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Spiritual Direction provides a companion and guide for the journey of spiritual growth.
Spiritual direction is expressed in shared silence; in the telling
of a life story; in the sharing of vision; and in allowing the
Gospel story to move and act freely in God’s world.
Spiritual
Directors are professionals trained to do this work. The donation
for this service is negotiated on an individual basis.
On-going Associate Program
for Spiritual
Directors
Each
year in September, a new group of associated spiritual directors
begins a three-part journey of development at The West
Virginia Institute of Spirituality. A part time program, it has for
its purpose the preparing of spiritual directors for ministry in
parish communities and religious congregations.
The prerequisites
include the following:
• Two years of on-going spiritual direction on
a one-to-one basis.
• BA degree or
equivalent life experience.
• Sufficient knowledge in the areas of
theology, scripture, psychology and the spiritual life.
• 30-day
directed retreat or full-year 19th Annotation Retreat before or
during the program.
• Evidence of
growth potential.
Intelligence and
ability to articulate one’s own journey.
Simplicity and
integrity: self-knowledge. Willingness to be of service to
others founded on a sense of being called to this ministry.
Awareness of
"movements of the spirits" within one’s self.
• Evidence of serious commitment to the program.
Time/willingness
to engage in study. Ability/readiness to name one’s own
experience, reflect on it and speak of it. Active participation
in group and individual activities of the classes
Components:
•
Individual supervision.
•
Peer group supervision.
•
Practicum: offering spiritual direction, and the Ignation
Spiritual Exercises in groups and individual sessions.
•
Workshops on spiritual direction issues.
•
Reading discussion sessions.
•
Two 3-day retreats given.
* Discernment
weekend.
* An 8-day directed retreat.
CRITERIA
FOR CERTIFICATION AS SPIRITUAL DIRECTORS BY WVIS:
1) Completion of the training program.
2) Demonstration of
aptitude and readiness for the ministry; especially:
a) Understanding of
spiritual direction, theoretically and practically.
b) Skill in listening,
responding, discerning.
c) Understanding of
the spiritual life, as it is lived.
d) Demonstration of a
basic knowledge of:
i) Theology
ii) Scripture
iii) Psychology
3) 100- 150 hours of
actual directing experience which is supervised by one of the staff or
by a person recognized by the staff.
4) 75-120 hours of
experience of being supervised (including both group and individual
supervision) with appropriate written materials (process notes , etc.).
5) Written request for
Certification, including a brief description of:
a) One’s recognized
skills and aptitudes for the ministry.
b) Awareness of
one’s growing edges needed to develop in this ministry.
c)
One’s experience of call to and desire for this ministry.
6) Recommendation by the
staff after successful completion of the program requirements and
discernment by the staff with the individual.
Co-Sponsored by
Marshall University College of Graduate Studies, Wheeling-Jesuit
University, Roman Catholic Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, and Episcopal Diocese
of WV;
Graduate credits
M.A. available through Marshall
University and Wheeling-Jesuit University.
Spirituality Education:
Seminars and workshops by staff and invited
presenters on prayer and spiritual growth.
Spiritual Direction Certification Program:
18 month program in certification for spiritual
direction culminating in SDI recognized training in
psychology, theology, group and individual spiritual
direction and discernment. Two internships are required.
Community Network and Outreach:
When requested, presenters are provided to church
related spirituality/grief/self help/ 12 step groups.
Reflective Reading for Spiritual Directors:
Spiritual Director
Associates gather the 2nd
Thursday of every month to discuss a text the group has selected for
enrichment in their ministry of Spiritual Direction.
Spiritual Direction Training Calendar
The West Virginia Institute for Spirituality's On-Going
Associate Program provides “hands–on” experiences of praying
with scriptures, a holistic approach to spirituality, and
the tools and skills to qualify individuals for the
Ministry. Each year in September, a new group of associated
spiritual directors begins a three-part journey of
development.
Call WVIS at
(304) 345-0926 for information on available Spiritual Directors, and
to arrange a meeting with a Director.
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