DESCRIPTION:

The advanced practicum in spiritual direction builds on the content of SP582-583 by providing further training and experience with several approaches to individual and group supervision which focus in different ways on the development of the spiritual director and the practice of spiritual direction in field setting situations.

The advanced practicum will focus on helping participants to develop their personal skills in a framework of understanding which enables them to personally appropriate and contextualize the historical theory and practice. The practicum will also provide an orientation to some of the practices and processes which will facilitate the ongoing learning and continuing development of the person called to the ministry of spiritual direction.

Fall Quarter the practicum is combined with the advanced seminar in the Art of Spiritual Direction (SP502) and meets weekly for three hours. Winter Quarter and Spring Quarter the practicum meets weekly for two hours for specific training in the skills and understanding of spiritual direction through practice and reflection in the context of group supervision.

Merton, Thomas. Spiritual Direction and Meditation. Collegeville, MN: The Liturgical Press, 1986.

Book of choice (from approved list or by instructor) for review in class.

Handouts and articles on reserve in the library as assigned.

1. Regular attendance and participation in the group process.

2. Assigned reading.

3. Participation, as assigned: in role play, in individual and shared reflection, in group spiritual direction process, and in peer supervision process.

4. Presentation, as assigned: of case study material and issues for spiritual direction.

5. Written reflection, evaluation, and self-assessment.

6. Verbal book review of approved book of choice.

Students must be accepted into the Spirituality/Spiritual Direction concentration and have completed the first year of that concentration (SP501, SP581/582/583).

Meets concentration requirement for Spirituality/Spiritual Direction concentration of M.A. in Theology and M.Div. (SP584 = 1 unit; SP585 = 1 unit; SP586 = 2 units.)

None.