The Art of Discernment

Catalog description

Taught by SFTS. This course treats the theory and practice of personal discernment. It is designed to acquaint the learner with skills for their own discernment, but also assists in/accompany the discernment of others. It will serve those in preparation for a variety of spiritual care ministries, and is required for the Diploma in the Art of Spiritual Direction. Participants will discern an area of their own choosing in their personal lives, participate in contemplative listening dyads, serve as spiritual companions involved in each other's discernment and function as members of a discerning group during the week-long intensive. Prior to arrival, participants are expected to read at least three of the required books and to prepare a draft paper of about 6 pages in length covering the theoretical aspects raised in the readings. They will demonstrate learning during the intensive by revising the draft paper and also by preparing an additional paper of about 6 pages demonstrating the accompaniment of another person who could be a directee (preferred for DASD), parishioner, colleague, friend. Limited to SFTS students only. Class meets daily, 1/14/19-1/18/19, from 8:45am-5:00pm, at SFTS.