LOOKING FOR GOD SOMETIMES MEANS ASKING FOR DIRECTIONS

Simply for the asking, one of the most priceless gifts preserved and cultivated by the Church over nearly 2,000 years is available to everyone: spiritual direction.

BY any other name -- "spiritual companioning" or "spiritual journeying" -- spiritual direction deals with the grace of learning to listen to what God is saying or asking -- and doing so with the help of a prayerful, experienced friend, companion or guide: the spiritual director.

Recently, several spiritual directors in the Albany Diocese sat down to talk about spiritual direction with The Evangelist. Among them, they add up more than a century of practice in spiritual direction ministry:

* Sister Eleanor Guerin, RSM, who has been a teacher at schools operated by the Sisters of Mercy as well as a pastoral minister;

* Sister Anne Sheridan, CSJ, an educator who has held administrative leadership positions within the Albany Province of the Sisters of St Joseph of Carondelet;

* Sister Joyce Houle, SNJM, whose various apostolates include campus ministry, as well as formation work for the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary; and

* Sisters Elizabeth Hoye and Mary Gen Smyth, RSCJ, of Abba House of Prayer in Albany, where spiritual direction is part of their ministry.

Common concern

All agree that the terms, "spiritual direction" and "spiritual director," make many people shy of approaching this ministry. They would offer, instead, "spiritual companioning" for spiritual direction, and "spiritual guide" for "director," because, in fact, nobody is "directed" or told what to do. Rather, spiritual direction is a process of discovery, of discernment, and one that is highly individual.

As for the title, "director," God is the real spiritual director, they insist; those commonly called "directors" are more accurately serving in the role of guide or companion "on the journey."

What is it?

* the ways God may be inviting a person to a deeper and richer life (realizations which often lead to change or conversion at various stages of life);

* how to unlock the unique potential each person has to live life more fully aware of God's presence, not only in prayer, as Sister Anne Sheridan notes, but also in every aspect of life and in every relationship a person may experience.

The panel of experienced spiritual directors also agreed on several things which spiritual direction "is not":

* It is not the same thing as going to confession -- the miraculous and healing sacred encounter with Christ in the Sacrament of Reconciliation;

* It is not reserved for clergy and religious -- and historically never has been;

* It is definitely not some kind of new psychotherapy. While "sometimes a person may be in therapy, and also benefit from spiritual direction," Sister Eleanor notes, "the director has to be aware that these are two separate disciplines."

History

The "classics" of spiritual direction ministry were produced by the 16th-century Carmelites, St. Teresa of Avila and St. John of the Cross, and their other great contemporary, St. Ignatius Loyola, founder of the Jesuits. Their books dealing with issues of spiritual direction still offer norms for the Church today.

Citing the wisdom of St. John of the Cross, the "Catechism of the Catholic Church" notes that the Holy Spirit, the ultimate spiritual director, "gives to certain of the faithful the gifts of wisdom, faith and discernment" to assist them in guiding God's people and enabling them to be "true servants of the living tradition of prayer."

(11-14-96) [[In-content Ad]]