COURSE offerings

A SURVEY OF THE MYSTICAL TRADITIONS OF PRAYER

Includes a survey of Christian spirituality to illustrate the ways God chooses to communicate Himself, emphasizing the mystical prayer of Teresa of Avila, John of the Cross, and Therese of Lisieux. This course surveys various ways of approaching prayer from the mystical tradition of the church and how to teach those being directed to pray in truth and love, with the goal of intimacy with God. [First Week, 2 hours each evening, Monday -Friday]

LIVING THE DISCERNING LIFE AND THE EXAMEN PRAYER

This course will present discernment as both a way of living the Christian life and of reflection on that life. It will be based on Ignatius of Loyola’s Rules of Discernment and the Examen; and will discuss the use of both in spiritual direction. [Second Week, 2 hours each evening, Monday – Friday]

ELEMENTS AND DYNAMICS OF SPIRITUAL DIRECTION AND PRACTICE

This is a foundational course presenting principles and goals of good spiritual direction. Presentations and practice sessions will focus on the methods and skills involved in the art of Spiritual Direction. Students will learn the basics of conducting interviews, interpersonal dynamics, and the use of Scripture in direction. Practice interviews and role playing are included. [Both Weeks, two hours each morning, Monday – Friday]

THE SPIRITUALITY AND PRAYER OF THE SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR

This introductory course provides a theological basis for the universal call to holiness and intimacy with the Holy Trinity. It surveys various methods and approaches to discipleship and the rich tradition of spiritual direction in the Church. [First Week, Sunday night, 2 hours; Monday morning, 2 hours]

FOUNDATIONAL THEMES IN SCRIPTURE FOR PRAYER

Prayer exercises and group sharing based on eight Scriptural themes such as trust in God, discipleship, responding to God’s love. The student prays 2-3 hours daily, and is encouraged to use a journal. [Both Weeks]
Download Document

HEALING IN SPIRITUAL DIRECTION FAITHFULNESS SHOWING THE STEPS TO & INTIMACY

Spiritual Direction will be seen as a healing process in itself, as the relationship between the director and directee unfolds under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The differences between psychology, counseling and spiritual direction will be reviewed as well as how to recognize possible mental illness and when to refer to professionals.

THE THEORY AND PRACTICE OF HEALING PRAYER

The course provides information on various healing ministries in the Church today (such as Theophostic, Unbound). It explores the importance of past wounds as they affect us as spiritual directors as well as our directees. [First Week, 2 hours each evening, Monday – Friday]

THE CONNECTION OF HEALING & DELIVERANCE TO THE PRACTICE OF SPIRITUAL DIRECTION

This course will present discernment as both a way of living the Christian life and of reflection on that life. It will be based on Ignatius of Loyola’s Rules of Discernment and the Examen; and will discuss the use of both in spiritual direction. [Second Week, 2 hours each evening, Monday – Friday]

THE APPLICATION OF SPIRITUAL WARFARE AND DELIVERANCE IN SPIRITUAL DIRECTION

This course explores spiritual warfare and deliverance using classics in the spiritual life, contemporary insights and practice and scriptural passages to study how Jesus addressed evil, and how to apply these tools in spiritual direction. [Second Week, 2 hours each evening, Monday – Friday]

FOUNDATIONAL THEMES IN SCRIPTURE FOR HEALING

Prayer exercises and group sharing based on healing themes in the Bible. The student prays 2-3 hours daily, and is encouraged to use a journal. [Both Weeks]

ELEMENTS AND DYNAMICS OF SPIRITUAL DIRECTION AND PRACTICE

This course will include practical exercises and teaching on reflective responses and labeling feelings. Self-disclosure, genuineness and compassioning are studied as important elements in the Spiritual Direction process and presented through lectures and role playing. [Both Weeks, two hours each morning, Monday – Friday]
Download Document

AN INTRODUCTION TO GROWTH

We provide the students with teaching on discovering our root sin, detachment and its importance for the spiritual life, and teaching on practicing the presence of God. Getting supervision as a practicing Director, the ethics of spiritual direction and the importance of maintaining one’s own relationship to a spiritual director is stressed.

LIFE’S JOURNEY IN CHRIST & “THE PRESENT MOMENT” IN SPIRITUAL DIRECTION

This introductory course provides an explanation of why the present moment is God’s gift to every believer as their moment of grace, and how the past and the promises of God shape each person’s journey to the Father. [First Week, Sunday night, 2 hours]

CHRISTOLOGY 

The course is about the Personhood of Jesus as God and as Man. Who is Jesus and what has He done for me and for the world? Conformity of the believer to the Person of Christ as the essential paradigm of “doing the will of the Father” as His sons and daughters. [First Week, 2 hours each evening, Monday – Friday]

MATURITY IN CHRIST, PART ONE: LIVING IN FAITH, HOPE AND LOVE

The course shows how the supernatural gifts of Faith, Hope and Love comprise the Christian’s whole character and how a person can grow in holiness and the disciplined love of God and neighbor. [Second Week, 2 hours each evening, Monday – Wednesday]

MATURITY IN CHRIST, PART TWO: EXERCISING THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

The course uses the lists of the Holy Spirit’s gifts in the Pauline Letters and explains how a spiritual director employs the spiritual gifts of the Holy Spirit in spiritual direction, as well as how to encourage the openness and use of these gifts in the daily life of the directee. [Second Week, 2 hours each evening, Thursday – Friday]

FOUNDATIONAL THEMES IN SCRIPTURE FOR THE FRUITS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT & PERFECTION IN HOLINESS

Prayer exercises and group sharing based on eight Scriptural themes such as trust in God, discipleship, responding to God’s love. The student prays 2-3 hours daily, and is encouraged to use a journal. [Both Weeks]

ELEMENTS AND DYNAMICS OF SPIRITUAL DIRECTION AND PRACTICE

Topics of consolation and desolation, dryness, contemplative listening, and blocks and obstacles to growth in prayer will be presented through lectures and role playing. Included will be teaching on issues that frequently arise in spiritual direction. [Both Weeks, two hours each morning, Monday –Friday]