Diocese, FranU to launch spiritual direction training program

A collaborative effort involving the Diocese of Baton Rouge and Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University will allow those wishing to enter formation with the goal of becoming spiritual directors to stay in Baton Rouge for training. The two-year, spiritual direction training program will employ the matrix developed by the Archdiocese of New Orleans more than 30 years ago.  The formation program is scheduled to begin in August 2022, allowing time for those interested to complete several educational and spiritual prerequisites. 
 
“Catholic universities exercise a critical role in shaping and educating professionals in society and in the life of the church,”  Bishop Michael G. Duca said. “This is especially true of FRANU here within the Diocese of Baton Rouge and all of Louisiana.  Our several partnerships with FRANU exhibit our unified resolve to make a positive contribution to Catholic education and healthcare.   I could not be more excited about our continued collaboration.”   
 
Vicar General Father Tom Ranzino said the diocese has benefitted in the past from those individuals desiring to meet with trained spiritual directors, yet there was no formation program in place in Baton Rouge. He said the majority of spiritual directors either attended Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska, or went through the archdiocese’s program. 
But with the demand for spiritual direction burgeoning conversations began to take place regarding the diocese developing its own formation program.  “The exploration of the program possibilities led us to begin a conversation with FranU, given the fact they have a theology program, which is always a prerequisite for a spiritual direction program, ” Father Ranzino said. “The thinking was we might be able to attract a faculty that would contribute to the program’s success.” 
 
FranU theology professor David Whidden said that in early 2020 Father Ranzino and Becky Eldredge, who is an author and spiritual director in Baton Rouge, approached the university about its participation.  “We thought about it and then the pandemic hit,” Whidden said. “At the end of the summer we said let’s pick this up.” Meetings involving Father Ranzino, Eldrege, Whidden, Episcopal Vicar Father Jamin David and Father Paul Gros, co-director of diaconate formation, followed, and it was decided to meet with Sister Dorothy Trosclair OP, director of the Archdiocesan Spirituality Center in New Orleans. Father Ranzino said the spirituality center’s faith formation program is based on Ignatian Spirituality and in fact is a program where he was not only a student but also a lector.  
 
“We went to visit Sister Dot and asked if she would consider opening up a program at FranU and to our wonderful surprise she said yes,” said Father Ranzino.   Whidden said two of the individuals in attendance from the diocese independently realized that rather than creating a new program, they should ask about using the archdiocesan blueprint. “They came to me to talk about it; by the end of the meeting I thought ‘they will be back,’” Sister Dorothy said. “Several weeks later they called me and said they did not want to change the program.” 
 
She said after personal discernment and speaking with Archbishop Gregory M. Aymond, the decision was made to form the tri-collaborative effort. “What’s great about their program is it’s well established in the state,” Whidden said, adding that the classes will be held on the FranU campus. “It’s a wonderful gift.” Sister Dorothy said people from the diocese have been training in New Orleans and said what officials are seeking is its create its own program in Baton Rouge, using the foundation for what has been a good training formation program in the archdiocese. 
 
“Building strong local partnerships promote optimum synergy in our fundamental Christian goal – evangelization,” Father David said. “FranU has been instrumental in assisting the Diocese of Baton Rouge in this call. From the Diaconate Formation Program, the Lay Formation Program, and other new endeavors that are currently being constructed, the local church can be assured that our future is bright as we seek to form servant leaders in our community.  This new partnership that now also includes the Archdiocesan Spirituality Center helps us to continue further this mission.”
 
Father Ranzino said the program is open to anyone who can meet the requirements, do the work, is open to being supervised and recognizes that God is really the spiritual director and the spiritual director person is the facilitator. Additionally that individual must realize God has a relationship with this person long before the person ever meets with the spiritual director or after. “This is not spiritual conversation, this is not therapy, this is not pastoral counseling, this is not group prayer, this is not a retreat,” Father Ranzino said. “This is what is called spiritual direction. “It really asks the question, ‘How do I know God is involved in my life? Where do I look to know that?” 
 
Prerequisites include an individual having basic theology and Scripture classes or a theology degree, has been in spiritual direction for at least one year or longer and have made a 30-day retreat or having gone through the 19th Annotation program, which is a version of the Ignatius spiritual exercise. Typically, it the 19thAnnotation is an eight-10 minute exercise. 
 
Whidden said the theology classes must include study of the New Testament, Old Testament and the sacraments.   “We want them to have the theology classes so we are not teaching them theology but spiritual direction,” he said. Whidden explained those lacking the theology classes can enroll at FranU to complete the theology prerequisites. 
“Our goal is to really be the intellectual center of Catholic life in Baton Rouge,” he said. “I think this is part of it.” 
 
“When people come to us and say ‘this is what we really need in our diocese’ we have to listen and see if we can meet those needs. This is a case where we could afford to do it and want to do it.” 
 
Father Gros said he is hopeful the faithful will prayerfully consider if God is calling them to the ministry of spiritual direction.  “I often tell people that I am constantly being asked to walk with people in their spiritual lives; however, because of other obligations it is difficult for me to say ‘yes’ to everyone who asks,” he said. “This is a great opportunity for our diocese to share in something very much needed in the church today – spiritual direction.” 
 
Sister Dorothy said the next step is for potential interns to attend information meetings to learn more about the prerequisites.  

Information sessions are scheduled Feb. 18 and Feb. 24 at 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. each day. For more information, contact Father Gros at  [email protected].