Do You Need a Spiritual Director?
- Kelli Thomas
- Jun 25, 2024
- 2 min read
Updated: Jan 11
First, let’s define what a spiritual director does. According to the Franciscan University of Steubenville, a spiritual director is a person that goes on a spiritual journey with another. God is the actual director, and the person acting as the “director” is there to help you find and hear God’s direction.
“The task of the spiritual director is to diligently pay attention to the person’s story and the Spirit, and to encourage spiritual growth. Spiritual direction is not counseling, friendship, mentoring, teaching nor discipling.” - MaryKate Morse, PhD
Spiritual directors go to school to get a certification in Spiritual Direction. This is generally done in a three-year process and helps make sure the direction you are receiving is beneficial, Catholic advice. The last thing anyone would ever want, would be to be led astray by their advisor, since the whole point is to make sure you constantly stay on the path God is leading you on. This multi-year process, also allows the potential director enough time to fully discern if this is a vocation God is calling them to pursue.
“In the first centuries of the church, those gifted in discernment and listening to the Holy Spirit and guiding others were called “spiritual directors.” Today, Christian spiritual directors are also called and specifically trained to be spiritual listening companions and guides for anyone who wants to become more like Christ.”- MaryKate Morse, PhD
There becomes a point in our spiritual journey when we need an outside perspective to help us discern if we’re in the right place and what our next spiritual steps should be. Perhaps you’re stuck in a spiritual rut and need to break free. Perhaps you’re feeling a call by God, but don’t really know how to answer that call. Perhaps you lack discipline in your prayer life. A director can help with all these things and more.
Most parishes can help you locate a spiritual director. If there are no directors in your area, you aren’t out of luck. There are online spiritual director directories to help you connect to someone. Here is one I have found. Just be careful to make sure they are Catholic, and not of some other faith.
If you think you might be feeing the call to become a spiritual director, look for a theological school or university near you. Many offer a spiritual direction program. Here are just a few I’ve found online.
Often times getting together with a director means meeting in person somewhere, but Zoom or a phone call can also work. Ultimately, it’s whatever you and your director decide works best for you.
References
Morse, M., PhD. (n.d.). What is spiritual direction? | Portland Seminary. George Fox University. https://www.georgefox.edu/seminary/articles/spiritual-direction.html.
School of Spiritual Direction | Institutes and Centers. (n.d.). Institutes and Centers. https://institutes.franciscan.edu/school-spiritual-direction/.
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