Should I be looking for another spiritual director?

Q: Dear Father John, I was wondering if you could give me a bit of perspective. I recently asked a director to help me in my discernment of religious life.  After he agreed I wrote out a summary of the context for my perceived call along with a list of my vices/faults, graces/strengths, etc. The arrangement was that after reading the letter, we would talk, with the idea that I would write emails every week or two,... Read More

Is it ok to have a spiritual director that is not as advanced as I am in prayer?

Q: Dear Dan, my spiritual journey seems to be leading me deeper into contemplative prayer. Is it important for me to find a director who is experienced in contemplation, or is it okay for me to have someone who is compatible with me in other areas but not necessarily in this? A: Dear friend, you have asked several good questions. That said, there are also a few questions that need to be answered so that we can avoid common... Read More

Where can I find a spiritual director?

Q: Dear Father John, I remember reading long ago St. Vincent Ferrer’s Treatise on the Spiritual Life, which near the end says that those who cannot find a director will, if sincere, be guided by God/the Holy Spirit himself. He does Not say how God will do this (audibly, by supernatural phenomena, by circumstances one lives in or encounters, by books, or some other ways)? I would very Much like to receive your Valued... Read More

How can I determine if a spiritual director is faithful to the church?

Q: Dear Dan, I am hesitant to go to a local priest for spiritual direction because I am worried about his submission, or lack of submission to the Church. He is a good priest but he has made some confusing comments about abortion and a few political topics etc. Are there simple questions I can ask and a way to ask (that would not be offensive) to help me determine if a particular priest or lay person (a potential spiritual... Read More

Archbishop Naumann on Spiritual Direction and a New School For Spiritual Direction

I recently had the opportunity to interview with his Excellency Archbishop Naumann of the archdiocese of Kansas City, Kansas for Register Radio on an important work going on in his archdiocese to train spiritual mentors. Because of the time constraints of the show we had to cut it down quite a bit. Below you will find the content of the longer interview. Archbishop Naumann has a deep commitment to the spiritual welfare of... Read More

Spiritual Guides, Spiritual Directors, and Spiritual Mentors – What’s the difference?

Q: Dear Dan, What is the difference between a spiritual director or mentor? I have heard the terms used interchangeably… are they the same thing? A: Good question. Depending upon the source of training of the spiritual director, there are different types or titles of those who offer spiritual direction. For instance, a number of movements in the Church offer training for lay people so that they can provide spiritual... Read More

Should my confessor and spiritual director be the same person?

Q: Dear Dan, Should my get spiritual direction from the priest who regularly takes my confession? I don’t know if he would be interested but I wanted to ask about the appropriateness of this approach before I ask him. Is there a down side? A: As with most questions we receive, yours is very encouraging. The first level of encouragement comes from your regular commitment to confession. The second is that you are answering... Read More

Docility in spiritual direction – why it is a good idea to follow your director’s advice

I have a bit of my own foolishness to share with you today. In my book on spiritual direction (scheduled to go to print late next year through Emmaus Road Publishing) I offer the following advice regarding docility to our spiritual directors: Authentic docility is an essential ingredient in any successful spiritual direction relationship.  What is docility?  Docility is a humble readiness to follow God’s will for our... Read More

Faithful priests are too busy… What do I do? How can I find a spiritual director?

Q: Dear Dan, My director is a wonderful, caring person but is also quite a bit less inclined to follow the magisterium than I am. I wish I had the opportunity to see a faithful priest from time to time. I have tried hard to find a priest willing to provide me with spiritual direction (especially now, as I am going through some severe moral crises and sufferings); however, I have been turned down repeatedly because they are... Read More

Can someone be their own spiritual director? I have not been able to find a director… what should I do in the mean time?

Q: Dear Father John, I haven’t been able to find a spiritual director yet (which is kind of frustrating). I am still looking, but what should I do in the meantime? Can someone be their own spiritual director? A: This is a deeper question than you might think. First, continue to ask God to put you in touch with someone who can be your spiritual director. (If you haven’t read the post about how to find a spiritual director,... Read More

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