The Franciscan Spiritual Center

Join Our Mailing List

What is Spiritual Direction?

St. Francis Spiritual direction is a ministry which fosters an individual's personal, intimate relationship with God. It is assistance given to one person (the directee) by another person (the director) which enables the directee:

to pay more attention to God's presence and activity in her or his life
to become more aware of God's loving desires
to respond with greater freedom to the mystery of this unconditional love.

Why is Spiritual Direction Helpful?

Spiritual direction is helpful because it enables the directee to focus on and to articulate her or his experience of God in the myriad and mysterious ways in which God is present:

in prayer and in the sacred writings of various faith traditions
in people and human relationships
in the natural beauty of creation
in the wonders inherent in the ordinary events of daily life.

In exploring these experiences and the feelings connected with them, the directee can again encounter the mystery of God and God's loving call at even deeper levels.

Who Offers Spiritual Direction?

Spiritual direction is a ministry offered by someone:

who is committed to her or his own ongoing and developing relationship with God
who is called to this ministry by others seeking spiritual guidance
who has been trained in a variety of ways inclusive of spirituality, theology and psychology
who is certified to accompany others in their search for the Holy One.

Sisters Carol Ann Warnke, Carmel Gregg, Mary Lonergan, Mary Jo Chaves, and Guadalupe Median offer Spiritual Direction here at the Franciscan Spiritual Center. Stephen Rastau is also offering Spiritual Direction as an adjunct.

When is Spiritual Direction Appropriate?

Spiritual direction is appropriate for anyone with a personal commitment to prayer, but especially:

when one desires to deepen an already existing relationship with God
when one is experiencing a significant transition or loss
when one's prayer life seems stagnant or "stuck"
when one is discerning critical life choices
when one's vague restlessness leads to a search for something more.

In exploring these experiences and the feelings connected with them, the directee can again encounter the mystery of God and God's loving call at even deeper levels.

Spiritual Directors

Sister Mary Jo Chaves, OSF has been a spiritual direction in the Portland area since 1996. She was trained at the Institute for Spiritual Development in Lafayette, CA in 1995 and has been a Franciscan Sister since 1963. She welcomes a diversity of directees in her practice: Christian and non-Christian; those who belong to mainline churches and those who do not; the young, middle-aged and young at heart; those from differing life styles -- all are welcome in the spiritual companionship she provides for her directees.

Sister Mary Lonergan, OSF

Sister Guadalupe Medina, OSF (in English and Spanish) has been assisting with Group Spiritual Direction sessions.

Sister Carol Ann Warnke, OSF received her spiritual direction training at the Franciscan Spiritual Center in Cincinnati and the Mercy Center in Colorado Springs. She has supplemented her training through the American Academy of Bereavement and the Sacred Art of Living Center in Bend. She has been offering spiritual direction in Spokane, the West Indies, and Portland since the mid-1980's. She holds sacred space inviting the other to attend to sacred stories and questions, exploration, expression and to deepen personal awareness, allow transformation of heart, and rest in divine goodness. She forms spiritual communities with group spiritual direction and offers individuals direction as well.

Stephen Ristau offers spiritual direction at FSC as an independent practitioner with an extensive background in leadership and training in both non-profit and corporate environments. Previously, Stephen served as a family and marriage therapist, and likes to focus on helping baby boomers find purpose in their lives, as well as mentoring men of all ages. He is a trained spiritual director and holds an advanced degree in Human Development and Family Relations. He can be reached at 503-281-4305 or 860-997-8090 or stephenristau@gmail.com.

Cost range for one-hour session: $50

Please call 503-794-8542 or Email Us for more information.

Back to Programs Overview