Diocese of Joliet School of Spiritual Direction
through Franciscan University of Steubenville

We are very excited to announce that applications are now being accepted for a new School of Spiritual Direction program in the Diocese of Joliet in conjunction with Franciscan University beginning September 3-17, 2021.  We invite you to prayerfully consider joining our spiritual direction training program to begin accompanying brothers and sisters in Christ on their own journey with our Lord.

A student's spiritual life will be deepened and he/she will be trained to help others encounter Jesus Christ and enter into deeper intimacy with Him.

Through class presentations, praying with sacred Scripture, personal prayer, retreats, supervised skills practice, and other formation, students will grow in self-knowledge and knowledge of God.  Students will develop tools for journeying with others so they can help directees achieve greater intimacy with God.  Online videos from Franciscan University's Catechetical Institute will assist in growing a basic knowledge of theology, philosophy, sacred Scripture, and other disciplines.  Students will also receive training in the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola.

The certification program is a three-year commitment.

The Program Format

The Diocese of Joliet School of Spiritual Direction, through Franciscan University of Steubenville provides certification through the following format:

• Yearly two-week intensive at the Carmelite Spiritual Center in Darien, Illinois
  2021: September 3-17, 2021
  2022: September 2-16, 2022
  2023: September 1-15, 2023
  
• Commit to receiving personal monthly spiritual direction
• Commit to monthly supervision
• Between first and second years, students are asked to make either form of the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises (30-day retreat, 19th Annotation)
• Between second and third years, students will lead one person through either form of the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises

Daily times during the 2021 two-week intensive:

Certification

Upon completion students will be certified by the Diocese of Joliet and Franciscan University of Steubenville to offer individual spiritual direction through affiliating with a parish, a retreat center, a Newman Center, or a ministry sponsored by a religious order or church organization.

Students

The program is best suited for mature Catholics, including priests, religious, deacons, formators, and catechists, and lay faithful, from all backgrounds and experiences.  Perspective students should have the desire not only to grow in their own relationship with Jesus, but also have a desire to walk with others in theirs spiritual journey.

Instructors

Instructors include staff of the Franciscan University of Steubenville's School of Spiritual Direction, with the support from the Diocese of Joliet.

Cost Per Year

Students with Lodging
One-Time Payment (with lodging): $2,850
Subscribe to Installment Plan with PayPal: 5 monthly payments of $570

Students who Commute
One-Time Payment (no lodging): $2,400
Subscribe to Installment Plan with PayPal: 5 monthly payments of $480

**Minimal scholarships may be available.  Some parishes or organizations help students financially in return that spiritual directors will offer their services to the parish/organization.