We have:

• Rationale
• Aims and objectives
• Admission Requirements
• Duration
• Distribution of Courses

 Rationale

1.     There is a growing awareness for spiritual guidance in all sectors both in Church and Society. More and more people feel the need to deepen their personal relationship with Jesus Christ, to live the Paschal Mystery in their lives in order to witness to Him and his Gospel in African society.

2.     There is a need to develop human spiritual values and attitudes to achieve a holistic human life. Today more than ever the problem of sectarianism, fundamentalism and the mushrooming of cults indicate the urgency of trained spiritual directors who can guide Christians in their search for God and the meaning of life through formation of faith and conscience.

3.     So far there is not only a shortage of formators but also programmes to prepare people for this specific and delicate ministry.

4.     The initiation of people into the spiritual atmosphere according to African Traditional Religion has been ignored for some time. People have now expressed the need to reclaim their initiation process. The example of many Christians who are converting to non-Christian cults shows the importance of formation programmes that train both laity and clergy to give a solid formation to others as a response to Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation on The Church in Africa. art. 75-76.

5.     The Diploma in Spiritual Direction is very appropriate for persons who are and will be given the responsibility of formation for priests, religious and laity.

Aims and Objectives

1.     To assist students acquire a personal communion with the Trinity and to radiate that life in the Christian community.

2.     To initiate students into the historical development of spiritual direction as a charism at the service of God's people.

3.     To equip students with skills for the ministry of spiritual direction in the context of African countries.

Admission Requirements

1.     Holder of a first degree in Theology or its equivalent from a recognised University or Institution of Higher Learning.

2.     Mature, competent and experienced persons, in responsible positions in the church such as a seminary, religious formation house; diocesan formation co-ordinators with at least three years of experience.

3.     A candidate must present a letter of recommendation from the local Ordinary or Religious Superior and have financial assurance from the sponsor.

4.     A candidate must submit photocopies of all academic transcripts and curriculum vitae.

 Duration

The programme of the Diploma in Spiritual Direction shall extend over a period of one academic year, that is, a period of two semesters of 15 weeks each.

 Distribution of Courses

First Semester

EX-DS 100 Introduction to Spiritual Direction

EX-DS 101 Formative Reading of the Classics

EX-DS 102 Word of God and Spiritual Formation

EX-DS 103 Formative Theory of Personality

EX-DS 104 Liturgy and Spiritual Formation

EX-DS 105 Christian Formation and Life of Prayer

EX-DS 106 Ecclesiology of Fellowship and Service

EX-DS 107 Methodology

Second Semester

EX-DS 200 Various Levels of Spiritual Direction

EX-DS 201 Spiritual Direction According to Various Models of the Church

EX-DS 202 Basic Counselling Skills for Spiritual Directors

EX-DS 203 Spiritual Direction in the Context of African Traditional Religion

EX-DS 204 Spiritual Direction Practicum

EX-DS 205 Retreats and Discernment in Spiritual Direction

EX-DS 206 God's Universal Call to Covenantal Holiness and the People's  Covenantal Response