The Spiritual Direction Formation Program is open to clergy, religious and lay students seeking to help others grow in faith through offering them the one-on-one ministry of spiritual direction. This is a two-year program. The curriculum consists of three major areas of study: spiritual direction dynamics, foundations in theology and psychology, and a mentored practicum. The primary purpose of the program “is to equip persons for competent leadership in some form of specialized ministry in congregations and other settings.”— (The Association of Theological Schools Bulletin 50, Part 1, 2012, G-45, B.1.1).
Participation in the Spiritual Direction Formation program can be at two different levels:
Level 1—Non-Credit Participation (audit). These students are not required to have a Bachelor’s degree and they do not need to complete all the coursework. They must complete all the requirements specified below, however, including full participation in the interactive online class sessions and a basic assessment of participation will be required for those who wish to complete the Spiritual Direction program and receive a Letter of Program Completion. This may include completion of some assignments, quizzes, written/oral exams so the professor can determine a basic level of comprehension.
Level 2—Academic For-Credit Participation. These students are required to have at least a Bachelor’s degree and they must complete all the coursework with a passing grade. They must complete all the requirements specified below to receive a Certificate in Spiritual Direction.
Learning Outcomes and Assessment for Spiritual Direction Formation
- Students personally develop a strong prayer life through committed practice and also develop a broad familiarity in the spiritual heritage of the Roman Catholic tradition in such a way that they become experts on Christian prayer;
- Students develop an in-depth self-knowledge through the application of the course material to their own committed experience of receiving spiritual direction throughout the course of studies;
- Students appropriate the doctrinal heritage of the Roman Catholic Church with particular familiarity with the Catechism of the Catholic Church and acquire the capacity to communicate this heritage and apply it to the spiritual life through academic courses in theology and Sacred Scripture;
- Students develop skills and competency for listening to others deeply through a vulnerable attentiveness so as to listen together to the Holy Spirit without seeking to manipulate or control others, as taught in spiritual direction dynamics courses and mentored practica;
- Students learn to recognize some basic psychopathology to know when and how to refer directees to psychotherapy professionals;
- Students develop a relationship with a spiritual director mentor who can personally encourage, support and recommend that student for giving spiritual direction;
- Students will develop a commitment to life-long learning, rooted in the Word of God and integrated with their spiritual lives especially through giving and receiving spiritual direction.
Admission Requirements
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college with indication of aptitude for advanced study (only necessary for those seeking credit along with their Letter of Program Completion);
- An experience of regular spiritual direction for at least one year immediately prior to application;
- A recommendation from the applicant’s spiritual director or the applicant’s pastor;
- A personal interview with the Program Director, if requested by the Director, for academic assessment and spiritual readiness for the program.
Program Requirements
IMSD-600: Principles of Prayer & Catholic Spirituality (3 credits) Spiritual directors must become experts at prayer. While having their own personal spiritualities, they must have a broad understanding of the spiritual tradition of the Catholic Church. This course introduces the student to that broad tradition. Topics include stages of spiritual development; vocal prayer, meditation, contemplation; personal relationship with three Persons of Trinity; identifying misdirections in prayer and false mysticism
IMSD-601: Spiritual Direction I: Art of Accompaniment (2 credits) The need for spiritual direction—or the accompaniment of a spiritual guide—is becoming more prominent in a world where so many are suffering from so many wounds. This course is at the heart of the spiritual direction program and forms students in the interior life, Christian anthropology, the importance and dynamics of vulnerability, a vulnerable listening that reveals and heals, basic psychological insights for spiritual direction.
IMSD-602: Spiritual Direction II: Directing Prayer (2 credits) Spiritual directors must be equipped to help directees grow in their lives of prayer. This course is dedicated to understanding the dynamics of prayer and approaches to spiritual direction that deepen a directee’s life of prayer.
IMSD-630: Praying Sacred Scripture (3 credits) This course addresses the ancient practice of praying with Sacred Scripture, traditionally known as Lectio Divina or “Sacred Reading.” To properly set the stage, the topics of divine revelation, literary and historical context of sacred texts, and the arc of salvation history are covered.
IMSD-650: Sacramental Theology & Ecclesiology for Spiritual Directors (2 credits) This course gives an overview of sacramental theology and ecclesiology for the formation of spiritual directors. These topics are uniquely taught in a key of friendship. Through this course students will appropriate the doctrinal heritage of the Roman Catholic Church by developing a particular familiarity with Part II of the Catechism of the Catholic Church and they will also acquire the capacity to communicate this heritage.
IMSD-660: Moral Theology for Spiritual Directors (2 credits) Spiritual directors are called to help Christians grow in holiness, which can be described as heroic virtue. In this course, students will learn principles and applications of moral theology, particularly in virtue-ethics approach, with a special focus on the teaching of the Catechism of the Catholic Church Part III, that will assist them as spiritual directors to help their directees grow in the Christian life.
IMSD-696: Directed Retreat (0 credits) A directed retreat of at least 8 days or the Ignatian 19th Annotation.
IMSD-697, IMSD-698: Practicum in Spiritual Direction I&II (1 credit each) This practicum enables students to learn and practice the art of spiritual direction under the supervision of a mentor.
IMSD-700: Psychology for Spiritual Directors (2 credits) In this course, students learn to recognize some basic psychopathology and learn when and how to refer directees to psychotherapy professionals. This course also covers some aspects of psychology that will be helpful for spiritual directors.
