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Bon Secours Spiritual Direction Institute Cohort 7 – Session 1 OVERNIGHT Option

September 28 @ 4:00 pm - October 3 @ 1:00 pm

$1500

EVENT DETAILS

Start: September 28 @ 4:00 pm

End: October 3 @ 1:00 pm

Cost: $1500

Event Categories: , ,

Presenter: Kathy Brown & Sr. Bernie Claps

This page is for the OVERNIGHT option for Cohort 7
(*recommended* for the most complete experience).

Please click the following links if you prefer the
COMMUTER option or the VIRTUAL option.

 

Lodging room check-in for overnight guests will begin at 4pm, and the program will start after dinner. 

Intensive Training Program for Those Interested in Spiritual Direction

Course Description and Goals:

This will be the 7th cohort of students within our Bon Secours Spiritual Direction Institute. The first week-long session is an introduction to and overview of spiritual direction in the Christian tradition. It is intended to enhance the student’s understanding of the spiritual life, with attention given to developing the basic skills necessary for this ministry. Classes will involve presentations, discussions, and interactive experiences.

Course Learning Objectives:

At the end of the course, a student will be able to:

-Have a basic understanding of the spiritual life — its breadth, depth, and language — in order to understand the context of spiritual direction ministry.

-Examine and understand the core principles of effective spiritual direction, noting the implications for both the director and the directee.

-Develop and practice the basic interpersonal skills necessary for the exercise of this ministry, such as active listening and appropriate response.         

Required Texts:

Henri Nouwen. Spiritual Direction: Wisdom for the Long Walk of Faith.  San Francisco:  Harper Collins, 2006.

Margaret Guenther, Holy Listening: The Art of Spiritual Direction (Cowley Publications, 1992)

Recommended Reading:

Teresa of Avila, The Interior Castle (any edition)

Required Paper:  A 6 to 8 page review of and reflection on the student’s choice of one of the following books will be due after this first intensive week. The student will have a few months to complete it.

  • Cynthia Bourgeault, Mystical Hope: Trusting in the Mercy of God (Cowley Publications, 2001)  ISBN: 1-56101-193-2; ISBN13: 978-1-56101-193-3
  • Martin Laird, Into the Silent Land: A Guide to the Christian Practice of Contemplation (Oxford, 2006)  ISBN-13: 978-0-19-530760-3
  • Nancy L. Bieber, Decision Making & Spiritual Discernment: The Sacred Art of Finding Your Way (Skylight Paths, 2012). ISBN: 978-1-59473-289-9

Dates for Week 2 and 3: The second week-long course in the program is scheduled for April 19-24, 2026, and the final week-long session is scheduled for September 27-October 2, 2026, which will complete the course of study. Registration for these two sessions will be available soon. A certificate of completion will be awarded upon completion of the entire program, which includes these three week-long sessions and the required course work.

After You Register:

  • Complete an intake form, to be provided by a program coordinator upon registration.
  • Provide consent for Bon Secours to initiate a background check.

The intake form and background check will have a deadline prior to the Session 1 start date. A program coordinator will be in touch regarding this deadline after you’ve registered. The information on your intake form will help the directors know a little about you and will ensure that your experience aligns with the requirements of our program, providing the best possible training for your future ministry.

Questions: If you have questions, please contact Sr. Bernie Claps at Bernadette.Claps@CBSParis.org.

Guided By: Kathy Brown and Sr. Bernie Claps, CBS.

Kathleen Hope Brown, D.Min. teaches spiritual direction and other courses in spirituality at the Virginia Theological Union. Her doctorate in Adult Spiritual Formation is from Catholic University.

Sister Bernadette Claps, a Sister of Bon Secours, provides spiritual direction and spiritual companionship at the Retreat and Conference Center at Bon Secours. She holds graduate certificates in Spiritual Direction, Spirituality and Aging. She has done graduate studies in theology and received a Master of Social Work from New York University.

You will be entering your information for registration and payment next. If you would rather call us, please contact our Welcome Center at 410-442-3120 and they can accept credit card information over the phone. You can also contact them with your information and mail a check to: 1525 Marriottsville Rd., Marriottsville, MD 21104. Please note that your registration is not complete until payment has been made.

If you would like to register a group to attend this retreat, please call our Welcome Center at 410-442-3120 or email Doris Gallagher, Manager of Marketing & Events, at Doris.Gallagher@BonSecoursRCC.org.

NOTE: If you would like to only pay a DEPOSIT at this time please click here.

Register for Overnight Retreat

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What our guests are saying about their stay at The Bon Secours Retreat & Conference Center
"Once again, a magnificent center. Location, building, grounds, staff, spiritual director, mass and dining experience were all excellent!"
— June Directed Retreat
"Really helped in my continued grieving process. Very helpful. Grace filled retreat."
— August Directed Retreat
"Could not have been better in any way."
— Gift of Animals: Our Spiritual Companions
"The Retreat Center is spotless, offers good food, private full baths, seems to have a “happy” staff, persons from office, persons to do housekeeping and all. The hospitality of all is 'tops'. I love the quietness that is encouraged."
— Aging with Wisdom
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Bon Secours Retreat & Conference Center
1525 Marriottsville Road, Marriottsville, MD 21104

A Ministry of the Sisters of Bon Secours, USA
Bon Secours International

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