Resources
For further reading on spiritual direction:
Sacred Companions: The Gift of Spiritual Friendship & Direction, David G. Benner
The Practice of Spiritual Direction, William A. Barry & William J. Connolly
Holy Listening, Margaret Guenther
Seeking God Together: An Introduction to Group Spiritual Direction, Alice Fryling
New England Area Retreat Centers:
Adelynrood Retreat Center, Byfield MA
Center for Renewal, Simsbury CT
Emery House, West Newbury MA
Miramar Retreat Center, Duxbury MA
Rolling Ridge Retreat Center, N. Andover MA
The Sanctuary at Woodville, Woodville MA
Quiet Days:
Church of the Nativity, Northborough MA, 1st Saturday
Pax Center, Essex MA. See website.
The Sanctuary at Woodville MA, 2nd Saturday
Christ-centered Spiritual Formation Resources:
Leadership Transformations, Inc. Themed personal and group retreats,
occasional offerings for soul nourishment; Selah spiritual direction training.
PAX Center, Essex. Themed online and day retreats, Walk with Jesus: an Ignatian
prayer experience, spiritual direction training.
The Sanctuary at Woodville. Monthly Creative Contemplation mornings,
3rd Saturday.
Relevant Quotes About Spiritual Direction
"God comes to us, disguised as our life." - Paula D'Arcy
“Spiritual direction works through pastoral conversation to help people notice how and where God has been present and active in their lives. Many people have profound intuitions of God that they discount or repress, often for fear of being misunderstood. Spiritual direction encourages people to speak of their experience of God as part of the ordinary life of discipleship.” - Julia Gatta and Martin L. Smith, Go in Peace: The Art of Hearing Confessions
“Everything in the world is about to be wrapped up, so take nothing for granted. Stay wide awake in prayer.” 1 Peter 4:8, The Message
“Ideally in spiritual direction, two people (or more in group spiritual direction) experience God drawing them together precisely to pay attention to love, the prayer of God unfolding in the heart of the person seeking spiritual direction. This prayer of God, really God’s yearning for the person, has long been prayed before the person comes for spiritual direction.” - Rose Mary Dougherty, Group Spiritual Direction
“And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don't know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words.” Romans 8:26, NLT
“A spiritual director listens with one ear to God and the other to the directee, always encouraging the directee to recognize where God can be found throughout the journey. At its core, spiritual direction attends to the faithfulness and initiative of God. The Holy Spirit is really the Director of the time together as both parties pay attention to God’s movements and call.” - Adele Ahlberg Calhoun, Spiritual Disciplines Handbook
“I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth." John 16:12-13, NIV