A three days introduction to Spiritual Direction.
What topics does the course cover?
This 3 Saturdays Course covers three key areas:
– The first steps in the spiritual life:
what are these steps, how should we understand them and how might we best accompany others in these stages. In particular, how can we discern what is helpful to support spiritual growth through understanding the person and the action of the grace of God.
– What is covered by the term spiritual direction:
what it is and is not, the traditions and different schools of spiritual direction and how they have evolved, the levels and types of discernment and how the needs of the individual change as they grow spiritually.
Where does spiritual accompaniment and spiritual direction fit in:
responsibility for our own spiritual life and the invitation to support others on the journey, how this serves growth and what, from a practical perspective, do we need to keep in mind.
This course will draw on the teachings of the Desert Monks and those of three doctors of the Church who wrote extensively on this topic – St. John of the Cross, St. Teresa of Avila and St. Therese of Lisieux.
Any pre requisites?
In order to get the most from the course, participants will need to have a reasonable understanding of the goal and stages of the spiritual life. As such, the course is open to:
Participants who have already attended the School of Mary course on “Introduction to the Spiritual Life”.
Participants whose background has given them a basic appreciation of the key concepts needed. If you are in this latter group, we will ask you to send us a short (1-2 paragraph) summary of what you would like to get out of the course and any previous experience you may have in accompanying others in the spiritual life so that we can make sure the course is a good fit for what you need.
Course Cost
– The course fee for three days is $320 / £240 / €270. A discounted rate of $160 / £120 / €135 is available for those who need it. The School of Mary is committed to making spiritual formation accessible, so please reach out if further financial concerns arise.
If you would like to enrol in this course, please contact us.