Are you called to help others grow in their spiritual life but don’t feel like you have the necessary formation?
Over the past several years I have had the distinct pleasure of observing the spiritual mentorship training provided by the Apostles of the Interior Life and the School of Faith under the leadership of Archbishop Naumann in Kansas City, Kansas.
Frankly, although I have been a supporter since I originally learned of this program (even before it emerged), my enthusiasm has only increased with my engagement. In fact, there is little going on in the Catholic world that I am more excited about (with the exception of the Avila Institute).
The Church today is in desperate need of people who know and love their faith, and who can guide and direct others to do the same. If you are one of these people, or if you desire to be, then the AVI Mentorship program could be a life-changing experience for you.
The AVI Spiritual Mentorship Program’s purpose is to:
Form Spiritual Mentors to 
serve as guide and companion to others on their journey to holiness. It is designed for Catholics who have a desire to develop a deep prayer and sacramental life, increase their knowledge of the Catholic faith, grow in the virtues and help others do the same.
If you feel called to be a spiritual mentor (sometimes called a “director”) but have little or no prior formation in this mission, this really is the best place to start.
Because I know I will receive questions about this, with respect to the Avila Institute, our mission is complementary but with a different emphasis.
The Avila Institute’s mission is to:
Provide spiritual education and formation to Catholics around the world who are seeking to deepen their understanding and appropriation of the magisterium faithful mystical and ascetical patrimony of the Catholic Church.
The Institute’s purpose is not specifically to produce spiritual mentors but to form all those who desire to deepen their faith and relationship with God. So, the Institute’s mission is more general in scope. For those who are called to be spiritual directors, you might also see the Institute as a perfect next-step after the AVI Spiritual Mentorship program.
If you feel even partially inclined to help others on their spiritual journey, then both programs will be life-changing for you.
The good news is that the AVI Program is opening their enrollment this month for their May 2015 session which is the beginning of the two year program. Even though this is early enrollment, don’t hesitate because they do have a limited number of seats.
You can learn more about the program by clicking this link here or by going to www.SchoolofFaith.com and then clicking on the Spiritual Mentorship Program link.
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Art for this post about spiritual mentorship: Joseph Langford graphic about encounter, unknown provenance, provided by Dan Burke. Avila Institute Logo, used with permission, all rights reserved. Christus Und Die Samariterin Am Brunnen (Christ And The Samaritan Woman At The Well), Angelika Kauffmann, 1796, PD-US author’s life plus 100 years or less, Wikimedia Commons.
