Spiritual direction or accompaniment

What is spiritual direction?

Spiritual direction is a way of meeting with someone — a spiritual director or guide — to share your thoughts and reflections about your faith. You may experience spiritual direction while on retreat. You may also meet with a spiritual director regularly throughout the year. You will usually meet with your spiritual director every 6—8 weeks for about an hour.

Who is a spiritual director?

A spiritual director or companion is someone who has specific skills in: listening; helping you to reflect more deeply about your faith journey; helping you to reflect on your relationship with God.

Many spiritual directors have received specific training in spiritual direction. Spiritual directors represent a wide variety of ages, denominations and traditions. They may be ordained, from a religious order or they may be a lay person (not ordained).

The choice of who you meet with as your spiritual director is up to you. The most important thing is to find a spiritual director with whom you feel comfortable. 

Who is spiritual direction for?

Spiritual direction is open to anyone wishing to explore their faith journey. There are no expectations or special requirements, just an interest in sharing your story with another person.

Is there a charge for spiritual direction?

Directors may ask for a donation for their time and suggest a suitable fee. Concessions are usually made for unwaged.

How might I become a spiritual director?

All of the directors on our list have undergone training in spiritual direction or accompaniment. If you wish to undertake the necessary training please consult this list of courses courtesy of the Retreat Association (Kent on p.6 and London on p.8).

I am a spiritual director. How can I join your list?

All spiritual directors who wish to join the Southwark diocesan list should contact spirituality@rcaos.org.uk. We can only accept qualified directors.  

How do I find a spiritual director? 

If you would like to find a spiritual director in the Archdiocese of Southwark or have any further questions about it, please contact us by email or by using the form below.

If you would like to download a copy of our flyer on Spiritual Direction and Accompaniment, please click here.

Spiritual Direction Training Programme at The Friars, Aylesford

For more information on this new course, you can contact the team via their Facebook page.