Training Program

Three-Year Program For Spiritual Directors in the Ignatian Tradition

The Spiritual Growth Staff offers a non-residential training program that provides developmental skills and practice for the ministry of spiritual direction in the Ignatian tradition. The program consists of three separate but related sequential phases.  Each of the first two years requires six two-day meetings at the Jesuit Center. The third year involves designated gatherings and supervised direction of the Ignatian Retreat in Everyday Life.

The first year’s emphasis is on discernment and the development of specific skills for giving spiritual direction. The second year consists of a detailed sequential movement through the four weeks of the Spiritual Exercises. Year three involves designated gatherings and supervision of participants as they companion two retreatants in the Ignatian Retreat in Everyday Life.

Among the components of the process are seminar sessions, various experiences of supervised direction, peer supervision, verbatim-writing, ongoing reading assignments, ongoing spiritual direction of 2 persons, and direction of 2 Prayer Weekends (retreatants provided by the applicant.)

Prerequisites for the Taining Program

• a personal desire and graced sense of call to the ministry of spiritual direction
• an experience of being called upon by others to this ministry of spiritual direction
• adequate life experience
• having ongoing spiritual direction on a regular basis, as well as retreat experiences
• full experience of the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises before the second year of the program (30 Day Retreat or full term 19th Annotation Retreat)
• foundational knowledge in areas of contemporary theology, scripture, spiritual life, psychology
• BA degree or equivalent life experience
• acceptance into the program and progression from one year to the next depends upon the recommendation of the Center Staff

To receive information about costs, scheduling and/or applying, please email Maria McCoy, S.S.J..

Applications are being accepted for Year 1 which will be offered in the Fall of 2010.

Copyright © 2005-2008 Jesuit Center
501 N Church Road  •   Wernersville, PA 19565

Last modified: May 1, 2008