Spiritual directors are 'ears of God'

Spiritual direction enjoys a rich tradition in the history of the Church, according to Sister Katherine (Kitty) Hanley, CSJ, director of St. Bernard's School of Theology and Ministry in Albany.

She teaches a course on spiritual direction and said that many Christians are rediscovering it.

"Interest in this ministry has been on the rise in recent years," she said. "For some, it has led to becoming spiritual directors in order to answer that need."

Nine students have completed St. Bernard's two-year course on spiritual direction, and three of them shared their insights with The Evangelist:

* Deacon Frank Berning, who is assigned to St. Joseph's parish in Scotia and is assistant director of Deacon Formation for the Diocese, decided to become a spiritual director because he spends a "significant amount of time with families struggling with life-crisis issues like death, illness and relationships.

"I felt that the qualities necessary to be a spiritual director were the ones I needed to work on as I continue to minister to these folks. In many cases, I am walking with people during the most painful times of their lives."

He feels that the skills he learned allow him to become "the ear of God. This gift has allowed me to see struggles in my community that I would have missed if I had not had the experience of formation in spiritual direction.

"I am now able to better anticipate the needs of another person struggling or simply discerning a critical decision in their life. My prayer life has also changed, and now feels richer and offers a peace that can be carried through the day."

* Annette Brooks, pastoral manager at St. Ambrose parish in Latham, said that learning about spiritual direction increased her understanding of her own strengths and weaknesses, which she feels is important in helping others.

"I am now better equipped to recognize pitfalls and stumbling blocks that arise in my relationships with others I journey with -- and also with God," she explained. "These courses gave me a better sense of that self-worth. I want to use them for the glory of God.

"The focus of my job has become primarily to encourage and support others in their quest for a personal relationship with the Lord. [Spiritual direction's] goal is to bring a person's gifts to light within the community so that the person can help others deepen their own relationship with God."

* Rick Behan, interim Christian Education Director for the Delmar Reformed Church, said a member of his church suggested he consider spiritual direction.

"I found it fascinating and could immediately see its value, but converting it from a classroom and book experience to a real-life one takes a bit of time," he said.

Mr. Behan has found spiritual direction to be invaluable in his interactions with others, including during his work as a chaplain at Albany Medical Center.

"As a chaplain, you do not have an agenda," he said. "The pain, fear, grief and sorrow that is [another's] is theirs alone. You cannot fix things for them, nor should you try. All you really can do is be present to them

"You also cannot force your faith tradition or views upon them, and yet your walk with them is a walk with God in almost every case, even if God is not specifically named or a prayer is not said.

"As a spiritual director, you serve as a signpost, trying to help point their way to God and the experience of God in their lives.

"I really hope spiritual direction continues to grow in all of our faith communities because it is sorely needed by so many. The ability to really reflect upon the action of God in our lives is a gift and a blessing."

(4/20/06) [[In-content Ad]]