Who is involved in the apostolate of accompaniment? 31
apostolate of spiritual accompaniment flows from a healthy and consistent
spiritual life fostered by the frequent reception of the sacraments, daily
prayer, spiritual direction, participation in the Christian community, com-
mitment to justice, and continuing formation in the faith. A mentor also
finds the source and summit of accompaniment in the liturgy and Eucha-
rist, in which they worship in community, offer praise and thanksgiving,
and receive the Person who strengthens their apostolate.
“is a confidant without judgement”
Recalling the words of Pope Francis, one who is called to the apostolate
of spiritual accompaniment “has to realize that each person’s situation be-
fore God and their life in grace are mysteries which no one can fully know
from without...Someone good at such accompaniment does not give in to
frustrations or fears. He or she invites 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). Spiritual accom-
paniment calls the mentor to walk with others and assist them in identify-
ing the movements of God. This apostolate requires a reasonable sense of
commitment to the one they accompany in order to foster authenticity and
openness in the accompanying relationship. A mentor seeks to be a pres-
ence of understanding, trust, and compassion who accompanies another by
listening to and discerning their human experience; in order to be properly
disposed to offer this type of presence, the mentor recognizes their role, and
is able to distinguish their responsibilities from that of a supervisor, spiritu-
al director, or therapist.
To be a confidant to the person they accompany, the mentor's apostolate
depends significantly on the formation of a healthy relationship with the
one they accompany. One of the most crucial components to the fruitful-
ness of the accompanying relationship is the degree to which the mentor
invests time in making the one they accompany feel “known.” This involves
cultivating familiarity with the one they accompany, resulting in the expe-
rience of “belonging” and the healing nature of transformative friendship.
“actively listens to the needs of young people and responds in
kind”
Perhaps one of the most crucial qualities of the mentor is to be skilled