Religious ministry is a broad and meaningful vocation that offers countless ways to serve others and grow in faith. One of the most profound expressions of ministry is spiritual direction, a practice in which individuals are guided to deepen their relationship with God. Becoming a spiritual director is often a response to a personal calling, one that allows individuals to live out their faith by helping others recognize God’s presence in their lives. While spiritual direction can certainly lead to a fulfilling ministry, it is rooted deeply in a sense of purpose and vocation, rather than merely a career choice.
What Is a Spiritual Director?
A spiritual director is a trained companion who helps individuals discern God’s presence and activity in their lives. Spiritual directors can be laypeople or ordained clergy, but what is essential is their ability to listen deeply and hold space for the Holy Spirit’s guidance. They are neither therapists nor problem-solvers; rather, spiritual directors serve as reflective, prayerful companions who assist people in recognizing and responding to God’s movements in their lives.
While spiritual direction can evolve into a professional practice, it is fundamentally a form of ministry rooted in the Christian tradition, emphasizing relationships with God, the self, others, and all of creation. People seek spiritual direction at various points in their lives, whether they are discerning a religious vocation, navigating a major life transition, or seeking to rebuild or deepen their spiritual lives.
Ultimately, pursuing spiritual direction training is about responding to a calling to serve others and be a vessel for God’s love and guidance. Spiritual directors help individuals cultivate a deeper awareness of God’s presence in their everyday lives, “to listen to God in a new way.” They encourage private prayer, compassionate action, and a greater sense of God’s guidance, while always upholding the dignity and sacredness of each person as a bearer of the divine image (imago Dei). In one-on-one sessions, spiritual directors create a safe, supportive environment where individuals can reflect on God’s movement in their lives and discern their spiritual path with clarity and grace.
Qualities of a Spiritual Director
A spiritual director must possess specific qualities that enable them to guide others in their spiritual journey. These qualities ensure that a spiritual director can foster a safe, trusting environment for people from all walks of life who seek to grow closer to God.
- Deep faith and spiritual maturity: A spiritual director must have a strong personal relationship with God, grounded in prayer and lived faith, which allows them to offer guidance with wisdom and discernment.
- Compassionate listening: Listening with empathy and understanding is at the heart of spiritual direction. The director listens not just to words but to the deeper movements of the heart, helping the directee feel heard and valued.
- Non-judgmental presence: Spiritual direction requires a safe space where individuals feel free to share openly without fear of criticism.
- Discretion and confidentiality: A spiritual director must respect the privacy of the directee, ensuring that everything shared remains confidential to create a trusting and open relationship.
- Humility: The director must humbly recognize that they are not the source of wisdom but a vessel for God’s guidance, always pointing the directee back to God.
- Patience and flexibility: Spiritual direction is a gradual process, requiring patience as the director allows the directee to grow at their own pace and adapts to their unique needs.
- Ability to discern and guide: A spiritual director helps the directee discern the movement of the Holy Spirit, asking reflective questions that lead to greater spiritual awareness.
- Commitment to ongoing formation: A good director continually seeks to deepen their spiritual understanding and emotional health through prayer, study, and supervision.
Catholic vs. General Spiritual Direction
Spiritual direction can take different forms depending on the tradition in which it is rooted. Non-denominational or interfaith spiritual direction is not rooted in any one specific religion, but rather draws from a variety of religious or spiritual practices and is more focused on personal growth, mindfulness, and inner transformation over spiritual formation. There are, however, spiritual directors in nearly every faith tradition, including Catholicism.
Catholic spiritual direction is deeply connected to Catholic theology and emphasizes the sacraments, such as the Eucharist and Reconciliation, as central elements in spiritual growth. It focuses on deepening one’s faith within the context of the Church, encouraging a life that is aligned with Catholic teachings.
The Holy Spirit plays a central role in Catholic spiritual direction, guiding the individual to recognize God’s active presence in their life and fostering a greater awareness of the Spirit’s work in everyday situations. While interfaith directors may acknowledge the Holy Spirit, they often do not place the same level of emphasis on discerning the Holy Spirit’s guidance.
In Catholic spiritual direction, there are specific elements that are often required, particularly when the director is helping individuals discern their path within the Church:
- Supervisory oversight: A supervisor — who can be either an ordained religious leader or a layperson in a Church leadership position — must ensure that the spiritual direction aligns with Church teachings and that the spiritual director’s guidance remains faithful to Catholic doctrine.
