What Is Spiritual Direction?

Spiritual direction is a specialized ministry in the church. It is a graced way of serving another believer, helping the other to grow in intimacy with God and to live out the consequences of this intimacy. The focus of a spiritual direction relationship is the directee's experience of God, and how communication happens between God and the directee.

Trained spiritual directors have a background in ministry, communication skills, personality dynamics, and various resources in prayer, spirituality and scripture. While some spiritual directors may be trained pastoral or psychological counselors, problem solving or therapy is not the focus. Rather, both director and directee agree to meet regularly so that the directee might pay closer attention to God. 

Contemporary direction presumes that God communicates through ordinary human experience, and in that experience is found God's invitations, urgings and confirmations. A spiritual director is a companion on life's journey -- asking reflective questions and pointing out resources.

Why Would I Need a Spiritual Director?

A spiritual director may be especially helpful:

• when one wants to develop a deeper relationship with God:
• when the search for God seems to be at a crossroads
• when one wants to explore new methods of prayer
• when prayer becomes difficult
• when one feels the need for help in discerning the call of the Spirit
• when one feels the need for a companion on the spiritual journey to walk with you and to listen.
  

Spiritual direction at the Cenacle is available for people of all faiths -- lay women and men, single or married, priests and members of religious communities.

Frequency of sessions can be discussed with the director and decided upon according to individual needs. Many people find once a month helpful.

Cenacle Sisters rely on donations for spiritual direction, as well as for programs they are asked to give.  Financial arrangements can be discussed personally with the particular director chosen.  However, no one will be refused because of an inability to give a donation.

To find out more about spiritual direction in Gainesville, e-mail us at Cenacle Sisters in Gainesville.