Spiritual Guidance
“Listen and attend with the ear of your heart.”
-Saint Benedict of Nursia
Spiritual guidance offers a faith-centered and confidential conversation in which you can become more attuned to God’s presence. You might come to spiritual guidance to reflect deeply on your experiences or to integrate spirituality into your daily life. Spiritual guidance is helpful at times of transition, loss or disillusionment.
Spiritual guides are nonjudgmental. They are trained and experienced in helping others with their spiritual lives. Distinct from counseling, the goal of spiritual guidance is not to solve life’s problems, but rather to increase awareness of how God is already active in an individual’s life.
Before engaging a spiritual guide, it is helpful to reflect on your expectations for the experience:
• Is it essential that your guide have a background in a particular faith tradition?
• Would you feel more comfortable talking with a male or a female?
• How often can you meet with your spiritual guide?
In spiritual guidance sessions, it is essential to trust your instincts and to remain open. Your guide may introduce new methods of prayer or forms of expression, such as journaling or drawing. They will ask you to speak honestly and they will be responsive to your unique spiritual path.
Spiritual guidance is not limited to people from a Christian tradition. Spiritual guides at Holy Wisdom Monastery invite you into this relationship whether you attend a church, mosque, synagogue or none of these. Wherever you are in your spiritual journey, guidance can help you notice and respond to God’s presence, deepening your connection to the sacred.
Spiritual guides at Holy Wisdom Monastery are available by appointment, or for more information contact our hospitality and event coordinator at 608-836-1631, x100.
Trained spiritual Guides at Holy Wisdom Monastery
Joanne Kollasch, OSB, serves as retreat leader and spiritual guide, having completed a year’s program for this work at the Institute for Spiritual Leadership, Loyola University, Chicago. For more than 50 years, Joanne has helped guide the vision, mission and ministries of her community at Holy Wisdom Monastery. She co-created the Community of Benedict, Benedictine Women of Madison and the Oblate community at Holy Wisdom Monastery. Contact Joanne Kollasch, OSB at 608-831-9302.
Lynne Smith, OSB, is an ordained Presbyterian minister who served congregations in Kansas and Iowa for 16 years before joining Benedictine Women of Madison. She has degrees in Christian education and theology. Lynne serves as director of membership and formation, in addition to leading retreats. Contact Lynne Smith, OSB at 608-831-9305
