Are You Looking for Spiritual Direction?

Spiritual direction has grown in popularity in recent years, as Church leaders have reasserted its importance in the lives of not just the consecrated and religious, but the laity as well. Speaking in 2011, Pope Benedict XVI recommended that “everyone, in fact, especially those who have heeded the divine call to follow Christ closely, needs to be accompanied personally by a guide reliable in doctrine and expert in the things of God.”

With this in mind and responding to the spiritual needs of both the local and global Church, St. Gabriel the Archangel Parish is pleased to offer our parish ministers and parishioners the opportunity to receive spiritual direction with a qualified director.

Kira Mello, a resident of Cave Creek and a parishioner of St. Gabriel, is a qualified spiritual director, experienced in the Ignatian method of prayer, who will be offering spiritual direction for interested members of our community free of charge. Mrs. Mello received certification as a Spiritual Director through The Cenacle of Our Lady of Divine Providence School of Spiritual Direction in Clearwater, Florida, a highly reputed school in association with Franciscan University of Steubenville. Mrs. Mello also received her Master’s in Theology and Christian Ministry through Franciscan University of Steubenville in 2021.

Am I a candidate for Spiritual Direction? Spiritual direction is recommended for people who are actively seeking God’s will in the midst of their daily life. In spiritual direction, there is a one-on-one conversation about one’s experience of prayer and the spiritual consequences of that experience to living a full, mature Christian life. The true director is the Holy Spirit who helps the trained spiritual director to “hear” what the directee (the one receiving spiritual direction) is truly saying about his/her faith life. Ultimately, as directees grow in their understanding of God’s working in their life, a deeper, more intimate relationship emerges with the Lord, thus producing a spirit which is more docile and surrendered. A directee is encouraged to pray on scripture and spend time with the Lord daily.

If you think you might be interested and a candidate for spiritual direction, please contact Kira Mello directly at 602-329-1252 or call the parish office at 480-595-0883 to set up an initial interview with Kira to establish whether or not spiritual direction is the best fit for your need at this time.