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For a National Association of Catholic Spiritual Directors

(Federated Model)

As 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 as a nonprofit apostolic ministry, to be established under episcopal authority. To be 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, for the baptized —laity, religious, and ordained —who are called to serve in the Church’s universal mission of spiritual accompaniment, to grow in holiness and in walking with the faithful on their personal path of conversion through prayer and discernment.

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VISION

Where every person seeking to grow in Christ can find a faithful, well-formed Catholic spiritual director at every level of ecclesial life.

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MISSION

The mission of the National Association of Catholic Spiritual Directors is to support Catholic spiritual directors faithful to the Magisterium,  with clear pathways of training, mentorship, and community support.

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GOAL

• develop shared ethical guidelines to safeguard the integrity of the ministry;

• build consensus  and to uphold shared standards of formation;

• develop ongoing formation standards for credentialing and accountability processing; and

• provide benefits and services to the ministers of accompaniment 

 

MINISTRY SERVICES

Current public offerings of CatholicSD.org Registry

• listings on certificate and post certificate advanced training in the Catholic traditions in the USA;

• listing of service opportunities for employment or volunteering;

• listings of credentialed directors searchable for the public

• Member-only areas with shared resources, and networking  with affinity groups

 

PROPOSED GOVERNANCE MODEL

• Board of Directors – Lay, clergy, religious; oversight, fidelity, fiduciary responsibility.

• Theological Committee – Theologians and formators; doctrinal review of curricula.

• Chapters  - Diocesan and Religious Community Chapters – Coordinators under bishops; adapt ministry to local needs.

• Executive Director and Registrar

 

MEMBERSHIP STANDARDS & ACCOUNTABILITY 

• Practicing Catholic; completion of a university, diocesan,  or religious community-approved formation program.

• Continuing education (example 12 hrs/year).

• Supervision & Mentorship

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Today's Landscape of Spiritual Direction in the USA

Summary Reports on Collected Data

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A Summary Report: Landscape of the Ministry of Catholic Spiritual Direction and a Call

The ministry of spiritual direction can be found at every level of ecclesial life, and historically recommended by the Church, yet for the average parishioner seeking support or finding an available director is a continuing challenge.
 

Master List of 45 Catholic Spiritual Direction Formation Programs.xlsx

A listing of data - name of program, affiliations, tradition, locations, format, duration, costs, and contact info. to be confirmed.

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Sampling of Current Diocesan Models and a Call for a Response

An updated report will be posted shortly.

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Draft Outline Curriculum for a Four-Track Two-Tier Formational Model

​This four-track structure summarizes and organizes the most common courses identified during a review of the programs’ curricula available online of the 45 Catholic spiritual direction programs from our data list (approx. 34 programs listed their courses online).

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Proposal for a Federated Model of a National Association for Catholic Spiritual Directors 

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Ethical Guidelines for Catholics in the Ministry of Accompaniment

This draft has been composed from several sources, such as healthcare-related professional ethical practices, Catholic-based associations, and pastoral ministries guidelines.

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Draft for Constitution and Bylaws for a NACSD

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Contact

csd@CatholicSpiritualDirectors.com

Dr. Karen Shields Wright

203-629-2727​​

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