What is Catholic Spiritual Direction?
Catholic Spiritual Direction is a relationship between a spiritual director and a person seeking to grow their relationship with God. It’s a journey of discovery and growth that helps people listen to God and respond to God’s communication.
How does it work?
- The spiritual director helps the person being directed to notice God’s presence in their life.
- The director asks questions like “Where are you being led?” and “How is God’s love present in your life?”.
- The director provides support and feedback.
- The director helps the person being directed to grow in intimacy with God.
Benefits
- Catholic Spiritual Direction can help people discover the gifts God has given them.
- It can help people learn how to use those gifts in the world.
- It can help people grow in their faith in Jesus.
When to seek Catholic Spiritual Direction?
- People who are discerning something big like marriage, religious life, or another potentially life-changing decision may want to seek out a Catholic Spiritual Director.
Who can benefit from Catholic Spiritual Direction?
Anyone who wants to grow in their spiritual life or discern a new path may benefit from a spiritual director. This can include people who are experiencing life changes, struggling with a loss, or seeking to reconstruct their faith.
When spiritual direction may be helpful
- Life changes: When someone is going through a transition, such as a midlife crisis, retirement, or starting a new career
- Unexpected loss: When someone has experienced a painful loss, such as the death of a loved one or the loss of a job
- Spiritual stagnation: When someone feels stuck spiritually or has a dull prayer life
- Discerning a calling: When someone is looking for a new purpose or direction in their life
- Reconstructing faith: When someone is seeking to rebuild their faith or learn more about their faith in Jesus
What a spiritual director can do
- Help someone learn how to pray
- Help someone identify and overcome vices
- Help someone develop a plan of action to achieve their spiritual goals
- Help someone discern God’s voice in their life
- Help someone process difficult emotions or experiences
Spiritual directors are trained listeners who can help people mature in their faith and develop a deeper relationship with God.
Can lay people be Catholic Spiritual Directors?
Yes, lay people can be Catholic spiritual directors; while traditionally associated with priests or religious orders, the Catholic Church acknowledges that lay people with proper training and spiritual maturity can also serve as spiritual directors.
Key points to remember:
- Church teaching:The Church does not mandate that only ordained clergy can provide spiritual direction, allowing lay people to fulfill this role with appropriate training and guidance from their diocese.
- Importance of spiritual maturity:Regardless of vocation, a good spiritual director needs to demonstrate a deep personal faith, strong spiritual practices, and a capacity to guide others on their spiritual journey.
- Training required:While lay people can be spiritual directors, they usually need to undergo specific training programs to develop the necessary skills and theological knowledge
Why seek Catholic Spiritual Direction?
A Catholic should seek a spiritual director to deepen their relationship with God, receive guidance on navigating spiritual challenges, discern important life decisions, and cultivate a more conscious awareness of the Holy Spirit’s presence in their life, all within a confidential space where they can openly share their struggles and experiences with a trained spiritual leader who can help them grow in their faith.
Key reasons to seek a Catholic spiritual director:
- Deeper spiritual growth:A spiritual director can help you move beyond basic practices and explore deeper aspects of your faith, like prayer, contemplation, and discernment of God’s will.
- Guidance in difficult situations:When facing significant life choices, personal struggles, or spiritual dryness, a spiritual director can offer support and help you discern the best path forward.
- Confidentiality and safe space:The spiritual direction relationship is meant to be a safe and confidential space where you can openly share your thoughts and feelings without judgment.
- Improved prayer life:A spiritual director can teach you different prayer practices and help you develop a more meaningful prayer life.
- Accountability and support:They can hold you accountable for your spiritual goals and provide encouragement along the way.
- Understanding the Holy Spirit:A spiritual director can help you become more attuned to the promptings of the Holy Spirit in your daily life.
Resources:
https://www.omvusa.org/our-work/spiritual-direction/
https://waterloocatholics.org/information-about-spiritual-direction
https://media.ascensionpress.com/video/do-you-need-a-spiritual-director/
