There is a great collection of classic excerpts on theme of spiritual direction from classic writers by Jerome Neufelder and Mary C. Coelho simply titled,?Writing on Spiritual Direction. It?s been out of print for some time, but I find it a very helpful collection of excerpts not available in other books.
Below is a little excerpt on the indispensible need of intercessory prayer by spiritual directors for those they guide in their journey with Christ:
?Without personal prayer, our ministry will be empty, our words meaningless, our direction totally fruitless. Without prayer we shall never be able to support souls in their weaknesses. They have given themselves to us as those upon whom they may trust, but without prayer we would be the cause of their falls, since they will not find in us the strength and light they need. We being dark and weak ourselves, it is only by the means of prayer that we can be enlightened and made strong in Christ Jesus. All the failures which arise in the direction of souls come from the fact that directors do not apply themselves to the holy exercise of prayer. [Jean-Jacques Olier, French priest and founder of the Society of Saint Sulpice, 1608-57]? (p. 89.)
