Spiritual Direction

An individual wishing to advance in the spiritual life frequently seeks the advice and guidance of another. The individual may engage in spiritual direction either on a formal or informal basis. It is obvious that an individual desiring to live a perfected Christian life is in need of solid spiritual direction.

While there are a number of spiritual directors in our diocese, if one considers the almost 100,000 Catholics who may be in need of a spiritual director we face a shortage of qualified spiritual directors. In 2003 a training program for spiritual directors was developed specifically for the Diocese of Lafayette-in-Indiana. A team labored for almost one year to develop a training program that drew from our rich Catholic Tradition. This Tradition says that the director must be grounded in theology, practiced in the spiritual life, humble, prudent, and knowledgeable in the tenets of spiritual direction as espoused by St. John of the Cross, St. Teresa of Avila, St. Ignatius of Loyola, and others.

The formation program for spiritual directors is open to individuals who have completed or have an equivalency of the Ecclesial Lay Ministry Program. These individuals must also be persons of prayer, who have an earnest love relationship with God, are devoted to liturgical worship, and engaged in contemplative prayer according to their vocation. They should be distinguished for ecclesial solidarity – they think with the mind of the church. These individuals must have sound judgment and experience of life. They should have sufficient understanding of psychology which includes an ability to recognize human woundedness and the ability to make referrals. These individuals must also demonstrate the ability to relate to others. Most importantly, the individuals should themselves be involved in ongoing personal spiritual direction.

The plan of study for the Spiritual Direction Program includes ten courses in the Principles of Catholic Spirituality. The ten courses are: Spirituality of the Fathers of the Church; Spirituality of the Doctors of the Church; Spirituality of St. Francis de Sales; Spirituality of St. Benedict; Spirituality of the Desert Fathers; Spiritual Theology; Mystical Theology; Spirituality of St. John of the Cross; Spirituality of St. Teresa of Avila; and Spirituality of St. Ignatius of Loyola.

Courses in doctrine include the Documents of the Second Vatican Council and the Catechism of the Catholic Church. There are also courses in human development that include Psychological Issues in Spirituality and the Virtues in Pursuit of Holiness. Additional courses in the ministry of spiritual direction – fundamentals and praxis – are also required. The final component is a year long spiritual direction internship during which the individual meets with a directee, their own spiritual director, and a peer supervisory group.

For an individual who desires to be trained in the art and ministry of spiritual direction the path is a long one. It usually takes three years to complete the Ecclesial Lay Ministry Program. After graduating from ELM, the spiritual direction training program, comprised of 233 hours of coursework, may take another two years to complete.

Spiritual direction has a profound influence on souls and the training for this ministry cannot be taken lightly. Individuals who feel that they are called to the ministry of spiritual direction may contact Dr. Anne D. Roat. Application for the program is available here.  To view the latest Spiritual Director's Journal, click here.