Sacred Presence Spiritual Director Formation Program

While spiritual direction is often considered only for the ordained, those in religious orders, or those who have some special calling nothing could be further from the truth. All are invited to by virtue of our baptism to grow and deepen our relationship with God, to learn to ‘hear His Voice’. Through spiritual direction each person begins this journey of personal growth and encountering God as they actively practice ongoing conversion.

In 2017 Mayslake Ministries discerned a growing need for skilled and well-trained spiritual directors. Recognizing a deep desire within the lay faithful to grow closer to Christ along with the ever-growing demands of life, schedules and technology and the impact on relationships with others and God, the Sacred Presence Program was created.

About the Program

The Sacred Presence program is an intensive ten-month-adult-learning program that provides men and women with the catechetical formation, spiritual formation and training which equipe them with necessary skills to answer God’s call to the ministry of Spiritual Direction, while earning a professional certificate in Spiritual Direction. Through retreats, weekly class instruction, reflective prayer with Scripture, spiritual readings from traditional and contemporary Catholic resources, in-class skills practice, and supervised ‘practice’ spiritual direction sessions, you will develop the spiritual tools and understanding of how to walk with another in this sacred role.
The program is staffed by a team of practicing Mayslake Ministries Spiritual Directors and affiliates who for decades, have accompanied spiritual seekers on their journey to grow closer to God. Our facilitators are skilled in Theology, Sacred Scripture, and the teachings of our Catholic faith and bring a wide range of spirituality: Ignatian, Benedictine, Jesuit and Franciscan.

This program is designed for those who desire to grow spiritually and develop a deeper knowledge of self and intimacy with God.

Program Structure

This program is a VIRTUAL program. All events, retreats, modules and final ceremony are online.

• 2 Day Opening Online Retreat & 1 Mid-Year Online Retreat
• 1 Day Final Retreat and Ceremony
• 6 Formation Modules (Each module meets once a week for 6 weeks)
• Virtual classroom instruction and Guided Independent Study
• Traditional & Contemporary Catholic teaching and resources
• Mastery of 15 Practice Skills
• 120+ hours of Skills Practice
• Affordable Payment Options
• Professional Certification in Spiritual Direction earned in 10 months

2025 – 2026 Retreat & Module Schedule

Module times are Thursdays 7:00-9:30pm CST. Retreat times and dates are as indicated.

Candidates are required to:

• Be in Spiritual Direction. If you are not currently in spiritual direction, please contact Mayslake Ministries and we will assist you in beginning this journey.
• Attend all retreats
• Meet online with cohort to practice skills on assigned Thursday evenings.
• Connect with module facilitators throughout sessions.
• Select a practice directee to journey with throughout the program.
• Complete all Module assignments by deadlines.

Testimonials

A cradle Catholic, I started my journey into the diaconate in 2013 at 51 years of age, having no idea what spiritual direction was. Spiritual direction became part of my diaconate formation program. In time, I realized how spiritual direction is a personal way to further my relationship with Christ, and to understand the man God created me to be, including my own call to become a spiritual director.  The Sacred Presence Formation Program at Mayslake Ministries was more fulfilling and rewarding that anything I could have imagined. In those ten months of formation, I bonded with my classmates and facilitators through shared and honest dialogue, brought to life through the presence of the Holy Spirit.

It is my hope that in my ministry as a deacon, husband, father, and a spiritual director, I can bring others into a relationship with Christ, and through Christ and guided by his Spirit, help individuals to know themselves for the person God created them to be.

— Deacon Rocco Busato (2023)

I am a Catholic priest from India, ministering in the Archdiocese of Chicago. For the past 26 years, I have been enjoying my ministry among the people in India and now in the United States. While busy with sacramental and administrative ministries, I always felt that there was something missing in my ministry. This inner quest increased year after year, and I finally discerned that God was calling me to become a Spiritual Director. The thought of it filled my heart with great peace. The Lord directed me to Mayslake Ministries, and to their Sacred Presence Program for the Formation of Spiritual Directors

The six modules are well-designed and very much to the tune of my soul. The sessions are a blend of reflective and interactive, including readings, presentations, and shared discussions. From my experience of the Sacred Presence program I learned the importance of the other, compassionate listening to the story of another, and an assurance to accompany the other on his/her journey. The skills that I learned in Sacred Presence for this mission are wonderful.

Sacred Presence is a program designed for those who desire an inner thirst to grow spiritually. As the light gives light to another, those trained in the Ministry of Spiritual Direction at Mayslake Ministries, cannot help but shine light for/with the other.  

— Fr. Jesudas Gudime (2023)

"The modules are brilliantly designed, and the course as a whole far exceeded my expectations. The personal spiritual growth aspect was like none other and would be a powerful stand-alone experience. We all, students and teachers, enjoyed the ZOOM platform. Our faith sharing transcended the medium, and offered all of us true companionship with one another."

— Anne H. (2021)