For the past 40 years, the Franciscan Spirituality Center's Spiritual Direction Preparation Program, one of its longest-running programs, has shaped lives by forming men and women to listen deeply, accompany others and nurture spiritual growth.
Steve Spilde, FSC Associate Director/Spiritual Director, describes spiritual direction as three kinds of listening: listening to the Spirit, listening to the directee and the directee listening to themselves. "Oftentimes people hear themselves saying something they've never noticed was in there before," shared Steve.
People seek spiritual direction when they sense "the More," he explained. They may be living their lives, working their careers or tending to relationships, yet find themselves wondering if there is something deeper calling them forward. Sometimes that longing points to a new direction, other times it simply opens space to slow down and listen more closely. "Oftentimes people feel like something is missing," Steve shared. "Spiritual direction gives them a chance to explore what that might be."
For Steve, the Franciscan spirit shapes the program. He recalls Francis' encounter with the leper, a moment when Francis embraced someone who was rejected and, in doing so, faced the parts of himself he had feared. "That story reminds us to welcome the rejected parts of ourselves — both the parts we like and the parts we don't," Steve reflected. "Spiritual direction is one place where people can bring those hidden or difficult parts of themselves into the light and find healing and understanding."
Steve Spilde and Kristina Kaiser speaking during SDPP's fall gathering.
That same Franciscan spirit of welcome and discovery is what drew Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration Meg Earsley to the SDPP in the fall of 2024. When she started the program, she felt that she was stepping into a bit of nervousness and excitement, "I was nervous because it was new, but also hopeful and excited — knowing I'd be learning from such a wise group."
After completing her first year in the three-year program, she noticed how it parallels her journey in religious life. In two years, she will make her final vows as an FSPA and graduate from the SDPP at the same time. "The timing feels really meaningful," explained Sister Meg. Entering during this pivotal stage, she hoped the program would help her accompany others in discovering how deeply loved they are by God.
One of the greatest gifts, she says, has been encountering the Franciscan vision of "thisness," a teaching from Franciscan theologian John Duns Scotus that every created being has unique worth simply by existing. "So every living thing is infinitely, uniquely, crazy and valuable," shared Sister Meg. "This program really speaks to that, because we read different perspectives on spiritual direction rather than focusing on just one way."
The program has also been an invitation for Sister Meg to balance speaking with listening. "If you really want to hear what somebody is saying, you have to be able to listen to them, and listen to them deeply. I feel like I'm connecting more deeply, both in my ministry and in community life. I have more of a connection with my sisters and people to talk to."
As the FSC celebrates 40 years, Sister Meg feels she is carrying forward the story of her Franciscan community. As sisters share nostalgic memories and connections to the FSC from its earliest days, she recognizes her place in the future. Through the SDPP, she is being equipped to become a better listener, to be more present to the world and to continue the intentional work begun by those who came before her.
Top image: Sister Meg Earsley and SDPP participant Tracy Lees during SDPP's fall gathering.
About the Franciscan Spirituality Center
This year, the Franciscan Spirituality Center celebrates its 40th anniversary. Founded in 1983 by the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, the Franciscan Spirituality Center provides programs, retreats and formation rooted in the Franciscan values of hospitality, compassion and care for creation. One of its offerings, the Spiritual Direction Preparation Program, has equipped hundreds of spiritual directors across the country. A new SDPP cohort begins in September 2026. Learn more about the SDPP here.