Discernment Advisor’s Guide
Introduction
Growing up I wanted to be a cartoonist. Not just the Sunday funnies type, but a caricature artist - the kind who renders people’s distinctive features in bold lines and bright colors. The 99 Day Novena is a caricature of sorts. It’s a picture of the spiritual journey, especially the passage from darkness to light in discovering one’s unique, God-given vocation. I’ve written it based on my own journey and from my experience over the past two and a half decades as a Catholic campus minister. I got tired of seeing so many young people wanting to know God’s will but having no effective means of finding it.
As an artist I think in pictures. What follows in the 99 Days is an image-based journey through the spiritual life. I use picture-analogies to convey truths in ways I find young people understand. I’ve drawn on the spiritual greats – Augustine, John of the Cross, Teresa, Thérèse, and many others. But what I offer is my own attempt to visualize, for an image-oriented generation, the way spiritual growth happens.
My hope is to provide an effective way of reaching a distracted, busy and visually over-stimulated audience with the most important message of their lives. Bold, bright and unlike anything they’ve seen before, this Novena comes at the task of discernment with elements both old and new to capture the candidate’s imagination. I also hope it provides a ladder to the spiritual greats. Once familiar with the principles of spiritual life offered here, the candidate can explore further.
My community, the Brotherhood of Hope, has been taking people through the 99 Days for over 20 years. We tested it carefully before sharing more widely. We’ve been very impressed with the results. This Advisor’s Guide was the final phase of the project. I hope you find it helpful as you set out.
I’m grateful for your willingness to try this Novena. May it be a blessing to you!
Br. Sam Gunn
What is the Role of a Discernment Advisor?
The 99 Day Novena is not “Do It Yourself” discernment. From the very beginning, the discerner is urged to choose a trusted companion, a spiritually wise guide, to serve as a Discernment Advisor (DA). This means you have a vital role to play and the purpose of this document is to inform and equip you for the task ahead. What follows is an explanation of the novena as a whole as well as a step-by-step outline for the meetings you’ll be having with the discerner, whom we’ll call the candidate. On our Discernment Advisor’s welcome page we answer some common questions. Feel free to review these before proceeding to the Novena overview that follows.
The 99 Day Novena: Content Overview for Advisor
A Spiritual Pilgrimage
The 99 Day Novena is a spiritual pilgrimage. The 9 Days of the Pre-Novena begin in the wilderness and in darkness as a wrestling match between human and divine; between “my plan” and God’s plan. If the candidate continues, Days 10 through 39 are a desert experience providing an opportunity for deep self-reflection in preparation for the pilgrimage. We are going up to the Temple in Jerusalem. This destination is reached at the midpoint on Day 54 when we approach the veil of the sanctuary. However, we don’t stop there. In the second half of the Novena we journey from the Temple to an encounter with Christ on the Mount of Transfiguration. In the process, we learn to discern. With the Decision Retreat we return to Jerusalem and the candidate accompanies Christ in his passion, death and resurrection. This sets the stage for a time of Election with the hope (we are on God’s timeline, not our own) of reaching a clear conclusion on or soon after the Decision Retreat which concludes the Novena. The conclusion we’re looking for is not “my life-state vocation” but rather, “where I believe God is leading me to take the next good step.”
Days 1 to 9: The Pre-Novena. As noted above, this is a discernment for discernment. The first nine days offer the candidate a sample for what’s ahead, but more importantly, a self-test to consider: “Am I serious about this…really?” It also provides you, the DA, a chance to make an initial assessment about the candidate’s disposition and suitability for discerning a life-state.
Days 10 to 39: The Table of Self-Knowledge. The candidate sets out from the “lowest” point of the journey, by exploring and shifting her/his foundations during the first 30 days of the Novena proper. This is the Table of Self-Knowledge which culminates in a process of inner healing and forgiveness sealed with a very thorough personal confession (possibly a general confession if it seems advisable). BTW, There is no mention of this pilgrimage in the text of the Novena, so only you the Discernment Advisor are aware of this underlying dynamic and the direction you’ll be moving.
Days 40 to 69: The Temple of Relationships. The middle portion, where we introduce the Temple of Relationships, takes a while to get used to. In explaining the temple and its layout, the candidate is also asked to consider the culture she/he is living in. This will seem irrelevant to discernment, so it’s not unusual to hear complaints. Rest assured that, after Day 54, things will become very relevant and applicable. It’s worth the wait!
On the 54th day, the candidate is invited to approach the Temple veil and contemplate the face of God. This face-to-face encounter, though veiled and mysterious, is the turning point where we reassess and rearrange our most intimate relationships, placing God at the center of our own lives as Temples of the Holy Spirit. The candidate rebuilds according to the floorplan of the Jerusalem Temple.
