Post on 18-Jan-2016
CONFERENCE SPIRITUAL ADVISOR
Identifying
Orienting
Supporting
WHY THE EMPHASIS?We are walking into a new
millennium!
Divine Providence is at work in the Society - The US Strategic Plan - The Revised Rule - The Beatification of Blessed Frederic and Blessed Rosalie -- Members of the Society are asking for a deeper understanding of their spirituality and history.
Emmanuel Bailly assured the spiritual growth of the early young Vincentians.
The primary purpose of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul –
TO INCREASE THE HOLINESS OF ITS
MEMBERS
“God demands first the heart then
the work”St.Vincent de Paul
Vincentians are called to journey together toward
holiness.
(Rule 2.2)
Time needs to be spent for this
purpose in
conference meetings,
Rule: Part 3,
Statute 7
Members of the Society are united in the same spirit of poverty and sharing. They encourage one another to live a profound spiritual life and a spirit of prayer. For this purpose, the role of a Spiritual Advisor is very important.
Rule: 3.13
Possibilities
Vincentian Family
Members
VINCENTIANS
Deacons, lay pastoral ministers
Diocesan priests, religious
Who should you look for?
Fully immersed in the Vincentian charism (spirituality, values, lives of Saints and Blesseds (or willing to take the time to become immersed).
Knowledge of and commitment to Jesus Christ/Gospels as integral part of Vincentian spirituality
In contact with and comfortable with the world of the poor; willingness to participate in service to needy with fellow Vincentians
Understanding of the place and importance of home visits and conference meetings in personal formation
individuals with an ongoing experience of God; personal witness to his/her own growth and deepening of personal spiritual life
balanced persons who have good common sense
persons capable of being spiritual companion, mentor, friend
persons willing to be committed to the Rule, mission and ministry of the Society
The word Advisor comes for the Latin “assidere” to sit down with someone, to sit beside
LOO
K F
OR
:
•Someone who has a commitment to the value of the laity in the Church
Frederic came to have a strong belief in the LAITY -The secular nature of the
Society – In 1835, he began using the term “the apostleship of
the laity”
•Persons who can foster friendship in conference and with those served
•Persons who can deal with tension, ambiguity
As animator and spiritual facilitator, the Spiritual Advisor:
•Attends the meetings
•Utilizes Society resources (Vincentian Reflections/Serving in Hope) or provides other appropriate scriptural and spiritual readings
•Facilitates reflection of the members and participates in the discussions
•Promotes and respects the wisdom of the members – see Spiritual Advisor Guidelines Section A, D
•Offers guidance, gentle challenges, raises MISSION BASED questions
The Spiritual Advisor cultivates the Vincentian Spirit
The Advisor does not assume members know the Spirit but assures that they do
Realizes that members are called to a preferential option for those who are poor
Refrains from introducing other spiritualities that can confuse or
distract from Vincentian values
Is willing to be formed by the members
The Spiritual Advisor is committed to continuous, ongoing formation
Realizes that the poor make us Vincentians
Assures that activities are always oriented toward the service of the poor
Encourages openness to twinning, self promotion of those served, and advocacy with and for those served
The Spiritual Advisor must be rooted in the Mission
Committed to join with members in the path toward holiness
Promotes Vincentian person-to-person service
Fosters awareness that Vincentians see the face of Christ in those served
Assists building a community of faith rooted in prayer, reflection and service
Embraces all works of charity and justice
Selection and Approval of a Conference Spiritual Advisor -
Spiritual Advisor Guidelines, Part III, APresident, in consultation with pastor, appoints
Persons nominated should be dedicated to his/her spiritual life
Persons should possess required qualities or be willing to learn the meaning and essential features of Vincentian spirituality
Supporting Conference Spiritual Advisors
Assure that the 15 to 20 minutes of the conference meeting for prayer and reflection are available
Provide funds for resources
Provide books on Vincentian saints/blessed, Vincentian spirituality
Responsibilities of Conference Spiritual Advisor –
Spiritual Advisor Guidelines, Part III, B
Lead/delegate opening and closing prayers
Utilize published Society resources or provide appropriate Vincentian or scriptural readings
Insure all meetings are conducted in a spirit of Vincentian friendship
Lead discussion/reflection after each reading
Collaborate with Council Spiritual Advisor in setting up spiritual development programs
Responsibilities of Conference Spiritual Advisor, cont’d.
Communicate and promulgate information obtained from meetings to the conference membership regarding spiritual matters
Suggest resource materials for membership to assist in Vincentian spiritual development
Maintain ongoing communication with pastor or parish administrator
Actively pursue their personal growth into the charism and virtues of the Vincentian vocation.
Selection of District or (Arch)Diocesan Council Spiritual Advisor
Prayerful discernment using the Guidelines for the Spiritual Advisor
Functions
Qualities
Responsibilities
Willingness to learn
An incoming District President may reappoint a Spiritual Advisor
Arch/Diocesan Council Spiritual Advisor
Hopefully a good relationship with the Bishop already exists.
Speak to the Bishop of efforts toward renewal of Vincentian spirit and mission; of desire to have a spiritual advisor that can assist the Council to “grow its members”/offer 2 names.An incoming Arch/Diocesan President may reappoint a Spiritual Advisor
See Spiritual Advisor Guidelines, p 5
Responsibilities of Arch(Diocesan) Council Spiritual Advisor - See Spiritual Advisor Guidelines, p
5Direct liaison and advocate on spiritual matter with bishop
Assist Council President to communicate value, works and needs of Society to local Diocesan administration and parish communities
Seek ways in which Society’s ministry and mission have complementary role in Diocesan programs and social services
Attend regional and national meetings when and where possible
Understand and encourage development of Vincentian spirituality in him/herself and Council members -
Assures that Spiritual Advisors have qualities necessary and appropriate to their role
Co-chairs or collaborates with
Spirituality/Formation/Committee. Spirituality Guidelines, II. B
Organize formation/training sessions and materials for Conference Spiritual Advisors
Frames spiritual portion of Society gatherings. This necessitates attendance and participationGuides Conference Spiritual Advisors in Vincentian Spirituality
Supervises spiritual grown and development of Conferences
Arranges for retreats, days of recollection, Vincentian spiritual study opportunities, celebration of Vincentian feasts
How will these suggestions help resolve your difficulties in finding and forming
spiritual advisors?
Reflection and
Sharing