One of the quiet gems of Redemptorist spirituality is the Hesychia School of Spiritual Direction, housed at the Redemptorist Renewal Center in Tucson, Arizona. The Hesychia School is a four-week formation and discernment program offered once a year at the Center, a gorgeous residential retreat facility adjacent to the Saguaro National Monument West. The school was started by Redemptorist Fr. Tom Santa while he was the Retreat Center Director.

The Hesychia School of Spiritual Direction is an ecumenical, interfaith program designed to provide resources and support for the ministry of spiritual guidance, and to encourage the deepening of the spiritual life of participants. The program focuses on the ancient Christian practice of spiritual direction, adapted and re-envisioned for our time.

Hesychia prepares spiritual directors through in-depth study, peer learning, and spiritual mentoring to serve the growing community of women and men who, from all walks of life and all religious traditions, seek the guidance of the Spirit. The four-week training program prepares people to work as spiritual directors with individuals, groups or organizations. The method is dedicated to listening, observing, reflecting and asking open-ended questions of a “directee” in order to assist in exploring his or her spiritual path. Spiritual direction is taught from a contemplative Christian standpoint for use by the spiritual director in a multi-faith context.

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

Hesychia means “watchful, inner stillness, silence” and offers contemplative study and practice designed to prepare lay professionals, clergy, and the vowed religious for a ministry of spiritual guidance within the diverse context of contemporary life. The heart of the program is contemplative, emphasizing the importance of spiritual study, discernment, and prayer. Its focus is on the experience of a person’s relationship with God, and on fostering this relationship as the foundation of one’s life. The program is offered in spring each year.

The art of Christian spiritual direction traces its roots to the Desert Fathers and Mothers of Egypt, Palestine, Arabia, and Persia. Having left the noise of the cities to live in solitude, and seeking community with like-others, the Desert Elders recognized the need for on-going guidance of the Spirit. Their desire to be attentive to God’s movement in one’s life, and to the inner motivations which lead one closer to or further from Truth, provide for women and men today respite from the demands of modern culture, and restoration of the life of prayer.

The Hesychia vision is to prepare spiritual directors through in-depth study, peer learning, and spiritual mentoring to serve the growing community of women and men who, from all walks of life and all religious traditions, seek the guidance of the Spirit.

ELIGIBILITY & MORE INFORMATION

Classes usually include 15 – 20 participants who feel called to explores the ministry of spiritual guidance and to further their spiritual growth. Participants usually include lay people, clergy, vowed religious, and professionals representing a wide variety of vocation and faith traditions. We expect that applicants will have some general experience in giving and receiving spiritual guidance, and will also have the maturity and life experience necessary to this ministry.

 [http://desertrenewal.org/hesychia-sd-school/]

___________

The Hesychia School of Spiritual Direction is conducted through the Redemptorist Renewal Center in Arizona. For information on next year’s program and dates, please contact Fr. Patrick J. Grile, CSsR. Applications for future sessions are open at this time.