One of the most obvious things in. the world today is the fact that a priest cannot fulfil his sacerdotal function without being a spiritual director. It is not enough to administer the sacraments and preach the word of God in general from the pulpit. He must convince his flock of the message of Christ by an ‘I-Thou’ relationship born of a highly personal commitment, which we can refer to here as spiritual direction. The desire and need for spiritual direction on the part of the laity has been expressed persistently, pleadingly, over a rather long period of time. It can no longer be ignored. It is imperative that all priests respond with zeal, intelligence, and untiring labour.

So many Christians have become aware of their apostolic responsibility and at the same time are conscious of their spiritual poverty.