Bon Secours Retreat & Conference Center

VIRTUAL Continuing Education for Spiritual Directors - October
2026-10-24 09:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | MD
Spiritual Direction Peer Support: Finding Partners in Ministry
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. (Ecclesiastes 4:9–12, NIV)
The practice of one-on-one spiritual direction is a solitary undertaking. Those of us who accompany others on their spiritual journeys rely on the wisdom and guidance of the Holy Spirit every time we meet with a client. We also need the support of other women and men who are engaged in this ministry. Participating in a peer support group is one way to share our experiences and to illuminate how our ministry shapes our own spiritual journey.
In this session, we will discuss the purpose, composition, and process of a spiritual direction peer support group. We will share our experiences of what works well and what pitfalls to avoid. Our time together will include practice and observation of the peer group process. We will take home ideas for how to form a peer group and how to maintain a vibrant group.
This Zoom presentation will include an opportunity for questions and discussion. You will receive resources to guide you in your use of the material presented.
This is a virtual program, open to all spiritual directors. A Zoom Meeting link will be emailed to registered participants by Friday, October 23, 2026. When registering, please be sure to include the correct email address to which the Zoom link should be sent.
Linda Mastro is a graduate of the Bon Secours Spiritual Direction Institute in Marriottsville, MD, where she now serves as a faculty member. In addition to being an Associate of Bon Secours, Linda is a spiritual companion for individuals and groups and brings a spirit of compassion and light-heartedness to her work as a women’s retreat facilitator, pilgrimage leader, and workshop guide. Linda is co-author of the book Petite Retreats: Renewing Body, Mind, and Spirit Without Leaving Home. Learn more about Linda and her ministry at LivingPilgrimage.com.
