Program Overview

Program Overview

Ongoing Supervision and Education for Practicing Spiritual Directors

The Journey Continues program offers practicing spiritual directors the opportunity to explore questions and challenges that arise in their ministry and refine their skills to help others. Each two-hour session provides opportunities for supervision, input, and discussion on important issues encountered in this ministry.

Topics & Learning Goals

• Foundational Wisdom in Ignatian Discernment
• The Riches of Discursive and Embodied Prayer
• Growing in Spiritual Maturity: Darkness and Aridity in the Spiritual Life
• Interpersonal Issues in Spiritual Direction: Trauma-Informed Spiritual Direction
• Discernment of Spirits
• Contemplative Prayer Practices
• Growing in Spiritual Maturity: Spiritual Direction through Life Transitions
• Interpersonal Issues in Spiritual Direction: Cross-Cultural Spiritual Direction
• Impediments to Discernment
• Prayer in Creation and the Communion of Saints
• Growing in Spiritual Maturity: Stages of Growth in the Spiritual Life
• Interpersonal Issues in Spiritual Direction: Ethical Guidelines for the Spiritual Director: Sustainability in Ministry
• Freedom, Indifference and Discernment
• Utilizing the Creative Arts in Prayer
• Growing in Spiritual Maturity: Savoring and Resisting Movements of God
• Interpersonal Issues in Spiritual Direction: Boundaries and Power Dynamics

Schedule

Schedule

The program consists of four monthly sessions with one orientation session, held on the second Tuesday of the month (with occasional adjustments). Sessions are from 7:00-9:00 p.m. ET and are conducted online.

Cost

The cost of the program is $200 per semester. Attendance at all four full sessions, plus the orientation session, is required.

Instructors

• Sara Milone: Director of Mission and Ministry at Newton Country Day School of the Sacred Heart, with a background in Jesuit education and advanced certificates in Spirituality Studies and Spiritual Direction Supervision.
• Lisa Hastings: Experienced in the ministry of spiritual direction, with a master's degree in Pastoral Ministry and a Post-Master's Certificate in Spiritual Formation from the Boston College Clough School of Theology and Ministry.
• Maria DiChiappari: Committed member of the Boston College community, serving as Director of the Boston College Neighborhood Center and affiliate pastoral counselor through Campus Ministry, with master's degrees in Higher Education Administration, Theology and Pastoral Ministry, and Mental Health Counseling.

Program Context

The Journey Continues program is part of the Clough School of Theology and Ministry's comprehensive Spirituality Studies Program, which offers advanced degrees in Spirituality Studies, certificate programs, and formation in spiritual direction. Multiple courses are presented each year by a core Spirituality Studies faculty.