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tkdnick
Guest
Just wondering if it’s normal to be charged for spiritual direction? There’s a retreat house here locally that has spiritual directors, but I thought it was a little strange that they charged.
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demerzel85
Guest
Hmm…I think it would be a love offering that they made compulsory. Its a small contribution for the upkeep of the place usually.
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T.A.Stobie_SFO
Guest
Some do. Some do not.
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tkdnick
Guest
I just want to make sure if I get a spiritual director, that they’re a good one and wasn’t sure if I should expect to pay.
Anyone know anything about the Passionists? Are they a good, orthodox order that give good spiritual direction?
Anyone know anything about the Passionists? Are they a good, orthodox order that give good spiritual direction?
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Caesar
Guest
They sent me a Vocations brochure. They seem like a very good order, but I dont know if they are good spiritual directors.
I’m looking for a spiritual director right now. I took some advice from this forum a while ago, and emailed Opus Dei yesterday.
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Vivemus
Guest
I’m involved in Spiritual Direction and I do charge. When I was training this would often be discussed should you charge or not. It was said that its ok to charge but that you should never turn someone way that can’t pay and it’s the way I work. I don’t see my work in Spiritual Direction as a way of making money but rather see the payment as a way of allowing me to be more available. When someone comes to me for the first time and the question of payment comes up I start by saying don’t let money be a factor and we come some arrangement.
I am curious to know what you consider to be good spiritual direction? Regarding choosing a spiritual director the only advice I would give is to find a person that you can be open with, who is a spiritual person, more so that if a particular order is good at spiritual direction. But talking about orders involved in spiritual direction have you considered the Jesuits.
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Caesar
Guest
Apparently there is an Opus Dei priest who comes to my city periodicaly, and I am planning on emailing him tonight. I hope this works out 
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demerzel85
Guest
I asked an Opus Dei Priest to be my Spiritual Director.
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Caesar
Guest
How is he?
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demerzel85
Guest
I had my first meeting with him, and it went pretty well. He drove home many orthodox points that I was not very strong on. I was asking about the status of SSJV and my own reaction of it being ‘strange’ that Bishop Rifan could incardinate any one around the world into his diocese. The priest went straight to the point that the Church is alive and valid documents can make changes to accomodate the needs of the faithful (in this context). A Bishop by nature of his office has certain judicial rights and the Pope is the supreme legislator. With proper documentation its valid. He also briefly explained the ‘reporting system’ in Opus Dei itself.
Before that I was asking him about the whole concept of Spiritual Direction, and he emphasized that while I can talk to any Priest about it, an Orthodox one paramount.
I’ll be scheduling another meeting with him soon.
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Caesar
Guest
Thanks for the info.
I emailed Opus Dei’s Canadian office a few days ago and yesterday they sent me the email adress of a priest who comes to my city once a month. I’m going to email him today see where it goes from there.
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demerzel85
Guest
Just remember that they dont make a typo mistake on the address
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Augustine
Guest
Typically, if the spiritual director is a lay person, it’s not unusual that there’s a charge, though not mandatory. However, if the director is a religious person, ordained or not, it’s very unusual that there’s any charge.
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tkdnick
Guest
Nothing against lay spiritual directors, but I think I would prefer a religious spiritual director.Typically, if the spiritual director is a lay person, it’s not unusual that there’s a charge, though not mandatory. However, if the director is a religious person, ordained or not, it’s very unusual that there’s any charge.
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Vivemus
Guest
If you don’t mind me asking why would you prefer a religious spiritual director.
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tkdnick
Guest
I don’t know. It just seems that if I’m going to be discussing my spiritual life, that a priest would be the natural choice to discuss it with. I don’t have anything against lay spiritual directors or think 1 is necessarily better than the other. I just think I would be more comfortable with a priest.
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Vivemus
Guest
Well thats true alright the first person you would think of is a priest. Since i’m involved in this area myself i am always curious as to peoples experience of and reasons for going for spiritual direction.
better be careful here or i could land up playing 20 questions
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tkdnick
Guest
My reason is discerning God’s call and to work through any issues that may be associated with tha.Well thats true alright the first person you would think of is a priest. Since i’m involved in this area myself i am always curious as to peoples experience of and reasons for going for spiritual direction.
better be careful here or i could land up playing 20 questions
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Vivemus
Guest
well i wish you all the best in that and remember you in my prayers
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Augustine
Guest
I agree with tdknick and the reason I prefer a priest is because then there’s the possibility that the director is also my confessor.
As a matter of fact, I like to start the meeting with a confession.
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