Comments on: How can I determine if a spiritual director is faithful to the church? http://rcspiritualdirection.com/blog/2009/12/18/how-can-i-determine-if-a-spiritual-director-is-faithful-to-the-church Seek Him - Find Him - Follow Him Wed, 28 Jul 2010 23:13:58 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: Kaylan http://rcspiritualdirection.com/blog/2009/12/18/how-can-i-determine-if-a-spiritual-director-is-faithful-to-the-church/comment-page-1#comment-707 Kaylan Thu, 24 Dec 2009 01:05:02 +0000 http://rcspiritualdirection.com/blog/?p=2318#comment-707 I don't know if I can be of any help Elizabeth as I'm not a priest or director of anything (just a Catholic mom of 5) but I thought I'd give my two cents. I believe in situations where we are not certain of the spiritual state of someone in authority (in your case the formation director), you could merely follow what they ask as long as it is not against Church teaching. Since you've already taken this to the council, you've done what you can in the matter. It would be a shame if the devil (if he, indeed, is involved) scared more than half the fraternity away because of this one person. I should think that is what he would want. Yes, we can do spiritual work outside of communities but it does help greatly to be involved in a community. He helps to keep us inspired, just like going to Mass helps us to realize we are not in this alone. We are all part of the Body of Christ. I think I would endure it for as long as I could but it if was causing me great anxiety or if you notice this formation director leading souls away from Truth (like people new to the community), I would take the matter up with those higher than the council. Perhaps even the local Bishop. If you find no resolve after taking these measures, for your own resolve, I'd walk away from the SFO because the amount of stress it causes will only upset your spiritual growth (in my humble opinion). You can always switch over to the Third Order Discalced Carmelites (I recommend Discalced because I have a high regard for St. Teresa of Avila who really reformed the Carmelite Order during her day). I know there is a monastery of Discalced Carmelite nuns in Pittsford, NY. You could write to them to ask more about the lay order. They might know where to contact them directly. OR another good lay order is those associated with Divine Mercy. I'm pretty sure there is a lay community associated with the Shrine. Check their site: <a href="http://thedivinemercy.org/" rel="nofollow">http://thedivinemercy.org/</a> I don't know if I can be of any help Elizabeth as I'm not a priest or director of anything (just a Catholic mom of 5) but I thought I'd give my two cents. I believe in situations where we are not certain of the spiritual state of someone in authority (in your case the formation director), you could merely follow what they ask as long as it is not against Church teaching. Since you've already taken this to the council, you've done what you can in the matter. It would be a shame if the devil (if he, indeed, is involved) scared more than half the fraternity away because of this one person. I should think that is what he would want. Yes, we can do spiritual work outside of communities but it does help greatly to be involved in a community. He helps to keep us inspired, just like going to Mass helps us to realize we are not in this alone. We are all part of the Body of Christ. I think I would endure it for as long as I could but it if was causing me great anxiety or if you notice this formation director leading souls away from Truth (like people new to the community), I would take the matter up with those higher than the council. Perhaps even the local Bishop. If you find no resolve after taking these measures, for your own resolve, I'd walk away from the SFO because the amount of stress it causes will only upset your spiritual growth (in my humble opinion). You can always switch over to the Third Order Discalced Carmelites (I recommend Discalced because I have a high regard for St. Teresa of Avila who really reformed the Carmelite Order during her day). I know there is a monastery of Discalced Carmelite nuns in Pittsford, NY. You could write to them to ask more about the lay order. They might know where to contact them directly. OR another good lay order is those associated with Divine Mercy. I'm pretty sure there is a lay community associated with the Shrine. Check their site: http://thedivinemercy.org/

]]> By: danburke http://rcspiritualdirection.com/blog/2009/12/18/how-can-i-determine-if-a-spiritual-director-is-faithful-to-the-church/comment-page-1#comment-700 danburke Mon, 21 Dec 2009 21:02:35 +0000 http://rcspiritualdirection.com/blog/?p=2318#comment-700 Dear Kaylan in Christ,<br><br>Your questions are very important. I would set aside the quest for a long term spiritual director at this point and get an appointment with a priest who can help you work through your immediate issues. Simply call and ask to meet with him to discuss a spiritual challenge you are facing. Also indicate that you would like him to hear your confession.<br><br>Be assured you are in my prayers Dear Kaylan in Christ,

Your questions are very important. I would set aside the quest for a long term spiritual director at this point and get an appointment with a priest who can help you work through your immediate issues. Simply call and ask to meet with him to discuss a spiritual challenge you are facing. Also indicate that you would like him to hear your confession.

Be assured you are in my prayers

]]> By: Kaylan http://rcspiritualdirection.com/blog/2009/12/18/how-can-i-determine-if-a-spiritual-director-is-faithful-to-the-church/comment-page-1#comment-698 Kaylan Mon, 21 Dec 2009 03:50:28 +0000 http://rcspiritualdirection.com/blog/?p=2318#comment-698 I have desired a director for years but most of the pastors I have encountered were either too busy (had to handle several parishes) or did not desire to be a director. For a few years now I've come to find going to Mass quite difficult because I never know my state of soul. It makes me uncertain if I should receive Communion. And when I miss Mass, I often question my decision to stay home (for example, I find driving extremely stressful and only go where I absolutely need to for the most part; recently the wind has been bad and when this happens, it makes my long drive to church almost unbearable. I feel as if I will drive the car off the road). I have five children so it makes me more nervous with any of the children in the car. So at times I've told myself this is a serious reason to avoid Mass, given the weather condition and don't go). But situations like this make me feel very guilty. Did I make the right decision? Was I being distrustful of God by not driving in a condition most think is not that bad? Without a director I suffer this type of thinking weekly and it makes me very sad. I have desired a director for years but most of the pastors I have encountered were either too busy (had to handle several parishes) or did not desire to be a director. For a few years now I've come to find going to Mass quite difficult because I never know my state of soul. It makes me uncertain if I should receive Communion. And when I miss Mass, I often question my decision to stay home (for example, I find driving extremely stressful and only go where I absolutely need to for the most part; recently the wind has been bad and when this happens, it makes my long drive to church almost unbearable. I feel as if I will drive the car off the road). I have five children so it makes me more nervous with any of the children in the car. So at times I've told myself this is a serious reason to avoid Mass, given the weather condition and don't go). But situations like this make me feel very guilty. Did I make the right decision? Was I being distrustful of God by not driving in a condition most think is not that bad? Without a director I suffer this type of thinking weekly and it makes me very sad.

]]> By: danburke http://rcspiritualdirection.com/blog/2009/12/18/how-can-i-determine-if-a-spiritual-director-is-faithful-to-the-church/comment-page-1#comment-697 danburke Mon, 21 Dec 2009 03:48:19 +0000 http://rcspiritualdirection.com/blog/?p=2318#comment-697 <a href="http://rcspiritualdirection.com/blog/2009/06/23/finding-a-spiritual-director-watch-out-for-confused-sheep" rel="nofollow">http://rcspiritualdirection.com/blog/2009/06/23...</a> http://rcspiritualdirection.com/blog/2009/06/23...

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