Spiritual Direction Institute
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The Spiritual Direction Instituteat Emmaus Spirituality Center -
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Forming Clergy, Religious, and Laity in the ministry of Spiritual Direction to serve in their parish or faith community, and in other places of Christian ministry.
Since 1985, the Spiritual Direction Institute, begun by the Diocese of Galveston-Houston Office of Continuing Christian Education and led first by Sr. Mary Dennison, rc followed by Sr. Ann Goggin, rc, has offered a three-year formation and training program. The greater Houston area has greatly benefited from the spiritual presence and skilled servant ministry its hundreds of graduates have contributed in a variety of settings. Operating for over 35 years under the auspices of the Cenacle Retreat House, the program now resides at the Emmaus Spirituality Center.
The Spiritual Direction Institute offers the three-year formation program to clergy, religious and laity who feel called to the ministry. It is structured to promote student growth and competency in the areas of: theology, prayer, spirituality, and the skills necessary to accompany and foster spiritual growth in others. The program is interdisciplinary, experiential, and process-oriented.
Each class is developed and given by a team providing professional and theological input. Using the shared Christian praxis method where applicable, students are helped to integrate the new content with their own experience.
Those who satisfactorily complete the program receive a certificate of completion.
The Fall 2023 group will meet weekly Saturday mornings beginning in September from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM.
You will continue to meet at this time for all three years.
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Spiritual Direction Institute
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Program Requirements
Students are required to fulfill the following rhythms and practices:
- Regular Prayer and Prayer Journal
- Monthly meetings with a spiritual director
- Attendance at all sessions and completion of all assignments
- Ongoing development of an annotated bibliography and resource list
- Learning Journal
- Make two (2) two-night directed silent retreats during the three years of formation and attend the SDI Lenten Day of Prayer and Reflection
- Minimum of 30 hours of supervised spiritual direction during the practicum period
- Yearly meeting with the Director of the Spiritual Direction Institute.
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Year One
- Theological Anthropology
- Christology
- Introduction to Individual Prayer Styles
- The Examen
- Introduction to Spiritual Direction
- Introduction to Spirituality
- Discernment I
- Christian Life-Span Development
- Enneagram I
- Contemplative Listening to Self & God
- Jesus Listening
- Experience of God
- Essential Listening Skills
- Integration and Practice of Spiritual Direction
Year Two
- Church History
- History of Christian Spirituality and Key Figures
- Ignatian Spirituality
- Roots of Our Own Spirituality
- Liturgical Spirituality/Prayer of the Church
- Centering Prayer
- Discernment II
- Loss and Grief
- Beginning Spiritual Direction Practice
- Spiritual Direction Skills Practice
- Spiritual Direction Ethics and Boundaries
- Enneagram II
- Advanced Listening Skills
- Integration and Practice of Spiritual Direction
Year Three
- Theology of Ministry
- Theology of Suffering
- Discernment III
- Dark Nights: Accompaniment During Transitions
- Special Topics in Accompaniment
- Professed and Operative Images of God
- Prayer During Life Transitions
- Blocks in Spiritual Direction
- Transference and Countertransference
- Pastoral Counseling v. Spiritual Direction
- Advanced Listening Skills Development
- Enneagram III
- Practicum Supervision
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Application Procedures
- Applications for Fall 2023 are now open
You may complete the application form here. Then print the sponsor form and the evaluation form below and give them to your references. Completed forms can be emailed to [email protected] or mailed to Emmaus Spirituality Center 12645 Memorial Drive F1 - 720, Houston, TX 77024
Don't forget to click on the Registration link to pay your $50.00 registration fee.
- Applications for Fall 2023 are now open
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About Our SDI Staff
- Leadership
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Kathleen Messinakmessinaemmausspiritualitycenter.comDirector, Spiritual Direction Institute -
Spiritual Direction Institute Instructors
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Maureen Bacchi -
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Sandra Derby -
Sr. Roselle Haas, rc -
Robert Hesse -
Kathleen Messina -
Kathy Reiter -
Michael Sciretti, Jr. -
Tim VanDuivendyk -
philip.chircopme.comVisiting Instructor -
mlinnsjyahoo.comVisiting Instructor
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