Spiritual Father/Director for RC?

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Hello, I’ve been looking for a spiritual director for a while (over a year) with prayer. I’m at the point that I’m wondering if Roman Catholics can go to an Eastern Orthodox/Russian Orthodox priest for spiritual direction? Can someone chime in on that, specifically on this, not on the process of finding one. Thanks.
 
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I wouldn’t. Even though they have valid Sacraments, they are not Catholic. Eastern Catholics, however, are a perfectly fine choice.
 
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What’s the difference between the Russian and Eastern orthodox? Apologies on my ignorance.
 
It depends on what you mean by Eastern Orthodox, but right now the Russian and Ecumenical Patriarchates are having a major tiff right now, and the Russians have broken off from the Ecumenical Patriarchate. If you’re meaning in terms of teachings, I’m not sure, although the Russians are generally more Orthodox than those in the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
 
It’s your spiritual life, so you can enter into direction under anyone you choose. Having said that, and I would be cautious about getting direction from a non-Catholic. Remember you are held to the teachings of our faith first and foremost.
catholic1012015 said:
I’ve been looking for a spiritual director for a while (over a year) with prayer
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Have you tried monasteries near you? Some men and women religious take on directees, but might not advertise. God will lead you to the right person. After I lost my first director, I found my current one quite by ‘accident’ or should I say by providence. He is perfect for me and my situation.
 
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Where have you been looking? I “meet” with my Spiritual director over Facetime as we live several hundred miles apart. We do get to meet in person about once a year. A spiritual director does not have to be a priest, mine is a female.

Here is a web site you may be interested in.
https://www.catholiccounselors.com/spiritual-direction/
 
@mrsdizzyd would keep to my faith, I think it’s common knowledge in the faith that there are differences of belief. But I don’t think that would hinder spiritual direction on daily matters.

@fauken thanks for the background.
 
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Thanks, I haven’t checked with monasteries so I’ll consider that. I would love Divine providence to happen, it’s very beautiful when He does it like that. I’m happy you have a SD, because they’re like gold these days!!
 
@Horton thank you. I’ve been looking in my diocese, and the neighboring diocese. I had one before but he’s very busy. I do understand the SD doesn’t have to be a priest but i’m looking for a priest or perhaps a deacon due to their position and faculties.
 
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Here our Diocese keeps an updated list of the approved spiritual directors,have you talked to your Diocese?
 
@TheLittleLady thank you for responding. I’m really encouraged that there is a diocese somewhere that keeps a list of spiritual directors. I did contact my local diocese and they didn’t have anyone and just suggested I go to confession and keep trying. I couldn’t believe it. So I’ve contacted a neighboring diocese to see if they can help and maybe they have a list like where you are. Thanks!
 
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If you are Byzantine Catholic, having an Eastern Orthodox as a spiritual father would not be a problem. I have a friend who is a Byzantine Catholic monk and for a long time his spiritual father was EO. If you are Latin tire, it could be a problem.

ZP
 
Fauken said:
If you’re meaning in terms of teachings, I’m not sure, although the Russians are generally more Orthodox than those in the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
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Both jurisdictions are authentically Orthodox. As my priest says, the only difference is what desserts are sold at the parish festivals lol!

Yes, the MP broke Eucharistic communion with the EP, but not the other way around. And, because there are jurisdictions that are in communion with both the MP and the EP, the MP and EP are still in a “state” of communion if you will.

ZP
 
ziapueblo said:
Yes, the MP broke Eucharistic communion with the EP, but not the other way around. And, because there are jurisdictions that are in communion with both the MP and the EP, the MP and EP are still in a “state” of communion if you will.
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What is the MP and EP please?
 
Really the goal here is to be closer to Christ, and I need some direction outside of going to Mass and reading texts and videos. There’s a lot I think I miss by not having guidance. I had one before and I know how valuable it is to be guided by the Spirit through a priest.

I do know it takes time to find one, but I think I’m approaching 1.5 and possibly 2 years looking. Waiting for the right one is important.
 
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The Catholic person I know who has the most fruitful spiritual direction searched eight years for her (Catholic) director. It was clearly worth the wait. I’m not saying that eight years is a normal length of time to look for a spiritual director, only that by this particular person knowing what she needs spiritually and not compromising on it was she able to find the direction she would benefit from most.
 
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catholic1012015 said:
I’ve been looking for a spiritual director for a while (over a year) with prayer.
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What is it that you are looking to receive from a “spiritual director”?

Many of the EO Fathers say that spiritual direction is very hard to find now - A Staretz normally does not make himself or herself known but is known by word of mouth… I know that occasionally an RC pilgrim will go to Mt. Athos to gain spiritual direction, but such direction is normally not confessional or daily, but can last for years with only one meeting, in that a rule of praxis is given and established, and this does not need routine maintenance but obedience and an overview that will carry one forward…

So what is it that you want to attain, and how will a spiritual director help?

geo
 
UpUpAndAway said:
By this particular person knowing what she needs spiritually
and not compromising on it
was she able to find the direction
she would benefit from most.
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The Eastern Church seeks a Spiritual Father, rather than “Director”, and this through the Tradition established by Christ and spoken of by Paul in Scripture, “For I have begotten you by the Gospel…” So on the one hand we are reborn in the Waters of Regeneration, and again are born by our Spiritual Father, indeed as we are reborn in the washing of our tears of repentance, which is a kind of renewal of our Baptism…

But there are few who are able to birth others into Christ as their Spiritual Father through the Gospel… Anyone can “DIRECT” another person, and do this well or ill, or in between, but Spiritual Fatherhood is not given to many, and finding one in a Parish Community is a rare event indeed - They are normally shielded in Monasteries, and not in need of doing their work face to face in the flesh with a pilgrim, although doing so is also very beneficial…

But there is this idea that IF ONLY I could find the “right” Spiritual Father, THEN I would be able to receive Salvation [Theosis] through/from him… iow - We tend to want to have another take responsibility for our souls, and to not have to do it ourselves… And we fall into the trap of WAITING for someone else, when we should be zealously doing good and being obedient to the good of others and by the praxis of the Faith of Christ acquiring a solid basis of habit in Christian virtues… Spiritual Fatherhood is not indicated for all, or for most, or even for very many, because if it were, God would have us smothered in a spiritual sauté of lots of them…

There are always some, however, and they are always accessible, even if not in the “official” sense of coming under one of them in obedience… God will send you whom you need, and does so… I mean, He spoke straight out of Barlaam’s Donkey, which is where I come in! 🙂 Mind you…

If we simply pay attention and zealously do good in denial of self, God has a sneaky way of sending us what we need WHEN we actually need it… There tends often to be a fair amount of fairly well-intended bad Spiritual advice floating around… But you will become what you do, so do Good as best you can, and remember to pray, and the Church and God’s Grace and Creation itself will provide what is needed to prepare for the next rung of the Ladder…

geo
 
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