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Welcome to Heart of Christ Spiritual Direction

Heart of Christ, in partnership with Avila Institute, offers a two year spiritual direction training program.
 
The program is grounded in Ignatian and Carmelite Spirituality, based on a Catholic worldview, drawing on the wisdom of the Saints with an emphasis on biblical principles and the new evangelization.  It is geared toward equipping interested individuals with tools to guide others spiritually. Each candidate will grow personally as well as learn how to assist others in their spiritual journey toward God.
 
The first year is through Avila Institute, and the second year is with Heart of Christ. Students interested in the program click here or visit the Avila Institute website here for more details about the process of completing the program.
 
To apply, download and complete the application. Note:  This application may be submitted when two of the required Avila courses are completed and the spiritual exercises are approved by the Heart of Christ directors.
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Program Overview

The first year is through Avila Institute, and the second year is through Heart of Christ.
1

Phase 1 - Avila Institute

Four 6-week online courses through the Avila Institute for Spiritual Formation.

Avila Program Details >

2

Spiritual Exercises

  • Complete, supervised experience of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius
  • 30-day or 19th Annotated version
  • Exercises must be pre-approved.  To obtain approval, complete and submit the following form: 

Approval-form-for-the-Exercises

3

Phase 2 - Heart of Christ

  • First June session in Ann Arbor
  • Fall and Winter semester weekly online classes with Heart of Christ
  • Second June session in Ann Arbor

Heart of Christ Program Details >

Is Spiritual Direction for You?

“Behold this Heart which has so loved men that It spared nothing”

The heart of Christ is always beckoning us to come and work “for the fields are ripe for the harvest.” If you are feeling a particular call on your life from the Lord to accompany others on their spiritual journey, consider exploring this program.

New Evangelization

Vatican II proclaimed a universal call to holiness. Pope John Paul II, in his encyclical entitled Novo Millenio Ineunte, called all parishes to become schools of prayer. He challenged us to Duc in Altum – “put out into the deep”. In it he called for a New Evangelization.

Dan Burke - Navigating the Interior Life

"God has chosen to use human instruments to shape, mold, and bring us closer to him. This is because it can be very dangerous to direct oneself; the devil lurks in that ‘blind spot’ and waits to attack; others can see our faults and weaknesses better than we can, and a good director can tell us what’s hiding in our ‘blind spot’."