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What is Spirituality?

Spirituality is the term we use to describe our living relationship with God. Each of us has a unique and personal relationship with God. There are many different Christian traditions but at the heart of each is prayer, which is the fundamental tool by which we nurture our relationship with God.

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What is the purpose of having a spiritual practice?

Any spiritual path should lead to transformation. Developing our engagement in a deep and meaningful way on our faith journey has the possibility to transform our lives.

Some of the ways we can help you in your spirituality - Spirituality Team

To help establish an intimate and personal relationship with God.
To move from ‘saying’ prayers to praying and using reflective practice to listen to God as well as speaking to Him, hence our logo ‘Grounded in Prayer’.
To develop an adult faith in which knowledge of God and knowledge of self become a life long journey.
To address a frequently posed question – ‘What do you mean by a personal relationship with God?’
To support and help people in developing a prayer practice which is sustainable through the challenges of life.
To maintain a network of well trained Spiritual Directors throughout the diocese who can help people to discern where God is working in their lives.

To accompany people on their spiritual journey, the Diocese has developed a spirituality team. The team is made up of ten spiritual companions who initiate and develop projects to support people in their spiritual practice.

Weeks of Accompanied Prayer

We offer five days of one-to-one meetings with a trained prayer guide to help enhance the regular practice of prayer. Each participant in group (10 -35 people) meets privately and confidentially with their prayer guide daily for 45 minutes to explore new ways of praying, help overcome any difficulties that may arise in praying and increase awareness of what
God is inviting us to do and to become.

Ways to develop prayer through scripture, poetry, art, music and by exploring creation are explored.

Following a WAP the team go back over the next weeks and months to nurture Christian Life Community groups at the invitation of the Parish Priest. These are supportive faith sharing groups which meet regularly and are ongoing sometimes for many years. This is a long established Ignatian model.

Available ‘in parish’ or pastoral area or online via zoom.

For more information contact spirituality@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk

Open Door Retreats

An opportunity to undertake a retreat ‘in your daily life’.
A nine-week programme of two hours each week in which groups of up to 10 meet, share and grow in faith and companionship. Sessions led by a trained leader are experiential and based on the Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius of Loyola. Option for ongoing spiritual direction after the retreat.
Available ‘in parish’ or online via ‘zoom’.

For more information contact spirituality@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk

Spiritual Direction

Through the ministry of sacred listening, the Spiritual Director

Accompanies another person to help them to see more clearly how God is working in their life.
Supports that person in their personal growth with God as they live out a deepening relationship with him.

Spiritual Direction is for any adult who wishes to deepen their relationship with God at whatever stage in their life.

Who are our Spiritual Directors?

Spiritual Directors’ may be lay people, clergy or religious. They are people who take nurturing their own spiritual life seriously and will have undertaken specialist training in this area and receive direction themselves.   It is their privilege to welcome those they accompany at whatever stage they are in their journey with God.

Finding a Spiritual Director

Step One         Email:- spiritualdirectorsnetwork@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk

Step Two         A phone conversation will take place to find the best match and take into consideration any preferences

Step Three      Contact is made with a suitable and available Spiritual Director

Step Four        Meeting arranged between potential Director and Directee.

For more information contact spirituality@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk

What we hope to achieve by our support

Personal spiritual growth through the provision of a safe and non judgemental environment, through tailored individual accompaniment  to foster a deep and abiding love of Our Lord.

I have found healing and growth in exploring areas of my life in which I did not recognise or understand where God was.

I have found joy in new ways of praying tailored to me and my life.

A wonderful experience in which I encountered Christ as a friend.

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Do you have any Questions?

Please do be in touch with the team if you have a particular question or need further information about how we can support you.

Contact us at spirituality@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk

Get Involved

Would you like to get involved and support others on their spiritual journey? If so, there are training opportunities, contact spirituality@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk

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