Description:
The Institute of the Transfiguration is a new initiative of the Archdiocese of Dubuque Adult Faith Formation Office dedicated to providing an opportunity for deepening the spiritual lives of Catholics in the Archdiocese, and also training men and women to serve as Spiritual Directors. This Institute will seek to meet a need for more trained Spiritual Directors to be available to offer spiritual direction in the Archdiocese.
Overview:
The first two-year program will begin in September of 2022. Sessions will take place monthly on Saturdays, with assigned reading and writing to be done in-between. The program will also include multiple retreats. The dates for Year 1 are listed below. Tentatively, the timeframe will be 8:30 AM - 2:30 PM for the Year 1 sessions (timeframe subject to change).
Location:
The monthly, Saturday sessions will take place at Mt. Mercy University in Cedar Rapids.
Cost:
The cost for the program is $800 per person, per year ($1,600 total for both years). This program fee does not include the costs of books, travel, or the Summer 2023 mid-program personal retreat. Payment for each year will be due by the beginning of the program year.
Those who are pursuing this training on behalf of their parish, in order to serve their parish through the ministry of Spiritual Direction, may apply for financial assistance from Archdiocesan Grants, and/or may talk with their pastor to see if parish funds may be available to help offset the program costs. To inquire about Archdiocesan grants, please contact Matt Selby.
Participant Qualifications:
This spiritual formation and Spiritual Director training is most especially for priests, deacons and their wives, faith formation leaders, pastoral associates, and alumni of our Lay Formation and IMPACT Programs. To qualify, individuals must have had some previous formal formation in the Catholic faith (for example, seminary formation, diaconate formation, lay formation, IMPACT, a degree in theology, 5 years+ of ministry experience, or other formation that is comparable).
Expectations of those Accepted into the Program:
The first cohort will be capped at 20-25 participants.
Application:
To apply for the 2022-2024 Institute of the Transfiguration cohort, please complete the application found here: www.dbqarch.org/spiritual-director-training-application
Applications are due by May 1, 2022. You will be notified about whether or not you were accepted into this cohort by June 1, 2022.
In addition to completing the application, you must obtain a letter of recommendation from your Pastor (or PLC), the Superior of your Religious Order, your Spiritual Director, or a letter of suitability from the Vicar General (if you are a priest). Please have these letters sent by email to Matt Selby at m.selby@dbqarch.org by May 1, 2022.
Descriptions and Dates for Year 1 Content and Sessions:
Year 1 - To be Transfigured: Knowing the Lord and His Love
The Institute will offer a one-year program in which participants are given an in-depth introduction to the Christian Spiritual Tradition. This program is a prerequisite to participating in Year 2, the Spiritual Director Training Program, Servants of Transfiguring Love: Helping Others to Know the Lord and His Love.
Program Details:
Opening Retreat - September 16-18, 2022:
Session One - October 15, 2022:
Session Two - November 19, 2022:
Session Three - December 17, 2022:
Session Five - February 18, 2023:
Session Six - March 18, 2023:
Session Seven - April 15, 2023:
Session Eight - May 20, 2023:
Concluding Retreat - Summer 2023
Year 2 - To Be A Servant of Transfiguring Love: Helping Others Know the Lord and His Love
After the To Be Transfigured Program, participants who are accepted into Year 2 - To Be a Servant of Transfiguring Love will begin a one-year program of Spiritual Director training. The one-year training program will consist of the following components:
The end result of the Spiritual Director Training Program will be a certificate in Spiritual Direction from the Archdiocese of Dubuque and Mt. Mercy University, and being listed on the Archdiocesan Spiritual Directors list.