Fran Francis | The new books shaping our formation of spiritual directors.
Emerging voices, new books.
Is time to refresh your practice?
Fran Francis is the Kaiwhakahaere (National Co-ordinator) of the SGM Spiritual Directors Formation Programme. Collaborating with God in developing spiritual direction skills in others is fabulous, creative work and a great privilege which she enjoys enormously. You can contact Fran at fran.francis@sgm.org.nz. Want to become a spiritual director? Learn more here.
Fran Francis
SDFP National Coordinator
Kia Ora Spiritual Directors of Aotearoa,
I thought you’d be interested to know about our recently updated Book List for the Spiritual Directors Formation Programme (SDFP).
Whether you completed your formation with SGM three or thirty years ago, I think you’ll find something here to enrich your practice!
I’ve been conscious of the need to update the readings for the SDFP for a while, but until now no authors, in my humble opinion, were up to the mark of the likes of Barry and Connolly, Kenneth Leech et al. While these writers are excellent and their insights on the practice of spiritual direction are profound there are now fresh voices who express similar things in a more accessible way.
The Spiritual Directors Formation Programme is flavoured by visionaries who brought it into being over thirty years ago. (I am so grateful to them!)
As we update our modules, I am in awe of the capacity of this framework to hold and flex with the growth and deepening we are embracing with regard to indigenous wisdom, gender, culture and justice to name just a few areas!
The SDFP continues to evolve, and so do you!
So why not read one or two of the new books we are weaving into our formation programme? (see below) They represent emerging voices and are worth paying attention to.
In case you’re wondering, it’s not simply a case of “out with the old and in with the new.” We are weaving past, present and emerging voices from the contemplative movement into the programme. Barry and Connolly will still be name-checked throughout the SDFP and William Barry’s 2020 book Experiencing God in the Ordinary has been added.
I’ve also privileged New Zealand voices where possible. The Lost Art of Meditation - (thank you, Sheila for writing this book), continues to transform the prayer lives of our participants and Sue Pickerings’ Spiritual Direction: A Practical Introduction is on the list.
I hope you find some gems (old or new!) on the 2023 SDFP Book List to inspire and renew you in your practice as a spiritual director. All texts are available as e-books on Amazon Kindle. Amazon has a free downloadable version of Kindle so you can purchase and read your books on your computer or phone without having to purchase a Kindle device.
We are in good heart as we do this mahi, knowing these updates will support spiritual directors to respond to the changing tides of our times with faith, wisdom and skill.
Happy reading!
Spiritual Direction 101: The Basics of Spiritual Guidance
By Teresa Blythe
Teresa Blythe has a wonderful checklist in her excellent primer Spiritual Direction 101 titled “Am I doing spiritual direction?” which we have already used to good and encouraging effect with our Year 2’s in the Spiritual Directors Formation Programme.”
Starting Spiritual Direction.
A Guide to Getting Ready, Feeling Safe, and Getting the Most Out of Your Sessions
By John R Mabry
John Mabry has done a brilliant job in his book Starting Spiritual Direction which will help our participants and also our own directees when they first come to direction.
Kaleidoscope: Broadening the Palette in the Art of Spiritual Direction
Edited by Ineda Pearl Adesanya
I have included on the new book list the insights of spiritual directors of colour. I want to amplify the non-dominant voices so we can all hear them. It really is “broadening the palette” so that voices of colour are heard, primarily, to encourage and teach our spiritual directors of colour but the benefit flows to all as we are enriched by their wisdom.
Art and Faith: A Theology of Making
By Makoto Fujimara
Our books from spiritual directors of colour include this book on art and theology by Makoto Fujimara, exploring the often overlooked role of creativity and play in the spiritual life.
Experiencing God in the Ordinary
By William A. Barry SJ
William Barry published this wonderful book in April 2020, and died later that year. He writes about contemplative prayer and finding God in the ordinary with practical prayer exercises to engage in, a nice addition to the spiritual formation inherent in the SDFP.