Rev. Jason Downer, SJ’s Hope for Spiritual Direction
“My hope for spiritual direction is that, regardless of age or point in life, more people recognize that spiritual direction can be a gift. You don’t need to have a full, active prayer life… you don’t need to wait until you have it all figured out. If you have a desire for something more, something deeper with the Lord, spiritual direction is available.
I hope that more people recognize that spiritual direction is a gift rooted in the realty that there is such a need for it now…to meet people where they are, to listen deeply and to accompany them as they journey along the way with the God who is running out to meet them and will never let go.”
This month’s reflection is offered by Rev. Jason Downer, SJ. Father Jason is a Jesuit priest currently missioned to be Superior of the Jesuit Community in Syracuse, NY. He sees spiritual direction as one of the great gifts of his vocation in the Jesuits. He accompanies people for regular monthly spiritual direction, retreats, and through The Spiritual Exercises. He also is one of the instructors for a spiritual direction training course at Loyola University Chicago. Jason is a graduate of Boston College Clough School of Theology and Ministry, Loyola University of Chicago, and Canisius College.
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We’d love to hear about your hope for spiritual direction, too. After listening to the reflection, you can add your hope as a comment by scrolling down.
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