A Handbook for Spiritual Directors

by Timothy M. Gallagher

Timothy Gallagher has focused his entire adult life to studying and teaching Ignatian spirituality. For decades he has made it the focus of his work to guide spiritual directors in the rich Ignatian discipline which currently is experiencing a remarkable renaissance far beyond the Catholic realm. Out of this work grew the Handbook for Spiritual Directors which will make Fr. Gallagher's extraordinary teaching available to Fr. Gallagher's growing audience around the world. This book helps spiritual directors guide the process of Ignatian discernment in a very practical and yet profoundly spiritual way. Spiritual directors receive few requests more often, and more demanding than that of helping a person discern God's will in life's taxing decisions. With this handbook, Fr. Gallagher has provided the means necessary for responding to and helping with this request. For those spiritual directors trained in Ignatian spirituality this book offers to become an essential companion, and for those who want to learn this form of discernment this book will provide the foundation for understanding and learning this age-old, proven process for discerning the will of God.

Genres: Spirituality

232 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 24, 2017

Reviews

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tremendously helpful for Spiritual direction training. Fr. Gallagher is such a gift to the Church!

[Brian Hohmeier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gallagher's most recent volume is the clearest, most concise and generally most comprehensive basic outline I've read of Ignatius' entire system of discernment and how its different parts fit together in a single process. While I'd recommend his previous books on each set of Ignatius' twin rules of discernment as more readable and more helpful explanations in their own rights, I have no doubt I'll be returning to this monograph frequently. Either as a primer or as a reference to reinforce Ignatius' grammar of discernment, "A Handbook for Spiritual Directors" earns its highly practical, functional title and deserves its spot on any spiritual director's shelf.

[Griselda Puspa · Rating 5 out of 5]

For a long time, I thought about psychology, coaching, art therapist, and spiritual direction as career options. Each gives the opportunity to listen and to engage with a client, but each also has different requirements. At the same time, I explored Carmelite saints' writings, Ignatian spiritual exercises, and Franciscan saints' lives.

Through this book, Father Timothy explains extensively how spiritual directors can apply Ignatian rules of discernment. He gave multiple examples to illustrate his point, and practical checklist for directors in each phase. This book does not replace the Ignatian Spiritual Direction training, nor other spiritual direction courses and certificates. But it does help readers to see the landscape of spiritual direction: it is a journey.

I wouldn't say this book is an introductory book for Ignatian spirituality (you might want to start from daily examen, for example). This book is best for those discerning about spiritual direction, or simply wanting to know more about spiritual discernment.

[Jos Moons · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very clear presentation of various aspects and phases, illustrated with concrete cases.
Disadvantages are its high-church and 'churchy' understanding of spirituality and its too schematic presentation. For example, it is enlightening that a disposition of freedom is required (chapter four), but it is simplistic to state that the discerner are ready to begin to discern once that disposition is acquired (page 52, beginning chapter 5). for it is never fully acquired, as indeed Ignatius of Loyola's repeated plea for freedom implies.

[Mike Jaques · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent writing and clarity. He provides solid explanations and practical examples of discernment.

[Deb Gregory · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent resource for spiritual directors who accompany others through the Ignatian Exercises or important times of discernment.