Vision Statement
Spiritual direction - also called spiritual guidance or spiritual companionship - is a relationship in which one person, deeply desiring to grow in the Spirit, meets regularly with another in order to discern God’s presence and God’s continuing invitation to union in a deep and faithful way. It is an ancient art and ministry now being recovered as an essential element of the spiritual journey.

Purpose
This two-year training program is designed for persons, lay and ordained, from a wide variety of vocations and traditions, who feel called to deepen their capacity for ministry as spiritual directors.

Eligibility
Admission is open to persons:
• Sought out by individuals for assistance with the life of the Spirit
• Willing to reflect on personal experience and to participate in group process
• Open, flexible and intentional about their own spiritual growth
• Grounded in the Christian tradition
• Demonstrate the ability to maintain confidentiality

Learning Philosophy
As adult learners, participants are expected to take primary responsibility for their own learning. Participants are invited to come to clarity about their motivation for applying and to welcome the discovery of new attitudes, concepts and behaviors.

Certificate
A certificate will be awarded to those persons satisfactorily fulfilling all the requirements of the program. We emphasize that this is not certification as a spiritual guide per se, since the ministry of spiritual direction is constituted by a call from God and is authenticated by its fruits.

Meeting Times
First Year Options
•Once a Week Thursday 9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Cost $1500
•Nine Weekends Friday 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Saturday 9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Cost $1500
The Contemplative Listening Program will begin in October and end in May

Program Content
Major program themes include:
• the ministry of spiritual direction: historical roots, current models, philosophy of ministry
• spirituality: its roots and implications
• the art of prayer: images of God, approaches to prayer, mystical experience
• discernment: perceiving the presence and action of God in our lives
• advanced issues in spiritual direction: mid-life, self-care, intimacy, silence and prophetic experience
• interface of spiritual direction and counseling: projection and ransference
• contemplation and action in the areas of social justice
• professional practicum: small group process, individual and peer supervision
Application Procedures
1) Initial interview with the Coordinator of the Contemplative Listening Training Program
2) Application, references, and spiritual autobiography
The number of participants is limited to fifteen within each option. Deadline for initial interviews is June 18, 2004.
A $35 non-refundable deposit is required with the application.

For more information, contact:
Sister Patricia McCrann, SNJM
Contemplative Listening Coordinator

Namasté
PO Box 86442
Portland, Oregon 97286
503.283.0199