Spiritual Direction Formation Program

Fairfield University offers a four year certificate program in spiritual direction formation. This program is for adults who sense a call to serve as spiritual directors or who wish to discern that call by means of this program.

We understand the busyness and demands of life today. This program is designed for those whose schedules do not allow time for daytime, evening or weekend class schedules or extended residency periods. Our program provides a one week intensive residency period each year. The rest of the year is spent in distance learning from home accompanied by an assigned faculty advisor.

Program Specifics
The program occurs in four cycles, one for each year of formation. Candidates may enter the program at any cycle.

  • Cycle A - Christ the Word: study of Christology; praying with Scripture; great themes from Scripture; an overview and study of issues related to the process and practice of spiritual direction; practicing direction and the experience of supervision
  • Cycle B - Discernment: study of the process of discernment; dynamics of human growth; ecclesiology, prayer; issues in spiritual direction; supervised practice of spiritual direction
  • Cycle C - Contemplation: study of the concepts of conversion, faith development, Christian anthropology, personality and spirituality; issues in spiritual direction; supervised practice of spiritual direction
  • Cycle D - Discipleship: social justice through Gospel values; history of Christian spirituality, personality and prayer; issues in spiritual direction; supervised practice of spiritual direction

Residency week takes place at St. Francis Springs Prayer Center in Stoneville, NC, just north of Greensboro, on August 25 through August 31, 2013. The application deadline is May 31, 2013.

During the residency, candidates are involved/immersed in the following:

  • Formal classroom sessions, supervised practicum in the practice of spiritual direction, 1/1 supervision and peer supervisory models, daily prayer and reflection through the process of Holy Listening and daily liturgy
  • Daily "Track" meetings with candidates at a similar level of experience, including supervised practicum in the practice of spiritual direction.

For the balance of the year, and from home, candidates are required to:

  • Read 7- 8 articles per quarter (materials provided during residency) for a total of 30 per year; write a 1 page reflection paper on each article
  • Read 5 books (list provided at residency) and write a three page reflection paper on each
  • Submit 2 in-depth self-evaluations per year (5-10 pages each)
  • Meet with your assigned faculty advisor quarterly (via phone)
  • Make a 5-8 day silent, directed retreat annually
  • Remain in the process of spiritual direction

Candidates who begin to sit with individuals in direction are required to do so under supervision and must obtain their own supervisor (faculty may offer recommendations for trained, experienced supervisors outside the program). In addition, the candidate must:

  • Write and submit 8 verbatims per year (Tracks 2 and 3)
  • Meet with their supervisor to review all verbatims; discuss any learning or consultation questions

Candidates practicing spiritual direction under supervision will be evaluated twice each year by their supervisor. The supervisor will review your evaluation with you.

Graduation
Candidates are eligible for one of two certificates:

  • Certificate in Spiritual Direction: for candidates who complete all requirements, including performing direction under supervision and completing all verbatim requirements
  • Certificate in Spirituality: for candidates who discern that they do not have a call to the ministry of spiritual direction but who complete all other requirements of the program

Eligibility Requirements
Candidates for admission to the program must meet the following criteria:

Be a minimum of 30 years of age
Be in spiritual direction for at least one year prior to admission
Be an active member of a faith community
Provide a spiritual autobiography to be submitted as part of the application process
Provide 2 letters of reference

Learn the application process and download the application form

Tuition and Room/Board for 2013

  • Tuition: $1,150 for the year; covers costs for materials provided for study, four faculty advisory meetings, speakers' fees. Tuition is payable in full no later than August 1, 2013. Checks are payable to Fairfield University and should be mailed to the Holy Ground Spirituality Center (see application process for details).
  • Lodging at St. Francis Springs includes sleeping accommodations, meeting rooms, all meals
    • $100 a night for a private room; limited number of private rooms available
    • $80 a night for double occupancy
    • Checks for room/board are payable directly to St. Francis Springs Prayer Center, 477 Grogan Rd., Stoneville, NC, 27048
    • Call (336) 573-3751 to make your lodging accommodations
    • Ground transportation to and from the Greensboro airport can be provided by St. Francis Springs volunteers based on availability; contact St. Francis Springs directly prior to your travel to arrange for transportation

Important Dates
2013 Residency Period: August 25 - 31, 2013
Application Deadline: May 31, 2013

2014 Residency Period: June 21 - 28, 2014
Application Deadline: March 31, 2014

2015 Residency Period: June 20 - 27, 2015*
Application Deadline: March 31, 2015

2016 Residency Period: June 18 - 25, 2016*
Application Deadline: March 31, 2016
*Tentative dates at this time

Program Faculty

Program Director/Faculty Member
Mária M. Decsy, Ph.D
Mária earned a master's degree in spirituality and pastoral ministry from St. Joseph College in West Hartford, a certificate in spiritual direction from the Hartford Archdiocesan Spiritual Life Center and a doctorate in biochemistry from New York University. She is adjunct professor of World Religions and Human Biology and a member of the Retreat Team of Our Lady of Calvary Retreat Center in Farmington, CT.

Faculty
Rev. James Bowler, SJ, M.A., M.Div.
Fr. Jim serves as facilitator for Catholic and Jesuit identity at Fairfield University, following more than 20 years of ministry in the area of spiritual direction as director of Campion Renewal Center, executive director of the National Jesuit Retreat and Renewal Ministries, and as a staff member at the Guelph Center of spirituality in Ontario, where he was responsible for training and supervising spiritual directors in the Ignatian tradition.

Program Coordinators
Eileen Crusan, Spiritual Director, Supervisor, Retreat Guide
Eileen worked for more than 30 years as an HR executive in the health care and financial services industries and graduated from Villa Maria Education and Spirituality Center with a certificate in spiritual direction. She is also a graduate of the Together in the Mystery Program, a supervisory training program affiliated with the San Francisco Theological Seminary. She served as Spiritual Director at St. Matthew parish in Charlotte for 4 years and currently serves as Director of the Holy Ground Spirituality Center, offering spiritual direction for individuals and groups as well as supervision for individual directors and peer groups. She is trained in Ignatian spirituality and offers the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius and guided Ignatian retreats.

Deborah Delano, Spiritual Director, Retreat Guide
Deborah graduated from Villa Maria Education and Spirituality Center with a certificate in spiritual direction and serves as a spiritual director in the Charlotte area.

Please direct any questions you may have about the program to:

Maria Decsy, Ph.D
Eileen Crusan