This course gives a brief outline of the development of Spiritual Direction throughout Church History.
It aims to give a better understanding of the movements of the Spirit and to delve deeper into the process of discernment of the will of God in day-to-day decisions. This course helps in building a better personal relationship with God within different contexts which the director and/or directee may encounter in daily life. Apart from the theoretical part, this course gives practical skills to understand better the way the Spirit of God leads the person.
At the end of the course the priest will be able to make a clear distinction between spiritual direction and other roles within the ministry itself; consolidate where necessary such practices and give insights for better accompaniment in the priests’ ministry as Spiritual Directors.
It is a course that the director will benefit from both on a personal level and in his ministry when accompanying the directee.
This course is intended for priests who accompany persons in Spiritual Direction.
Target Audience Age: 18+
6th November 2023
Session Title
Speaker
Session 1: Welcoming introduction and Sharing of Experiences
Rev. Ronnie Zammit
Session 2: The difference between Pastoral Mentoring, Confession, and Spiritual Direction
Rev. Dr Jimmy Bonnici
Session 3: Experiences
Rev. Dr Jimmy Bonnici
Session 4: Spiritual Direction from the Sources of Tradition: the needs which arose throughout the years and the dynamics addressed in relation to spiritual direction
Mr Natalino Camilleri
7th November 2023
Session Title
Speaker
Session 1: Different prayer methods
Rev. Prof. Mark Sultana
Session 2: Spiritual movements: the different experiences which the human being passes through
Rev. Prof. Mark Sultana
8th November 2023
Session Title
Speaker
Session 1: Welcoming introduction and sharing of experiences
Rev. Dr Jimmy Bonnici
Session 2: Living our faith throughout the different stages of life: the call to mature discipleship
Rev. Dr Jimmy Bonnici
Session 3: The Dynamics and Interior struggle of our interior life
Rev. Christopher Vella SJ
20th November 2023
Session Title
Speaker
Session 1: Spiritual discernment: the spiritual movements
Rev. Christopher Vella SJ
Session 2: Rules of Discernment of Spirits – First Week
Rev. Christopher Vella SJ
Session 3: The Importance of Desires
Rev. Christopher Vella SJ
Session 4:Rules of discernment of Spirits – Second Week
Rev. Christopher Vella SJ
21st November 2023
Session Title
Speaker
Session 1: Discerning in the process of spiritual direction: discerning God’s will in daily life or in taking important decisions
Rev. Christopher Vella SJ
Session 2: Some Ignatian Exercises that Help in making choices
Rev. Christopher Vella SJ
Session 3: Three times for doing an election
Rev. Christopher Vella SJ
Session 4:Suggestions by St Ignatius on dealing with the discerning person
Rev. Christopher Vella SJ
15th January 2024
Session Title
Speaker
Listening and Communication skills (psychological & spiritual level in the director & directee)
Rev. Alfred Micallef SJ & Ms Jenny Zammit
16th January 2024
Session Title
Speaker
Session 1: A Short and Quick History of Spiritual Direction
Rev. Alfred Micallef SJ
Session 2: What is Spiritual Direction?
Rev. Alfred Micallef SJ
Session 3: Myself as a Spiritual Director
Rev. Alfred Micallef SJ
Session 4: Bill`s Case
Rev. Alfred Micallef SJ
5th February 2024
Session Title
Speaker
Session 1: Director Directee Relationship
Rev. Alfred Micallef SJ
Session 2: The Spiritual Interview
Rev. Alfred Micallef SJ
Session 3: Blockages in Prayer
Rev. Alfred Micallef SJ
Session 4: Psychological Dynamics in Spiritual Direction
Rev. Alfred Micallef SJ
6th February 2024
Session Title
Speaker
Session 1: Feelings in Interpersonal Relationships PC
Rev. Alfred Micallef SJ
Session 2: God Talk
Rev. Alfred Micallef SJ
Session 3: Dealing with Guilt
Rev. Alfred Micallef SJ
Session 4: Accompanying the Sick and the Dying
Rev. Alfred Micallef SJ
Certification:
This course has two exit certificate options:
Certificate of Attendance
A Certificate of Attendance is received if one attends all the contact hours of this course.
or
Certificate of Achievement
To obtain a Certificate of Achievement, students must:
attend all the contact hours
and successfully complete an assignment/journal/presentation or case study analysis.
Assessment:Written assignment at the end of the course.
Final Award:Accompaniment in Spiritual Direction for Priests
PFI Level: Level 5
Duration: 4 months part-time (54 hours)
Qualifications: Every application will be considered on its individual merits. The Pastoral Formation Institute accepts a wide range of qualifications, and we always try to judge applications on the basis of academic potential. We do consider a very wide range of academic, vocational, and professional qualifications, as well as work and other appropriate experiences and skills.
Register for this Course
Course Code: PFA/ASD-23
Course Type: One-Year Course
Credits: 9 Credits
Level: AFF Level 5
Language/s: Maltese
End Date: 06/02/2024
Course Fee: €100
Venue: Rivotorto Retreat House, Birkirkara
Lecturer/s: Rev. Dr Jimmy Bonnici Mr. Natalino Camilleri Rev. Alfred Micallef SJ Rev. Prof. Mark Sultana Rev. Christopher Vella SJ