Lucy Abbott Tucker

Lucy Abbott Tucker has worked in adult formation and the preparation of people for the ministry of spiritual direction for the past thirty-six years. With an initial background in mathematics and education she moved from New York to Chicago in 1983 and studied at the Institute for Spiritual Leadership, Chicago.  She went on to complete a Master’s Degree in Theology at Catholic Theological Union, Chicago.

Lucy worked for many years at the Institute for Spiritual Leadership in Chicago including the position of Executive Director and President of the Board of Directors.  Lucy has been active in the work of Spiritual Directors International, serving on the first Coordinating Council and chairing the initial committee that prepared the Guidelines for Ethical Conduct endorsed by Spiritual Directors International.  She also worked on the recent revisions of that document.  She is a frequent presenter at the annual meetings of Spiritual Directors International.

In addition to her ministry as a spiritual director and supervisor, Lucy currently teaches at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago and has worked in training programs preparing people for the ministry of spiritual direction in the United States, Europe, Australia, and Canada.  Lucy has also published several articles on adult formation and the ministry of spiritual direction.

Lucy Abbott Tucker’s book, Spiritual Direction Supervision: Principles, Practices, and Storytelling, published by SDI Press, brings fresh energy and practical wisdom to the art of spiritual direction supervision.

Published Articles:

A Curriculum to Accompany the Guidelines for Ethical Conduct, Presence 24.7, 2018

Live Nearby, Visit Often:  Focusing and the Spiritual Direction Process, Presence 7.3, 2001

Guidelines for Ethical Conduct:  A Glance Backward, A Glimpse Ahead, Presence 16.2, 2010

Embracing the Wisdom of the Body, Feelings and Spiritual Direction, Sacred is the Call, 2005

Called and Trained:  The mission of spiritual direction and the training of directors, Journal for Supervision and Training, 2006

Upcoming Programs by Lucy Abbott Tucker

Exploring Presence: Tending the presence we offer – and the presence we are

April 24 - 26, 2026

Presence is a sacred art, one that shapes not only how we accompany others, but how we awaken to ourselves. As spiritual directors and companions, we offer our presence to our directees and strive to provide a safe space for their true essence to emerge and flourish. In that striving, we also need to ponder […]

Silent Directed Retreat - 8 Day - Nurturing Your Spirit

April 26 - May 3, 2026

Embark on a transformative journey of self-discovery and spiritual growth during our immersive silent-directed retreat, where you will have the opportunity to explore the guiding presence of the Spirit in a deeply enriching environment. During a silent-directed retreat, each participant meets daily with an experienced spiritual director who serves as a spiritual companion throughout the […]