Dear Friends
CRA President, Br Peter Carroll FMS.
Spiritual Direction has a rich history in the Church. It may not always have been known by this term, but the experience of looking to a spiritual guide, a ‘Father’ or ‘Mother’ for advice and support goes back to the time of Jesus. Jesus was ‘Rabbi’, the ‘Master’. Some people prefer other words to describe the relationship: spiritual companion, or just ‘accompaniment’ are also used. Whatever the terminology, they all denote a unique relationship: a special ministry of presence – a patient, waiting, hospitable, mutual presence. Traditionally, it’s been seen as a covenanted relationship between two people. It truly is a sacred ministry.
I was recently invited to help re-launch the website for the Conference of Spiritual Directors Australia, and since I’m not a Spiritual Director and have never studied the area, I needed to undertake some preparation. In my research, I discovered a US Episcopal Priest, Alan Grace, who provided some helpful insights into spiritual direction. He listed four skills that Spiritual Directors need to possess:
They need to be grounded in ordinary, everyday experience, because this is the arena of direction; this is the place to discern the promptings of the spirit, the voice of God.
They need to be earthy, and appreciate the funny side of the spiritual enterprise, even in the midst of great suffering. This helps in grounding the experience and allowing joy to break through.
They need to be insightful, wise even: “wily enough to spot the byzantine ploys of the ego”. We all know how manipulative ego can be, how it can seek to strengthen its position and weaken the challenging voice of the ‘other’, preventing us from accepting the full scope of reality.
They need to be able to make judgements, without being judgemental, “to smell a rat without allowing her [the Spiritual Director’s] ability to discern deception to sour her vision of the glory and joy that is everyone’s birthright in God”.
These struck me as being very realistic, and I’m sure that there are many other skills required: knowledge of Scripture, forms of prayer and so on. However, the ones he highlighted will ensure a movement from a skilled relationship to an artful one. It’s feasible that some practitioners may have the requisite skills of spiritual direction, but not necessarily possess the ‘art’ of it. I believe the latter comes with time and experience.
Father Grace says “…the art of spiritual direction lies in our uncovering the obvious in our lives and in realising that everyday events are the means by which God tries to reach us”. Thank God we have people skilled in this art who are available to companion us on our journey. I know that I have certainly benefitted over the years from wise, warm, insightful and holy spiritual directors.
I invite you to explore the website: www.csdaustralia.com
With good wishes and gratitude to all our Spiritual Directors.
Br Peter Carroll FMS
President, Catholic Religious Australia.