In recent years, faithful Christians have become increasingly interested in spiritual direction.  They wish to deepen their experience of God and are looking for a companion to accompany them on their spiritual journey.

A spiritual director does not tell others what to say or do, nor is spiritual direction the same as counseling.  A director's role is specifically ordered to enrich a directee's spiritual life.  The Catechism of the Catholic Church says of the spiritual director that the "Holy Spirit gives [some of the faithful] the gifts of wisdom, faith, andf discernment for the sake of the common good which is prayer."  In other words, mature Christians with these gifts are able to help others grow closer to God through prayer.  [CCC 2690]

A well-formed spiritual director helps Christian seekers listen to God's personal communication to them and respond in such af way that spiritual intimacy with Him grows and is lived out in an obedient, fruitful life.

The Catechism teaches that God desires to communicate His life to us (CCC 1), and those who wish to mature in their relationship with God can be helped by persons who already commune deeply with Him.  Pope Benedict XVI recommends that "everyone - priests, religious, laypeople, -- and especially youth, should have a spiritual director to help them in the Christian life [in order to lead them] to union with the Lord." He adds, "We cannot do it with our reflections alone."  (General audience held September 16, 2009)

One benefit of spiritual direction is a greater ability to listen to God's voice and to grow in knowledge of oneself and of God.  Other benefits include a deeper awareness of God's presence in everyday events, a more meaningful prayer life, and movement toward union with God.  Most of all, spiritual direction enhances the "common good of prayer," which nourishes and sustains the life of the entire church as believers hear and obey God's call to carry out their particular vocation.

Spiritual direction has its deepest roots in Christ's three-year investment of time with His disciples, teaching them and modeling how to live out God's love in daily life.

Later, the early Christian Abbas and Ammas, who withdrew to the desert to focus on their walk with God, were sought out by others who wanted to know God in a similar way.

Spiritual directors have long been important in the formation of priests and religious, but increasingly, faithful lay Christians also seek out the guidance of spiritual directors to enrich their prayer lives and bring them closer to God.

Reliable spiritual guides will give evendence of several "gifts" or "skills" that have matured in them as a result of being formed as a spiritual director.

• Evidence of a prayerful spirit, both in the spiritual direction session and in their life experiences.

• An ability to listen intently to what is being said by the directee and a willingness to embrace silence in order to listen for the Holy Spirit (the true spiritual director).

• A capacity for contemplative recollection, the fruit of which will be discernment regarding the directee's spiritual life and call.

• An ability to hold in strict confidentiality all that is communicated by the directee.

• Completion of a reputable formation program to discern and affirm one's call as a spiritual director.

St. Thomas the Apostle Church's Spiritual Director --

Mary Frazier
Phone:  972-742-2253
Email:  mary.frazier1045@gmail.com

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Persons sensing a call to become a spiritual director may contact St. Peter Upon the Water in Ingram, Texas, to inquire about their three-year Spiritual Director Formation Program. 

St. Peter Upon the Water
A Center for Spiritual Direction and Formation
P. O. Box 509
Ingram, Texas 78025
830-367-5959
secretary@stpeteruponthewater.org
www.stpeteruponthewater.org