REFLECTION
Ways are made very simply.
We don’t have to accomplish some feat of heavy engineering.
All we have to do is put one foot in front of the other and walk them.
To walk with Jesus through his lived ministry,
through his suffering and death,
and into his resurrected life and discover for ourselves
what it really means for us, and asks of us.
It is an invitation to become a wayfarer
who, simply by walking the way alongside the One
who is the Way
and in loving relationship with fellow wayfarers,
will also become a waymaker for others.
— Margaret Silf, Wayfaring: A Gospel Journey in Everyday Life
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Dear Spiritual Direction Colleagues,
Easter is a season of wayfaring in the spirit that Margaret Silf so powerfully describes (see reflection above.) We walk an Emmaus road that begins in darkness and ends in light. In the company of the Resurrected Christ our bewildered hearts are set to burning. Commissioned by the Risen One with the breath of belief, like the disciples in John’s gospel, we are sent forth to make a way for God in a world that often seems to have lost its way.
Knowing we are not striving for some spiritual director “feat of heavy engineering," frees our feet to simply accompany our directees through the mundane and the mysterious, seeking God every step of the way.
Every wayfarer needs support, and in this spirit I’m delighted to share with you some exciting opportunities from the OIS and our partners for your ongoing Ignatian formation and education as well as some helpful resources. I look forward to your participation in our upcoming programs.
As we approach the Feast of Pentecost, may you walk the Way that is God, renewed by the power of the Holy Spirit that meets us in every step we take.
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Together on the Way,
Nancy
Nancy Small
Associate Director for Spiritual Direction Initiatives
Office of Ignatian Spirituality
USA East Province of the Society of Jesus
929-232-3056
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UPCOMING PROGRAMS FROM THE IGNATIAN SPIRITUAL DIRECTION INITIATIVE |
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Drawing Water Joyfully from the Springs of Salvation
Thursday, June 8, 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM EDT
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“With joy you shall draw water from the springs of salvation.” ~ Isaiah (12:3)
- Where do you discover joy in these challenging times?
- What are the springs of salvation from which you draw?
- How does joy manifest itself in your spiritual direction ministry?
This informal, reflective evening will provide an opportunity to connect with other spiritual directors as we gather together in joyful community. You are welcome to bring quotes/readings about joy to share.
Click here for more information and to register. And be sure to bring your bucket!
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The Spiritual Exercises Reclaimed: Uncovering Liberating Possibilities for Women
A four-part online series with author Elizabeth Liebert, SNJM, PhD
Sept. 19, Oct. 17, Nov. 14, Dec. 12, 2023, 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM ET
Registration Fee for the Series: $100
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This groundbreaking book reclaims the heart of the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises through the richness of women’s experiences.
This program will provide fresh perspectives and offer new insights for spiritual directors accompanying women through the Exercises. It will offer deeper understanding and transformative wisdom for all spiritual directors who accompany women and men facing obstacles in their spiritual lives that flow from oppression and injustice. Elizabeth will draw from her extensive Ignatian experience with the Exercises.
Click here for more information about the series and to register. (Registrants will also receive a 20% discount code toward the purchase of the book when ordering from Paulist Press.)
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Spiritual Direction Supervision |
Supervision is “the covenant we make with our spiritual directees,” according to a well-respected supervisor. ISDI is happy to honor this covenant by connecting spiritual directors with available supervisors/supervision groups. If you are a spiritual director seeking a virtual supervision group or individual supervision (in-person or virtual), please contact nsmall@jesuits.org.
If you are a trained supervisor who is available for individual or group supervision, please click here to be added to our list of available supervisors.
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Tools for Spiritual Direction Reflection and Review |
Reflecting upon and reviewing the spiritual direction relationship can be beneficial in many ways. It can lead to greater clarity about the relationship (such as whether the relationship is vibrant or has gone stale), reveal areas of growth or lack thereof, and remind both director and directee of important considerations.
Click here for several guides you might use for reviewing the spiritual direction relationship.
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UPCOMING PROGRAMS FROM OUR IGNATIAN PARTNERS |
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Online Spiritual Direction Enrichment Series
Thursdays from June 8-29, 2023, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM EDT
Ignatius Jesuit Retreat House, Atlanta, GA
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Ignatius House in Atlanta is hosting a virtual Spiritual Direction Enrichment Series on Thursdays in June 2023 from 7pm-9pm ET. Affiliated spiritual and retreat directors of Ignatius House will be presenting. Fee is $50. The series is meant to inform and encourage our work in the ministry of spiritual direction. Missed classes will be recorded for future viewing.
Topics in Spiritual Direction to be Presented:
- June 8, Cultural Competency & Spiritual Direction (Presented by Lauren Morton)
- June 15, Gender/Sexuality Issues & Spiritual Direction (Presented by Carl McColman)
- June 22, Addiction & Spiritual Direction (Presented by Marian Monahan)
- June 29, Trauma & Spiritual Direction (Presented by Bill Noe, SJ)
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Ignatian Spirituality Institute: Giving Witness Practicum
July 24-28, 2023
Bellarmine Jesuit Retreat House, Barrington, IL
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This intensive practicum will explore retreat planning, the unfolding of Ignatian themes, and how to offer talks and presentations that lead others to encounter and prayer, focusing on:
- Formulating presentations rooted in the dynamics of the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises
- Developing themes/flow of presentations based on the Spiritual Exercises
- Identifying: Who is the audience? What do they need? What can you offer?
- Exploring best practices for the use of scripture, handouts, technology, artwork, music, liturgy and sacramental symbols in retreat design
Participants should have a Spiritual Director and the experience of personally praying the Spiritual Exercises, preferably in a 19th-annotation or 30-day retreat format, or will have made several personal preached retreats.
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The Peter Faber Training Program to Give Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius Loyola
Offered online by Holy Trinity Catholic Church in collaboration with Georgetown University
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This innovative three-year online training program is inspired by St. Peter Faber, a master ‘giver’ of the Spiritual Exercises. A new cohort will begin in September 2023. The application deadline is June 15, 2023.
For more information on the program, click here. For questions or to receive an application, please contact Martina O’Shea, Director, Ignatian Retreats and Training Programs, Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Washington, D.C. ( moshea@trinity.org) |
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Spiritual Direction Training from the Pneuma Institute |
The Pneuma Institute’s 20-month hybrid formation and training program beginning in late August 2023 is now receiving applications until July 1, 2023.
A list of additional spiritual direction training programs is available here. |
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Sisters of St. Joseph Retreat Centers |
The Sisters of St. Joseph of Chestnut Hill, PA are spreading the word about two new retreat centers that offer silent directed or silent guided retreats along the Jersey Shore.
Saint Joseph by-the-Sea Retreat House is in Sea Isle City and the Sisters of Saint Joseph Center for Spirituality os in Ocean Grove.
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WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT SPIRITUAL DIRECTION
"One of my favorite parables of Jesus is the parable of the mustard seed. Jesus himself was the original mustard seed...
His teaching was either misunderstood or understood all too well and so provoked rage and rejection...
Yet God, Source of All, working through the Holy Spirit, raised Jesus from the dead and made of him the Pioneer of the New Creation…
Our sitting in that room with a seeker, offering contemplative listening and gentle nudging, is mustard seed work, through and through.
We trust that God will give the increase!"
– Rev. Brian McDermott, SJ
If you have quotes to share about the importance of spiritual direction, please email them to me at nsmall@jesuits.org. |
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