A transformational journey of discipleship focused on helping you develop vocational excellence in your current or desired context – all on your time and from wherever you are.
This non-credit bearing certificate of completion, which is offered in partnership with Oasis Ministries for Spiritual Development, is designed for spiritual directors who have experienced the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises and desire the specialized knowledge and skills necessary to guide others through this pilgrimage of prayer and discernment.
Cohorts for this 10-month online training program typically begin each fall. Cohorts begin by meeting weekly for two hours and then shift to meeting every other week.
By inviting Kairos to walk on this journey with you, you’re seizing a unique opportunity to deepen your faith while simultaneously developing the content, character, and craft to flourish in your vocation.
Directing the Spiritual Exercises consists of these areas of study:
Cohort Session I
History of Spiritual Direction
The Human Experience of God
Spiritual Formation
Spiritual Narrative
Discernment
Evaluating Experiences of God
Cohort Session II
Spirituality and Personality
Contemplative Listening
Prayer Methods
Scripture in Spiritual Direction
Spiritual Classics
Gender and Spirituality
Spirituality and Sexuality
Cohort Session III
Faith Development Stages
Suffering and Direction
Psychology and Spiritual Direction
Resistance and Transference
Spiritual Direction and Ethics
Noticing Theological Themes
Developing a Spiritual Direction Practice
Scriptural Skills in Sacred Listening
Cohort Session IV
Verbatim Tools for Spiritual Direction
Self-Care
Creating Meaningful Questions
Peer Group Supervision
Spiritual Formation in the Church
Preparing and Leading Retreats
Sabbath and Celebration Retreat
Directing the Spiritual Exercises cohorts meet online. There is no residency requirement for this certificate program. It’s designed to provide spiritual directors with a deepened understanding of the dynamics of the exercises in order to to discerningly guide others through the experience.
The program requires that entering students have been practicing spiritual directors for at least one year and have done the spiritual exercises themselves in full and extended form. In addition to in-depth instruction, students will participate in a supervised practicum by guiding two “retreatants” through the Spiritual Exercises.
In addition to the program tuition of $300 per month, a one-time $500 administrative fee is paid to Oasis Ministries for Spiritual Development for their role in the program.
We’d love to help you discern if this is the next best step for you. Start a conversation with us today or check out our “Discerning Your Calling” step-by-step guide.
Ready to move forward? Here are a few things you’ll need to get started (more details in the catalog).