Taste of Victory – Retreat Guide for Easter
April 8, 2013 by Fr. John Bartunek, LC
Filed under Easter, Resources, Retreat Guides, Videos
New Easter Retreat Guide Now Available! Easter Sunday is over, but the Easter Season has just begun. It will last for another seven weeks. Why does the liturgy make the Easter Season so long? And how can we live this Season as God wants us to? Those and more questions are explored in “The Taste of Victory: A Retreat Guide for Easter.” As with all our Retreat Guides, you can use this one by watching it, listening... Read More
Laughing at Lucifer in Lent
February 12, 2013 by Dan Burke
Filed under Books, Lent, Resources, Seasonal Meditations
In 1942 C.S. Lewis published one of his most enduring and endearing books. The Screwtape Letters is a collection of imaginative epistles from a senior devil to his junior colleague, outlining how he should handle his “patient.” Lewis wrote the book as a series of essays for The Guardian newspaper and confessed that the pieces were not fun to write. Over the years Lewis’ Luciferian letters have become ever more popular.... Read More
Call to Prayer: 7 Resources for your Lenten Journey
One of the countless joys of the Church is the recurring open invitation to move deeper into the life of grace. These invitations come in a thousand ways, through the lives of the saints, through the sacraments and especially through our liturgical seasons. As Lent begins to rise on the horizon, we are again faced with another divine beckoning to move into a deeper relationship with Christ and His Church. In the fourteenth... Read More
Finding Peace of Soul – Second Retreat Guide Ready!
January 21, 2013 by Fr. John Bartunek, LC
Filed under Resources, Retreat Guides
Our second Video Retreat Guide, “Troubled Hearts: A Retreat Guide on Peace of Soul,” is now available here. In this Retreat Guide, we delve into Jesus’ words: “Do not let your hearts be troubled” (John 14:1). What did he really mean? How we can make that happen? “Troubled Hearts” will help you go deep in answering questions like those. As with all Retreat Guides, you can use this... Read More
Top ten reading list for spiritual directors (Updated – 2013)
January 19, 2013 by Dan Burke
Filed under Books, Perspective, Resources, Spiritual Direction, The Process, Training and Education
Q: Dan, now that you mention technical books on spiritual theology… I’m wondering what would be your top 10 list of books in that area. I’m especially interested in books that would be helpful for a priest that would like to engage more seriously in spiritual direction, or books that you would recommend to a seminarian or for a seminary course in the area of spiritual direction. I would appreciate your input. A:... Read More
An Advent Resource from Fr. John Bartunek
December 4, 2012 by Marta Goodwin
Filed under Advent, Announcement, Featured, Resources, Seasonal Meditations, Videos, Videos
Dear RCSD Friends, As you know, we believe that Fr. John provides some of the best spiritual resources available in the Church today. Thousands of you agreed when you voted his book The Better Part – A Christ Centered Resource for Personal Prayer in the top of the list of your all-time favorite resources. Many of you have also had the blessing of seeing Fr. John in a few of our recently produced video series on prayer... Read More
Spiritual Gift Pack from Emmaus Press
November 22, 2012 by Marta Goodwin
Filed under Books, Featured, Resources
Emmaus Press has put together a spiritual gift pack especially designed for the readers of Catholic Spiritual Direction. Here are the details: Deeper than the discount you’ll enjoy on this offer is the prayer life which the Lord is calling you to, and to which these authors offer a sure and compelling guide. Included in this special offering: The Fulfillment of All Desire – by Ralph Martin Ralph Martin, drawing... Read More
Spiritual Direction Through the Wind and Waves – Book Recommendation
October 19, 2012 by Dan Burke
Filed under Books, Resources, Spiritual Direction, Training and Education
Though much has been written on the topic of spiritual direction, modern wisdom is hard to come by. I was delighted to stumble upon a more recent treatment of the topic written for spiritual directors. Through Wind and Waves – On Being a Spiritual Guide by Francis Fernandez-Carvajal is only the second book to make my list of must-reads for spiritual directors. There is no doubt that Father Fernandez-Carvajal has a deep... Read More
Are there schools available that you recommend for those called to provide spiritual direction?
July 8, 2012 by Dan Burke
Filed under Resources, Spiritual Direction, Training and Education
Q: Dear Dan, I have a two sided question that I would like to ask about schools for spiritual direction. Are there schools that I can call to see if I can find a graduate/director in my area? Secondarily, I think I might be called to provide direction to others. I do recognize the serious nature of this calling (the care of souls) and would like to pursue the necessary formation to provide sound direction. Any recommendations? A:... Read More
Who are the doctors of the Church and why should I care?
May 26, 2012 by Dan Burke
Filed under Books, Q and A, Resources, Spiritual Reading
Q: Dear Dan, I am a convert and a mom. I have recently decided that my faith needed deepening and have begun to delve deeper into it through prayer, confession, reading, talking to my priest etc. He told me about your site and today I came across an article you answered on spiritual development. You said, “Otherwise, if you want a fool proof way to stay within the sublime wealth and spiritual tradition of the Church, stick... Read More



