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Spiritual Direction
What is Spiritual Direction?
There have been several
different types or models of spiritual direction throughout the
centuries
Some of us, especially those
of us who have read the lives of the saints, have various ideas of what
spiritual direction has entailed in the past. There have been
relationships of spiritual guidance similar to father/son,
teacher/student, master/servant, and confessor/penitent (such as is
still common when spiritual advice is given in the confessional). There
were also examples in the lives of the saints of spiritual friendships.
Modern spiritual direction most often refers to a relationship which is
more like spiritual companionship or friendship where the director is
present as a spiritual friend who listens with the intent of helping the
directee recognize how the Holy Spirit is leading and working in one's
life. The emphasis is on helping the directee develop a good prayer life
and relationship with God. The director does not tell the directee what
to do in a way that requires obedience. The directee has the final
decision as to what to do in her spiritual life. Questions are asked to
get to know the directee, her present life circumstances and spiritual
life.
The goal is to help the directee to discern how the Holy Spirit is
personally leading, recognizing that God has a special and distinct plan
for each person's life and everyone is not called exactly the same way.
In this sense, there are no better or worse callings or vocations, as
the best calling for an individual is God's plan for that person in
particular no matter what it might be. Like scripture says, there are
many members of the body and all are good and necessary. The idea is to
determine and encourage the directee to be the unique person that God
made them to be, doing the things that God is personally asking of each
of us.
While God has a unique calling and plan for each person and gives
individuals different talents, gifts and vocations (and trials and
sufferings) as just described, there is also the recognition that God
has certain standards and principles that apply to everyone. Jesus gave
us a way to know these truths when He founded the Catholic Church to
spread his message. Jesus told the apostles, "Whoever hears you, hears
me." This still applies today to the pope (and bishops) who are direct
successors of the early apostles through the laying on of hands
throughout the centuries. He promised to remain with the Church until
the end of time and to send the Holy Spirit to lead until all truth. He
gave us the Bible which is the inerrant Word of God. He also gave us
various saints to teach us how to be closer to God especially saints who
have been spiritual directors themselves such as St. Teresa of Avila and
St. John of the Cross.
Besides utilizing the teachings of the Church, Bible and Saints for
guidance on general principles, there is another dynamic that sometimes
happens in meeting with a personal spiritual director. When the director
and directee have the intention of prayerfully coming together in God's
presence to discern the guidance of the Holy Spirit, it is not only the
two people joining together, but Jesus himself is there with them. As
Jesus said, "For where two or three are gathered together in my name,
there am I in the midst of them.” (Matt 18:20)
Loyola Retreat House offers Directed Spiritual Retreats. To make a Directed Retreat, please contact
the retreat house for available times and information. Click here for more information
about Directed Retreats and Spiritual Directors
available.
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