Purpose: To help participants
gain experience and competence in giving individually
Guided Retreats based of the Spiritual Exercises of
Ignatius Loyola. Though emphasis is on retreat
direction, the programme will also be a preparation
for the more general ministry of spiritual direction.
Requirements:
Applicants for the programme must have made the
Spiritual Exercises under personal
direction, either as a 30 days residential retreat,
or over a period of months in daily life. They
should be people deeply motivated by a mature and informed
faith; well integrated, reflective and able to relate
easily to others.
We consider the course particularly suitable for all
who are either working, or preparing for work, in all
forms of Christian formation whether lay, clergy or
religious.
The programme consists
of three sections:
1: Preparation for
retreat-giving
The opening section will deal with
the dynamics of the Spiritual Exercises; the principles
of discernment and some fundamental themes of spiritual
theology relevant to the ministry of retreat-giving
and spiritual direction. This material will
be approached through a combination of personal study
and group work. Whenever feasible, use will
be made of case studies. Special attention will
be given to the development of listening skills.
2: Participation
in the retreat-giving work of St. Beuno's
Opportunities for carefully supervised
experiences of retreat-giving, including a week of
Guided Prayer for people in parishes in the local
diocese and one 8 day and one 6 day residential individually
guided retreat in St. Beuno's.
Participation in this part of the programme will depend
on the suitability of the individual course member.
The St. Beuno's staff reserves the right of final
decision on this.
3: Study of
the Spiritual Exercises including their practical
application to everyday life.
Further study and practical work
to help participants understand the dynamic of spiritual
growth/development and thus the guidance required
when accompanying another.
Throughout the course there will
be personal supervision and on-going assessment of
the participant's progress and needs.
APPLICATION
We understand how much of an investment of time and money this
Programme is, therefore we have a thorough application procedure
to ensure that participants are likely to benefit fully. If
you would like to apply for this course, please e-mail us and
we will send you application and reference forms via post or
e-mail.