Days 70 to 99: The Treasure of Self-Gift. The last part of the novena sets out from the Temple mount to climb the Mount of Transfiguration. We begin with the challenge to be radical and make a total self-offering to Christ. Using Biblical examples we consider the call to make a gift of our greatest personal treasures. As we move from Zion to Tabor, we undergo a gradual instruction in the methods of discernment based on the writings of St. Ignatius of Loyola and his Rules of Discernment. At the Mount of Transfiguration, we contemplate Christ together with the patriarchs and apostles, the former representing the testimony of the law and the prophets, the latter representing for us (with some creative license) the various vocations and paths of discipleship in imitation of Our Lord. All this is summarized in the four-square pattern of the Call, the Cost, the Road and the Reward.
There is a workbook segment attached to each day’s meditation. You can familiarize yourself with any portion of the workbook, but I especially recommend you take time to read the section at the end of the 99 Days, beginning with Day 94 under the heading: This is My Hour. This concluding portion of the workbook is part of the preparation for the Decision Retreat. Familiarize yourself with the “My Hour” exercises in each of the last six days.
Decision Retreat: Coming to a Conclusion. Based on the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius, the Decision Retreat can be either 4 days or 8 days long. Below you’ll find some helpful guidelines for deciding which is best for the candidate, as well as further explanation about the structure and purpose of this retreat.
Practical Matters
Making Connections. The candidate is encouraged to visit seminaries and/or religious communities during the course of the Novena, though it’s best for this to happen in the second half so they don’t start “weighing their options” before they’ve really done the necessary groundwork. Please be a resource for this (it’s okay in this regard to offer info about your own community if it’s applicable).
Your candidate probably knows nothing about how to arrange these visits and is fairly intimidated at the idea of calling a perfect stranger and saying, “Can I come visit?” Speaking for myself, I’m so immersed in church life and culture that I forget how little most people know about the inner workings of seminaries or religious communities. Even if you don’t consider yourself “connected” you will likely be a few steps ahead of the candidate, or will have connections with those who do.
For men I encourage them to attend an ordination if at all possible. For both women and men I recommend seeing a vows ceremony with a religious community. There is also the valuable experience of simply visiting a house of consecrated life nearby – a convent, monastery or oratory – and participating in some part of their daily routine (for example attending vespers and/or dining with the community).
If there’s no community within easy travel distance, I recommend a “road trip” planned a month or more in advance to visit trusted communities (you would not be expected to go along). There’s a “How to” guide to visiting religious communities or seminaries for you to share with the candidate (end of this document and also available as a link). You can offer it to the candidate when they get to a place where they’re ready to start making visits (after Day 54).
Making a Decision Retreat. Your candidate will need help finding a retreat location for their Decision Retreat. As is frequently stated in the Novena, our expectation is not necessarily a “big” answer to the vocation question, but rather a clear sense from the Lord of a solid next step. If you know about congregations, convents or monasteries that offer silent retreats please assist the candidate with all the necessary information. Don’t assume they know how to request a retreat, but also make sure they do it so they are taking responsibility for the process. The retreat house or center may ask whether the candidate will require a spiritual director provided by the community. Advise them to say “no thank you” if the question arises, since that will be your role. Over the years, I’ve found Trappist/Cistercian monasteries to be especially well suited if there are any near your location.
It is preferable for the candidate to make an 8 day retreat, but given the realities of life I often have to settle for the four day option (Thursday evening 5 pm start, Friday and Saturday all day and then end Sunday around dinnertime). The introductory description for the Decision Retreat here provides criteria to help you discern which number of days to recommend.
Prior to the retreat, the candidate will fill out a form called “Decision Retreat Preparation” which offers questions for personal reflection – not only about where the candidate feels the Lord to be leading them, but also to identify their honest reactions to that direction. They bring this document with them, but once the retreat begins, they’re encouraged to set it aside until they enter the time of Election, usually on the 3rd of the 4 day retreat and on the 5th of the 8 day.
The flow of the retreat is modeled on the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius and culminates with meditations on the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus. Formats for both kinds of retreat (the 4 day and the 8 day) are provided at the proper time. Each day of the retreat you’ll meet with the candidate for approximately an hour at a time that’s mutually convenient. This meeting can be (and often has to be) remote, whether by phone or video call. Guidelines for what to discuss are also provided.
Following this retreat, the candidate is invited to “live with” the conclusion they’ve reached – not as a “final answer” vocation decision, but as the avenue most promising for exploration. Whatever help you can offer to connect the candidate with the right people in this regard is a valuable service.
Confidentiality and Reporting: Be Informed.
