Artist: Therese Quinn

NEWS FROM NATIONAL CHAIR

From the National Chair

Rare spiritual alignments in 2025

Year of Jubilee 2025 & Maha Kumbh Mela

The pilgrims of hope theme for the Year of Jubilee aligns remarkably with the Maha Kumbh Mela, a Hindu pilgrimage which takes place every 12 years. Both these major events call their members to a deeper connection to faith, and both events symbolize hope.

Lent and Ramadan – a shared season of reflection and renewal.

This year, Lent begins on March 5, and Ramadan is expected to have started around the evening of March 1, making their overlap particularly significant. This rare alignment offers an opportunity for interfaith dialogue, mutual understanding, and shared reflection. It’s a powerful reminder that, despite differences in faith, people of all backgrounds seek spiritual renewal, self-discipline, and a deeper connection with the divine.

The alignment of Easter

This year, the alignment of Easter between Catholic and Orthodox churches is a significant event too. The unity in this celebration highlights the common roots of Christianity, offering a unique opportunity to come together in worship, feasting, and joyous Easter traditions.

As we minister and listen to people of all faith traditions, may we continue to find similarities in our own traditions, and celebrate the diversity.

With every blessing on your ministry.

Rita Malavisi rsj

National Chair

 

BOOK REVIEWS

Every Day is New by Michael McGirr reviewed by Mark Needham. here​

Enneagram Companions: Growing in Relationship and Spiritual Direction by Suzanne Zuercher reviewed by Patricia Naughton. here

Present Moment, Wonderful Moment by Thich Nhat Hanh reviewed by Fran Smullen. here

Spiritual Direction Supervision: Principles, Practices, Storytelling by Lucy Abbott Tucker reviewed by David King. here

Conversations with Silence: Rosetta Stone on the Soul by Sally Longley reviewed by Maureen O’Halloran. here

Walking the Labyrinth as the Beloved in John’s Gospel by Sally Longley reviewed by Marie O’Shea. here

The Immortal Diamond: The search for the True Self  by Richard Rohr reviewed by Gerry Kalinowski. here

Christ-Figures: There on our Screens by Peter Malone msc reviewed by Rita Malavisi. here

The Simple Care of a Hopeful Heart: Mentoring Yourself in Difficult Times by Robert J Wicks reviewed by Gail Paxman. here

Intercultural Ministry: Hope for aa Changing World by Grace Ji Sun Kim and Jann Aldredge – Clanton (Eds) reviewed by Gail Reneker. here

The Moment of Life: How Empowering Women Changes the World by Melinda French Gates reviewed by Rita Malavisi. here

The Life You Can Save by Peter Singer reviewed by Marlene Foote. here

The Joy of Ageing: A Spirituality for Oldies by Brian Gallagher msc reviewed by Carmel Tedesco. here

10 Minutes: Gospel Reflections for Minds & Hearts by Peter Malone msc reviewed by Jeff Hood. here

Strengthening Spirit – Releasing Potential: Spiritual Direction for Leadership and Organizational Development by Bernadette Miles Read a review by Kristen Hobby here.

Three recent book releases from Brian Gallagher MSC can be viewed here.
Set Me Free: Spiritual Direction and Discernment of Spirits;
The Eyes of God: Living Discernment;
God’s Foolishness: A Spirituality of Heart.

No Greater Love by Brian Gallagher MSC. Read a review by Michelle Vass here.

See with the eyes of the heart by Chris Monaghan CP. Read a review by Tim McCowan here.

Grace by Michael Casey OCSO. Read a review by Tim Moloney CFC here.

AECSD CODE OF ETHICS

Code of Ethics for Spiritual Directors (Revised March 2019)

Introduction

In presenting this revised Code of Ethics we acknowledge the desire of the gathering of religious leaders to preserve the integrity of the practice of spiritual direction. We also acknowledge and give thanks for the wisdom and dreaming of the interim council which led to the birth of AECSD. ….

For the full text of the revised AECSD Code of Ethics click here.