Spiritual direction is a one-on-one conversation between director and directee in some quiet, private setting. The focus of the meetings is the directee's relationship with God within all aspects of life.
Questions?
Ellen Modica
617-552-4665
ellen.modica@bc.edu
What is Spiritual Direction?
Spiritual Direction is an on-going relationship between a "directee" (person seeking direction) or "retreatant" (person making a retreat) and a "director" (qualified person giving guidance) to discuss the directee's spiritual life. Through conversation and reflection, the directee becomes more attuned to God's presence in their life, and can respond more fully to God in all areas of their life.
Spiritual Companion is a term that some directors prefer to use when their life and work experience makes them a valuable conversation partner but they may not have spent time in specific training. Spiritual Direction at Boston College is open to both students and employees.
Sessions typically last from 30 minutes to an hour. Spiritual direction can take place either in the context of a retreat or in regular, everyday life on an ongoing basis - in which case meeting frequency is usually about once a month. The directee leads the direction of the conversation.
The directee assumes responsibility for their life with God, working to incorporate some form of intentional reflection on their relationship with God. This may or may not include an experience or practice of some form of prayer, understanding that "prayer" can take various forms (formal and informal, e.g.). During the meeting, director and directee seek to enter into a prayerful atmosphere where together they can be attentive to the movement of the Holy Spirit in the directee's life.
There are many people at Boston College who are qualified spiritual directors - lay people, Jesuits, and those in other religious orders. If you are interested in spiritual direction, please register through the link below. Please contact Ellen Modica or (617) 552-4665 with any questions.
Spiritual Direction FAQ
The director may listen, question, challenge, and support the directee, and may suggest methods and specific content of prayer. Ultimately the directee must own whatever insights they uncover or course of action they decide to take; the director is a facilitator in the process, and the directee must claim the journey.
Given the intimate nature of spiritual direction, the relationship and personal dynamic between the director and directee is paramout, and must be comfortable for each. This may take a few sessions to decide on. It is important that a directee feels free to seek out a new director if they are not ultimately comfortable with the dynamic.
In contrast with therapy/counseling, spiritual direction/companioning is fundamentally concerned with a person's relationship with God: with recognizing and responding to God in regular, ongoing, daily life as well as in the midst of specific issues of struggle or disorder. Therapy is not necessarily or fundamentally concerned with a person's relationship with God. Problem solving is not the primary focus of spiritual direction, whereas it can be in therapy. A spiritual director or companion may refer a directee to counseling if appropriate.
If you are not a student or employee of Boston College but are looking for a spiritual director, these additional resources may be helpful:
- Glastonbury Abbey
- Office of Ignatian Spirituality
- Sisters of St. Joseph of Boston
- Spiritual Directors International
- St. Ignatius of Loyola, Chestnut Hill;
Kathy Maher, Spiritual Life Coordinator - 617-552-6117
Registration for the upcoming academic year will open on August 25, 2025.