My grateful heart beats with a worldwide rhythm of thanks for thousands of people – including YOU - who dreamed, formed, and fostered Spiritual Directors International. Be still and listen to your heartbeat as six hundred kinfolk from six continents gather in San Francisco to celebrate twenty years of kinship during Gratefulness: the Heart of Spiritual Care.

Tune into the rhythm expressed eloquently by Rev. Tilden Edwards, “At the first gathering that led to the formation of Spiritual Directors International twenty years ago, I could not have envisioned the explosive growth and breadth of membership and vision that Spiritual Directors International has experienced. It has become one of the most significant and forward-looking ecumenical and multi-faith spiritual organizations in the world today. Not only does it serve the ongoing education and mutual support of spiritual directors, but it has been connected with the explosive growth of contemplative re-awakening over the same period of time, which offers a unifying ground for the spiritual life beneath many lines of theological interpretation. I’m deeply grateful to God and to the wonderful staff and councils of Spiritual Directors International over the years for the many gifts that have flowed through Spiritual Directors International for the world’s spiritual well being.”

Place your hand on your tender and strong heart, and listen to these words from Sister Joyce Rupp, OSM, “Just as a plant cannot thrive without sunlight, water, and good soil, so I could not thrive without the kinship and support I receive from other spiritual guides. Spiritual Directors International has provided many opportunities for this kinship and is a marvelous help for those of us privileged to accompany others on their journey with the Holy One.”

My grateful heart beats with a worldwide rhythm of thanks for YOU. Humbled and ecstatic, we gather in April prayerfully, virtually, and in person to celebrate YOU, the heart of Spiritual Directors International.

If you would like to send a Gratefulness-gram, expressing your grateful heart for the ministry and service of spiritual direction and for Spiritual Directors International during its twentieth anniversary, simply e-mail 30 words and a digital picture of your radiant, grateful face to membership@sdiworld.org. You may also add comments to this blog entry by choosing to Reply. Your comments are always welcome!