The Bon Secours Spiritual Direction Institute offers a nationally-recognized training program in the art and skill of spiritual direction. Participants gather for three sessions, each time for an intensive week.
Session 3 of the Spiritual Direction Institute will focus on dealing with particular populations, such as victims of abuse and LGBTQ+ persons. A session on setting up a spiritual direction practice will be included. Each student will present two case studies of spiritual direction from their practicum in the previous months.
This is the VIRTUAL option for those who are unable to attend in person. Although we encourage the in-person option for a more complete experience, we understand that isn’t always possible.
Virtual participants should plan to attend the scheduled sessions in real time. The program begins at 7pm on Sunday. Please include the correct email address upon registration. A Zoom link will be sent to that email prior to the session.
REQUIRED PREREQUISITE:
Completion of the previous two week-long sessions (April 2024 and October 2024) or permission of the instructor.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
– To explore the breadth, depth, and language of spiritual life in order to understand the context of spiritual direction ministry.
– To examine and understand the core principles of effective spiritual direction, noting the implications for both the director and the directee.
– To enhance and practice the basic interpersonal skills necessary for the exercise of this ministry, such as maintaining appropriate boundaries, dealing with transference and counter-transference, etc.
– To explore a range of issues that may surface among those seeking spiritual direction: loss, grief, spiritual darkness, alienation from the church, and abuse.
A certificate of completion will be awarded upon completion of the entire program, which includes three week-long sessions and the required course work.
To register for the IN-PERSON/OVERNIGHT OPTION for this program, please click here.
For a Commuter Option, please email Doris.Gallagher@BonSecoursRCC.org.
Program Directors are Kathy Brown and Sr. Bernie Claps.
Sessions are facilitated by Kathy Brown and others.
Kathleen Hope Brown, D.Min. is Director of Pastoral Care Services at the Saint Luke Institute in Silver Spring, Maryland. Her doctorate in Adult Spiritual Formation is from Catholic University. She lectures on spiritual direction in programs throughout the country.
Sr. Bernadette Claps is a Sister of Bon Secours and provides spiritual direction and spiritual companionship at the Bon Secours Retreat & Conference Center. 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.