Ann Rodgers, reporter for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, offers an invitation to spiritual seekers: "Ashes, which many Christians will receive on their foreheads today to mark the beginning of Lent, are intended to encourage repentance and renewal. Those who want guidance in that process can turn to spiritual directors. Most clergy aren't spiritual directors and not all spiritual directors are clergy. They have special training in guiding others into a deeper life of prayer and in seeking God's will."

Exploring reasons why a person might seek spiritual direction, and how to locate a spiritual director, Rodgers interviews Sister Ardath C. Blake, HM, an active member of Spiritual Directors International, Liz Ellmann, executive director of Spiritual Directors International, Dr. Susan Muto, and Rev. Graham Standish. Excellent insights about spiritual direction are offered, and include:

"Praying from the heart can be difficult for those raised primarily on memorized prayers." --Sister Ardath C. Blake, HM

"Life-changing events--such as a serious illness--can lead people to seek spiritual direction. And over the past year, job loss has had a similar effect. People are asking, is the work I was doing really my calling?" --Liz Ellmann

"You don't entrust your soul to just anybody, you need to make sure they've got a good background and didn't just go to a summer camp for spiritual directors." --Susan Muto

To read the entire article, click here: "More People Turning to Spiritual Directors: Specialists provide guidance to those seeking deeper faith."

Spiritual Directors International is grateful to reporter Ann Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette for helping to educate everyone about the ministry and service of spiritual direction. Thank you!

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