Just a quick request on my behalf. My spiritual director is at a long distance and I haven't been able to connect with him to discuss some issues. Please pray that the Lord opens that door or helps me find someone close by to lend an ear. Thanks! Safe in the Hearts of Jesus and Mary!
I'm on it! (And I have a dog in this hunt - I'm coming to rely on your spiritual insights, so I'm sure to benefit from the "trickle down" effect.)
Just wanted to thank you for your prayers! God is never deaf to the pleadings of His children. Never! I've made arrangements to meet my SD next Wednesday after dropping Therese off at college! God be praised. May I not run too much at the mouth. May the Lord give Fr. Edward great wisdom! Safe in the Hearts of Jesus and Mary!
This might sound silly, but what do people talk about with spiritual directors? Is it similar to confession?
I kind of like the Eastern equivlant of Spiritual Director, which is Spiritual Father or Mother. This emphasises the role of being a mother or father to those spiritual children through their prayers and examples. The spiritual parent aids and assists his/her children through their prayers, example, instructions to reach high holiness and the Kingdom of heaven. He is Father, friend, counsellor, director, comforter, spiritual physician and many other things. A lamp in the dark. The best modern example I can think of was St Padre Pio who is the great exampler. "When the Lord entrusts a soul to me, I place it on my shoulder and never let it go." "I accept you as spiritual child; and don't make me lose face." "I see all my children who come to the altar, as if in a mirror." "I love my Spiritual Children as much as my own soul and even more." "Once I take a soul on, I also take on their entire family as my spiritual children." Padre Pio http://caccioppoli.com/Padre Pio and his spiritual children. His words on meditation and prayer. Gift of tears. The Prayer Groups..html
Hi Heidi, A great and humble question! Of course, trying to add something worthwhile after Padraig responds is always challenging! I like this line from him: The spiritual parent aids and assists his/her children through their prayers, example, instructions to reach high holiness and the Kingdom of heaven. He is Father, friend, counsellor, director, comforter, spiritual physician and many other things. A lamp in the dark. After my conversion back in 1977, I had a few mystical experiences, consolations, and exercised a couple of charismatic gifts. But my prayer life, which is the bedrock of our growth in holiness, was up, down, and all around. Finding a mature Catholic who has advanced further than oneself in the life of grace is a marvelous stabilizer! I have had a few SD, each of them with their own strengths and weaknesses. Fr. Edward has proven to be a gem! Most importantly, Fr. Edward is that objective confidant, who perceives the best side of every struggle I bring to him. Secondly, he has a great sense of humor. One doesn't want to be beating themselves up too much. Thirdly, he likes to prod; I tend to procrastinate. Our prayer life is not an end in itself and should be bearing fruit in our daily lives. So Fr. Edward will sometimes call me to readjust my activities or apostolates based on the state of my prayer life. He is also grounded in Ignatian spirituality, so he likes to challenge me to take steps to uproot one sin each year. And of course he asks what those steps will be! To be honest, this is my weakest point...In this area, Father is a great encourager. Finally, it often takes time to find a good a SD because each of us and each of them is unique. The chemistry has to be right. I don't mean that one dumps a SD because he speaks truth and one doesn't like to be challenged! No, I'm speaking more of a Holy Spirit connection, where we perceive growth and fruit in our life because the Lord is working through this unique relationship. Hope that helps! Safe in the Hearts of Jesus and Mary!
Th Thanks, very helpful! So it sounds a bit like a coach! I often think that it would be nice to have a sort of "life coach" or spiritual coach, especially with my kids. Sometimes I am unsure if I am doing things right to teach them the faith because I did not grow up Catholic.
Hello Heidi,..welcome to the Forum,..if I could make a suggestion that has really helped me in teaching my grandaughter the faith is to use the Baltimore Catechism. You could find one at any good Catholic book store. It contains all the basic truths of the faith which is lacking in some of the new CCD books over the past several years. Good Luck..
'Our prayer life is not an end in itself and should be bearing fruit in our daily lives.' What an insightful and true statement, Terry, it reminds me of St James, 'James 2:26 - For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. James 2:14-26 - What [doth it] profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?' The problem being that I might think I am doing fine but what does God think? The Spiritual Father acting in the place of Christ will let me have it with both barrels if I am not doing well. He is a touch stone to my Spiritual Reality. He is someone who will tell me the truth. ..when maybe no one else will. I notice again and again in the lives of the saints that there is often a kind of anchor placed near them by God to keep their feet on the ground. These people can often be malicious, nasty, bad people but they serve by the persecution of the saint to keep them humble. St Paul talks of this, "And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong." (2 Cor. 12:7-10) I always envied married people this; that they are in the perfect position to be conduits of the Holy Spirit to each other in, 'Telling it like it really is'. Salt in the wounds, maybe, but perhaps a healing salt. Single people rarely have this gift.
You know I sometimes wonder if it is possible that someone who considers himself to be really holy and is considered by others to be really holy could wake up one day and find themselves, to their immense surprise , in hell? Well , yes I would say there are such souls. But a good Spiritual Director would have made this impossible.
