Taking part in a spiritual direction program was “a journey of growth” for Fr Yon Wiryono SVD, which he says has helped him see the reality of his life through the lens of spirituality and confirmed his call to help others see that reality in their lives, too. Source: In the Word.
Fr Wiryono, who is the Vocations Director for the SVD Australia Province, said the transformative experience of the Siloam Program is already helping him in his ministry and priestly vocation.
“The Siloam course takes its name from the story of Jesus healing a blind man who came to wash in the pool of Siloam,” he said.
“It is a course which has helped me to see life and reality through the lens of spirituality. It has firstly helped me to see myself and through deepening my ‘seeing’, I am called to help others see, in the ministry of spiritual direction.”
The two-year Siloam Program is part of the Heart of Life Centre for Spiritual and Pastoral Formation, an apostolic work of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart in Australia, committed to contemplative spiritual and pastoral formation through its programs, seminars, people and resources.
A discerning, contemplative attitude is integral to all seminars and practical work. Regular reflection, prayer time and a commitment to one’s own spiritual direction are essential to the program which is open to people of all faiths and cultural traditions.
Fr Wiryono said that in undertaking the course, he was introduced to a world he hadn’t really focused on before.
“It turns out that I rediscovered myself and found myself deeply touched and attracted to spirituality,” he said.
“In the two years of this formation, I really feel the call to the ministry of spiritual direction. Looking back, I’m grateful that the lecturers and supervisors at Heart of Life really fostered a discerning, contemplative approach, where myself and fellow students who are spiritual directors-in-formation could become more and more attuned to the movement of God’s Spirit in ourselves and in our directees.”
FULL STORY
Transformative spiritual direction program lays groundwork for Fr Yon to help others (In the Word)
