The Spiritual Direction Certificate (SDC) Program is offered through Divine Mercy University in collaboration with Regnum Christi.
The Regnum Christi charism is imbued with a rich Christ-centered spirituality that seeks to meet individuals in their life situation and help them become missionary disciples, agents for the Christian transformation of society and culture.
Divine Mercy University has a proven method of developing onsite and online programs that are both academically rigorous and practical for working adults, deeply integrating the latest insights of the human sciences and the Catholic Christian view of the human person.
The goal of the Spiritual Direction Certificate program is to prepare candidates with the requisite dispositions, knowledge of the theological and human sciences, interactions skills, and supervision tools that will enable them to be spiritual directors with the heart and mind of Jesus Christ and in the tradition of the Church’s tried experience. It seeks to respond to the ongoing need for the followers of Jesus Christ to assist one another on their path of becoming ever more faithful disciples of the Lord.
The spiritual direction cert program comprises: 6 courses offered fully online; 2 mandatory residencies of 4 days; three-day Spiritual Exercises; and practicum.
In early October thirteen students from the first cohort of the Spiritual Direction Certificate program attended the initial residency of the program. Over the course of the long weekend (Wednesday evening to Sunday afternoon) students engaged in a series of activities, practices and feedback sessions. They were led in these practices by three faculty members of Divine Mercy University; Drs. Lisa Klewicki, Alexandra Marcotte and Kathleen Musslewhite.
This residency takes place at the end of the third course of the six-course program. Students spent the term delving into topics surrounding the human relating skills that are necessary for effective spiritual direction sessions, especially the idea of creating ‘sacred space’- by being present, validating, and experiencing one’s own humanity. The skills practice has as a foundation Jesus’ own example in His interactions with people, Jesus incarnate modeled the perfect way to relate to others.
A major exercise during the weekend was practicing the skills learned in triads–small groups comprised of a ‘spiritual director,’ ‘directee,’ and an observer to offer outside feedback. Students had positive things to say:
“The residency has been an eye-opening experience, it has been so beautiful to learn from the others: their examples, the way they approach spiritual direction. We all have our own little characteristics showing how we are different, but at the same time, we are all in the hands of God for people. As the days have passed, I have enjoyed every minute more. On this last day it’s going to be hard to leave- we have all learned so much from each other about how to accompany people on their spiritual journey. This process has changed my life in many ways: how to really listen to from my heart and without judgement so to help bring them to God.”
-Begona Naciff, Regnum Christi member
Rich DiMassimo, who also attended the residency said:
“It has been fantastic, a great opportunity for growth. One of the things I noticed from our faculty is that I never felt judged or critiqued- their feedback was always so encouraging and constructive. I could see how much they care about this ministry and how we are being formed. Overall I have left with a great impression. The timing was also perfect, any earlier in the program would have been to early, it fits well after the third course.”
The next scheduled residency will be held at Divine Mercy University in late February.
For more information visit www.sdc-divinemercy.org
