fiat2 Posted June 27, 2008 Share Posted June 27, 2008 I am wondering about spiritual direction. I currently don't have a spiritual director and I am not sure wether I have a vocation or not and I am wondering how important it would be for me to get a spiritual director. If it is important than who should it be? A priest, or a religious, or a friend or parent? Prayers and your thoughts on the importance of spiritual direction would be appreciated! (also, i am pretty shy when it comes to talking to people outside of my family and friends- especially when they are older than me, so i'm kinda afraid to get a spiritual director.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noel's angel Posted June 27, 2008 Share Posted June 27, 2008 Spiritual direction is a wonderful thing, if you can get it. I personally would go for a priest or nun. Parish priests are usually ultra busy and so you may have a tough time finding one who would be able to give you the time you need. If there are any religious communities near you, check them out. Also, I would go for an older person because they tend to have had more experience with life and have gained much wisdom. You need someone you can be open and honest with, and someone who will be open and honest with you. With saying all that, my spiritual director is also my parish priest and I get to see him for 3 hours once a week, so that has worked well for me. There is no harm in asking. Some priests may not have the time or manner to be a good spiritual director, so don't worry if you get turned down a few times. Also, if you get yourself a spiritual director and you find that they aren't being helpful, or you aren't able to be open with them, don't worry about asking someone else. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caramelonion Posted June 27, 2008 Share Posted June 27, 2008 I find having a spiritual director very helpful. Mine is not a nun, but has been through extensive training and at one time had the desire herself to enter religious life. She is able to look at things with "new eyes" and can point out things that I have overlooked. She also has a grounding effect on me as I can tend to pile things on and she will say "I think you have enough on your plate." I'm am so blessed to have her going down my journey with me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maria Faustina Posted June 27, 2008 Share Posted June 27, 2008 Wow, thanks for asking this. I was just wondering the same thing yesterday. When asking and meeting with your spiritual director (if it were a priest), would Confession be appropriate for either of these things? I'm pretty sure my parents would not make the extra trips for me to see a priest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fiat2 Posted June 27, 2008 Author Share Posted June 27, 2008 thanks for answering guys. I'm leaving my state for college in august, so would it be better just to wait until then do you think do get a spiritual director? also i mean how do you ask someone to be your spiritual director, just randomly go up to them and be like "hey can you do this for me?" haha, i don't have really good social skills..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maria Faustina Posted June 27, 2008 Share Posted June 27, 2008 [quote name='fiat2' post='1585182' date='Jun 27 2008, 08:54 PM']thanks for answering guys. I'm leaving my state for college in august, so would it be better just to wait until then do you think do get a spiritual director? also i mean how do you ask someone to be your spiritual director, just randomly go up to them and be like "hey can you do this for me?" haha, i don't have really good social skills.....[/quote] Can you read my mind??? Lol, I was hoping someone was going to ask about asking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noel's angel Posted June 28, 2008 Share Posted June 28, 2008 (edited) Okay, I seem to have had it easy when it comes to this. Our relationship just evolved into spiritual direction. Wait until you leave for college, because I don't see the point in building up a rapport with someone and then leaving. As for asking....pray first. If you find someone you think may be suitable, pray. Also, take time to observe how they interact with people, make sure they are orthodox too. Don't jump in head first. I would go to Confession with them before you asked them too, because I do think it is good to have a spiritual director who will also be your regular confessor. I'm sure most people would be flattered to be asked. Afterall, you're basically saying 'I think you are a very holy and wise person and I would like you to help me become better'. The best way is to be honest. Tell them you have been thinking about spiritual direction for some time, and if they would be willing, you would like to have them as your director. The worst thing they can say is no. If they d say know, move one and find someone more suitable or someone with more time. Edited June 28, 2008 by Noel's angel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fiat2 Posted June 28, 2008 Author Share Posted June 28, 2008 haha i can't read your mind Maria Faustina but we sure seem to have a lot in common! thanks for the good advice Noels Angel.....that was pretty helpful. and thanks for the reminder to pray! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnydigit Posted June 28, 2008 Share Posted June 28, 2008 spiritual director - absolutely necessary. for everyone, discerning or not, though every Catholic should discern properly at some point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DiscerningSoul Posted June 28, 2008 Share Posted June 28, 2008 I thank God that I have a saint for a SD!!! He is wonderful, hard to reach sometimes, but I tell you I am very thankful for him. I personally think one should have a SD. I keep my confessor and SD seperate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tnavarro61 Posted June 28, 2008 Share Posted June 28, 2008 As I see in your situation, you need a spiritual director who will guide you. Most people cannot direct themselves. Everyone needs a spiritual director. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puellapaschalis Posted June 28, 2008 Share Posted June 28, 2008 I'm very, very thankful for my SD - he makes an entire afternoon free for me once a month, and he's a priest with five parishes to look after. I first had contact with him at a brotherhood (it sounds so sinister when translated into English!) meeting; he heard my confession after Mass and later on I impulsively (I'm like that) marched up to him and said: PP: You're a priest! Fr.: That's right. PP: Will you be my spiritual director? Fr.: I think that can be arranged. What's your name? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnydigit Posted June 28, 2008 Share Posted June 28, 2008 [quote name='DiscerningSoul' post='1585390' date='Jun 27 2008, 09:22 PM']I keep my confessor and SD seperate.[/quote] wouldn't it be better to confess to your SD so they can better understand where you are? i guess it depends on the type of guidance you seek.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A Yearning Heart Posted June 28, 2008 Share Posted June 28, 2008 I don't have a sd, so please excuse the question. I was just thinking though, after reading these posts, what does a person talk about? and why does it last for hours or half a day? I am seriously thinking of trying to get a sd. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the lords sheep Posted June 28, 2008 Share Posted June 28, 2008 I have a spiritual director, but I only got one after a long while of really needing one (my pride is my downfall). It is such an immense blessing. As to approaching, I asked one of my professors who is known as a spiritual director in my area. I explained that I had been discerning, and was in need of a spiritual director, and he was recommended. It was awkward, but he said, "well, lets see if it will work, and if it doesn't, there will be no hard feelings on my part." As to finding one, you can ask local congregations (that you trust) to recommend an SD. The Sisters of Life recommended mine. And my opinion, for the OP, is that it depends on how far your college is from your home. My school was 1000 miles away, so I only went home at Thanksgiving and Christmas. I found I needed one more at school than at home. Summer was a little long, but phone calls and emails sufficed. In Jesus and Mary, Lauren Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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