Every director is unique. This is my perspective…

What is Spiritual Direction?

Spiritual Direction is a three-way relationship that involves a directee, a director, and the Holy Spirit.

The director can be a priest, religious, or lay person who is trained to help the directee be attentive to the movements of God in their daily lives. The foundation for this attentiveness is prayer and the movement is the Holy Spirit.

The directee needs only one goal – to grow in holiness.

They can start at any time. It’s never too late; they can never be too old.

It is imperative that the directee comes to the session with a docile spirit.

A directee should be willing to share honestly and openly, and to take direction when a change is proposed by the director.

During the spiritual direction session the director, through attentive listening, will help the directee assess their interior life. The director will offer tools for the directee to use to develop their prayer life, grow in virtue, and strengthen their relationship with Jesus Christ.

Spiritual direction can take on different forms based upon the needs of the directee. Some examples:

• A directee may need help discerning a vocation.
• Someone may seem stuck in their prayer life and ‘can’t hear God’s voice’.
• An individual ‘feels like there is more to life’ but isn’t sure what that means.
• A person may have experienced a loss or a change in life and needs help recognizing God in all of it.

Spiritual direction is a process, not a program. It can bear great, often unexpected, fruit:

• bring healing to wounds old/new, known/unknown
• provide a framework for the directee to discern life changes
• help identify root sins, overcome vices replacing them with virtue
• discern the different spirits at work in their life (Holy Spirit, evil spirit, human spirit) and how to respond to them.

Ultimately, the goal of the spiritual director is to help the directee recognize God’s movement in their life, to know the Lord is always near, and help develop their interior life to journey along the narrow way to heaven.

Spiritual Direction is not…

• Spiritual Direction is not counselling – that said, the two disciplines (during separate sessions) can work in tandem providing holistic healing.
• Spiritual Direction is not confession – although many priests serve as spiritual directors and directees are able to ask for the Sacrament during their session.
• Spiritual Direction is not spiritual friendship or mentoring. The relationship between the directee and director is not one of mutuality.

Why “Catholic”?

I am Catholic and I approach spiritual direction through that lens.

Who am I Influenced by?

The great Carmelite saints Teresa of Avila, John of the Cross, Elizabeth of the Trinity and the Little Flower (my Confirmation sister) seem to have been with me for a long time waiting for me to accept their friend requests. Others such as Catherine of Siena, Cardinal Henry Newman, John Paul II, Padre Pio, Maria Goretti, and Gemma Galgani have spoken to my heart in unique and powerful ways.

For ministry in spiritual direction, I draw upon the works (writings, podcasts, programs, conferences, etc.) of St. Ignatius of Loyola, Fr. Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalen, Fr. Timothy Gallagher, Fr. Boniface Hicks, Dr. Bob Schuchts, Sr. Miriam James Heidland SOLT, Dan Burke, and so many others who lead with the heart of Christ and mind of the Church.

My greatest influences though are simple, beautiful, faithful souls that God handpicked and placed at different points in my life.

Some people were present during my childhood and have long passed away. Others walked with me as an adult leaving a profound impact in ways they will never know. Some, those of my faith community, Apostoli Viae, my spiritual directors, and other brothers and sisters in Christ continue to challenge, mentor, and love me deeper into the heart of God.

While these individuals come from very different backgrounds they hold a few things in common:

• Each spoke openly about their Catholic faith, attended Mass regularly, always carried a rosary.
• Their faith in God was simple and child-like.
• When spending time with them, they made me feel as if I was sitting with the Lord. Love sat patiently with me.
• They held no theology degrees, or never boasted of them. Truth was never up for debate, they pursued no arguments with others, and needed no proof that God existed.

Most importantly is my husband. I could write an entire book about our marriage, his sacrifices for our family, his miraculous conversion, his courage and fidelity to the Holy Spirit, his call to the permanent diaconate, and so much more. God loves me through my hubby.

What do I bring to the table?

After 20+ years in youth ministry, experiencing my own brokenness through those I ministered to, understanding the need for accountability to grow in holiness, and most importantly recognizing that every person is on a unique journey, I offer:

• a safe and confidential place to share,
• patient listening,
• a simple faith accompanied by gentle but firm truth,
• affirming love from the Father.

Please pray for me as I pray for you!