2 The Art of Accompaniment
of the Church’s discussion of accompaniment. The authors have sought to es-
tablish the theological tradition of accompaniment, articulate its definition,
name its dimensions and objectives, place it in the context of the apostolate
of the people of God, and draw out the roles of the one who accompanies
and the one accompanied who walk towards Christ with one another. Be-
ginning with a theological treatment of accompaniment throughout salva-
tion history, the resource identifies the divine pedagogy of God, the earthly
ministry of Jesus, the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and the witness of the
saints that all shape the concrete pastoral practice and understanding of the
apostolate of accompaniment. Though it does not contain exhaustive an-
swers to all the questions pertinent to becoming a more relational Church,
it does seek to establish a common language, understanding, and practice
among all the faithful. This resource also provides a framework that can
be implemented to fit the needs of local and regional churches while still
sharing in the single vision of the entire Church. It is the authors’ hope that
this resource assists the universal Church in understanding what it means
to “remove our sandals before the sacred ground of the other,” (Evangelii
Gaudium, 169) or to encourage others “to let themselves be healed, to take
up their mat, embrace the cross, leave all behind and go forth ever anew to
proclaim the Gospel” (Evangelii Gaudium, 172) as elements of carrying out
the art of accompaniment.
Though Pope Francis has most recently spoken of its importance,
the art of accompaniment is the work of God, the original Artist, who still
speaks to the Church:
Behold, I make all things new. (Revelation 21:5)
Accompaniment is an iteration of this newness for the Church in this age;
through the implementation of accompaniment as an apostolate of all the
people of God, the Holy Spirit breathes life and inspiration into the Church.