Sandra M. Schneiders, /HM
The Conlemporary Minislry of Spirilual Direction Tlw desire for spü"ituat direction, wùlespread among Catholics, Ùi often left 1vithout a minwterial response. In an attempt to tw-n the situation around, Sandra Schneùlers unpacks the meaning and p1·ocess of spiritual di1·ection as 10ell as the needed competencies of the Spiritual Director. One of the striking phenomena in the post-conciliar Church is the evident renewal of interest in "spiritual direction" on the part of priests, religions, and laity. In an age characterized by intense social consciousness, serions reserves about authority, and a deep distrust of anything which suggests alienation, this interest can appear regressive and anachronistic. Consequently, before discussing the subject of spiritual direction in itself it might be useful to situate the cmTent interest within the contemporary socio-religious context. THE CONTEXT OF THE SPIRITUAL DIRECTION QUESTION
The interest in spiritual direction (however the term is understood) is pa1-t of a lm·ger cultural phenomenon of our times which might be called the quest for persona! authenticity through interiority. Although this quest has given rise to a ce1-tain amount of bizarre behavior and unrealistic dabbling in the esoteric, it cannat be dismissed as basically misconceived Ol" ephemeral. It is the result of many factors, the analysis of which is outside the scope of this a1-ticle, but among which are a gTowing disaffection with nm-away consumerism, disgust with the poli tics of power, fear of massive structural injustice, 119