On becoming a Spiritual Director...

As friends have asked me to describe my experience becoming a Spiritual Director, the phrase I’ve used most often in response is “coming home”. That theme of feeling at home - in relationship with God, myself, faculty, curricula, and cohort - overwhelmed me for most of the two years of my certification.

During our first session in June 2017, the Director, Susan, invited us to share a symbol of what spiritual direction meant to us. She placed a miniature of Rublev’s icon of the Trinity, others placed items like a candle, flashlight, and various meaningful figurines. To be honest, I’d forgotten about this assignment until fifteen minutes before we began. Rummaging through my luggage, I picked up a hand-knit, yellow tote bag my friend had given me for my birthday this year. When I’d left my house in Connecticut I’d noticed the tote, and on a whim added it to my luggage.