Spiritual Direction, also called spiritual companioning, is a traditional ministry within the Church where a person trained in theology and spiritual direction skills, companions another on his/her faith journey. Spiritual direction provides a safe setting to talk about our relationship with God and to search for meaning and purpose in life.
It is not always possible to look at what is happening in our life objectively or to be as sensitive as we would like to be to God’s Spirit. We need a guide, a companion, to act as a mirror. Spiritual direction fulfills this need.
What spiritual direction is not.
Although spiritual direction uses some of the same techniques as counseling (active listening, self disclosure), spiritual direction is not counseling therapy. In counseling, the focus is on the counselor/client relationship and concerned primarily with problem-solving. In spiritual direction, the focus is on the relationship between God and the directee, and is concerned primarily with the process of spiritual growth and prayer.
What does the spiritual guide do?
The guide or companion acts as a listening, supportive person who creates an atmosphere where one can look honestly at one’s relationship with God as it is lived out in everyday life. She/he will ask questions—for clarification or perhaps to invite one to look more deeply. Suggested reading, forms of prayer, or spiritual practices may be offered.
Where does one begin?
Individuals come to spiritual direction with different needs and/or questions in their hearts.
Experiencing a personal crisis?
Longing to reconnect with God in a deeper way?
Discerning a new direction in life?
Desiring to deepen prayer?
Going through a transformative experience still veiled in mystery?
What is the format?
Spiritual direction is usually held once a month by individual appointment. Sessions are held at the Spiritual Enrichment Center.
Depending on the individual situation, you may agree to meet once every two, three or four weeks. For the sake of continuity, and for the building of trust, allowing more than a month to pass between meetings, especially in the earlier stages of direction, can be a deterrent to the process.
Subject Matter:
The subject matter is anything occurring in your life. Since spiritual direction deals primarily with your relationship with God, you might want to begin by speaking about your times of prayer. Some find keeping a journal and referring to it during the session helpful.
Spiritual direction enables one to see the movement of God in one’s everyday life.
What does spiritual direction cost?
The typical donation is $25 per hour. However, the cost should not be a deterrent to receiving spiritual direction.
Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius
The spirituality of St Ignatius and of his society (Jesuits) founded 450 years ago, changed the world of his day. The main tenets of the Ignatian Sprituality may be summed up as follows:
Christocentric – Ignatius adopted as his way, the way of life as modeled by Christ.
Experience of Christ – not the Christ of history but rather the Christ of mystery. The Christ who dwells within each one of us.
Discernment – The Exercise enable us to discern the action of God in our personal life and in the choices we make.
The Spiritual Exercises will commence In the Center on September 22, 2009
Spiritual Direction, also called spiritual companioning, is a traditional ministry within the Church where a person trained in theology and spiritual direction skills, companions another on his/her faith journey. Spiritual direction provides a safe setting to talk about our relationship with God and to search for meaning and purpose in life.
