The Practice of Retreat Giving and Spiritual Guidance
May 2- July 11
(Full for 2012)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. Participants need to be native English speakers or have excellent understanding and fluency in English.
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.
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.
Two seminars will also be integral to this programme: the Sexuality and Spirituality Seminar with Revd Andrew Walker and The Exercises for the Contemporary Retreat Giver with Philip Endean SJ.
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.
