This is an in-depth and intensive training course offered in modular format over the course of 32 teaching days spread over 8 four-day modules in two years. There are also 12 Assignments in the first two years and a required 50 supervised hours of giving Spiritual Direction to be completed by the end of the third year.  It is currently being offered in 2018/2019/2020. Applications opened on 1 July 2017 and closed on the 15 September 2017. We have 45 participants (from three countries, and coming from six of the nine South African provinces) ,  and are unable to accept any late applications at this stage. Our next course will commence in 2021. Applications for the next course will open on 1 July 2020 and close on the 15 September 2020. The dates for the current course are:

  • 25 January – 28 January 2018
  • 12 April – 15 April 2018
  • 16 August – 19 August 2018
  • 15 November – 18 November 2018
  • 07 February – 10 February 2019
  • 16 May – 19 May 2019
  • 15 August- 18 August 2019
  • 31 October – 03 November 2019

To be eligible to apply you must have:

  • Completed Hearts on Fire (or an equivalent)
  • Successfully completed the Prayer Guide Training and Ngihamba NeNkosi or ideally both
  • Been in your own spiritual direction process for at least 2 years
  • Have guided on at least 3 Weeks of Guided Prayer or Tsoseletsas.
  • It is helpful to have made at least one eight-day directed retreat
  • Please note that a selection process applies as we generally have many more applicants than places.

Topics covered include:

  • An in-depth understanding of Ignatian Spirituality
  • The Use of Scripture in Spiritual Direction
  • The History of Christian Spirituality
  • An in-depth study of Ignatian Spirituality
  • Discernment
  • An in-depth study of the Discernment of Spirits
  • Multi-cultural approaches to Spiritual Direction
  • The Distinguishing between spiritual accompaniment and psychological counselling
  • Psychological Issues relevant to spiritual accompaniment (including transference, counter-transference and resistance)
  • Helping People to Pray
  • Working with image of God
  • Effects of Social Media on the Spiritual Life
  • “Wondering” questions
  • Listening Skills for Spiritual Directors
  • Ethics and contracting for Spiritual direction
  • Supervision of Spiritual Directors
  • Many other topics.

Please note: For a full outline of the syllabus or more in-depth information on this course contact Margaret Backwell on m.backwell@jesuitinstitute.org.za