Spiritual Direction Program

Avila Institute’s Spiritual Direction Program is partnered with Heart of Christ Spiritual Direction Training Program to form spiritual directors.

Students Meet Weekly
Students meet weekly under the tutelage of a professor and prayerfully dive into study – exploring the Christian mysteries in ways ever ancient and ever new.
Open to All
The Spiritual Direction Program is open to any Catholic adult. While some level of catechism or knowledge of the faith would be helpful, it is not required. Lessons and readings are accessible and lucid to all, yet deep, intelligent, and challenging.

Certificate Achievement
Spiritual Direction will take four courses with the Avila Institute before beginning training at Heart of Christ Spiritual Direction Training Program. Students are eligible to apply after the completion of two out of the four courses. Certificates will be issued through Heart of Christ.
Tuition
Courses are six weeks long and are $275 per course (full and partial scholarships are available).

Browse Spiritual Direction Courses

SSF - Foundations of Prayer and Union with God — SSF102 – Foundations of Prayer and Union with God
Dates: TBD

SSF105 Discernment of Spirits — SSF105–Discernment of Spirits
May 29 - July 3, 2024

SSF107 - Breaking the Chains that Bind Us — SSF107 – Breaking the Chains that Bind Us: An Introduction to Moral Theology
Dates: TBD

SSF112 Introduction to Spiritual Direction — SSF112 – Introduction to Spiritual Direction
April 25 - May 30, 2024

Format
All courses are live, online and interactive.
Student Interaction
Students interact live with professors and with other students

Class Time
Students meet once a week for 6 weeks. Each class session is 1 to 2 hours in duration.
Grading
Grading for all Spiritual Direction courses is on a Pass/Fail basis.

Certificate in Spiritual Direction

Avila Institute for Spiritual Formation is collaborating with the Heart of Christ Spiritual Direction Program to offer training in Spiritual Direction for Avila Students.

The program consists of two phases: Phase one with Avila Institute, and Phase two with Heart of Christ. A separate application is required to enter Phase II with the Heart of Christ. This application can be found on Heart of Christ’s website (link) and may be submitted when at least two of the required Avila courses are completed and the spiritual exercises are approved.

Phase I:

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

Foundations of Prayer and Union with God
Discernment of Spirits I
Breaking the Chains that Bind Us: An Introduction to Moral Theology
Introduction to Spiritual Direction

B. The full Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius
(must be approved by the directors of Heart of Christ before beginning them):

The 30-day version, OR
The 19th Annotated version (30-36 weeks)
For further information on approval of the Exercises, contact the directors through: [email protected]

+Note: this requirement takes approximately 9 months to complete and can be
done while taking the Avila courses.

C. Submit an application to Heart of Christ after completing two of the Avila
courses. The application is located on heartofchristspiritualdirection.com.

For more information or to contact Heart of Christ, please click the following link:

Heart of Christ Spiritual Direction Program

Phase II:

Includes onsite classes in June (Friday through Friday) in Ann Arbor, Michigan, twice monthly meetings online from September through May, and onsite classes the following June (Monday through Friday)

June training at Heart of Christ in Ann Arbor, Michigan (Friday-Friday):

Course on Virtues or Advanced prayer
Listening skill presentations and practice
Reflecting techniques
Role playing
Other related topics

Weekly online meetings on Thursdays(Sept-May) focusing on:

Spiritual direction principles and techniques
Listening skills and role play
Training in verbatims
Daily prayer with assigned scripture
Practicum from January through April

The following June training at Heart of Christ in Ann Arbor, Michigan (Monday-Friday):

Course on Virtues or Advanced prayer
Listening skill presentations and practice
Reflecting techniques
Role playing
Other related topics

Spiritual Direction Certificate Costs

Courses with the Avila Institute
$1,100
$275 per course x 4 courses
Courses with Heart of Christ
$1,300
1^st June – $500; Thursday meetings online throughout the year – $400; 2^ndJune – $400; June prices include breakfast and lunch
TOTAL
$2,400