Having Too Many Spiritual Directors

HAVING TOO MANY SPIRITUAL DIRECTORS   Dear Father John, I recently read something about having too many spiritual directors. Is there such a thing? How many is too many? Is it OK to have more than one? It depends on what you mean by “spiritual director.” Strictly speaking, spiritual direction is an ongoing relationship in which the spiritual director serves as a special guide and companion as we continually strive to discover... Read More

Should I Focus on Jesus and Disengage from the World?

Should I Focus on Jesus and Disengage from the World?   Dear Father John, Because I am called to the Christian life, shouldn't I focus my life around Jesus and disengage myself with the world?   There Is Work to Do IN THE EARLY Church, some fresh Christian converts had the wrong idea of how Christ’s followers were supposed to behave in this world. They focused so much on Jesus’s promise to come again and bring human... Read More

Spiritual Direction Process and Index of Posts

Spiritual Direction Process and Index of Posts Finding, Selecting, and Initiating a Spiritual Direction Relationship How do I find and select a spiritual director? How do I determine if a spiritual director is faithful to the Church? Finding a spiritual director – watch out for confused sheep Faithful priests are too busy… what do I do? How can I find a spiritual director? Concern about seeking out and approaching a spiritual... Read More

Get a Vowel

Get a Vowel You are climbing a mountain, working hard, pushing yourself to fight the fight and finish the race. There are times to relax and let go of a struggle for a while, but there are times to persevere. Right now, you know you have got to keep going in the face of opposition, keep trying in the face of failure, keep hoping in the face of despair. But you can’t. You’re up against something that might seem unimposing to... Read More

Understanding Emotions (Part II of II)

Editor's Note: In Part I, we examined the gift that the emotions are and the categories of emotions. Today we will look at the nine most basic emotions and an example of emotion in action. Here is the question we are considering: Dear Father John, I'm not usually an emotional person. But sometimes, I can get very angry. And, sometimes I am so moved by something at Mass, it brings me to tears. I know we are not supposed to be attached... Read More

Understanding Emotions (Part I of II)

Dear Father John, I'm not usually an emotional person. But sometimes, I can get very angry. And, sometimes I am so moved by something at Mass, it brings me to tears. I know we are not supposed to be attached to things. It seems that the more attached I am to something or someone, the more emotional I get. So, are these emotions bad? Can you help me understand these things called emotions? JESUS SPECIFIES TWO innate powers of the... Read More

What to Do When You Hit the Wall

What to Do When You Hit the Wall Runners know all about breaking through that moment when they ‘hit the wall’ and cannot go another step…but then they do it! Whenever we try to accomplish a goal, make progress in learning, or move forward up a steep hill of some kind, we often hit the wall. We may not be at the end of our physical endurance, but it takes endurance to keep going in the face of interference, defeat, disappointment,... Read More

Spiritual Director or Shrink? How Does One Discern? (Part II of II)

Dear Fathers, Brothers, and Sisters,¨I have long been dealing with a deep sadness and lack of joy in life.  The vortex of emotional suffering seems to revolve around my unanswered prayers for a spouse and romantic love, but when I look at myself honestly I see that I am not selfless enough to have been a good wife.” I pray that the Lord changes my heart, and makes me a better person, and I am trying to curb my faults.  But... Read More

Spiritual Director or Shrink? How Does One Discern? (Part I of II)

Dear Fathers, Brothers, and Sisters, I have long been dealing with a deep sadness and lack of joy in life.  The vortex of emotional suffering seems to revolve around my unanswered prayers for a spouse and romantic love, but when I look at myself honestly I see that I am not selfless enough to have been a good wife. I pray that the Lord changes my heart, and makes me a better person, and I am trying to curb my faults.  But I'm... Read More

Should I be looking for another spiritual director?

Dear Father John, I was wondering if you could give me a bit of perspective. I recently asked a director to help me in my discernment of religious life.  After he agreed I wrote out a summary of the context for my perceived call along with a list of my vices/faults, graces/strengths, etc. The arrangement was that after reading the letter, we would talk, with the idea that I would write emails every week or two, and we would... Read More

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