One to One Spiritual Direction

You may have noticed that spiritual companioning is an important part of our programs at Companions on a Journey.  Do you know why?
We believe that it is very helpful for most people to have someone to help them on their faith journey as they seek to deepen their relationship with God. Spiritual companioning is a process that focuses on conscious development of the relationship between a person and God either one-to-one (Spiritual Direction) or in a small group setting (Group Spiritual Companioning).

Spiritual Direction
The spiritual companion (commonly referred to as a Spiritual Director) helps the person notice and respond to the presence, movement, and invitation of God in life and prayer. It might include helping someone learn to pray, listening for or noticing God’s activity, discernment for decision-making, becoming aware of images of God that influence relationships, and bringing wounds or life-patterns to God for healing.  Although it is not a counseling or therapeutic relationship, many find that spiritual direction is a helpful companion process to work happening in other settings.

What is a spiritual companion?

• A spiritual companion listens to us
  When we need someone to hear our life story in terms of faith, a spiritual companion offers hospitable space for us to speak and be heard. A spiritual companion can“listen us into clarity,” helping us articulate our thoughts, feelings, questions, and experiences in relation to God.
• A spiritual companion helps us to notice God’s presence
  It takes practice to see the grace of God in everyday life. A spiritual mentor can help us pay attention to signs of grace, tolisten for God’s “still small voice” in our daily encounters and experiences. A guide can also direct our attentions to the dynamics of our heart, so that we can become more aware of how God speaks to us through it.
• A spiritual companion can help us to respond to God
  When we begin to notice God’s presence, guidance, and challenge in our daily lives, we are faced with choice.How shall we respond? God’s presence is comforting, but God can also call us to a new sense of purpose and mission in life.
• A spiritual companion points us to practices of spiritual growth
  Without the help of particular practices it is difficult to become more aware of, and responsive to, God’s activity in our lives. A spiritual companion can suggest various prayer practices to increase our awareness of the spirit in our midst.
• A spiritual companion will encourage us and pray for us
  The love of Christ is mediated by the care of a spiritual companion. The ongoing expression of that care is faithful prayer, both within and beyond meeting times.

How often do people meet with their spiritual companion/director?
Frequency of visits varies with the person and with the happenings of one's life at a particular time. Some people come once a week for an hour, others every two weeks for an hour, some every month or even less often.  If you are unable to keep your appointment, please call at least 24 hours in advance and ask to be rescheduled.

How does one go about finding a spiritual companion through Companions on a Journey?
If you would like assistance, contact Companions on a Journey or the Vocation Project. We work with spiritual directors through the Spirituality Centers at St Benedict's Monastery and St John's Abbey.  If you have or know of a spiritual director you would like to work with submit their name to our office.

What are the qualifications of the Spiritual Directors?
The companions we will refer you to have been trained in recognized programs that follow the guiding principles and components of Spiritual Directors International. These components include theological and psychological dimensions of direction, discernment, practicum and supervision. They have adopted the proposed ethical guidelines of this association. They are committed to their own personal growth by seeking monthly spiritual direction and by active participation in a community of faith. They are committed to ongoing professional growth by attending at least one continuing education event in the field each year, and by participating regularly in a supervision process. To assure the best quality of care, the companions may consult with one another or with another professional.  Any information shared in supervision or consultation is anonymous and held in strictest confidence. Outside of these settings nothing is shared without your written consent, except as required by law to protect you or another from serious harm. Your director is required by law to report known or suspected cases of abuse or neglect to children, the elderly, and the handicapped.

Does meeting with a certified spiritual companion/director have a cost connected with it? Spiritual companioning usually costs between $35 and $40.  Companions on a Journey and the Vocation Project offers this programming to CSB/SJU students and others involved with our Companioning programs, Faculty and Staff of CSB/SJU and both Monasteries at no cost.  We will cover the cost up to $40 per session.  Requests for Spiritual Direction must be submitted to our office prior to the start of the sessions.  You will need to renew your Spiritual Direction coverage if you would like to continue your spiritual direction sessions beyond 1 year.  Renewals are due in August of each year Spiritual Direction is requested.

If you are interested in receiving Spiritual Direction please complete the Spiritual Direction Request form and submit it to our office. 

Thompson, Marjorie J.Soul feast: An Invitation To The Christian Spiritual Life. Louisville, Kentucky: Westminster John Knox Press, 1995.