- Catholic mystical tradition: Catholic spiritual directors are often well-versed in the writings of saints and mystical figures such as St. Francis of Assisi and St. Teresa of Avila, whose legacies embody deep prayer, contemplation, and a connection to God through the sacraments and the Church.
- Vocational discernment: A primary aspect of Catholic spiritual direction is helping individuals discern their vocational calling, whether to marriage, religious life, or ministry. This discernment is always done in alignment with the teachings of the Catholic Church and its understanding of vocation.
The Franciscan approach to spiritual direction brings a unique focus on seeing God in all of creation. Spiritual directors in this tradition follow the example of St. Francis, which emphasizes humility, simplicity, and care for the poor and marginalized. The Franciscan worldview encourages a deep, incarnational spirituality that sees God’s presence in the ordinary and calls for compassionate service to those in need.
Spiritual Director Salary and Vocational Opportunities
In a professional capacity, the salary for this role can vary widely depending on factors such as experience, location, employer, and whether they work full-time or part-time. On average, spiritual directors employed in the U.S. earn between $36,000 and $107,000 annually, with the mean annual wage estimated at around $66,000 (according to Ziprecruiter — salaries are subject to fluctuation). Directors with more advanced training, a strong reputation, or a larger, independent practice may earn more. However, many spiritual directors serve in part-time or in volunteer roles in nonprofit settings where compensation may be donation-dependent.
Spiritual directors can find opportunities in:
- Churches and parishes
- Religious retreat centers
- Religious orders
- Faith-based nonprofit organizations
- Private practices
Online spiritual direction is also becoming increasingly popular, enabling directors to work with clients across the globe from the comfort of their own homes.
Those called to spiritual direction may explore other vocations, such as spiritual counseling, which blends counseling skills with spiritual guidance; and educational roles, where they teach courses on spirituality or lead workshops. There are also opportunities in social justice and advocacy, where spiritual directors support individuals and communities engaged in service and bring a spiritual perspective to their work.
The Path to Becoming a Spiritual Director
Answering the call to become a spiritual director typically involves a combination of formal education, specialized training, mentorship, and, in some cases, certification.
While formal theological education is not always required to enter this vocation, many aspiring spiritual directors choose to pursue degrees such as a Master of Theological Studies (MTS) or Master of Divinity (MDiv). These degrees deepen the student’s understanding of Scripture, theology, pastoral care, and ethics, all of which are crucial for advising others in matters of spirituality. It’s important to ensure that graduate programs are accredited by the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada (ATS), which ensures quality and recognition in theological education.
In addition to formal education, spiritual direction requires specialized training. Many theological schools and religious communities offer training programs in spiritual direction that typically last between one to three years. These programs include coursework in spiritual theology, ethics, and the art of holy listening, all of which are essential for guiding others through their spiritual journeys with sensitivity and insight.
Mentorship is also a key component of becoming a spiritual director. In a supervised practicum, candidates can receive guidance from experienced spiritual directors who help them integrate theological insights with pastoral sensitivity. This mentorship helps ensure that the emerging director learns how to approach spiritual direction with both spiritual depth and skilled practical care.
Organizations such as Spiritual Directors International (SDI), as well as various denominational bodies, offer ongoing education and professional guidelines, which help directors maintain high standards in their practice and may open doors for professional opportunities. Certification is not universally required, nor is there an official standard for training and formation, but credentials can demonstrate a commitment to the profession.
Spiritual Director Certificate Options
Earning a certificate can enhance a spiritual director’s professional credibility and alignment with best practices in the field. It’s important to understand that the completion of a certificate program does not entitle one to claim professional certification, which indicates that they meet the practicing standards of the profession. The Canadian Council of Professional Certification (CCPC) is the only certifying body in spiritual direction; unless someone is credentialed by CCPC, it is unethical to refer to themselves as a “certified” or “licensed” spiritual director. SDI even discourages the use of credentials, as they vary widely from country to country.
That said, here are just a few of the many certificate programs available through higher education institutions and other organizations:
For those pursuing spiritual direction within the Catholic tradition, some Catholic dioceses or religious orders offer their own certification programs, which align with Catholic teachings and often include additional theological training. This type of program is particularly valuable for those who wish to work within religious communities, assist clergy, or guide those discerning religious vocations.
The Franciscan School of Theology’s accredited, online Master of Theological Studies – Franciscan Theology degree provides a solid academic foundation for those pursuing a structured study of the Catholic faith with a Franciscan context. The curriculum integrates rich theological education with real-world relevance, ensuring that graduates are well-prepared to serve and are equipped to support others in their faith journeys with clarity and confidence.