On Friday, August 23, we graduated another cohort in our Formation Program for Soul Care Providers. It was a day of real celebration. It also marks a letting go. This will be the final offering of the program through Restoring Connections. The program is being handed over to the international Vincentian Family with the intent of making it freely available online to individuals serving marginalized people any where in the world. Our hope is that it will eventually be available in many different languages.
We have been involved in the preparation and support of soul care providers (spiritual directors) for 38 years, training more than 670 individuals on six continents. Program graduates, in addition to being from many parts of the U.S. and Canada are found in South Korea, the Philippines, India, Australia, Colombia, Guyana, El Salvador, Guatemala, Belize, Ireland, Great Britain, Spain, Armenia, Sweden, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria, and Kenya. As a Vincentian animated organization, our intent from the beginning was to ensure access to soul care, spiritual presence and retreat opportunities for the most neglected people. As we celebrate the graduation of our final cohort, our many graduates are providing soul care for unsheltered people, incarcerated individuals, refugees and migrants, survivors of trafficking, at-risk youth, survivors of abuse, elderly homebound individuals and military veterans.
This program has been a lifework for me. For many years I have been searching for a permanent home that could ensure continuation and further development into the future. As a person who has worked with and collaborated with the Vincentian Family, it gives me great joy to know that it will continue to be shepherded within the Vincentian Tradition. We’ll keep you informed regarding further developments.
My energies are now primarily focused on supervision groups (local and online) for spiritual directors serving in challenging circumstances as well as support for our local soul care mentors serving justice involved individuals during incarceration and re-entry. I continue to personally enjoy two days each week as a volunteer soul care mentor in the prison setting.
Gratefully,
Vie Thorgren