By Carole Brown

In September of 2021, the Diocese of Rapid City began a new initiative to foster the art of spiritual accompaniment. With the guidance and support of the Alleluia School of Spiritual Direction in Augusta, Georgia, the diocese launched the three-year training program at the Sioux Spiritual Center. Nine students, including two priests, one deacon, one religious sister and five lay people spent two weeks together, gaining practical instruction, learning from the wisdom of the saints, praying and receiving spiritual direction, and sharing the fruits of their contemplation.

This September there are an additional ten spaces available for new students who have discerned a possible charism for the ministry of spiritual direction. The course runs from September 11-24. If there is sufficient interest, program directors will open additional opportunities to take the course. The price of the program is $1400. Some scholarships are available for native students. Certification in Spiritual Direction is available upon completion of the program through the University of Mary in North Dakota.

The process of applying for the program requires the student to provide several references and to complete a number of essay questions. It is expected that those applying for the program are in substantial agreement with the teaching of the Catholic Church. If interested in applying for admission to the Covenant School of Spiritual direction, please visit www.siouxspiritualcenter.org/covenant-school-of-spiritual-direction. For more information, contact Carole Brown at cbrown@diorc.org, or Deacon Greg Sass at gsass@diorc.org.