Spiritual Direction Institute

The Spiritual Direction Institute

at Emmaus Spirituality Center
- 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 will receive a certificate of completion.
Admission Procedure
- Each applicant will submit:
  
  Application form with $50.00 non-refundable application fee.
  
  A completed recommendation form from the sponsoring faith community, where applicable.
  
  Three letters of recommendation/evaluation.
Admission Requirements
- Applicants must be persons of faith who are:
  
  Willing to enter into a process of discernment regarding their call to the ministry of spiritual direction.
  
  Mature and reflective about their life experience.
  
  Willing and able to make a commitment to the three year process.
  
  Receiving spiritual direction or open to entering and remaining in direction throughout the program and beyond.
  
  Preferably sponsored by a faith community in which the participant will minister during the third year practicum and beyond.
  
  In possession of a bachelors degree or its equivalent and additional background in theology, counseling, retreats, group work, etc. Formation Toward Christian Ministry (FTCM) certificate is a plus.
Program Requirements
- Attend all scheduled sessions.
  
  Be actively and enthusiastically involved in the process.
  
  Do the readings and outside assignments.
  
  Demonstrate satisfactory understanding and aptitude to do spiritual direction.
  
  PARTICIPANTS WHO COMPLETE ALL THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE PROGRAM, INCLUDING A FINAL INTERVIEW, WILL RECEIVE A CERTIFICATE FROM THE SPIRITUAL DIRECTION INSTITUTE.
  
  2022 Application letter
- Year One
  
  Theological Anthropology
  
  Christology
  
  Introduction to Individual Prayer Styles
  
  The Examen
  
  Introduction to Spiritual Direction
  
  Introduction to Spirituality
  
  Theological Reflection
  
  Discernment I
  
  Christian Life-Span Development
  
  Empathetic Listening I and II
  
  Spiritual Direction Skills Practice
  
  Enneagram I
- 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
- Year Three
  
  Theology of Ministry
  
  Theology of Suffering
  
  Discernment III
  
  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
2022 Application and Forms
- The maximum number of form submissions has been reached. This form is currently not available.
  
  First Name REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter valid data.
  
  Last Name REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter valid data.
  
  Phone Number REQUIRED Maximum 20 characters Please fill out this field. Please enter a phone number.
  
  Home Address Please enter valid data.
  
  City REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter valid data.
  
  State REQUIRED Please fill out this field.
  
  Zip REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter a zip code.
  
  Profession/Occupation Please enter valid data.
  
  Place of Birth Please enter valid data.
  
  Sex Male Female
  
  Personal Staus Single Married Divorced Widowed Religious Clergy
  
  Religious Affliation Please enter valid data.
  
  Date of Baptism Please enter valid data.
  
  Church Please enter valid data.
  
  Number of Children or other dependents: (List name and age)
  
  Education: Highest year completed: 9 10 11 12 College/University Business or Vocational Training
  
  Degree(s) Please enter valid data.
  
  Diploma Please enter valid data.
  
  R. C Diocesan Education/Programs completed Catechist Formation Program Ministry to Adult Learners DRE Formation Institute FTCM Basic Formation Toward Christian Ministry Other
  
  Employment History (begin with current or latest position Please enter valid data.
  
  Company Name Please enter valid data.
  
  Company Address Please enter valid data.
  
  City REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter valid data.
  
  State REQUIRED Please fill out this field.
  
  Zip REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter a zip code.
  
  Please list civic organizations you are involved in
  
  Please list church related organizations activities in which you are presently involved
  
  Briefly describe your prayer journey
  
  Do you have a spiritual director? Yes No
  
  How often do you see your director Weekly Monthly Quarterly Infrequently
  
  What has your experience been of spiritual direction?
  
  Are you presently serving as a spiritual director Yes No
  
  Where do you serve Please enter valid data.
  
  How many people do you see? Please enter valid data.
  
  Frequency? Please enter valid data.
  
  Length of relationship? Please enter valid data.
  
  Please list the kinds and length of retreats you have made in the past five years
  
  What languages do you speak fluently?
  
  Why do you want to be a Spiritual Director / Companion? Briefly summarize your strengths, skills and competencies you believe you would bring to Spiritual Direction
  
  Email REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter an email address.
  
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- Forms
  
  Complete the application form to the left and submit. Then print the sponsor form and the evaualtion form below and give them to your references. They should completethem and email them to [email protected] or snail 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.
  
  Sponsor Form
  
  Evaluation Form
- Links
  
  Registration Fee
- Contact Us
  
  New Group
  
  Kathleen Messina
  
  Director, Spiritual Direction Institute
  
  281. 241.9678
  kmessinaemmausspiritualitycenter.com
  
  Mary Pierson
  
  Executive Director, Emmaus Spirituality Center
  
  281.241.9678
  mpiersonemmausspiritualitycenter.com
  
  Spiritual Direction Institute Instructors
  
  Maureen Bacchi
  
  Sandra Derby
  
  Sr. Roselle Haas, rc
  
  Robert Hesse
  
  Kathleen Messina
  
  Michael Sciretti, Jr.
  
  Tim VanDuivendyk
  
  Maggie Simpson-Crabaugh

Spiritual Direction Institute

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.