Rev. Thomas Acklin, O.S.B. and Rev. Boniface Hicks, O.S.B. of the Saint Vincent Seminary Institute for Ministry Formation will teach their popular weeklong courses, “Spiritual Direction I: Art of Accompaniment” from May 16-20, 2022 and “Spiritual Direction II: Directing Prayer” from June 13-17, 2022. The courses are part of an 18-credit program in spiritual direction offered by the Seminary IMF, and will be offered both online and in person.
The course is aimed at helping students learn how to help others pray better, grow in their relationships with God and help accompany others on their spiritual journeys to become better Christians.
Father Boniface is director of the Institute for Ministry Formation, and the Seminary’s director of spiritual formation, and programming manager for We Are One Body Catholic Radio. His most recent book is Through the Heart of St. Joseph.
Father Thomas is professor of theology at Saint Vincent Seminary, a psychoanalyst, author of The Passion of the Lamb and The Unchanging Heart of the Priesthood. Both have given retreats nationally and internationally.
Father Boniface and Father Thomas have co-authored two books, Spiritual Direction: A Guide for Sharing the Father’s Love, and Personal Prayer: A Guide to Receiving the Father’s Love.
The Spiritual Direction Formation Program is open to clergy, religious and lay students seeking to help others grow in faith through offering them the one-on-one ministry of spiritual direction. This is a two-year program. The curriculum consists of three major areas of study: spiritual direction dynamics, foundations in theology and psychology, and a mentored practicum.
The program will equip persons for competent leadership in some form of specialized ministry in congregations and other settings. Participation can either be for credit or non-credit. Through this course, students personally develop a strong prayer life through committed practice and, among other objectives, a commitment to life-long learning, rooted in the Word of God and integrated with their spiritual lives.
Founded in 1846, Saint Vincent Seminary is the fourth oldest Roman Catholic Seminary in the United States.
The Institute for Ministry Formation (IMF) is an extension of the Seminary’s commitment to the formation and education of priests, laity, and religious. The Christian life is about service, and service is ministry! Using new technology and traditional methods for learning and gathering, the IMF gathers this community, grows and supports their faith, and helps guide their response to God’s call by forming their hearts and minds.
