-tool-that-will-change-your-life-visio-divina/
Seeds of the Gospel in Cinema https://www.ncronline.org/news/spirituality/seeds-gospel-cinema
CInema Divina: Praying the Word of God with Movies https://www.miamiarch.org/CatholicDiocese.php?op=Catholic+Lens_archdiocese-of-miami-cinema-divina-praying-the-word-of-god-with-movies
Into Great Silence (2005) on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rI1w1DDdH1I
Outcasts (2016) on Vimeo https://vimeo.com/ondemand/outcasts
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Kyle Outlaw is a designer and contemplative who is on a mission to make technology usable by humans and not the other way around. A reformed atheist and lapsed Catholic who now identifies as a “spiritual slacker”, he is a third-year novice with the Community of the Incarnation and a student of Zen Buddhism. He is also the founder of Subatomik, an independent bookstore that focuses on art, mysticism, and technology.