Hey guys-
How do I go about finding a spiritual director? I'm discerning a vocation to be a cloistered Dominican nun and it would be helpful to have a spiritual director but I'm not sure where to start. Thanks!
Full Version: Looking for a spiritual director
You can talk to your parish priests, or if you know of an religious community nearby, you can probably find some help there.
Pray About it. Pray a novena maybe one to St. John Vienney. Ask God to guide you to the priest who he wants you to be led spiritually.
Your brother in Christ,
Eddie Lee
Your brother in Christ,
Eddie Lee
as for a first spiritual director, i would definitely recommend getting a priest, instead of another religious. But That is why you have to pray about it.
I just moved here and need to find one. One member of the order is renown for his spiritual direction, but i am thinking of looking elsewhere.
SHALOM
I just moved here and need to find one. One member of the order is renown for his spiritual direction, but i am thinking of looking elsewhere.
SHALOM
thanks for the advice- especially about finding a priest and praying a novena to St. John Vianney! 
I'd give the opposite advice!
If you are going for religious community get a religious (qualified) spiritual director. How much does a diocesan parish priest really know about religious life?
No offense to all the priests here but you just don't live in community!
If you are going for religious community get a religious (qualified) spiritual director. How much does a diocesan parish priest really know about religious life?
No offense to all the priests here but you just don't live in community!
QUOTE(FlyLikeABird @ Aug 30 2005, 02:07 PM)
I'd give the opposite advice!
If you are going for religious community get a religious (qualified) spiritual director. How much does a diocesan parish priest really know about religious life?
No offense to all the priests here but you just don't live in community!
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If you are going for religious community get a religious (qualified) spiritual director. How much does a diocesan parish priest really know about religious life?
No offense to all the priests here but you just don't live in community!
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In the Seminary they sure have a pretty good idea though! And they still live in a community, just a much smaller one when assigned at a Parish.
you might want to contact you diocosian vocation director. My diocese (arlington,VA) has a whole list of priests who volunteered top help spiritual direction for discerners (boys + girls)
sorry double post 
I had been praying for a Spiritual Director for a long time, and I finally have one!! God truly led me to this priest, and I knew the first time I saw him that he was supposed to be my Guide. That's my main advice- PRAY! God will bring you to your SD.
Oh that's awesome! Thanks for the advice. I really need one. Will you pray for me?
QUOTE(Totus Tuus @ Aug 30 2005, 08:58 PM)
Oh that's awesome! Thanks for the advice. I really need one. Will you pray for me?
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Of course! Spiritual Directors are so crucial!! I'll keep you in my intentions during my Rosary tonight.
i am looking for one too. Unfortunately where I live there are not too many to choose from. They are either "flaky" or busy.
Years ago I went to a friend's SD on her advice that "this is the greatest SD I've ever had." So I went. HUGE MISTAKE.
Long story, short. The SD pulled out a Ouija Board asked me to get comfortable, I told her to "get real" and I walked out the door.
BE CAREFUL
Years ago I went to a friend's SD on her advice that "this is the greatest SD I've ever had." So I went. HUGE MISTAKE.
Long story, short. The SD pulled out a Ouija Board asked me to get comfortable, I told her to "get real" and I walked out the door.
BE CAREFUL
I'm only looking for a priest. I've had kind of spiritual direction with very good religious, but I really, really need a priest now.
QUOTE(ofpheritup @ Aug 31 2005, 07:34 AM)
i am looking for one too. Unfortunately where I live there are not too many to choose from. They are either "flaky" or busy.
Years ago I went to a friend's SD on her advice that "this is the greatest SD I've ever had." So I went. HUGE MISTAKE.
Long story, short. The SD pulled out a Ouija Board asked me to get comfortable, I told her to "get real" and I walked out the door.
BE CAREFUL
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Years ago I went to a friend's SD on her advice that "this is the greatest SD I've ever had." So I went. HUGE MISTAKE.
Long story, short. The SD pulled out a Ouija Board asked me to get comfortable, I told her to "get real" and I walked out the door.
BE CAREFUL
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hahahaha, that's really funny until you realize that it's actually really sad. QUOTE(Totus Tuus @ Aug 31 2005, 09:09 AM)
I'm only looking for a priest. I've had kind of spiritual direction with very good religious, but I really, really need a priest now.
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Yes, I'm kinda in the same situation. My SD is an Opus Dei numerary and she's very helpful but I really need a priest who understands the religious life better.
Well, Saint Faustina REALLY believed that your priest spiritual director is simply the man Jesus uses to speak through... so I think it's kind of imperative for me to find a priest! And you're right, priests really do understand religious life, even if they're diocesan priests, just like they understand married life. God infuses them with the grace to perform the duties of priesthood!
But actually the priest I *think* I have found is the spiritual director for an Order of very good cloistered discalced Carmelite nuns in New Caney, TX.
But actually the priest I *think* I have found is the spiritual director for an Order of very good cloistered discalced Carmelite nuns in New Caney, TX.
This has been my big trouble too. GOOD Spiritual directors are so hard to find.
Another huge problem I've got is ... most every religious community at least requires a priest's recommendation on their application ... but as a vagabond, transient college student, there aren't any priests who know me very well!
I'm only in one place for about 7.5 months out of the year, and then I move! I really am a parish-hopper. And I feel awful just thinking about asking an over-worked, overtired priest to help me with anything so time consuming, when I'm a newbie really just "stopping by" his parish.
Another huge problem I've got is ... most every religious community at least requires a priest's recommendation on their application ... but as a vagabond, transient college student, there aren't any priests who know me very well!
I'm only in one place for about 7.5 months out of the year, and then I move! I really am a parish-hopper. And I feel awful just thinking about asking an over-worked, overtired priest to help me with anything so time consuming, when I'm a newbie really just "stopping by" his parish.
I recommend priests as spiritual directors (and I think this is a more common case in most saints I think of who've had spiritual directors...) because priests can also act as confessors and that gives them an edge in directing you. The Sacrament of Confession is a great grace to spiritual direction... and you can only receive that with the aid of a priest.
QUOTE(Fair Verona @ Aug 31 2005, 05:10 PM)
This has been my big trouble too. GOOD Spiritual directors are so hard to find.
Another huge problem I've got is ... most every religious community at least requires a priest's recommendation on their application ... but as a vagabond, transient college student, there aren't any priests who know me very well!
I'm only in one place for about 7.5 months out of the year, and then I move! I really am a parish-hopper. And I feel awful just thinking about asking an over-worked, overtired priest to help me with anything so time consuming, when I'm a newbie really just "stopping by" his parish.
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Another huge problem I've got is ... most every religious community at least requires a priest's recommendation on their application ... but as a vagabond, transient college student, there aren't any priests who know me very well!
I'm only in one place for about 7.5 months out of the year, and then I move! I really am a parish-hopper. And I feel awful just thinking about asking an over-worked, overtired priest to help me with anything so time consuming, when I'm a newbie really just "stopping by" his parish.
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Is there a priest on campus that you can get to know?
The best advice I can give you is to be aware of the fact that despite reputations of being an excellent spiritual director sometimes people just don't click. If it doesn't start working well for both of you after 3 or 4 sessions then you should look for another SD. If they are a good SD in general they will not be offended, especially if you are leaving on grounds of spiritual incompatibility. Any SD that's really worth their snuff will discuss this very thing with you!
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