If you are not formally trained in pastoral care or counseling you may not be aware of policies and laws regarding mandatory disclosure of information related to the sexual abuse of minors. There are also state laws about reporting persons who are suicidal or homicidal. Though these issues aren’t likely to arise, we should be prepared. The Novena may bring painful memories along with sensitive information to the surface and it’s a good idea to be aware of your obligations in advance. There’s an opportunity at the start of the Novena proper to discuss this with the candidate, but it’s also recommended that you contact your local diocesan pastoral center or chancery office to find out their rules for reporting on information related to the sexual abuse of minors. For applicable state laws, go online and type the name of your state and “mandatory reporting” in the search bar.
Please don’t allow concerns about disclosure laws to discourage you from serving as a DA. Remember, the Lord calls us to imitate him as good shepherds who have greatest concern for the flock he entrusts to us. Any disclosures are also avenues of help and healing. Most diocesan headquarters have trained counselors and reliable referral information if such issues do arise. A search of the diocesan website can provide the necessary information.
About the Ebenezer
A Powerful Encouragement
At the beginning of the 99 Day Novena, the candidate is directed to find a small, smooth stone called an “Ebenezer” (a rock of help, cf. 1 Samuel 7:7-12). Any stone will do, but it should be about the size of a peach pit, and if possible somewhat “rough” in texture. They write their name on it with an indelible marker and keep it with them throughout the novena. This stone serves a number of purposes and plays an important role at the conclusion of the 99 days. I’d like to give you, the DA, an overview of what’s behind the “Ebenezer” so that you can use it fruitfully for the candidate’s benefit.
First and foremost, the Ebenezer functions as a reminder, because the candidate must carry it around for the duration of the Novena. Whenever the candidate feels the stone in their pocket, they say a prayer. Their goal is to wear off the name written on it over the course of the Novena. This practice of prayer keeps them in touch with God regarding the day’s meditations and opens avenues for further reflection throughout the day. It also serves as a metaphor for the transformation of identity (the inscribed name) that one must undergo in conforming to God’s will. Alyssa, a college senior wrote, “I found the stone to be helpful. Not only was the symbolism of my name disappearing powerful, but it was nice to have something to hold on to.”
Second, the candidate is directed at 7 stages in the Novena to “consecrate” the Ebenezer under a variety of names that reflect different aspects of the discernment process. These short rituals will likely seem odd to you, and you (or the candidate) might be tempted to omit them. Please follow the rituals as indicated, because their purpose will become clearer at the end of the Novena. Six of the brief rituals involve lighting a candle, saying prayers, and pouring oil over the small stone (store-bought olive oil is sufficient). You need not explain this to the candidate, but it’s intended as an acted-out parable for conversion – that these changes of name mark inward changes that the candidate is undergoing throughout the 99 Days.
Third, the Ebenezer will become the Century Stone and serve as a final encouragement that you, the Discernment Advisor can offer the candidate at the conclusion of the 99 Days. This particular aspect of the stone’s purpose should be kept secret from the candidate so that the full impact of the practice can have its effect. On the 7th consecration ritual, the candidate will be directed to go to a cemetery with the Ebenezer (you may have to help them find one), say a series of prayers, and then “lose” the stone at the cemetery (there are some ways of doing so suggested in the description of the ritual). The idea is to render the stone irretrievable. Having handled this small stone for three months, the candidate may find they have a hard time letting it go. This is intended to be an exercise in detachment. After they’ve performed the 7th consecration, you’ll need to insure that they’ve indeed disposed of their Ebenezer.
The Century Stone
About two weeks before the conclusion of the Novena, you’ll need to obtain a smooth, white stone along with a small box to present it in (craft stores sell simple wooden or cardboard boxes like these). This stone, along with a card (provided here as a printable PDF), is an encouragement for the candidate at your final meeting. The white stone can be ordered on-line from any number of suppliers, or, like the box, can be purchased at a craft store (they sell bags of them to be used with center pieces at wedding receptions). A single white stone, sometimes called a moonstone, is all that’s needed. It shouldn’t be anything expensive.
This white stone is the Century Stone and it is given as a replacement for the Ebenezer which has been discarded. Having “let go” of something familiar, the candidate will receive back something beautiful. This is intended as a metaphor for the process of receiving a vocation and the “new name” that goes with it (see Revelation 2:17) . We let go of something “known” and receive back from God as a gift something “new.” What is lost is not necessarily replaced, but what is given is something precious from God.
The candidate is invited to leave this stone in the place where they make vows or promises in whatever life state they finally choose. Those who do not experience a call to a specific life state can use the Century Stone to mark some other discerned decision to follow Christ - a choice in which there is no turning back. This stone is no magic amulet, but simply a tangible connection between the process of discernment they’ve just undergone and the resolution of that process, whatever the specific call.
Inside the card, you are invited to write words of encouragement to the candidate. These words can be very powerful in building up the candidate and offering vision as they conclude the Novena.
