TRIA CORDA
School for Spiritual Direction
This school serves the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City in forming and counseling lay Spiritual Directors who serves the Catholic Faithful.
TRIA CORDA
TRIA CORDA means three hearts. And this often refers the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the Chaste Heart of Joseph. And with intentionality to conform our own hearts towards these holy hearts, we advance in love and knowledge of God. Within the Act of Spiritual Direction, there is another way to interpret the Three Hearts. That is, the heart of the Directee, the heart of the Director, and the heart of Christ. These three are all incredibly important in the act of spiritual Direction.
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.
Beginning in September 2024, the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City will facilitate 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. Applications will be accepted in April and May of 2024.
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 Spiritual Direction
F.A.Q.
Spiritual direction focuses on a relationship with God. It is not about solving problems or overcoming a psychological issue, as professional counseling would address. Instead, spiritual direction focuses on the relationship one has with God and how the person sees or struggles with God in their everyday life. It is not therapy or coaching. It is not career counseling or rehabilitation services. It is however, a mentoring relationship where the director accompanies an individual through a process of developing a prayer life.
In that process, one might find answers to problems or dilemmas in their life, but the focus is not on those issues. The focus is on developing a relationship with God so that one feels God’s presence in their life – developing a life of prayer (or, better stated, communicating with God) and in being guided in learning to pray and on engaging in a spiritual journey to discover more about the divine is the prime focus.
Everyone needs a coach or a guide. Many of us try to pray, but simply don’t know how to do it and don’t know where to start. In looking at your own spiritual life, you might have questions about what any of this means! You might have never explored your own spiritual side. Or you might be going through a tough time and have begun to have doubts in your own faith life. A good spiritual director can accompany you through all of these instances and more.
It depends. Some folks have a regular monthly meeting with their director. Others are in a different stage and might meet more often. Some might meet a director once and then not meet again for some time. You can meet once a week, once a month, once a quarter, or whatever works for you and your director. Typically, an hour session, each month, at a mutually convenient location (or in online settings) where privacy can be assured is the norm. All Spiritual Directors listed are offering their ministry free of charge.
Feel free to reach out to the Director of Spiritual Direction, Xander Schmitt, with any questions. Xander will be happy to have a conversation with you and help you get matched up with a director with whom you would be comfortable. He can be reached at aschmitt@archokc.org or (405) 709-2718
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