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Information About
Spiritual Direction
What Is
Spiritual Direction?
Spiritual
direction helps one become aware of God’s action in one’s life.
This is done in a loving, open manner, with a spiritual director
who gives support and feedback by being a listener and companion
for your life’s journey. It is not counseling. Rather than
asking, “What is wrong?” the director asks, “Where are you being
led?” and “How is the love of God present in your life?”
Why is
Spiritual Direction needed today?
Today more than
ever the world is demanding our attention. The stress of living
is high. It is often difficult to hear the gentle, loving voice
of the Holy Spirit through the noise of the world. As
Christians, we need help to tune in and amplify the voice of
God. Spiritual direction is an excellent way to do this.
What are the
advantages of Spiritual Direction?
• Spiritual
Direction gives support in understanding how God is working in
one’s life.
• Spiritual Direction encourages that which is spiritual in a
person and discourages that which is not.
• Spiritual Direction helps a person to become more integrated
and whole as a person.
• Spiritual Direction leads to a deeper self-knowledge
How often
does one meet?
Frequencies of
visits vary with who you are and what is happening at any given
time in your life. Some people come once a week, some every
other week during the first visits. Later, once a month is the
usual frequency.
What is the
usual time frame for each session?
Most Spiritual
Direction sessions are one hour but could be more or less,
depending on the matters the individual wishes to share.
What is my
role in the Spiritual Direction session?
• To spend time
each day in personal prayer.
• To reflect on
that prayer and to be open to sharing one’s prayer and faith
journey.
• To meet
regularly with your director for the time indicated.
What are some
concerns and issues I should bring to Spiritual Direction?
• A desire to
grow in one’s relationship with God or to understand that
relationship in a new way.
• A need to discern the best choice for your life.
• A sense of a call from God to some form of prayer or service.
• A crisis of faith in which the old answers no longer work.
Is there a
fee for Spiritual Direction?
Most
professionally trained spiritual directors charge a fee. The
fee may range from $50.00 to $100.00 per hour, depending on the
spiritual director. Most spiritual directors will waive or
adjust the fee according to a person’s ability to pay.
How can I
find a Spiritual Director?
Professionally
trained spiritual directors are available at most retreat
centers and in some parishes.
Click here for information about local retreat centers.
Professionally
trained spiritual directors are often members of vowed religious
communities and may be contacted through the headquarters of the
religious community of men or women.
Some professionally
trained spiritual
directors operate independently and are not associated with a
retreat center, parish or religious community.
When choosing a
Catholic spiritual director, choose one who has been
professionally trained in the Ignatian method at a Jesuit
institution like Creighton University, Loyola University or the
University of St. Louis; or one who as been professionally
trained in the Franciscan method at an institution like the
Franciscan Spirituality Center in LaCrosse, Wisconsin.
Some information on this page was
adapted from a brochure published by the Campus Ministry Office
at Saint Xavier University and is used with permission.
• • •
Find Out More About Spiritual Direction
Articles
Sr. Beth Martin.
“Finding the Ocean—A Guide to Spiritual Direction.”
http://www.catholicsoncall.org/finding-ocean-%E2%80%93-guide-spiritual-direction-sr-marybeth-martin
• • •
For more information contact:
Director of Adult
Faith Formation
•
320 Mulberry St., Waterloo IA 50703. Phone:
319-234-9912
•
Email: DBQ208s3@arch.pvt.k12.ia.us
Posted 10.28.11
• Last Update:
10.28.11 |