spiritual direction

[Brother Adam]

how exactly does one go about finding a spiritual director? It's been strongly suggested I find one (well all of us who are juniors and seniors find one), and I haven't a clue. I'm not even totally sure I know what a spiritual director is.

[p-hawk]

Ooh, I've been wondering this as well. (Sorry to be of no help, Brother Adam).

[Myles Domini]

[quote]For this purpose choose one out of a thousand, as Avila says. For my part, I say one out of ten thousand, for there are fewer men than we realize who are capable of this task. He must be full be charity, knowledge, and prudence, and if any one of these three qualities is lacking there is danger. [b]I tell you again, ask God for him[/b], and having once found him, bless his Divine Majesty, stand firm, and do not look for another, but go forward with simplicity, humility, and confidence for you will make a most prosperous journey[/quote]--St Francis de Sales, Introduction to the devout life, first part chapter 4

Listen to the saint. First pray and then go and find a priest that can act as your spiritual guide. Its that simple. I got my spiritual director through my parish priest I'm sure you can too although there are other ways, you could seek out a spiritual director from a certain religious order etc.

[Brother Adam]

forgive my ignorance, but what exactly is a spiritual director suppose to do?

[homeschoolmom]

[quote name='Brother Adam' date='Sep 2 2005, 07:22 AM']forgive my ignorance, but what exactly is a spiritual director suppose to do?
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Direct you... spiritually.

[Brother Adam]

As far as I've ever known that is what a confessor does. Edited September 2, 2005 by Brother Adam

[p0lar_bear]

[quote name='homeschoolmom' date='Sep 2 2005, 09:25 AM']Direct you... spiritually.
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[p0lar_bear]

[quote name='Brother Adam' date='Sep 2 2005, 10:40 AM']

As far as I've ever known that is what a confessor does.
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In a lot of ways a confessor and a spiritual director are the same. If your spiritual director is a priest, he will generally also be your regular confessor. Most people use confession only to confess sins. Spiritual direction covers a lot more. Most directors will set up to meet with you for about an hour every couple of weeks. You discuss your spiritual life in general, specific problems, where your prayer life is, your life in general, whatever. Since there are specific times available for confession, most priests won't want to take an hour with each confession, so more people are able to avail themselves of the sacrament. However, if a priest has been particularly good for you to confess to, ask him.

[Semperviva]

Log out on public computers you big galoot


- Sincerely, Brother Adam

Edited September 2, 2005 by Semperviva

[Brother Adam]

What I meant to say:

I see. Well like the Liturgy of the Hours I should probably give up while I'm ahead and save myself the headache.

[Thy Geekdom Come]

[quote name='Brother Adam' date='Sep 2 2005, 11:04 AM']What I meant to say:

I see. Well like the Liturgy of the Hours I should probably give up while I'm ahead and save myself the headache.
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It's really not as confusing as it seems. If you meet up with me sometime during the days, I'll pray day prayer with you and teach you how it's done.

Granted, the other hours are more complex, but I'm confident you can handle it.

[Cam42]

Here is the deal....

A spiritual director is like a counselor on Catholicism. You discuss your faith, how to deepen it, how to mature it, how to make you stronger in the faith.

He often times is your confessor, as you should be open with him totally.

You should share your wonders, hopes, fears, desires, needs and wants, regard to the Church. It is a place to be totally open.

It is considered part of the private forum as is the confessional, although it is not under the seal of confession.

As for finding one, you should be very discerning. You should find a priest that you are comfortable with and ask him for a reference. I would shy away from having any priestly friends as your director, it should be someone that you can be open with in a way that is not friendly, but honest, in a spiritually mature kind of way. If the priest is a friend, there may be a familiarity there that can impede the process.

There are priests who specialize in spiritual direction. Personally, I go to an Opus Dei priest, but there are many others out there......

Good luck and God Bless.

[Cam42]

Get with Micah.....the Office is not hard to pray at all, and it gets easier and more fulfilling as you pray it.

I encourage all lay people to pray it. I have been doing so since 1994.

[Thy Geekdom Come]

[quote name='Cam42' date='Sep 2 2005, 11:12 AM']Get with Micah.....the Office is not hard to pray at all, and it gets easier and more fulfilling as you pray it.

I encourage all lay people to pray it.  I have been doing so since 1994.
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And I could use the extra motivation. I'm horrible at keeping to task on my prayer life.

[Nicole8223]

The first spiritual director I had was not a very good choice. I was younger, and I chose someone who I thought was good. He is a great priest, but not a great spiritual director.

I changed, and have made great progress with my current spiritual director. God is using him in my life in big ways.

I meet with him once a month, beginning with confession. I plan on doing a general confession with him so we are both together on my life's journey thus far. I tell him where I am at, both spiritually and just in life in general. I ask advice on decisions I need to make. He prays with me and offers help on my prayer life, and pushes me into new things that are good for me.

Hope that helps!

Oh, and as for finding one, prayer is THE biggest thing. God totally revealed my spiritual director to me. I thought there was no way, but it worked out perfectly.

[p0lar_bear]

[quote name='Semperviva' date='Sep 2 2005, 12:03 PM']Log out on public computers you big galoot 
- Sincerely, Brother Adam
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[Extra ecclesiam nulla salus]

would it be wrong to pray the traditional liturgy of the hours?

[homeschoolmom]

[quote name='Semperviva' date='Sep 2 2005, 10:03 AM']Log out on public computers you big galoot 
- Sincerely, Brother Adam
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[homeschoolmom]

All I know is your not supposed to wear a hairshirt without the guidance of a good SD...

[brendan1104]

you shouldn't undertake any extraordinary penances without consulting your regular confessor/spiritual director.

bro. adam, i'd suggest you talk to a priest about this, or call your local seminary. also, your s.d. should be a priest. my cousin teaches theology at our seminary, and he is a spiritual director for seminarians, others, etc.