Retreat in Everyday Life

Course Description

This course is designed to intensify and integrate the experience of individual spiritual direction and the supervision process initiated in the Practicum in Spiritual Direction. A two-credit, two-week intensive course consisting of integration of theory and practice of spiritual direction. A model of non-residential Retreat in Everyday Life, in the context of Ignatian Spirituality, is used for this practicum.  The course is the second phase of the practicum/formation in spiritual direction in the Regis College Spiritual Direction Program. Discernment paper required for admission to this course.

Course Objectives

(A) In Respect of General Academic Skills

• To integrate and appropriate the theory and practice of spiritual direction for growth in the praxis of this ministry in a final ministry competency paper
• To expand their knowledge of a growing variety of topics arising in the ministry of spiritual direction
• To demonstrate the use of a Contemplative Reflection Form as a tool for supervision

(B) In respect of the Understanding of the Content of one or more Theological  Disciplines

• To apply their knowledge of the dynamics of the Spiritual Exercises and the guidelines of Ignatian discernment as they direct the retreatant
• To accompany a retreatant and demonstrate a developing skill level in their practice of spiritual direction and in their participation in supervision
• To accompany a retreatant in a Retreat in Everyday Life while engaging a contemplative, compassionate and evocative stance
• To participate in a method of contemplative supervision in which the object of the process is the person of the director
• To participate in a contemplative process of individual and peer group supervision

(C) In Respect of Personal and Spiritual Formation

• To appropriate a capacity for genuine self-awareness (authenticity) and identity with the charism of spiritual direction
• To participate in a method of contemplative supervision in which the object of the process is the person of the spiritual director
• To discern their gifts and their challenges for the ministry of spiritual direction

(D) In Respect of Ministerial and Public Leadership

• To integrate the theory and practice of spiritual direction for growth in the praxis of this ministry
• To discern the on-going call to the ministry of spiritual direction, and be aware of opportunities to participate in ongoing professional development

READINGS WILL BE ASSIGNED FROM THE FOLLOWING TEXTS & SOURCES

Students are expected to further integrate the theory resources from Phases I – Practicum in Spiritual Direction by reading and being aware of assigned texts. The student is to read the following articles prior to the first class as part of preparation for this course.

Course Schedule

A detailed course schedule is available for download.