2026-2028

Spiritual direction is an ancient practice of accompaniment that honors the divine light in each person, helping the seeker to further awaken to the mystery called God in his or her unique and sacred journey. The spiritual direction relationship is grounded in contemplative practice and includes deep and attentive listening for movements of the Holy Spirit in relationship with self, others, and creation.

THE FRANCISCAN SPIRITUAL DIRECTION TRAINING PROGRAM

Our two-year program is inspired by our passion for the ministry of spiritual direction and a commitment to practice this ministry through the lens of Franciscan spirituality. Franciscan values are at the heart of – and woven throughout – this program. We invite students to embrace these as hallmarks of our learning community:

• Prayer and Contemplative practice
• Respect for and Kinship with Creation
• Service to one another and society
• Preferential option for the poor
• Participation in peace- and justice-making
• Humility and simplicity

It is a great joy that we frequently welcome friars and other Shrine staff to join us as guest speakers, and for meals and worship. Throughout the program, students are guided by an experienced teaching team who will welcome them as learning colleagues in an atmosphere of mutual ministry and learning. Emphasis is placed upon the role of the spiritual director as companion rather than leader in helping others to recognize and follow the movements and invitations of Grace in their lives.

A key feature of our program is a one-year supervised practicum in spiritual direction in which students offer direction to two volunteer directees, once a month, for a year. During this year-long practicum, students receive monthly supervision from a teacher/mentor in the program. Students will also develop their working definition and practice describing the ministry of spiritual direction while inviting volunteers to join the practicum, and later, consider how and where they may want to offer spiritual direction after completion of the program. In our studies, we explore in-depth our core topics, which include Self Knowledge, Contemplative Attitude, Practices of Prayer and Silence, Listening and Speaking Skills, the Art of the True Question, Basic Psychological Knowledge, Discernment, Referrals, Professional Ethics, Social Justice, Historical and Biblical Contexts, and Interior Freedom. Additionally, in our second year of study, we explore topics related to common human experiences including Trauma, Grief, and Addiction, and how these may be supported in Spiritual Direction.

ADMISSION

We welcome all with personal experience that includes a practice of daily prayer and at least three to five years experience of being in spiritual direction. Candidates are required to submit a completed application form, secure two letters of recommendation, and to attend a personal interview via Zoom.

Ideal candidates bring life experience that reflects a deep grounding in their relationship with God, have received affirmation of this call from others in their community, and desire an experiential and academic program in a contemporary Christian context while being open to learning from other faith traditions and practices.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

Requirements for graduation include; monthly spiritual direction, attendance and participation in all classes and in-person retreats, required reading, reflection papers, other assignments, class presentations, monthly meetings with two directees and an assigned supervisor beginning the late spring of year one through graduation, and attendance at two weekend retreats in each of the two years of the program (total of four weekend retreats over the course of two years).

A Certificate of Completion will be awarded upon completion of these requirements.

PROGRAM DATES

Year One Class Dates (on Zoom, 9:30-4:00 eastern, unless otherwise indicated)

September 19, 2026
October 16-18, 2026 (Friday-Sunday in-person weekend)
November 21, 2026
December 12, 2026
January 23, 2027
February 20, 2027
March 19-21, 2027 (Friday- Sunday in-person weekend)
April 24, 2027
May 22, 2027

TUITION AND FEES

$50 one-time non-refundable application fee.
$1250 per semester** of each of 4 semesters across the two-year program for a total of $5000 for the two-year program.

Tuition includes two in-person learning retreats each year and one-on-one supervision during the practicum.

Books generally cost less than $100 each semester.

** First semester tuition due by September 10, 2026. Click here to make a payment.

Please Note: A limited number of partial, need-based scholarships are available. Please be in touch to discuss your financial situation for this consideration. We do not want affordability to be a barrier to your faithfulness.

ADMISSIONS PROCESS

To start the admissions process, please complete this online form.

Upon submitting the completed form, we will be in touch with you; then the application form and the form for recommendation letters will be provided to you.

Program contact:

Jennie Isbell Shinn, Director of the Spiritual Direction Training Program

[email protected] or by phone at 857-206-7201.

Franciscan Spiritual Direction Training Program
100 Arch Street, Boston, MA 02110

“Enlightening!” John Barrett

“It has been a life-changing journey.” Cynthia Tokos

“This training has nurtured my call to the ministry of spiritual direction. I am excited to accompany others on their spiritual journey.” Alice Poltorick

“The Spiritual Direction training program at the Shrine has exceeded my already high expectations. I have felt God’s Presence more deeply, grown in knowledge and skills, and found real joy with my classmates in this ministry.” Mary Iannuzzi

LEADERSHIP TEAM

Jennie Isbell Shinn, M.A., M. Div., Program Director ~ Since 2007, I have provided spiritual accompaniment to people through individual and group spiritual direction, adult religious education programs and many kinds of retreats. In addition to these ministries, my current portfolio of work includes providing massage therapy to hospice and oncology patients and service on many committees tasked with discernment support. I have degrees in the humanities and Christian Spirituality, and I love poetry, dreams, praying out loud, embodied practices, and tea. I am a member of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers).

Beverley Fournier, MA, MTS, MDiv. ~ It’s been a blessing to be part of this team at St. Anthony Shrine. I am hopeful that my sound academic foundation, diverse experience in Catholic ministry and education will make this team even stronger than it already is. After I completed the Spiritual Direction Initiative Formation Program (Campion Center, Weston MA, May, 2005), deeply personal spiritual seeds were planted and have since uncovered an unyielding passion to accompany others on their journey of faith. My contemplative heart continues to embrace all that is sacred to me; humility, wisdom, grace, and holiness. Simply put, I cherish the opportunity to share these gifts with our students.

Br. Bob Frazzetta, OFM, M.A. ~ I am a graduate of Fordham University’s Advanced Certificate in Spiritual Direction program with degrees in Religious Studies (Emmanuel College) and Theology (St. Elizabeth University). I taught Music and Theology in schools in East Boston and New Jersey. I am a full-time Spiritual Director, and a member of the Spiritual Direction team.

Elizabeth Woodard, Ph.D. ~ I hold a Ph.D. in systematic and historical theology from the Catholic University of America, a certificate in retreats and spiritual direction from Boston College, and a Master of Divinity and Master of Sacred Music both from Boston University. I am an ecumenist who dreams of reconciliation among Christians. I work in parish ministry, teach theology at the graduate level, and am honored to walk with individuals in their relationships with God. My work as a theologian is complemented by a life in music, as well. I enjoy directing choirs, performing with the Tanglewood Festival Chorus as a singer, and composing sacred music.

Lucretia B. Yaghjian, M.Div., Ph.D. ~ I am a graduate of the Franciscan Spiritual Direction Program at St. Anthony Shrine and joined the FSDP leadership team in 2018. I trained previously in spiritual direction at Weston Jesuit School of Theology where I received the Master of Divinity degree. As a former college professor with a Ph.D. in English Literature, I taught theological writing for 25 years at Weston Jesuit, Boston College, and Episcopal Divinity School, Cambridge, and continue to embrace writing as a spiritual practice. I offer spiritual direction at St. Elizabeth of Hungary Parish, Acton MA, and work with FSDP Year One students at St. Anthony Shrine.