An Upsurge in Demand: The Vocation

AN UPSURGE IN DEMAND The Vocation of Spiritual Direction

Mike Van Vranken, Spiritual Director

TWENTY YEARS AGO, as more and more Americans claimed they were “spiritual but not religious,” many church leaders of all denominations were quick to scoff at such an expression. Unfortunately, many of the faithful understood what these church leaders could not conceive. As life continued to evolve in this new century, people became convinced that religious beliefs were good, holy, and necessary, but unless they are accompanied by conscious lived experiences of God in the world, something was woefully missing. We call these lived experiences our spirituality. So many people were, and still are, seeking God in both the small and large activities of everyday life, with a desire to integrate God’s personal movements in life with their own. Consequently, more and more believers turned to a trained spiritual director for help and guidance. And that trend continues to grow. In the years 2020 and 2021 combined, I was contacted by approximately fifty people looking for a spiritual director. Most were local, but many were from other parts of Louisiana, and some were from other parts of the country. One was even from Canada. As you might correctly assume, if I am being asked for spiritual direction by that many people, so are other spiritual directors being asked in our diocese and beyond. The demand for spiritual direction has been steadily growing since the 1970’s. But today’s growth is quickly advancing. The Archdiocesan Spirituality Center has been training and forming spiritual directors for over 35 years. Most of that training was given in New Orleans with anywhere from 6 to 8 graduates every two years. Now with training, not only in New Orleans, but also Grand Coteau, and Baton Rouge, approximately 25 to 28 new spiritual directors will graduate over the next two years. Yet, with these new encouraging numbers of priests, religious and lay faithful training and graduating, we still are not meeting demand. This is where we all can help. Do you know of anyone who might have the calling of a vocation in spiritual direction? Is that someone a friend or relative? Is it someone you know from church or work? And, even more importantly, is that someone you? From the comfort and convenience of your own home, you are invited to attend a virtual informational meeting on Monday October 10, at 10:00 am or 7:00 pm (your choice) to find out more about the calling and vocation of being a spiritual director. The presenter is Jeanne Burmaster, a trained director, and a staff member of the Archdiocesan Spirituality Center. Please carefully read the following flier for more information. Please don’t pass up this opportunity to serve the church – either by suggesting to someone they might have a calling or realizing the calling might be for you. This can be your own gift to God. Help us identify new spiritual directors for the people of God in our diocese, across our state, and around the country. The flier gives all the information. The presentation is free. The discernment and decisions are between you and God.