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The workshop guides participants through a process of discernment. After a careful reflection on the present situation, one learns how to 'frame the discernment question'. Is God calling me to ...............................................?
Then begins a period of praying with the question. There are 4 pre-conditions for discernment: 1. Solitary prayer 2. Desire for the truth 3. Openess to outcome 4. Willingness to wait in patience
After praying with the question for awhile ... there is a sense of God's direction emerging and we gradually experience a consistent drawing towards a particular direction. The YES answer to our discernment question manifests with the fruits of the Spirit- peace, courage, humility, strength, consolation. The NO answer to our discernment question manifests with an experience of turmoil, agitation, desolation, disquiet, anxiety. These signs indicate that this decision/direction is not God's direction for you at this time.
There are 7 signs that indicate a particular direction is in fact coming from God: Consistent recurrence Continuity and discontinuity Confirmation by others The Fruits of the Spirit Peace Continued Questioning Perseverance in living one's spiritual Direction Presenter: Sr. Rosemary O'Toole Fee: $40.00 (includes discernment workbook) RESOURCE: The Way of Spiritual Direction, chapter 8, by Francis Kelly Nemeck and Marie Theresa Coombs, Michael Glazier, 1985. |
School of Prayer
Discernment Workshop
9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
"Give your servant a listening heart so as to be able to discern
between good and evil, for who could govern this people of yours that is so great?"
- 1Kings 3:10