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