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

"I am the good shepherd" 
​(Jn 10: 1-18).

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 he is at only to call him higher in love. A good contemporary analogy for spiritual direction is that of a long-term spiritual life coach.​​

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" (Frs. Thomas Acklin and Boniface Hicks, OSB). 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. In short, Love heals, fills, and overflows in the journey towards eternity. ​

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

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

The Trialogue

Spiritual direction is sacred time and conversation, functioning as a “trialogue.” 
  1. The director is a compassionate, contemplative, objective instrument of the Lord who serves the directee by: listening to, praying for, walking with, accepting always, holding accountable, offering strategies, and speaking life and truth as led by the Spirit (Is. 61.1).
  2. As one option for spiritual growth, the directee chooses spiritual direction, which is most fruitful when the directee is prepared, shares openly, follows through on the Spirit’s inspirations, and is willing to stretch into the loving arms of the Lord.
  3. The Holy Spirit is the third Person and protagonist. He is present where two or more are gathered in Jesus’ name. As temples of the Spirit, the director and the directee tune-in to see how the Spirit wishes to challenge, console, heal and guide the directee.  
​

Some Considerations

"I have found heaven on earth,
​since heaven is God, and God is in my soul"
(St. Elizabeth of the Trinity).
  1. Compatibility between the director and directee is important as it is God who pairs the director and directee. The initial meeting is a a mutual opportunity to discern a "fit." Directees may be adult lay or religious men or women. High school boys or girls are welcome with written parental approval. Evaluation of the relationship is occasionally appropriate.
  2. Confidentiality is held strictly. The director will not reveal the content of the conversations with the exception of: a court order, when the directee’s safety or the safety of another is in question, or in the event of child or elder abuse. Legally, these instances require action on the part of the spiritual director. 
  3. Contributing with a free will offering allows the director to continue in ministry (covering the costs of supervision, ongoing training, insurance, travel, and secondary support of a family). Suggested contributions may be made on a sliding scale according to family income ranging from $20 - $50 per session. College students are free!  
  4. Courtesy regarding the sessions includes beginning and ending on time, meeting monthly if possible (although flexibility to meet more or less frequently can be arranged), and notifying the director in advance if there is need to cancel.  Note that the time frame for the Spiritual  Direction is seasonal: September through May to fit the school year.
  5. Clarity comes with recognition that spiritual direction isn't counselling, medical care, or confession, although it is appropriate and normal, at times, to discuss psychological, physical, and relational problems in the context of spiritual direction. The director is not trained as a counselor, physician, or priest. However, spiritual direction works well when paired with these.