School of Formation

Cultivate your vocation as a spiritual director.

Whether you’re just beginning to explore spiritual direction training or building on decades of experience, find your place on a path that nurtures your charism.

 
 
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Meet With a Spiritual Director
Meet With a Spiritual Director

Monthly

If you haven’t already, begin by meeting with a trained director who can help you notice and nurture God’s invitations in your life, including the invitation to train as a spiritual director.

Apprenticeship in Spiritual Direction (ASD)
Apprenticeship in Spiritual Direction (ASD)

Two-year certificate (24-48 months)

Train at your own pace under a mentor spiritual director with theologically robust, historically rooted curriculum tailored to your schedule, interests and emerging vocation.

19th Annotation Retreat
19th Annotation Retreat

Practicum (8 months)

As a part of your ASD training, experience the Spiritual Exercises retreat in everyday life, with daily prayer and weekly spiritual direction, designed to deepen your intimacy with Christ.

Apprenticeship in the Spiritual Exercises (ASE)
Apprenticeship in the Spiritual Exercises (ASE)

One-year advanced certificate (9 months)

Build on your training and experience as you lead a 19th Annotation retreat with frequent 1:1 supervision and the support of learning community cohort.

Ongoing Supervision
Ongoing Supervision

Quarterly

Continue deepening your formation as a spiritual director by bringing an experienced director alongside you to notice and nurture the Holy Spirit’s work in your practice.

Continuing Education
Continuing Education

As desired

Add new tools and horizons to your practice as a spiritual director with self-paced online courses in theology, advanced techniques and special topics.

 

Apprenticeship in Spiritual Direction

 
 

A flexible training program tailored to your context

Our modular online apprenticeship balances mentorship-driven training with self-paced flexible learning while remaining firmly rooted in the historic monastic tradition.

  • Receive 1:1 mentorship from experienced directors.

  • Begin any time, train at your own pace, and pause when you need to.

  • Tailor your training with electives and special topics.

 
 

Apprenticeship in the Spiritual Exercises

 
 

A high-touch training experience for spiritual directors

The fully online ASE program accompanies and equips certified spiritual directors as they lead a 19th Annotation retreat with 1:1 attention in a cohort community.

  • Dive deep into the text, tradition and method of the Spiritual Exercises.

  • Receive bi-weekly individual mentorship and supervision.

  • Join a collaborative network of alumni/ae qualified to direct the retreat for Order of the Common Life novices.

Audit options may be available for already qualified retreat directors interested in continuing education.

 
 

Supervision & continuing education

 
 

Ongoing paths of practical formation

Development as a spiritual director never stops, and we want to help nurture your vocation over a lifetime—from finding supervision to continuing your education with standalone courses and advanced certificates.

  • Meet one-on-one with a dedicated supervisor, or join a peer supervision group.

  • Expand your theological foundation with courses in the Christian mystics, the Desert Fathers and critical thresholds of formation.

  • Add to your toolbox with training including attachment theory, IFS and trauma-informed spiritual direction (coming soon).

 
 
 

Lean into your vocation.