Deepening Our Engagement

Reflective Practices for Ignatian Spiritual Directors

A Three-Part Series for Ignatian Spiritual Directors

Reflective practices are at the heart of Ignatian spirituality. They are also a key component of an Ignatian spiritual direction practice, cultivating ongoing growth in our ministry of accompaniment while broadening our horizons.

This three-session virtual series, designed for trained spiritual directors and spiritual directors in formation programs, explored the theological, psychosocial, and Ignatian foundations for reflective practices along with the pastoral application of these practices. The sessions addressed ethical considerations such as boundaries and confidentiality as well criteria for effective reflective practitioners. Through deepening engagement with these reflective practices, participants will expanded their knowledge while gaining a greater appreciation for the essential place these reflective practices hold within a spiritual direction ministry.

Session 1

Tuesday, September 17, 2024

This session explored the evolution of reflective practices and emphasized their importance. Participants were invited to experience deep listening and contemplation. After viewing a recorded role play of a spiritual direction session, participants joined in a facilitated conversation to reflect on what they observed as they deepened their engagement through conversation with each other. In order to respect confidentiality, the role play video is not included in the recording.

Materials

Session 2

Tuesday, October 15, 2024

With this recording we are including the inspiring and informative powerpoint presentation that Damian Zynda, Th.D. used during the program. This presentation is intended for your personal use and reflection only. We ask that you not share it with others.

If you are seeking individual or group supervision, you are welcome to complete this Ignatian Spiritual Direction Initiative Supervision request form for a referral.

Along with Damian’s presentation, we are also including links to resources that were mentioned during the session as well as two articles by Ryan Lamothe, Ph.D. for your further consideration of reflective practices:

Materials

Session 3

Tuesday, November 19, 2024

This session focused on the following topics:

  • Ethical Considerations for Reflective Practices

  • Challenges - Getting Stuck and Unstuck in a Session, Encountering Resistance in Supervision

  • Criteria and Readiness for Supervision, Readiness for Being a Supervisor

  • Resources for Continued Growth in Reflective Practices

Materials

Included here are four of the powerpoint presentations offered during Session Three. (These presentations are intended for your personal use and reflection only. We ask you not to share them with others.) 

 Here is a link to a resource that was the focus of the opening prayer:

It is our hope that this program has kindled in you a desire to deepen your engagement with reflective practices, including supervision.  Resources to continue to deepen your engagement are included in the “Resources for Continued Growth” presentation, including:

  • Resources for those interested in receiving individual/group supervision

  • A link to a registration form for trained supervisors who are available to offer individual/group supervision

  • Information about three supervision formation programs that include supervised practicums. One of these is the Certificate in Reflective Practices program at St. Meinrad’s Seminary and School of Theology. Dr. Ryan Lamothe, PhD teaches in this program and Damian Zynda, Th.D. is a supervisor in this program. You can view the program brochure here to learn more.

About the Program Leaders:

Damian Zynda, Th.D., is Director of Mission and Ministry at McQuaid Jesuit in Rochester, NY and the Director of Ignatian Identity at Canisius High School in Buffalo, NY. She received a doctorate in Systematic Theology and Christian Spirituality from the Faculty of Theology at the University of St. Michael’s College, Toronto School of Theology in 2004. She holds Certifications in Spiritual Direction from Loyola House, Guelph, Ontario, Supervision of Spiritual Directors from St. Meinrad’s School of Theology and Advanced Jesuit Studies from Boston College.

 In 2023 she inaugurated the Spiritual Directors Institute, a two-year formation process of theological foundations and practicum in Ignatian spiritual direction and discernment that prepares participants to direct the Spiritual Exercises and facilitate individual andcommunal discernment. Since 2004 Damian has been on faculty in the Christian Spirituality Program at Creighton University where she forms spiritual directors in the Ignatian Tradition.

 Damian is an experienced spiritual and retreat director and supervisor who has directed retreats in Spain, Italy, Canada and across the United States. She is the author of Archbishop Oscar Romero: A Disciple Who Revealed the Glory of God (University of Scranton Press, 2010).

Ryan LaMothe, Ph.D is professor of pastoral care and counseling at St. Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology. He received a Master of Divinity degree from the University of Notre Dame and a doctorate from Vanderbilt University.

In collaboration with others, Ryan developed the Certificate in Supervision Program in Pastoral Care and Homiletics for St. Meinrad’s Continuing Education Department. His past experience includes serving as a Hospital Chaplain at Memorial and St. Joseph's Hospitals, where he supervised ministry students.

Ryan has published ten books, including The Coming Jesus and the Anthropocene Age (2024), Pastoral Care in the Anthropocene Age: Facing a Dire Future Now (2023) and Heresies of the Heart: Developing Emotional Wisdom (2017). He has also published over 200 articles and book reviews and two edited volumes addressing topics in psychoanalysis, psychology of religion, pastoral counseling, pastoral theology, and pastoral political theology.

In 2017, he received a Springer Publishing Award entitled “Transforming the World One Article at a Time.” He has served on three editorial boards of peer-reviewed journals and as president of the Society for Pastoral Theology. Ryan was invited to give the Jacob Neumann lecture at Princeton University in 2022 and the keynote address at the International Association of Practical Theologians conference in 2023.