UNIVERSITY of NOTRE DAME

INSTITUTE FOR CHURCH LIFE

Spiritual Formation

In order to lead others in faith formation, ministers must continually engage in their own spiritual formation. In Echo, apprentices make a serious commitment to deepening their faith in Christ, to developing their ability to express that faith, and to learning how to become an effective minister of the Spirit to others.

Spiritual formation in Echo includes the development of an annual Formation Covenant that outlines an apprentices’ commitment to the following:

Personal and Communal Prayer

Cultivating a consistent personal prayer life is essential for any professional minister, as is sharing prayer with one’s community members. Echo apprentices are committed to consistent personal prayer, to gathering as a house community for prayer and faith-sharing several times a week, and to worshipping frequently with their parish community. The Echo staff introduces apprentices to a variety of prayer styles and experiences.

Spiritual Direction

Spiritual Direction is an invaluable opportunity to reflect upon all dimensions of life and relationships, and to become more aware of the presence of God in one’s daily life and work. Apprentices are educated in the nature of spiritual direction and are required to meet regularly with a spiritual director throughout the two years. Apprentices receive a list of potential local spiritual directors to help in their selection.

Participation in Parish Life

The Echo partner parish is not just a workplace but also a living community of faith in which the apprentice becomes an active, worshipping member. Participation in the sacramental, service, and social life of this local Church puts apprentices in touch with the Body of Christ that is their parish community and plays a critical role in their ongoing spiritual formation.

Retreats

Apprentices participate in several different kinds of retreats each year, designed to engage their minds, bodies, and spirits in prayer and the sacraments, theological reflection and integration, and creative activities and celebration. Annually, these retreats include the following:

  • three dynamic, theologically based retreats for all Echo apprentices, led by the Echo staff;
  • two days of reflection for individual Echo faith communities, led by their respective Echo Formation Assistant (EFA) and diocesan leader;
  • one personal retreat to be taken between September and May; and
  • a graduate day of reflection in July to conclude the Echo experience.