‘Listen attentively, speak from the heart’

Brendan McManus SJ led 30 priests from Clogher diocese in a listening and reflecting process, Monday 8-10 April, 2024 at the Manor House Hotel in Enniskillen. Brendan encouraged personal faith sharing among priests using spiritual conversation in the synodal model. This model is based on insights from Ignatian spirituality and involves the two fundamental attitudes of active listening and speaking from the heart.

Drawing on a document produced by the Synod of Bishops, Brendan explains that spiritual conversation focuses on the quality of listening as well as the quality of speaking. This means paying attention to the spiritual movements in oneself and in the other person during the conversation. Participants need to be attentive to more than simply the words expressed. This quality of attention is an act of respecting, welcoming, and being hospitable to others as they are. It is an approach that takes seriously what happens in the hearts of those who are conversing.

The aim of spiritual conversation is to create an atmosphere of trust and welcome, so that people can express themselves more freely. This helps them to take seriously what happens within them as they listen to others and speak themselves. Ultimately, says Brendan, this interior attentiveness makes those involved more aware of the presence and participation of the Holy Spirit in the process of sharing and discernment.

As well as sharing together through spiritual conversation, participants were also offered periods of silence for reflection.

Brendan emphasized the importance of the integration of spirituality into priests’ everyday life experiences, drawing on Ignatian principles of discernment and ‘finding God in all things’. He encouraged priests to engage in self-reflection on their ministry and life, explore their relationship with God, faith-share with other priests, and deepen their spiritual practices.