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Spiritual guidance

Loreto Sisters offer retreats and work in supervision and training of spiritual directors and pastoral leaders. They accompany individuals and communities in prayer through numerous small groups who gather together to explore their relationship with God more deeply.

“I see it [spiritual direction]… as the work of God within the person who has the desire to relate to God in a more intimate way.”
Carina Flaherty ibvm

Spiritual direction and retreat giving have been important in the Loreto IBVM story. In the early 17th century, Mary Ward encouraged appropriate members among her followers to give retreats based on the Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius Loyola.

A number of sisters are trained in spiritual direction in the Ignatian tradition. Some are also involved in training spiritual directors both in Australia and in developing countries, while others offer retreats and spiritual guidance to parents.

Many sisters lead prayer groups and run reflection days. However, the tradition of spiritual direction and retreat giving recommended by Mary Ward has re-emerged in recent decades.

Carina Flaherty ibvm shares…

The work of spiritual direction is actually not our work. I see it more and more as the work of God within the person who has the desire to relate to God in a more intimate way. God issues an invitation to everyone. First, one has to recognise that there is an invitation and then one has to decide, "What am I going to do about this?" I am free to ignore it completely or to answer it. And if I do answer what sort of answer is it going to be? Just enough to get by? Or do I answer with enthusiasm, with the whole of myself, with all my strength?

In “direction” the person tries to describe how s/he is experiencing this call from God and also what God seems to be doing in the relationship. It is a work that often leaves the 'director' amazed and speechless. For me the sign of a "good" spiritual director is when s/he can just sit, say nothing and just listen to what God is doing in and with the person (directee). The main work of the director is not to 'direct', nor give advice, nor give 'homework'. The director just has to listen to what is happening between God and the directee. The hardest part for the director is to allow the person just be where they are with God, and allow God to "move'" them on when the time is right for the person.

This way of spiritual direction (and there are many different ways) is a contemplative approach, the directee is helped by the director to discover where and how God is acting in her/his life, and to respond to this initiative of God. Thus, the aim is facilitating a person's relationship with God. When this relationship begins to blossom the person will realise that God can best solve her/his problems, and be her/his most effective teacher.

Jan Barlow ibvm shares…

For the last thirteen years I have been taking groups of women through the process of “The Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius in Daily Life” , a program for “finding God in the ordinary” or ‘in all things’.

Many women have been involved, mainly Catholic, but some Anglican and/or Uniting Church women, and all agree that this is an excellent way to broaden and deepen their spirituality. Some years ago I guided nine of the original group through the process on a one-to-one basis and four of these women now lead the current group.

I am no longer formally engaged in individual spiritual direction, finding that more people can be reached by working in groups. The members of the groups themselves become a great mutual support and inspiration for each other. They find here what is so often not found anywhere else, namely, a safe and sacred space where prayer and reflection on life can be shared, to the benefit of all.

Along with sisters Maureen Burke ibvm and Marg Armstrong ibvm, I have also given reflection days (or half days) on request from ex-students for our two Sydney schools. These “Busy Women’s Retreats” attract good numbers, and, for these, I enlist the help of another Loreto sister.

In my spare time I ‘write’ Russian icons. It’s a very relaxing and calming pastime and although it requires much discipline, the delight on finishing is wonderful!

Over the years I have been privileged to follow various programs in Ignatian spirituality:

Fons Vitae Institute (South Africa) – a course specifically designed for those engaged in the formation of new members of religious congregations.
Centre of Ignatian Spirituality, Rome - a course in Ignatian Spirituality by means of study of the Life and Spirituality of St Ignatius, the Jesuit Constitutions, and the Spiritual Exercises.
Jesuit Center for Spiritual Growth (Wernersville, USA) - Intensive Summer Staff Associate Program in Spiritual Direction.

Sharing our spirituality

For St Ignatius and Mary Ward, daily life, the ordinary way of doing things, was viewed as the place where God works. For followers of Mary Ward’s Ignatian way, this pattern is central to our identity.

“The Ignatian tradition, interpreted through a woman’s eyes, is our graced heritage. In prayer, Mary Ward was led to see that this was the way God wanted for her Institute”.
IBVM Constitutions Vol i 1.3

Interfaith dialogue

The Circles of Peace has been running for eight years under the leadership of Marg Finlay ibvm. Each month a circle of women has gathered together in Mt Claremont, WA.

The purpose of this gathering has been to address different social justice issues and endeavour to make a difference as peace-makers. Marg says “We have met together with Muslim women and explored our faith and shared values. We have built bridges of respect and friendship with these women”.

Writing

Some of our sisters have used their gifts to write books about scripture, Mary Ward and Ignatian spirituality, prayers and reflections, making our spirituality accessible for lay people.

Margaret Manion ibvm has won international acclaim for her research and teaching in the field of medieval manuscripts. Veronica Brady ibvm and Mary Wright ibvm are also recognised authorities in their respective fields.

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