How can I grin a Spiritual Director?

  • Thread starter Thread starter ray911
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
R

ray911

Guest
I read an article about Spiritual Directors in the “Living Faith” publication. It says they help people with their personal relationships with God. Does anyone have advice on how I could locate a spiritual advisor? I am new Catholicism and still trying to learn about prayer and Catholic rituals and practices. Currently I am struggling with consistency in prayer and in dealing with serious sinful temptations that move me away from from God’s grace. I am looking for a mentor type relationship. It definitely doesn’t have to be someone that has an official capacity within the Church. I live overseas in a non-Enfglish speaking country, so it would be ideal if I could locate someone to speak to over the phone. Are there any any online resources to find a Spiritual Director or be matched up with one? any help in this matter is really appreciated.
 
The diocesan offices should have a list of qualified lay and Religious SD’s. Call them. Good luck!
 
ray911 said:
I read an article about Spiritual Directors in the “Living Faith” publication. It says they help people with their personal relationships with God. Does anyone have advice on how I could locate a spiritual advisor? I am new Catholicism and still trying to learn about prayer and Catholic rituals and practices. Currently I am struggling with consistency in prayer and in dealing with serious sinful temptations that move me away from from God’s grace. I am looking for a mentor type relationship. It definitely doesn’t have to be someone that has an official capacity within the Church. I live overseas in a non-Enfglish speaking country, so it would be ideal if I could locate someone to speak to over the phone. Are there any any online resources to find a Spiritual Director or be matched up with one? any help in this matter is really appreciated.
Click to expand...
May I ask what country and if you speak the language of that country?

Fran
 
ray911 said:
Sweden
Click to expand...
English is spoken up there so it shouldn’t be too much of a problem.

Christianity is also in trouble there as is the catholic church. So it won’t be easy.

Here’s my advice from personal experience: it would be a good idea to go to confession to a few different priests and see if they understand English ENOUGH to be able to have an intelligent conversation. If you find one you like, ask if he has the time. He may not.

You could ask for confession at any time and a priest cannot turn you down. You could use this time to speak to him about different matters. He’ll have to be okay with this; some priests want to do only “confession” at confession time.

The other thing you could do is look for a brother or friar that lives in a sanctuary that has training in being a spiritual director. Again, it would have to be someone you can speak to freely and comfortably.

In the meantime, read you bible, pray. God speaks to us in many ways and sometimes a spiritual director is not really necessary. Maybe you just need some fellowship?

I’m here in Italy and it’s about the same. I depend on Jesus a lot and look to Him.

I wish you the best.

Fran
 
ray911 said:
I read an article about Spiritual Directors in the “Living Faith” publication. It says they help people with their personal relationships with God. Does anyone have advice on how I could locate a spiritual advisor? I am new Catholicism and still trying to learn about prayer and Catholic rituals and practices. Currently I am struggling with consistency in prayer and in dealing with serious sinful temptations that move me away from from God’s grace. I am looking for a mentor type relationship. It definitely doesn’t have to be someone that has an official capacity within the Church. I live overseas in a non-Enfglish speaking country, so it would be ideal if I could locate someone to speak to over the phone. Are there any any online resources to find a Spiritual Director or be matched up with one? any help in this matter is really appreciated.
Click to expand...
Find out if there are any monasteries or abbeys around you. Any place where a religious order is located. Then send a letter there asking for a spiritual director. That is what I did recently and I got a response back. It was pointed out to me by someone on these forums that a actual letter might be better than a email because mail correspondence stands out more, while email is easier to get lost in the shuffle. Give that a try. God bless.
 
In the context of your desire to have a director it is evident that you are on your way to having one depending on how you relate with Eternal Wisdom. How? you may ask…

Well, St. Jerome said in one of his letters:

Love the Scriptures, and Wisdom will love you. Love Wisdom and she will keep you safe. Honor Wisdom and she will embrace you.

The citation points to a context of direction (“keep you safe”). Hence, assiduous reading of the Scripture, Tradition (ie. “Faith of the Early Fathers” with usage of the doctrinal index, provided by the author, W. A. Jurgens), and the Magisterium will adhere to the admission of the “Greatest Doctor” (Spiritus Paraclitus, Pope Benedict XV) and henceforth a director will come with your assent.
 
animalis said:
In the context of your desire to have a director it is evident that you are on your way to having one depending on how you relate with Eternal Wisdom. How? you may ask…

Well, St. Jerome said in one of his letters:

Love the Scriptures, and Wisdom will love you. Love Wisdom and she will keep you safe. Honor Wisdom and she will embrace you.

The citation points to a context of direction (“keep you safe”). Hence, assiduous reading of the Scripture, Tradition (ie. “Faith of the Early Fathers” with usage of the doctrinal index, provided by the author, W. A. Jurgens), and the Magisterium will adhere to the admission of the “Greatest Doctor” (Spiritus Paraclitus, Pope Benedict XV) and henceforth a director will come with your assent.
Click to expand...
Just an aside.

I don’t get this whole thing about spriitual directors. I have a friend who has one in a sanctuary about 40 minutes away from our town and she goes up there at least once a week. She seems knowledgeable regarding scriptures and the CCC so I have always had diffculty understanding what she talks about with him all the time. She won’t make a move without discussing it with him.

I may be arrogant, but I feel like I know Jesus enough to listen to Him and to try to understand what He would have me be and do in my life.

It’s always good to speak to a priest. I’ve done it many times. It clears your head, you might need some particular advice. It’s okay, I’m not saying not to. Sometimes they understand you in a way people around you will not because they’re not trying to live the christian life.

However, if you need one that badly, it makes me feel like you’re living your christianity THROUGH the advisor and not through your own relationship with the Lord.

It’s just a shame the church does not offer more teaching and groups that people could belong to, like the O.P. who must be feeling some kind of disconnect right now.

Just my thoughts.

Fran
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top