1. Spiritual Direction
2. Inner Growth
3. A Trialogue
​4. Some Considerations

Spiritual Direction 
is the​ “loving companionship that assists others on their life journey, helping each person to develop a closer relationship with God by discerning the action of the Holy Spirit in his or her life.” ​Spiritual Direction within the Catholic Christian tradition originated as the desert fathers and mothers were asked for spiritual advice, was formalized during the monastic age, and following Vatican II, became a regular and confidential meeting between a spiritual director (lay or religious) within the context of a prayerful and ongoing relationship. It is a safe place to grow humanly and spiritually: the Lord meets each person where she is at only to call her higher in love. ​​

​I am the good shepherd...My sheep hear my voice; I know them and they follow me ​(Jn 10: 1-18).


Inner Growth
occurs at the intersection of wholeness and holiness, deep within the human person at the center of his or her being, the heart (CCC, 362-368). Spiritual Direction facilitates intimacy with Lord and "ultimately helps us place ourselves before God to allow His grace to act upon us" (Fathers Acklin & Hicks). The Spirit leads the directee to healing and freedom in the Lord through interiority, bringing true identity, that is, the heart-felt experience of self as God’s beloved son or daughter. This is the still point of real discernment and fertile soil for transforming union with the Lord. In short, Love heals, fills, and overflows in the journey towards eternity. ​


​Growth is the only evidence of life (St. John Henry Newman).

​A Trialogue

or sacred conversation between three persons explains the dynamics of the spiritual direction covenant: 
  1. The director is a compassionate, contemplative, objective instrument of the Lord who serves by: listening to, praying for, walking with, accepting always, holding accountable, offering strategies, challenging sometimes, and speaking life (Is. 61.1).
  2. The directee chooses spiritual direction as a time-tested spiritual discipline for growth. Spiritual direction is most fruitful when the directee is prepared, shares openly, and follows through on inspirations. Integration of faith and life along with growing depth occurs (Lk. 25: 13-35). 
  3. The Holy Spirit is the third Person and primary Director (Mt. 23: 10). He is present where two are gathered in Jesus’ name. As His temples, the director and the directee tune-in to see how the Spirit wishes to challenge, console, heal and guide the directee.  
​

​Beloved, do not trust every spirit but test the spirits to see whether they belong to God (1 Jn. 4:1).

Some Considerations
  1. Compatibility between the director and directee is important. The initial meeting is a a mutual discernment of "fit." Directees may be adult lay or religious, men or women. Annual evaluation is appropriate. In-person or by zoom.
  2. Confidentiality is held strictly. The director will not reveal the content of conversations with the exception of: a court order, when the directee’s safety or another's safety is in question, or in the event of child or elder abuse. 
  3. Contributing a stipend allows the director to continue in ministry (covering supervision, training, insurance, and secondary family support). Contributions may be made on a sliding scale (scholarships possible; donations welcome).  
  4. Courtesy includes beginning and ending punctually, meeting monthly (although there is flexibility to meet more or less frequently per arrangement), and notifying the director in advance if there is need to cancel. 
  5. Clarity comes with recognition that spiritual direction isn't counselling, coaching, medical care, or confession, although it is normal, at times, to discuss psychological, physical, and relational problems in the context of spiritual direction.  

I have found heaven on earth, ​since heaven is God, and God is in my soul (St. Elizabeth of the Trinity).