Dynamics of the Directed Retreat

Professional Day for Spiritual Directors

Saturday, October 10, 2026, 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

$125 includes lunch
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​About this offering

This Professional Enrichment Day for Spiritual Directors builds upon the skills and experience of both ongoing spiritual direction and making one’s own directed retreat to prepare to give an experience of directed prayer in the 3-8 day directed retreat format. This Enrichment Day will include topics such as:

  • Conversion Cycle: Four Movements in Prayer
  • Fostering the Contemplative / Evocative Approach
  • Centrality of Religious Experience:  Tell me a story about Jesus
  • The Dynamics Operative on a Directed Retreat
  • Operative Assumptions:  God’s Presence in Directing the Prayer of Another
  • The Director of the Directed Retreat
  • Listening to the Prayer of Another
  • Role of Desire in Prayer
  • Bringing Retreat to Closure

Focused on professional development and fostering fellowship among spiritual directors the day will offer communal prayer, presentations from Karen Doyle, SSJ, conversation among participants, and the opportunity for personal reflection time on the grounds.

To sign up for the Enrichment Day please complete this form sharing your background in spiritual direction. Megan Shepherd, Director of Spirituality and Retreats will then send you information on how to register.

​About the presenter

Karen M. Doyle SSJ, D. Min is a Sister of St. Joseph of Philadelphia,  She has been enjoying the ministry of spiritual direction, supervision, formation of spiritual directors, retreat ministry and Ignatian Spirituality for over thirty years.  She has ministered to spiritual directors in the United States, Canada, Philippines, Denmark and Taiwan.