THE INAUGURAL CLASS OF THE

BODY AND SOUL COMPANION SCHOOL OF SPIRITUAL DIRECTION

FALL 2026

I’m about to start a training school approved by the Christian Spiritual Directors Association (CSDA) and would love for others to join me. From 2023 to 2025, I interned with Marty and Sandy Boller, formerly of Sustainable Faith, and have recently gained more experience training and supervising directors through Deepen-Sent Well of NOVO. I had planned to begin last year, but 15 people wanted to go through the Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius, so I postponed. Now, I’m praying for 3-6 people to join me in this new adventure!  Read below for more details. 

YEAR ONE

OVERVIEW – YOUR spiritual formation is the highest priority because “we cannot give what we don’t have.” As we emphasize your formation, this overflows into your companioning of others.

MODULE THEMES

1. Sacred Histories, Sacred Collages, & Sacred Companions
2. Living in the Cycle of Grace & Listening to God and Ourselves
3. Exploring Spiritual Direction & Listening & Responding to Others
4. Communion with God to Overflow of Candlelight Companioning of Others
5. Anatomy of the Soul & Attaching to God

 

READING and VIEWING – There are eight soul-enriching books and three handouts averaging 178 pages of reading per month. Also, you will watch 1.25 hours of video. There are no papers to write after reading. We will discuss the books during our cohort meetings. This way we learn from each other in a collaborative way. 

RECEIVING DIRECTION – This is vital for your formation. I have links to connect you with directors. Some will need to fill out a form if they have not already been vetted and approved in other ways. This is a separate charge for you.

OFFERING DIRECTION – You will begin offering direction right after the first module. CSDA requires a total of 20 hours of direction with two people over the two years of training. This year you will do 10 of those hours. You will be equipped in the process allowing you to jump in with confidence.

SUPERVISION –CSDA requires a total of 10 hours of supervision over the two years of training. You will receive five hours this year. This is done via 1) triads with other trainees during each module training, 2) group supervision, and 3) one private supervision session.

AUDIO RECORDINGS – With permission from your directees and guaranteeing their anonymity, you will record your initial sessions. This will help you evaluate your sessions as you fill out your Contemplative Reflection Form (CRF).

BETWEEN MODULE PRACTICE(S)– We will introduce one to two soul care practices during each module, and you are encouraged to go deeper with them during the time between modules.

SUMMARY REFLECTIONS – You will submit a summary of all the things that occurred between modules one week before our module meeting. This will include just 1-2 sentences regarding 1) receiving direction, 2) offering direction, 3) readings and videos, 4) between module practice(s), 5) How we can pray for you, and 6) questions you want to bring to our next module.

SUMMER INTERIM ACTIVITIES: According to your schedule, you will spend a day of solitude and silence in Jamie Winship’s book, Living Fearless. 

YEAR TWO

OVERVIEW – You will pray through the Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius (12 or 32-week version) and grow in confidence as a spiritual director. You will learn about the importance of self-awareness as a director and choose one of three “specialty tracks” in spiritual direction.

MODULE THEMES

1. The Journey of Faith & the Practicalities of Direction (Beginning of the 32-week group)
2. Deep Dive into Discernment & Ignatian Spirituality
3. Self-Awareness & the Enneagram (Beginning of the 12-week group)
4. Group Spiritual Direction & Specialty Tracks (Cross-Cultural, Children, Enneagram)
5. The On-Going Journey of Formation, Direction, and Supervision

 

READING – You will read 10 books this year averaging about 177 pages per month. Like Year One, there are no papers to write, but we will learn from each other in book discussions during the modules. 

RECEIVING DIRECTION – You will continue to meet with a director until you begin the Spiritual Exercises and meet with an Ignatian-trained director. This is an extra cost to you.

IGNATIAN EXERCISES – You can choose between the 12-week or 32-week versions of the Ignatian Exercises, each involving 30–45 minutes of daily prayer. The full 32-week version runs from Labor Day to three weeks after Easter, with meetings every other week with an Ignatian-trained director—either one hour one-on-one or 1¾ hours in a group. In the 12-week version, you’ll meet with your director weekly. This comes at an additional cost. If you’ve already completed the Exercises before, you don’t need to repeat them unless you wish to.

OFFERING DIRECTION – With the 10 sessions from last year, you will companion two people, totaling 10, 1-hour sessions. Ideally, one of those hours will be a group spiritual direction session. If you choose the cross-cultural or children’s “track,” you will have one session with someone from those populations.

SUPERVISION – You will receive five hours of supervision this year, submitting one Contemplative Reflection Form per module. You will have four group supervisions and one private one.

BETWEEN MODULE PRACTICE(S)– As you pray through the Spiritual Exercises, you will pray through the Examen, Lectio Divina/Imaginative Contemplation, Colloquy, and Journaling daily. You will continue to learn new practices during the modules that you can elect to practice between modules. 

SUMMARY REFLECTIONS – You will submit a summary of all the things that occurred between modules one week before our module meeting as you did for Year One.

Cost: $2000 per year (comparable programs range from $2800-$4500) plus meals, lodging, and transportation if attending an in-person cohort. Both online and in-person cohorts have the added cost of spiritual direction, Ignatian direction during the Spiritual Exercises, and reading materials.

Modules are every other month either two seven-hour days or three four-hour days depending on the people’s time zones. 

Ready to take the next step? Contact Carol Ann Weaver on the Body and Soul Companion website HERE.