What is Spiritual Direction?

Spiritual Direction is help given by a trained Spiritual Director (clergy or trained layperson) to another person through confidential, ongoing conversation. It is a relationship between the director and the one being directed. Also, it is an encounter with God that two people participate in together. The purpose of the relationship is that the one being directed might grow closer in their relationship with God. In short, it’s an opportunity for mentorship in developing a relationship with God.

Who Should be a Spiritual Director?

Are you currently in Spiritual Direction?  Are you a good listener for others?  Are you able to hear the Good Lord’s guidance? 
 You may be called to be a Spiritual Director.

Are you currently in Spiritual Direction?  Are you a good listener for others?  Are you able to hear the Good Lord’s guidance? 
 You may be called to be a Spiritual Director.
The Archdiocese of Oklahoma City facilitates a school to train prospective Catholic Spiritual Directors. The program will consist of two (2) years of formation via classroom instruction once a month on Saturdays, followed by one (1) year of practicum experience under personalized supervision.
 
A Catholic spiritual director will:be a practicing Catholic, male or female, in good standing with the Church.
have a well-formed understanding of Catholic spiritual direction.
not engage in psychoanalysis but will, through prayer and the leading of the Holy Spirit, assist others in the discernment of God’s will in their lives.
understand the expectations for Spiritual Direction in the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City.
be able to maintain a schedule that facilitates periodic direction sessions with their directees.
identify areas for prayer, reflection, and further discussion in the next scheduled session with their directees.  
make recommendations for reflection material.
pray with directees, asking for the leading of the Holy Spirit and the intercession of the Blessed Mother and the saints. 

About the Program

“Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations…”- Matthew 28:19

Mission:

The challenges of today can only be rectified and healed by the grace of God, who we encounter in prayer in order to build a relationship with Him. Many of the faithful need guidance in how to pray.
This guidance can best be met with a spiritual guide, who is traditionally known as a spiritual director.

The discipleship process is outlined in Archbishop Coakley’s pastoral letter “Go Make Disciples.” This pathway will be our guide to create a program that will form prayerful, thoughtful and well-trained spiritual directors.
This pathway is Encounter, Accompany, Community and Send.


Program Overview:

The program entails three (3) years of formation. Year 1 and Year 2 consist of classroom instruction 1x/month on Saturdays.
Year 3 is a practicum year during which the candidate will provide spiritual direction to two to three directees, under monthly supervision and guidance.

Expert instructors in each subject are essential for establishing a high-quality program aimed at producing the best trained spiritual directors.
By creating our own program, we have the flexibility to open some of these courses to non-candidates who wish to attend. This also allows us to supply high quality continuing education to current spiritual directors by having them attend select classes.