The Lanteri Center forms Christian men and women in the art and ministry of spiritual direction. The main components of the programs provide our candidates with the intellectual and practical formation they require to accompany other Christians in their journey of transformation in and through Christ. Since the ministry of spiritual direction is more art than science, “more caught than taught,” our formation programs place considerable emphasis on providing practical experience to students. The nature of our approach is essentially an androgogical one with an emphasis on student participation through personal research, readings, papers and informed reaction to the teachers’ input.
Prayer Partnering Program
The first phase of this formation, entitled the Prayer Partnering Program (PPP), is a three-year program which gives our candidates the necessary tools to accompany others in the initial stages of their spiritual growth as a disciple of our Lord Jesus Christ. The program involves a teaching component as well as a practicum which includes role-playing, prayer processing and case studies under the guidance of a staff facilitator. After initial training, the students begin to offer the ministry of prayer-partnering to others under the tutelage of a supervisor.
Daily Life Workshop
The second phase, a two-year Daily Life Workshop (DLW), provides candidates with a theological and practical appreciation for the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola, so they can guide others in the dynamics of the Exercises, especially in the setting of the 19th annotation (Exercises in Daily Life), as well as in an ongoing spiritual direction setting. The philosophical approach to learning is the same as in the Prayer Partnering program.
Persons residing outside of the Denver metro area are eligible for our Summer Residential Program (SRP) for training in both the ministry of spiritual direction and giving the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. The SRP is an intensive program which comprises 10-14 days of training each summer for three summers.
Program Graduates
Are you an alumni of the Lanteri Center? Over the last 15 years, more than 150 men and women have graduated from our Spiritual Director Training Program. We welcome you to stay in touch and connect with and learn from fellow program graduates!
Or, if you’re looking for a spiritual director, we can help you find a trained program graduate in your area. Let us know if you’d like more information so that you can continue your journey closer to God.