If you’ve never heard the term “spiritual direction,” you’re not alone. It’s one of the oldest and most powerful practices in the Christian tradition — and also one of the least talked about. But for people navigating questions of faith, purpose, loss, or simply a desire to go deeper, it can be genuinely life-changing.
So what is it, exactly — and how do you know if it’s right for you?
Spiritual Direction: A Simple Definition
Spiritual direction is a one-on-one conversation between you and a trained spiritual director whose sole purpose is to help you notice and respond to God’s presence in your life.
It’s not therapy. It’s not pastoral counseling. It’s not advice-giving.
It’s more like having a wise, attentive companion who helps you slow down, pay attention, and discern what the Spirit is doing in the everyday details of your life — your relationships, your struggles, your longings, your prayer.
The spiritual director doesn’t tell you what to believe or what to do. They ask good questions, listen deeply, and create space for you to hear your own inner wisdom more clearly.
What Happens in a Session?
A typical spiritual direction session lasts about an hour. You’ll have the chance to share what’s been happening in your life — particularly anything that feels spiritually significant, challenging, or alive with meaning.
Your director might ask questions like:
- Where have you felt most like yourself lately?
- What’s been stirring in your prayer?
- Where do you sense resistance — and what do you think that’s about?
There’s no agenda to complete. No homework to review. Just a sacred, unhurried conversation in which you are fully seen and heard.
Sessions at Mary & Joseph Retreat Center are available in-person at our peaceful Rancho Palos Verdes location or via Zoom, making spiritual direction accessible whether you live nearby or across the country.
Who Is Spiritual Direction For?
Spiritual direction is for anyone who wants to pay closer attention to their interior life — regardless of where they are on the spiritual journey.
It tends to be especially meaningful for people who are:
Asking bigger questions. “What is God asking of me right now?” “What is the purpose of this suffering?” “Why does my faith feel hollow lately?” Spiritual direction creates space to sit with those questions without rushing to easy answers.
Going through major life transitions. Career changes, the loss of a loved one, retirement, a shift in relationship status — these moments often carry deep spiritual weight. A spiritual director helps you navigate them with intention.
Experiencing spiritual dryness. If prayer feels empty, faith feels obligatory, or God feels distant, you’re not broken. You may simply be in a new season — and a spiritual director can help you understand it.
Wanting to deepen a contemplative practice. If you’re drawn to meditation, centering prayer, Ignatian spirituality, or lectio divina, a spiritual director can be an invaluable guide.
Feeling called to something and not sure what it is. Discernment — the practice of prayerfully discovering what God is calling you toward — is one of the primary gifts of spiritual direction.
Is Spiritual Direction Catholic? Do I Have to Be Religious?
Mary & Joseph Retreat Center is rooted in the Catholic tradition, and many of our spiritual directors bring deep knowledge of Catholic spirituality and practice. However, our doors — and our spiritual direction services — are open to people of all faith backgrounds and spiritual seekers of every kind.
You don’t need to have a formal religious practice to benefit from spiritual direction. Many people come simply with a sense that there is more to life than what they can see, and a desire to explore that “more” with support.
What Makes a Good Spiritual Director?
At Mary & Joseph Retreat Center, all of our spiritual directors have completed recognized professional certification programs. They are trained in contemplative listening, discernment, and spiritual accompaniment. They bring years of experience and embody the warm hospitality and prayerful spirit that defines our center.
Above all, they are people who take your journey seriously — and who genuinely believe that God is at work in your life, even when it doesn’t feel that way.
Practical Details
- Session length: One hour
- Format: In-person (Rancho Palos Verdes, CA) or Zoom
- Suggested donation: $50–$100 per session
- Frequency: Monthly sessions are common; one-time sessions are also available
- Confidential: Everything shared is held in complete confidence
Curious whether spiritual direction is right for you? We’d love to talk. You can schedule a session with one of our certified spiritual directors — or simply reach out to ask questions. Schedule a session or learn more →
Mary & Joseph Retreat Center | 5300 Crest Road, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275 | (310) 377-4867