Certificate Total: 18 Credits
Additional Requirements:
· Directed Silent Retreat:
A directed silent retreat of at least 8 days or the Ignatian “19th Annotation” is required at some point during the program. The student must submit a reflection paper based on the retreat experience highlighting points of self-awareness and spiritual growth. Students are responsible for making their own accommodations for this requirement but must verify their plans with the program directors to ensure acceptability.
· Application for Practicum:
After completing six credits of theology/psychology in addition to the Spiritual Direction I: Art of Accompaniment course and the directed silent retreat, students may apply to begin Practicum I. The application includes questions to ensure a student’s basic competency for meeting with spiritual directees under supervision. It takes into account the passing grade (for a Level 2 student) or the professor’s evaluation (for a Level 1 student) from their completed courses. A successful assessment from Practicum I and completion of the Spiritual Direction II: Advanced Topics in Spiritual Direction course will be required before admission to Practicum II is possible.
· Readiness for Ministry Exam:
After all courses have been completed, students must pass a Readiness for Ministry Exam that consists of an oral exam with professors chosen by the Program Director to determine whether a student is adequately prepared to meet with a wide variety of spiritual directees.
Typical Schedule for Completion:
A normal load for students is 3-4 credits per semester for two years and two credits per summer in the first two years. With approval from the Academic Dean, a maximum of four credits may be transferred from other graduate schools. A candidate must complete all degree requirements within 10 years after acceptance into the program.
Courses for the IMF’s Spiritual Direction certificate are offered in a live, online format. Students are expected to log in and participate fully in weekly, interactive video-conferenced lectures as well as view shorter recorded lectures and complete discussion posts. Level-2 students are also expected to write papers and take exams. Ordinarily, Fall and Spring classes each semester meet in the evenings on weekdays, starting as early as 5pm or as late as 8pm Eastern time. Each class meets one day per week for 75-90 minutes.
The following is a typical schedule of completion, although one may start in any semester and adjust the courses accordingly. Additionally, spring courses and fall courses may be taken in a different order. SD1 and SD2 may also be taken online in the fall and spring, accordingly.
Year One:
Summer:
IMSD 601: Spiritual Direction I: Art of Accompaniment………………………………. 2
Fall:
IMSD 600: Principles of Prayer and Catholic Spirituality………………………………………………………………. 3
or
IMSD 630: Praying Sacred Scripture……………………………………………………… 3
Spring:
IMSD 650: Sacramental Theology and Ecclesiology for Spiritual Directors…….. 2
IMSD 700: Psychology for Spiritual Directors………………………………………….. 2
Total: 9 Credits
Year Two:
Summer
IMSD 602: Spiritual Direction II: Directing Prayer……….. 2
IMSD 696: 8-day silent retreat …………………………………………………………….. 0
After completion of IMSD 602, the directed retreat (IMSD 696) and at least 6 credits online, the student may apply for the practicum.
Fall
IMSD 600: Principles of Prayer and Catholic Spirituality….………………………. 3
or
IMSD 630: Praying Sacred Scripture……………………………………………………… 3
IMSD 697: Practicum I……………………………………………………………………….. 1
Spring
IMSD 660: Moral Theology for Spiritual Directors…………………………………….. 2
IMSD 698: Practicum II……………………………………………………………………… 1
IMSD 699: Readiness for Ministry Exam………………………………………………… 0
Total: 9 Credits
Total Program: 18 Credits
SPEAK LORD, YOUR SERVANT IS LISTENING.
Have you taken the time to honestly pray and think about the vocation which God is calling you to give your life? Has your deep love for Christ or a certain encounter with Him touched your soul, making you desire to surrender yourself completely to Him? Are you restless? Can you no longer deny that God might be calling you to consider the vocation of religious life and/or the priesthood? If this is so, then take comfort, God has a special and distinct plan for you and He is calling you in a unique way. However, for one who begins discerning a vocation, fear, anxiety, and confusion are not uncommon feelings. For this reason, the role of a spiritual director in your life is indispensible.
WHAT IS SPIRITUAL DIRECTION AND WHY SHOULD I CONSIDER IT?
The job of a spiritual director is not to command or pressure you into a vocation. Rather, a good spiritual director will guide, advise, teach and encourage you on your path to sanctity. The relationship you have with your spiritual director is within the internal forum, meaning that it is extremely confidential. A man can pour out his heart and soul to his spiritual director, confident that whatever he says will not be repeated to others. During regularly scheduled meetings, you will be free to discuss not only your vocation but also your strengths and weaknesses, vices and virtues. You will discuss the health of your relationships with family and friends and how to improve them. In addition, your prayer life and love for Jesus are essential areas that must be addressed. Overall, growing in self-knowledge under the guidance of a spiritual director, one becomes freer to discern the life to which the Lord is calling him. Be cautious. Don’t think that spiritual direction will not benefit you. Saint Bernard of Clairvaux understood the necessity of a spiritual guide when he said, “He who is his own master is a disciple of a fool!” In discerning a vocation, the help of a good spiritual director will be indispensible.
HOW DO I FIND A SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR?
Begin your search by praying for a spiritual director who will aid your discernment. Next, contact a priest whom you trust such as your parish priest. If he is unable to become your spiritual director, he may be able to point you in the right direction, perhaps even recommend a potential spiritual director to you.
Upon completion of our IMF Spiritual Direction program, we encourage our alumni to register with SeekDirection, a computer-based matching of spiritual directors and those seeking direction. If your parish priest is unable to provide you with spiritual direction himself or to suggest a potential director, you may visit https://seekdirection.app/ to be matched with a potential spiritual director.