What are some things that should be talked about in spiritual direction with a traditionally minded diocesan priest?

[clarkest]

I’m going to spiritual direction soon and am nervous. What sorts of things are normally talked about? Is confession expected? Am I expected to be totally open right away? I already know this priest and he’s wonderful and fiercely loyal to the Magisterium, and I’d trust him with not just my life but with my soul, but I’m just not sure what is expected of me in these meetings.

Thanks everyone.

 

[brikar]

I jot down notes throughout the month, of spiritual matters that get my attention, and then I use that for discussion. How are things going in your prayer life? Are there areas in your life where you have weaknesses? It really varies according to my concerns. I do like to go to confession each time. I think it helps the director to know you and direct you thoroughly. That varies though. Sometimes priests don’t want confession to be part of direction. I spent some time at spiritualdirection.com/ to better understand the process. Click on the spiritual direction tab.

 

[pianistclare]

I’m going to spiritual direction soon and am nervous. What sorts of things are normally talked about? Is confession expected? Am I expected to be totally open right away? I already know this priest and he’s wonderful and fiercely loyal to the Magisterium, and I’d trust him with not just my life but with my soul, but I’m just not sure what is expected of me in these meetings.

Thanks everyone.

You can expect the Spiritual Director to suggest some Scripture to study or spiritual books to read based on your general questions about the faith, or issues you struggle with.
Confession is confession. If he offers it to you fine, but generally, Spiritual Direction is something else entirely. It’s more like counseling.
It’s a great blessing to have a good Spiritual Director.

 

[Joannm]

The first few sessions you will probably get to know each other better. He might ask you to talk about your life situation (are you married, single, job, kids). He willl want to know about your prayer life and your relationship with God. Let him lead since all this info helps him to direct you. He might ask what your expectations are for your meetings. Are you considerating a vocation? Are you having a particular spiritual problem?
Just remember this is not therapy. The priest is not there to help solve any psychological problems but spiritual ones, although they can affect each other. You are expected to be totally honest with him. How else can he direct you. You don’t need to tell him your whole life at the first meeting as you are building a level of trust.
As someone else mentioned jot down things you want to discuss. I journal and bring it with me to our meetings. It is important to do what he asks you to do during the time between meetings because that is how you will grow spiritually. Being in direction requires work. It is not just meeting to have a nice chat about Jesus or to be taught doctrines. You can get that other places. Being in direction involves a commitment to want to grow spiritually and to allow the Holy Spirit to work in you.
The most important thing you can do is pray for your spiritual director every day, as he will be praying for you.

 

[friardchips]

The first few sessions you will probably get to know each other better. He might ask you to talk about your life situation (are you married, single, job, kids). He willl want to know about your prayer life and your relationship with God. Let him lead since all this info helps him to direct you. He might ask what your expectations are for your meetings. Are you considerating a vocation? Are you having a particular spiritual problem?
Just remember this is not therapy. The priest is not there to help solve any psychological problems but spiritual ones, although they can affect each other. You are expected to be totally honest with him. How else can he direct you. You don’t need to tell him your whole life at the first meeting as you are building a level of trust.
As someone else mentioned jot down things you want to discuss. I journal and bring it with me to our meetings. It is important to do what he asks you to do during the time between meetings because that is how you will grow spiritually. Being in direction requires work. It is not just meeting to have a nice chat about Jesus or to be taught doctrines. You can get that other places. Being in direction involves a commitment to want to grow spiritually and to allow the Holy Spirit to work in you.
The most important thing you can do is pray for your spiritual director every day, as he will be praying for you.

Hi. He’ll probably ask you about your prayer life. And may introduce new ways to pray or meditate upon gospel passages. Depending on how deep he goes into it. But Spiritual Direction is ongoing so at the end listen out for the suggestion of more sessions. If it one session only it might be more about general advice for where you are in your life. One other thing is he might ask you what you are reading. Be honest because he might look into that or give you something new to read that will benefit you.

 

[otjm]

I’m going to spiritual direction soon and am nervous. What sorts of things are normally talked about? Is confession expected? Am I expected to be totally open right away? I already know this priest and he’s wonderful and fiercely loyal to the Magisterium, and I’d trust him with not just my life but with my soul, but I’m just not sure what is expected of me in these meetings.

Thanks everyone.

My first thought, with your header, was to say “the same thing as with spiritual direction from someone who is not traditionally minded.”

Spiritual direction is not something that has to initiate from a priest - it could just as easily be a monk, a sister, or a lay woman or lay man.

And that should answer one of your questions.

What do you talk about? Well, for starters, where you are spiritually on your journey with Christ. Ultimately, that is what spiritual direction is about, no?

There should be nothing whatsoever to be fearful about. Spiritual direction can be about prayer life; work, home, friends, time away from work, spiritual exercises, dryness in spiritual life, excesses, you name it.

So go back to the original premise: why are you going for spiritual direction? That should be a clue to some of what you ask.

 

[corsair]

When I first went for assistance from my spiritual director we talked about very general thing. Over time I found the need to ask about my prayer life. So he asked me what was bothering me. So I told him that I was frustrated trying to complete so many Novenas. We examined my prayer routine in detail and came up with a workable plan that I could complete and still fulfill my duties as a husband and father.

Its that sort of relationship that helped me. Yes, my spiritual director was a Catholic priest. sorry to say that he has been transferred. I haven’t found another as yet.