What is Spiritual Direction?

Jesus taught us that the road to heaven is narrow but nowhere did he mention that we have to walk it alone. Spiritual direction is precisely that: walking with someone in the spiritual life. It is an ongoing pastoral relationship that helps a person to see where God is working in his or her life. A good spiritual director will help a person to establish a plan for the spiritual life, with an increase and deepening of prayer. As a person grows closer to the Lord, they will begin to listen for His voice speaking in the silence of the heart and seek to respond. Opening up the movements of one’s interior life to a trusted director can help a person to consider them in a more objective manner.

Why have a Spiritual Director?

The most fundamental role of a spiritual director is to help a person to become a saint. This is the primary vocation of every Christian but God calls us to a particular vocation and so receiving spiritual direction is an important step in a person’s discernment.

A spiritual direction session can cover any number of things: your prayer life, movements of consolation and desolation, spiritual joys and difficulties. All this, of course, requires a great deal of trust, humility, and honesty, which can be daunting. But if you’re serious about holiness, finding a spiritual director is an essential step to take.

    Possible further steps with a Spiritual Director

    If you are serious about discerning a priestly vocation, you can ask your spiritual director to contact the Vocation’s Office to get a referral to the regional Vocations promotors.

    Along with your spiritual director, your vocations promotor will journey with you in a ‘getting to know you period’. During this phase of discernment, you will continue to work on growing in the interior life with your spiritual director as well as becoming more acquainted with the public life of the Church, such as attending Catholic meetings, prayer events, discernment gatherings, etc.

    Supported by a spiritual director and a vocations promoter, a man might make the decision to apply for the seminary. Entering the seminary isn’t in itself a guarantee of ordination but rather a commitment to seriously and wholeheartedly discern – with the Church – if a person is called to the priesthood.

    How to find a Spiritual Director?

    While Spiritual Directors don’t have to be priests, for those who are exploring a priestly vocation, discerning with a man who has also made that journey will be particularly helpful. As a starting point, consider the priests who you know…