38 The Art of Accompaniment
Through the celebration of the liturgy and participation in the sacraments,
those called to accompaniment are equipped for their apostolate, renewed
in strength and zeal, and come into communion with the Person to whom
they are called to lead others:
The high point of Christian prayer is the Eucharist, which in its
turn is to be seen as the “summit and source” of the sacraments and
the Liturgy of the Hours. A totally necessary aspect of the forma-
tion of every Christian... is liturgical formation, in the full sense of
becoming inserted in a living way in the paschal mystery of Jesus
Christ... Communion with God, which is the hinge on which the
whole of the spiritual life turns, is the gift and fruit of the sacra-
ments. At the same time it is a task and responsibility which the
sacraments entrust to the freedom of the believer, so that one may
live this same communion in the decisions, choices, attitudes and
actions of daily existence. (Pastores Dabo Vobis, 48)
Related to the mentor's participation in the sacramental and liturgical
life is the strengthening of their bond with the worshipping community as
an important step in formation for accompaniment:
The liturgical life of the Church (Baptism, first Holy Communion,
Matrimony, Sunday Mass, indeed all the sacraments and other
liturgical celebrations) is a natural source of accompaniment and
comfort for the Christian faithful, which also builds community.
When the liturgy of a parish is celebrated well, the faith of the
members of the community is strengthened. It is also a door to
evangelization. The community of faith is a place of invitation,
welcome, and hospitality, especially for those who are inquiring
about or returning to the faith. The Church’s liturgy, by its very
nature as a proclamation and enactment of the Good News of
salvation, is an evangelical act. (Living as Missionary Disciples, 16)
The sacracental and liturgical formation of a mentor should include partic-
ipation in the Sunday liturgy and frequent reception of the sacraments, but
should also be cultivated through personal and communal devotions that
are both life-giving for the mentor and root them in the communal sacra-
mental life of the Church; these might include the praying of the Liturgy of
the Hours, Eucharistic Adoration, or Masses of healing.