Finding a spiritual director - Catholic help please?

Question

I am specifically asking Catholics, but any Christian opinion is welcome.

I am discerning the Diaconate and need to find a spiritual director. How do I find one and what should I look for? What will this person do for me, specifically. Also, should this person not be a member of my parish, since the archdiocese will be asking my parish, or does it matter?

Any advice you can offer will be greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

Do you know a deacon whom you admire? You might consider asking him.

I don't think it matters if it's a member of your parish.

FYI: I read this in the Catechism:

According to St. John of the Cross, the person wishing to advance toward perfection should "take care into whose hands he entrusts himself, for as the master is, so will the disciple be, and as the father is so will be the son." And further: "In addition to being learned and discreet a director should be experienced. . . . If the spiritual director has no experience of the spiritual life, he will be incapable of leading into it the souls whom God is calling to it, and he will not even understand them."

I also found this from Catholic Answers, which might be helfpul:
Q: I was recently advised to seek a spiritual director. I really don’t know what that means but was embarrassed to ask. The priest advising me said to seek a nun or person in the laity or a "father confessor" to nurture my adult faith.



A: A spiritual director is a person—often a priest or nun, though regular lay people may do it, too—who is knowledgeable about moral and spiritual issues and can help guide you as you seek to build your relationship with God. It’s something like a religious counselor: He or she can help you solve difficult moral questions you are facing and help you find forms of spirituality, worship, and devotion that are suited to your personality.

Qualities to look for in a spiritual director include a firm knowledge of and adherence to the Church’s teachings and a willingness to tell you when you are wrong or when you are engaging in something sinful. Other good qualities to look for include humility, gentleness, and patience. Finally, a spiritual director needs to be someone whose judgment you trust completely.

Answer 2

We do not know the way to advocate you. The most effective abilities we now have is from Andrew Greeley's pleasant books. He writes of the significance of getting a non secular director and does now not point out that a confessor is the equal person. It does make feel: the confessor hears approximately your sins, and your non secular director eggs for your non secular progress. We pray you uncover the correct reply for your non secular travel.

Answer 3

If there are good monasteries nearby or friaries or male religious houses,you might ask there. Many dioceses have Offices of Spiritual Development which may(or may not0 have level-headed,spiritually-knowledgeable priests and other spiritual directors.