By Ty Jackson, Contributor
The spiritual direction program at Manhattan University offers students an opportunity to deepen their prayer life and enhance their relationship with God.
MANHATTAN.EDU / COURTESY
This initiative is meant to be inclusive, catering to individuals from various religious backgrounds and traditions. Students and alumni meet with a spiritual director every four to six weeks to provide consistent support and allow participants to grow in faith and personal development over time.
The program’s origins began about a decade ago, when a recommendation from external reviewers suggested that the institution should incorporate spiritual direction into its campus offerings.
At the time, MU faced the challenge of not having qualified individuals available to fulfill this role. The turning point came when Brother Daniel Gardner, FSC, volunteered to provide spiritual direction.
Brother Daniel has helped shape the program into what it is today by offering personalized guidance to students. He spoke to The Quadrangle about the value of spiritual direction.
“You [students] have the ability to relieve any doubts you may have about your own faith, create a rhythm and test your balance,” Brother Daniel said.
Individuals can explore and confront their spiritual doubts and questions, exploring the supportive environment the program offers.
Additionally, students are invited to contact Brother Daniel directly via email to find a spiritual director who best fits their individual needs.
While the spiritual direction program offers valuable support to students, it is important to acknowledge that not all challenges will be resolved immediately. The purpose of spiritual direction is not to provide quick answers but to foster a deeper connection with oneself and with God. Through regular meetings with a spiritual director, students are encouraged to explore their faith and spirituality over time, with the goal of emerging with a stronger sense of their spiritual identity and a more profound relationship with their divine being of choice.
“One of the key aspects of the spiritual direction program is its close alignment with the Lasallian mission of Manhattan University,” Brother Daniel said.
Through spiritual direction, students and alumni are provided with a space to address various social and emotional challenges, including those related to their faith or personal experiences. The program serves both a spiritual and holistic function, supporting the overall well-being of participants.
MU’s campus minister, Jubilee Aguilar, emphasizes the significance of spiritual direction, comparing it to other forms of emotional and mental health support.
“Spiritual direction is necessary for everybody, similar to counseling, therapy, or meditation,” Aguilar said. “If students don’t know the Lasallian context, it will help them understand how to connect their faith with the Lasallian tradition since it is very inclusive. It’s very important to get a mental health check, and meeting with a spiritual director is a great resource and should be advertised more throughout campus.”
A notable strength of the program is its accommodation of students from various religious backgrounds, including those who identify as spiritual but not religious (SBNR).
It acknowledges the increasingly diverse spiritual landscape of modern college campuses and provides a space where students from different faith traditions can find the support they need. If a student identifies as Jewish or Hindu, for example, Brother Daniel helps connect them with a rabbi or guru, respectively. This adaptability makes the program accessible and relevant to students from a wide range of spiritual backgrounds.
Religious studies professor Jovita Geraci, Ph.D., highlighted another important dimension of the program, explaining that it offers a unique complement to the academic side of religion at Manhattan University.
“Religious studies is about the study of religion from a historical, sociological, anthropological perspective rather than a faith-based or personal one,” Geraci said. “Spiritual direction is on equal footing with any other MU club in my mind: if a student finds belonging, connection and support there, then that is great and it will certainly enrich their college experience.”
Brother Daniel also noted that inclusivity, accessibility and focus on long-term spiritual development ensure that the program remains a valuable resource for all students regardless of their religious background or spiritual journey.