MINISTRY OF SPIRITUAL DIRECTION AT ST. MATTHEW’S PARISH
What is Spiritual Direction?
Spiritual direction is an ancient Christian tradition dating back to the desert fathers and given new life by St. Ignatius of Loyola. Today this ministry is no different from the times of the early church – it remains a form of “holy listening” and spiritual companionship wherein the seeker explores her/his spiritual journey with the help of a director and discovers God’s movement in her/his life. In spiritual direction, there are always three [3] individuals involved – the seeker, the Holy Spirit and the director.
Is It For Me?
If you are on a spiritual path, if you have and value a prayer life, spiritual direction may be a consideration. William Barry, SJ, spiritual director, writes, “The best candidates are those who have lived life and not been afraid of its joys and pains…they have strong desires for something more in their relationship with God.”
When Might It Be Appropriate?
A few examples when spiritual direction may be appropriate are when we notice a longing for something beyond what the world offers, a desire for God – but are not sure what this means or how to satisfy that desire; times when we are faced with making an important decision and are unsure about how best to discern our choices; when we some sort of transition – at work, in relationships or in suffering a loss and are thrown off our spiritual track; times when our prayer life feels “stuck” or seems to run dry and we don’t know what to do.
How Does Spiritual Direction Differ from Psychotherapy and Pastoral Counseling?
There are similarities in all three ministries; for example, each takes place in an atmosphere of trust and confidentiality. Perhaps the most fundamental difference, however, is best expressed by Barry who describes spiritual direction as the process that “directly assists individuals in developing and cultivating their personal relationship with God.” The relationship between the seeker and God is the sole focus of spiritual direction. Gerald May, psychiatrist and spiritual director, writes, “It is the function of the therapists to help patients solve problems” but the function of the spiritual director is “to attend to God’s power, love and grace in the directee’s situation.” Spiritual direction does not try to fix or solve problems but explores where God is in the midst of our lives as we live out our spiritual journey.
Spiritual Direction Ministry at St. Matthew
Spiritual direction is available to all adult registered parishioners and staff members at St. Matthew in the New Life Center Counseling Department.Eileen Crusan serves as a Spiritual director. She studied at Sacred Heart University and continues her studies at Villa Maria Education and Spirituality Center in PA. She is trained in Ignatian Spirituality and offers, as appropriate, the Ignatian Six Week Retreat and The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius as part of the direction process. Call Eileen at 704-543-7677 x 1179 for more information or to make an appointment.
