Please read the following criteria so that you can assess your suitability for the CenterQuest School of Spiritual Direction (SSD). We offer the following criteria as the ideal in order to help you discern whether you may indeed have a strong calling to this type of ministry.
- You are validated in this calling by the way others are naturally drawn to ask you to attend to their spiritual path.
- Your life history and experience demonstrate passion for God and careful attentiveness with God’s involvement in your life and the lives of others.
- You sense a joy in companioning others on their spiritual journey through helping them discover the movement of God in their own lives.
- You have been and are currently a directee in ongoing spiritual direction.
Our SSD is taught in a hybrid format (online/residency combination). For you to successfully complete the online segment of the program, it is crucial that you possess:
- Basic Computer and Internet skills
- A Windows or Mac computer that meets the minimum software and hardware requirements (refer to the FAQ on Online Learning/Technology for details)
- A reliable broadband Internet connection
Additionally, you need to be familiar with—or be open to learning—several software programs, including the recent version of Microsoft Word and PowerPoint, Adobe PDF Reader, Zoom, plus YouTube and other multimedia tools.
Pre-requisites: We require that all applicants go through the SC – Soul Companioning: Intro to SD (4-week online course via Moodle) and pass it satisfactorily as a final determining factor for the applicant’s suitability for the SSD hybrid program. Check out our CQ Asia Spiritual Direction Online Courses page for more info by clicking HERE!
Accepted applicants are also required to take the Basic Intro Trilogy (BIT): Christian Spirituality/Spiritual Formation/Spiritual Disciplines (6 -week online course via Moodle) unless they already have a solid background in these fields (Special exemptions are granted on a case-to-case basis). The Basic Intro Trilogy will only be offered two times during 2024. Click HERE for more info on the BIT requirement.
NOTE: Super Early Bird Application (SEB) starts in January 2025 until June 30, 2025. Regular Application (RA) follows immediately after. Final Deadline for CQ Asia-SSD Cohort 2 application is January 31, 2026.
Dear Applicant,
Thank you for your interest in our School of Spiritual Direction (SSD). Before you proceed in the application process we want to make sure you understand a few key details. We consider each applicant with great care. We are committed to working with you to discern whether our program is a good fit for you. It goes without saying therefore that not everyone will be accepted. It is important that you become familiar with our SSD Program Overview (including the Program Curriculum) and our FAQ page, as well as the criteria and the process for application.
After completing your application online (preferred) or offline in hard copy (see buttons below), you will need to send your non-refundable, non-transferable application fee of $100 in one of the following ways:
- If you have a US dollar (USD) check or have access to someone you know who can pay on your behalf, you can write a check payable to CenterQuest and mail it to:
CQ Asia-SSD
8 J Garcia Street
Philamlife Village
Las Piñas City, Metro Manila Philippines 1740
(if the check is originating from Asia) - Mail it to our US address:
CenterQuest
122 A E. Foothill Blvd. PMB 306
Arcadia, CA 91006
(if the check is originating from the US) - You can pay via credit/debit card online using PayPal (whether or not you have a PayPal account) through our CQ Asia site: - https://cqcenterquest.org/paypal/pay-ssd-application-fee-online-asia/
- If you are in the Philippines and you do not have access to USD, please contact Lemuel de Velez (CQ Asia Finance Administrator) at Lemuel@CQCenterQuest.org to coordinate making an equivalent peso transfer arrangement.
Kindly have your recommenders send the recommendation forms to us no later than a week from the date of application submission (earlier is always better!). Your recommenders may complete the recommendation forms online (much preferred) or via PDF forms downloadable HERE (refer to specific instructions after you submit your application). Once your application is received and reviewed, you will be contacted and scheduled immediately after for a personal interview via Zoom web call.
Please know that we have already begun to pray for you and that we are confident that God is guiding each of us as we discern with you.
Together in the Center,
Marie de Guzman
Marie@CQCenterQuest.org
CQ Asia-SSD Communications Coordinator
You may apply online by filling out the Application Form (you’ll need to complete the form in a single setting for it to be submitted successfully). If you’d prefer to apply offline, you may do so here.
- You have gone through the Guidelines for Discernment section
- You have read thoroughly and familiarized yourself with the CQ Asia-SSD Program Overview (including the Program Curriculum) and all three (3) segments under the CQ Asia-SSD FAQ pages.