About | Catholic Spiritual Directors

About the call

A Ministry for the Ministry of Catholic Spiritual Direction

The Registry (CatholicSD.org) is a growing initiative dedicated to supporting those called to the ministry of spiritual accompaniment with listings of resources while seeking to build a collaborative coalition faithful to the magisterium to further the development of the ministry using the guidelines of formation, ethical standards, best practices, and ecclesial support, particularly for the laity in leadership.

For an Association of Catholic Spiritual Directors

An Apostolic Ministry for Catholic Spiritual Direction

DRAFT DOCUMENTS

INTRODUCTION

A call is being made for the establishment of a National Association of Catholic Spiritual Directors (NACSD) as a nonprofit apostolic ministry, to be established under episcopal authority as a public association of the faithful (can. 312 §1). Faithful to the Magisterium, to exist to support and strengthen the ministry of Catholic spiritual direction at every level of ecclesial life. Placing it under the patronage of our Blessed Mother, Mary of the Immaculate Conception, for all the baptized —laity, religious, and ordained —who are called to serve in the Church’s universal mission of spiritual accompaniment, to foster growth in holiness by walking with the faithful on their personal path of conversion through prayer, and discernment.

VISION

Where every person seeking to grow in Christ can find a faithful, well-formed Catholic spiritual director, and where directors are supported by clear pathways of training, mentorship, and community.

MISSION

The mission of the National Association of Catholic Spiritual Directors is to support and strengthen the ministry of Catholic spiritual direction, remaining faithful to the Magisterium, in fostering personal and communal holiness through accompaniment at every level of ecclesial life.

GOAL

To:

develop shared ethical guidelines to safeguard the integrity of the ministry;
consensus to uphold shared standards of formation;
develop ongoing formation standards with credentialing and accountability processing
services to the ministry

MINISTRY SERVICES

Current Offerings of CatholicSD.org:

listings on initial and post certificate advanced training;
listing of service opportunities for employment or volunteering;
listings of searchable options of credentialed directors and companions - private with optional public

GOVERNANCE MODEL

Board of Directors – Lay, clergy, religious; oversight, fidelity, fiduciary responsibility.
Theological Committee – Theologians and formators; doctrinal review of curricula.
Diocesan Chapters – Coordinators under bishops; adapt ministry to local needs.
Executive Director and Registrar

STANDARDS & ACCOUNTABILITY

Practicing Catholic; completion of a bishop-approved formation program.
Annual ethics audit by the Theological Committee.
Mandatory continuing education (example 12 hrs/year).
Code of conduct with grievance procedure under episcopal oversight.
Supervision & Mentorship – each director paired with a senior mentor and annual review.