A users' manual for spiritual directors

The Art of Spiritual Direction: A Guide to Ignatian Practice by Jos Moons SJ is a concrete, practical book about spiritual accompaniment. Eschewing abstraction, it resembles a toolbox with a user's manual.

The author devotes a chapter each to the following guides: 'there is no rush', 'listening by following', 'searching for the soul', 'going deeper', 'evaluating', and 'accompanying towards spiritual maturity'. Using concrete examples and case studies, he demonstrates how these tools may be used to good effect.

Two introductory chapters discuss the choice for a practice-oriented book and the core values of an Ignatian approach to spiritual accompaniment. A final chapter specifically focuses on vocational discernment.

New spiritual directors can learn the tricks of the trade from this book, whilst experienced guides and directors can reflect on and incorporate new approaches into their own practice. Although it is written from a Roman Catholic, Jesuit background, this book will have application in a wider variety of Christian settings.

Jos Moons SJ is a Dutch Jesuit priest living and working in Belgium. Combining pastoral work with academia, he is chaplain with the university parish and also lectures at the KU Leuven with a research position at Tilburg University. In addition, he supervises spiritual directors in formation.

The Art of Spiritual Direction: A Guide to Ignatian Practice by Jos Moons SJ is published in Ireland and the UK by Messenger Publications. Priced at €19.95/£18.95

For more information and orders see: www.messenger.ie/product/the-art-of-spiritual-direction-a-guide-to-ignatian-practice/