StartForgiving.com Step Six: Ask for Directions We’re not the first to make the journey of forgiveness. Those who have gone before us can help us on our way. We should ask directions from such a person. He or she might be a wise and trusted friend, a brother or sister in Christ, a priest, deacon, or other minister, or a professional counselor. God knows we need such help. He may send someone to cross our path, to keep us going on that path. Sometimes they’ll walk alongside us. At other times they’ll push us from behind, or even drag us onward. A spiritual director can support you on your journey to offer the gift of forgiveness to another. Such a person is able to help you see where God is acting in your life, offer you different perspectives, challenge you when you get stuck. Priests, religious sisters and brothers, and lay persons can be spiritual directors. You will find it most helpful if you choose a person who has been trained to offer spiritual direction or who works as a retreat director. One cannot always readily find someone suitable to ask for personal spiritual direction. You might consider making one or more retreats. Retreats are also offered online if you are not able to travel. Religious conferences are also helpful in finding support on your journey. At times you may need the help of a counselor on your journey, or the simple understanding of someone else who has suffered and learned to give forgiveness in their own life may be just what you need. Lastly, a source of support is the reading of the lives of saints and people who in their own lives have suffered much and have offered others forgiveness. Four saints you may consider investigating are St. Rita of Cascia, St. Maria Goretti, St. Edith Stein, and St. Patrick. You might also want to read about Martin Luther King and Ghandi.
StartForgiving Process Step Six. Based on Forgiveness: A Catholic Approach Page 1 StartForgiving.com © Daughters of St. Paul. This can be copied freely. www.pauline.org