What is Spiritual Direction?

Spiritual Direction is an ancient tradition within the historic Church whereby an individual seeks to grow closer to God with the help of another person who is capable of helping them hear the Spirit within.  It is about listening to God with the desire to know and do God's Will, and grow in Love of God and Charity toward self and others.  It can take various forms depending upon the director and directee.  In recent years spiritual direction has been known by several names or descriptions, such as spiritual journeying, co-journeying, soul-friendship, soul-mentoring, or spiritual-mentoring.  Spiritual direction has been a tradition within the Orthodox and Roman Catholic Church since the beginning of the Church, regardless of the name that was used for it in various parts of the world.  Soul-friendship was also a sacred tradition among the pagan Celtic people, and the concept of soul-friendship was readily baptized into the Christian Faith in the early Church among the Celtic people.  The Celtic monks combined this tradition with the sacrament of Penance as a normal practice, and influenced the early Church's ritual of the sacrament, changing it from a public confession and penance once before death, to a private exchange between the penitent and confessor, and done more frequently than once before death.

Today, spiritual direction has been rediscovered by more of the laity within the Catholic Church, and newly discovered by many non-Catholics in growing numbers.

This is one area of spirituality where Christians are united, i.e., in the desire to grow closer to God and have that close relationship affect their daily lives.

HOW does it work?

Before beginning spiritual direction, the director and directee talk together about their practical expectations, and their personal approach to spiritual direction.  They may agree to try the spiritual relationship for a set time, then to evaluate it before committing to an ongoing relationship of spiritual direction.  In this manner both will feel comfortable enough to continue together.  If the match is not a beneficial one, it is understood that the directee is free to seek another director.  We will try to help him or her do this so the directee is not left feeling alone.

Where can I obtain spiritual direction?

Several of our priests are trained spiritual directors and are available to serve.  We maintain this list of available directors within the Celtic Christian Church as a service to those who may be seeking spiritual direction.  If you would like to speak with any of our directors, please use the contact information below for more details regarding each one's methods and/or fees.

 

Rev. Kathleen Connell received her training at Shalem Institute and is a member of Spiritual Directors International.

 

 

Rev. Cait Finnegan received her training at Oasis Ministries for Spiritual Directors and is a member of Spiritual Care Associates of Monroe County.  She has been a spiritual director for the past 20 years.    She is experienced in working spiritually with victims of clergy abuse, and with priests, religious and vocational discernment.  Direction in person, or long distance by webcam or phone possible using SKYPE. 

Most  Rev. Joseph Grenier received training in the NY Archdiocese Program for Spiritual Direction and is a member of Spiritual Care Associates of Monroe County and Spiritual Directors International.  He has been a spiritual director for the past 40 years.  Bishop Grenier has worked extensively with priests, religious, and married persons.  He has also spent many years within the Charismatic Renewal.

 

 

Rev. Judy Kahler is a graduate of the Audire School of Spiritual Direction in Orlando, FL, and is a member of Wellspring Alliance for Spiritual Direction in Central Florida, and Spiritual Directors International.  She does spiritual direction in person and long distance by telephone.  She works with people of all faiths.