How do I find a spiritual director?

[hutch976]

I am still a newcomer to the Church. I have not even been a fully confirmed Catholic for a year. I am in a new parish. I am in a profession where I am surrounded by different worldviews and faiths. (I teach English as a second language at a major university.) For a number of reasons, I am having trouble maintaining a solid spiritual foundation in my life. How do I find someone, priest, deacon, or whoever, to help guide me back toward Christ? How do I get a spiritual director, as I hear that term so often. I feel like I am drifting in my faith and it frightens me.

 

[Michelle_Arnold]

Before setting about finding a spiritual director, please keep in mind the limitations of the role. As an analogy, a spiritual director is not like a lifeguard at a beach. He can’t race into the water, drag you back to shore, and resuscitate you … so to speak. A spiritual director is more like someone in a leaking boat who helps you bail water and plug the leak. In other words, he works with you, he doesn’t operate upon you.

As for finding one, you might first ask at your parish of the pastor and/or a regular confessor if they have any recommendations. You could also call your diocese and ask if there are any religious orders or congregations with houses in your diocese. Once you have a list, you can begin calling the local houses and asking if there is anyone among their members who offers spiritual direction.

Finally, the book Seeking Spiritual Direction by Fr. Thomas Dubay has recently returned to print. You may also be able to locate it through used-book sources or interlibrary loan.