Who is behind the Program at the Institute for
Catholic Spirituality and Spiritual Direction (ICSSD)?
Catholic Spirituality and Spiritual Direction (ICSSD)?
The ICSSD is led by
international Verbum Dei sisters assigned to Northern California
together with laypeople from the Diocese of Stockton.
OUR MISSION in leading the program is to
support the ministry of spiritual direction
and to further the growth of Catholic spirituality in the area of the
Diocese of Stockton, the greater San Joaquin Valley
and the extended San Francisco Bay-Area.
If you want to know more about the Verbum Dei sisters:
https://verbumdeiusa.org/
Team Members
ICSSD TEAM MEMBERS , 2024 (from left to right) leading the program
Sr. Ellen Hess VDMF, Doctorate in Theology, Certified Spiritual Director and Supervisor.
Wilma Silva, Certified Spiritual Director and Supervisor.
Sr. Gaby Mendez, VDMF MDiv., Certified Spiritual Director and Supervisor.
Sr. Julia D.E. Prinz, VDMF, PhD in Christian Spirituality, Certified Spiritual Director and Supervisor.
Sr. Ellen Hess VDMF, Doctorate in Theology, Certified Spiritual Director and Supervisor.
Wilma Silva, Certified Spiritual Director and Supervisor.
Sr. Gaby Mendez, VDMF MDiv., Certified Spiritual Director and Supervisor.
Sr. Julia D.E. Prinz, VDMF, PhD in Christian Spirituality, Certified Spiritual Director and Supervisor.
History and Characteristic of the ICSSD program
The Institute of Catholic Spirituality and Spiritual Direction (ICSSD) has developed its syllabus during many years of practice. Since 2007 we have developed a theologically grounded, spiritually astute and practice oriented syllabus that is the only bilingual 3-year program in the area.
The program is ideal for people who are interested in personally growing spiritually, wanting to support their community with a service of spiritual accompaniment, who are interested in theological foundations and who would like a greater understanding of cultural sensibilities and possibilities.
The program is ideal for people who are interested in personally growing spiritually, wanting to support their community with a service of spiritual accompaniment, who are interested in theological foundations and who would like a greater understanding of cultural sensibilities and possibilities.
Content of the Program
The first year. . .The spiritual journey, focuses on christian spirituality and theology. It is a process of spiritual and human growth. The students are becoming aware of the many ways God is present and active in each one of us and in our world. They are accompanied in small groups by a member of our leadership team, they are receiving ten theological and spiritual seminars and participate in two retreats throughout the year that connect the theological content with aspects of personal growth.
During this time the students will be reading different classics in the history of Christian spirituality, they will deepen their biblical and theological knowledge and they will receive sessions and support that lead them to more self-knowledge during the year. They will learn to open themselves to the different ways people experience sacredness in historical and current times in the communities surrounding them.
The second year. . . The Call to the Art of Spiritual Direction After the students finished and passed the first year, they now have the foundations to enter into a discernment around the call to the ministry of spiritual direction. The second year will support that process of discernment as the seminars and retreats will be explicitly centered in the ministry of spiritual accompaniment. The program of the second year is focused on issues regarding spiritual direction, on tools to be able to become and remain a spiritual director and it continues to support the personal process of the discerning student. The students will grow in their self-understanding, become more sensitive towards psychological, spiritual and theological material pertaining to conversations in spiritual direction and they will progress in their qualification to become a spiritual director if they are called to that ministry.
The third year. . . This Year is an Intense Year of Practice. The student-directors will have two to four directees during this year and will have a close supervision of their practice. They continue their small group check in, of course with their own personal spiritual director and the supporting seminars and retreats regarding self-care. The student-directors need to be transparent with their directees that they are still learning and can not take any stipend for the sessions, as they are considered training sessions.
Is this program for you?
Are you interested in finding out more about life, faith and your own journey? Would you like to help others while being more qualified? Would you like to see your community grow in spiritual awareness?
These are all good indications that you would greatly benefit from this program.
We look forward to candidates who are willing to join in a journey and pilgrimage that supports and challenges the human-spiritual path they are on. The seminars will require home-work, reflections and in depth soul search. The small group meetings will support the students on their journey as will their personal spiritual director.
We are very aware that the program is for adults that hold multiple responsibilities and so we will NOT over load you with papers and exams. It is much more important to us that you are doing the personal work than that you are producing great powerpoints.
The program is a unique combination of personal growth and the possibility to become a help and support for others. Now might be the time in your life God is inviting you to embark on this journey!
During this time the students will be reading different classics in the history of Christian spirituality, they will deepen their biblical and theological knowledge and they will receive sessions and support that lead them to more self-knowledge during the year. They will learn to open themselves to the different ways people experience sacredness in historical and current times in the communities surrounding them.
The second year. . . The Call to the Art of Spiritual Direction After the students finished and passed the first year, they now have the foundations to enter into a discernment around the call to the ministry of spiritual direction. The second year will support that process of discernment as the seminars and retreats will be explicitly centered in the ministry of spiritual accompaniment. The program of the second year is focused on issues regarding spiritual direction, on tools to be able to become and remain a spiritual director and it continues to support the personal process of the discerning student. The students will grow in their self-understanding, become more sensitive towards psychological, spiritual and theological material pertaining to conversations in spiritual direction and they will progress in their qualification to become a spiritual director if they are called to that ministry.
The third year. . . This Year is an Intense Year of Practice. The student-directors will have two to four directees during this year and will have a close supervision of their practice. They continue their small group check in, of course with their own personal spiritual director and the supporting seminars and retreats regarding self-care. The student-directors need to be transparent with their directees that they are still learning and can not take any stipend for the sessions, as they are considered training sessions.
Is this program for you?
Are you interested in finding out more about life, faith and your own journey? Would you like to help others while being more qualified? Would you like to see your community grow in spiritual awareness?
These are all good indications that you would greatly benefit from this program.
We look forward to candidates who are willing to join in a journey and pilgrimage that supports and challenges the human-spiritual path they are on. The seminars will require home-work, reflections and in depth soul search. The small group meetings will support the students on their journey as will their personal spiritual director.
We are very aware that the program is for adults that hold multiple responsibilities and so we will NOT over load you with papers and exams. It is much more important to us that you are doing the personal work than that you are producing great powerpoints.
The program is a unique combination of personal growth and the possibility to become a help and support for others. Now might be the time in your life God is inviting you to embark on this journey!
Questions? Intrigued by the program? Wanting more information?
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CONTACT us:
info.icssd@gmail.com Verbum Dei sisters: 415-401-5134 Wilma Silva 209-541-7996 | ||||