Even St. John Paul II, before he was ordained, had a spiritual director, said Angie Neumann, a trained spiritual director and parishioner of St. Joseph in West St. Paul.
The future saint’s spiritual director was “just steeped in St. John of the Cross,” she said, referring to the 16th century Spanish Carmelite mystic, and was able to convey some of the richness of that tradition.
Angie Neumann
“And he wasn’t a priest; he was a lay person,” who probably wasn’t formally trained as a spiritual director, she added.
Neumann recently discussed spiritual direction and its benefits with Patrick Conley for an episode of “Practicing Catholic” that debuts 9 p.m. Feb. 4 on Relevant Radio 1330 AM. Neumann attended the School of Spiritual Direction run by the Marian Servants of Our Lady of Divine Providence in Clearwater, Florida. She has had “wonderful spiritual direction” from priests, but her current adviser is a lay woman, Neumann said.
“Sometimes just to have the same gender can be helpful,” she said.
The main goal of spiritual direction is growing in holiness, becoming one with the Lord and conforming to Christ, Neumann said.
“The end of spiritual direction is ‘how do I be my best version of myself, who God has written me to be for all eternity? How do I fulfill my life mission? How do I discover my life mission? … And how do I take as many people with me … as possible?’”
St. Teresa of Avila delineated three qualities essential to a “solid” spiritual director, Neumann said: someone who is knowledgeable and understanding, has practical experience and is a person of prayer, discernment and holiness.
The parish priest is “the default spiritual director” for parishioners, but not all are drawn to or have the gifts for that type of ministry, Neumann said. It’s a huge blessing when parish priests have people within their parish who can serve as a spiritual director, she said.
To hear Neumann’s advice on finding a spiritual director and whether people are expected to pay them, and to listen to the full interview, tune into this episode of the “Practicing Catholic.” It also airs 1 p.m. Feb. 5 and 2 p.m. Feb. 6 on Relevant Radio.
Produced by Relevant Radio and the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, the latest show also includes interviews with Mary Ann Kuharski, director of Prolife Across America, who describes the effects of abortion on women and how individuals can offer support before women turn to the procedure; and Chorbishop Sharbel Maroun of St. Maron’s Church in northeast Minneapolis, who reminds listeners of Maronite traditions and gives an update on what’s happening at St. Maron.
Listen to all of the interviews after they have aired at
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