Question on spiritual director & confessor

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Should your spiritual director and confessor be the same priest? Is that wise? Or should the two be separate? I know that sometimes it’s okay to have others who are not priests as your spiritual director. How would one go about finding a spiritual director?
 
I have heard that they your confessor and your spiritual director (generally) are to be different people (this is also how our nearby seminary program does it). However, I know that some (including St Francis de Sales) have said that if need be they can be one and the same. I also have a friend who says that having both roles fulfilled by one priest works best for their spiritual growth. However, I believe this to be the exception rather than the rule. In our area, we have very few spiritual advisors, so the possibility for me to see someone other than my priest is slim.

One thing I recommend is calling your local parish and asking for the priest to recommend an advisor to you.
 
If your spiritual director is a priest then I don’t see a reason not to also have him as your confessor. That’s what I do. It’s wonderful to have someone who knows me well as a confessor.
 
it’s fine to have a spiritual director who is also your confessor, but you cannot expect the priest during regular confession hours in the parish to give you extra time for extended spiritual direction beyond what is needed for your confession. another appointment should be made specifically for spiritual direction.
 
It would be best for a spiritual director to also be one’s confessor.

He can better know the state of your soul, and advise you accordingly.
 
My spiritual director is a priest, and I do confess to him during spiritual direction, but I see him less than once a month (due to distance and schedules). I confess to a local parish priest in between.
 
My spiritual director is a lay woman (as was my previous spiritual director). She is fantastic.

When I first went on retreat I had a strong bias, wanting the only priest on the team. Instead I was allocated a lay woman and felt a little irritated by that - until the retreat started. I later learned that just about every priest/nun I met would tell me that she (the lay woman) is one of the best spiritual directors working in the country!

Good spiritual direction is not a gift bestowed solely on the ordained on religious. Looking for a good spiritual director means looking for someone who God has called to, and gifted in, this ministry. All priests are not gifted spiritual directors. All gifted spiritual directors are not priests.
 
My director/confessor of 15 years now deceased had fulfilled both roles and I found this of great benefit and blessings. He was also a great friend and mentor. My now director is a nun and ex novice mistress and another great blessing, but if I could find a priest to fulfill both roles I would much prefer this. Our shortage of priests and their heavy workload and commitments make confessor/directors very difficult to find here in South Australia. The Lord provides and His Ways are not ours. So I figure He knows what He is about and would send me a director/confessor if needed.

Blessings - Barb:)
http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/16/16_14_5.gif iHs
 
When I felt a need to have a spiritual director last year, I prayed and asked for God’s help. I haven’t had one since after the days in college . God indeed led me to my spiritual director through a book I read.
I can only say it is obvious that’s God’s will.

My spiritual director only allows me 45 minutes each session for every 6 weeks. Once I asked if I may have a few more minutes since each time I have unasked questions due to time limit. He said if he sensed I need more time he would tell me so, if he sensed I need less time he would also let me know. Wow! I actually appreciate his firmness about time and trust his assessment of my needs. My spiritual director is also my confessor. And it really helps my work toward holiness. It holds myself very accountable.
 
St Teresa of Avila advises that if one is unable to find a suitable spiritual director, to confidently resign oneself to God and His Permissive Will with complete confident trust.

Blessings - Barb
iHs
 
BarbaraTherese said:
St Teresa of Avila advises that if one is unable to find a suitable spiritual director, to confidently resign oneself to God and His Permissive Will with complete confident trust.

Blessings - Barb
iHs
Click to expand...
I’m not even sure what I want to talk about, yet have yearned for spiritual direction for a few years now. The few SDs I’ve been referred to are either too far away, or aren’t available on evenings or weekends. “Complete confident resignation” to the Spirit’s will is not easy but I appreciate St. Teresa’s words of wisdom.

I wonder why this (spiritual direction) is not written about more in our parish bulletins or talked about by our clergy. How DO people find spiritual directors?
 
quiet52 said:
I’m not even sure what I want to talk about, yet have yearned for spiritual direction for a few years now. The few SDs I’ve been referred to are either too far away, or aren’t available on evenings or weekends. “Complete confident resignation” to the Spirit’s will is not easy but I appreciate St. Teresa’s words of wisdom.

I wonder why this (spiritual direction) is not written about more in our parish bulletins or talked about by our clergy. How DO people find spiritual directors?
Click to expand...
I think probably that different diocese and countries even may vary, but here in Australia in my diocese we have an “Office of Spiritual Direction” in our diocesan offices where a trained spiritual director can be located. The other possible location point may be by contacting a religious order of priests and asking if they undertake spiritual direction.

Blessings - Barb
iHs
 
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