Comments on: XXV. Spiritual Directors http://stuffcatholicslike.com/2008/07/15/xxv-spiritual-directors/ Wed, 24 Mar 2010 12:54:03 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Alan http://stuffcatholicslike.com/2008/07/15/xxv-spiritual-directors/comment-page-1/#comment-429 Alan Thu, 17 Sep 2009 19:00:50 +0000 http://stuffcatholicslike.com/?p=45#comment-429 The Catholic literature up to the 1970s generally focused on spiritual directors as those who provided (1) confession of sin and (2) guidance to directees, largely in the setting of religious life. If a lay person saw their spiritual director, most often a priest, they expected to be told what to do in order to live a more holy life. The current model of spiritual direction is quite different, as discussed in the article and in the leading book in the field, "The Practice of Spiritual Direction" by Barry and Connolly (both Jesuit priests). A spiritual director is very unlikely to tell you what to do, even if they think they know what you should do. They listen a lot and ask lots of questions in order to help the directee find for themselves how God is leading them and to respond generously. It is all about spiritual maturity, not submission of the mind and will which can prolong spiritual immaturity or propagate the director's particular view of the way God "normally" works. It respects the unique personal relationship between the directee and God. The Catholic literature up to the 1970s generally focused on spiritual directors as those who provided (1) confession of sin and (2) guidance to directees, largely in the setting of religious life. If a lay person saw their spiritual director, most often a priest, they expected to be told what to do in order to live a more holy life. The current model of spiritual direction is quite different, as discussed in the article and in the leading book in the field, “The Practice of Spiritual Direction” by Barry and Connolly (both Jesuit priests). A spiritual director is very unlikely to tell you what to do, even if they think they know what you should do. They listen a lot and ask lots of questions in order to help the directee find for themselves how God is leading them and to respond generously. It is all about spiritual maturity, not submission of the mind and will which can prolong spiritual immaturity or propagate the director’s particular view of the way God “normally” works. It respects the unique personal relationship between the directee and God.

]]> By: GoG http://stuffcatholicslike.com/2008/07/15/xxv-spiritual-directors/comment-page-1/#comment-421 GoG Mon, 13 Jul 2009 08:26:49 +0000 http://stuffcatholicslike.com/?p=45#comment-421 Read Sirach 37:7-18 for the qualities of a Spiritual Director Read Sirach 37:7-18 for the qualities of a Spiritual Director

]]> By: IC http://stuffcatholicslike.com/2008/07/15/xxv-spiritual-directors/comment-page-1/#comment-386 IC Sun, 22 Feb 2009 03:40:34 +0000 http://stuffcatholicslike.com/?p=45#comment-386 Wow, Mary--I hope that's an ironic response. Otherwise, you're saying most parish priests don't have a passing familiarity with Lumen Gentium, or heck, the Sermon on the Mount. (sigh) Wow, Mary–I hope that’s an ironic response. Otherwise, you’re saying most parish priests don’t have a passing familiarity with Lumen Gentium, or heck, the Sermon on the Mount. (sigh)

]]> By: Mary http://stuffcatholicslike.com/2008/07/15/xxv-spiritual-directors/comment-page-1/#comment-346 Mary Tue, 29 Jul 2008 18:36:13 +0000 http://stuffcatholicslike.com/?p=45#comment-346 Fran - Don't worry. A parish priest would probably tell you that lay people aren't to worry about such things. Had one once tell me that really it is only priests who are of a nature to consider actions in the light of whether they might be sinful or lead to graces - he actually said this in the confessional. Peace. ~~~mary Fran –
Don’t worry. A parish priest would probably tell you that lay people aren’t to worry about such things. Had one once tell me that really it is only priests who are of a nature to consider actions in the light of whether they might be sinful or lead to graces – he actually said this in the confessional. Peace. ~~~mary

]]> By: Ironic Catholic http://stuffcatholicslike.com/2008/07/15/xxv-spiritual-directors/comment-page-1/#comment-343 Ironic Catholic Sun, 27 Jul 2008 14:29:20 +0000 http://stuffcatholicslike.com/?p=45#comment-343 Fran--that's a good question. I think Francis de Sales has a chapter in that book on the qualities of a good spiritual director. I'd look for someone with wisdom, depth, holiness, and good listening skills. See why they are hard to find? Most Jesuit parishes can point you toward one. Honestly, most parish priests could point you toward one in the diocese...hopefully more than one. If you want to talk more about it, email me (ironiccatholic at yahoo dot com). I'm in a training program for this. Fran–that’s a good question. I think Francis de Sales has a chapter in that book on the qualities of a good spiritual director. I’d look for someone with wisdom, depth, holiness, and good listening skills.

See why they are hard to find?

Most Jesuit parishes can point you toward one. Honestly, most parish priests could point you toward one in the diocese…hopefully more than one.

If you want to talk more about it, email me (ironiccatholic at yahoo dot com). I’m in a training program for this.

]]> By: Fran http://stuffcatholicslike.com/2008/07/15/xxv-spiritual-directors/comment-page-1/#comment-334 Fran Tue, 22 Jul 2008 17:57:02 +0000 http://stuffcatholicslike.com/?p=45#comment-334 What should one look for in a spiritual director? Are there particular questions one should ask? I am reading Introduction to the Devout Life right now, and it is wonderful, but I see the need for direction and don't know which way to turn. :) What should one look for in a spiritual director? Are there particular questions one should ask? I am reading Introduction to the Devout Life right now, and it is wonderful, but I see the need for direction and don’t know which way to turn. :)

]]> By: Paul Maurice Martin http://stuffcatholicslike.com/2008/07/15/xxv-spiritual-directors/comment-page-1/#comment-322 Paul Maurice Martin Thu, 17 Jul 2008 04:36:12 +0000 http://stuffcatholicslike.com/?p=45#comment-322 Good point - I think it's a mistake to depend on other people as spiritual directors in the sense that we expect them to have ready made answers for us without our having to engage in direct and personal relationship with God. Good point – I think it’s a mistake to depend on other people as spiritual directors in the sense that we expect them to have ready made answers for us without our having to engage in direct and personal relationship with God.

]]> By: Maximilian http://stuffcatholicslike.com/2008/07/15/xxv-spiritual-directors/comment-page-1/#comment-318 Maximilian Tue, 15 Jul 2008 13:56:57 +0000 http://stuffcatholicslike.com/?p=45#comment-318 I remember when I read St. Francis de Sales' Introduction to the Devout Life and chapter 4 was all about the necessity of a spiritual director. The first though to come to mind: "Oh snap! I need a spiritual director!" It only took about a year. :) I remember when I read St. Francis de Sales’ Introduction to the Devout Life and chapter 4 was all about the necessity of a spiritual director. The first though to come to mind: “Oh snap! I need a spiritual director!” It only took about a year. :)

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