46 The Art of Accompaniment
Mentors must cultivate a recognition of and respect for the traditions and
spirituality of different cultures in order to be properly disposed to accom-
pany those of different cultures and backgrounds. 1 Since accompaniment
incorporates aspects of evangelization, mentors must ensure that they pres-
ent the Gospel in an inculturated form when helpful. This is an important
responsibility for mentors:
It is not a superficial adaptation designed to make the Gos-
pel more pleasing to its hearers. It is, rather, a process that
brings the transforming power of the Gospel to touch per-
sons in their hearts and cultures at their deepest levels.
(National Directory for Catechesis, #25F)
Concretely, part of the call to inculturate the Gospel is formation in in-
tercultural competency. This allows mentors to offer respectful ministry to
those that they accompany, taking care to offer hospitality amongst the
cultural context of the one they accompany.
Human
Human formation regards the health, flourishing, and fruitfulness of
the mentor's apostolate. Essentially, human formation assists a mentor in
“mold[ing] [their] human personality in such a way that it becomes a bridge
and not an obstacle for others in their meeting with Jesus Christ the Re-
deemer of humanity” (Pastores Dabo Vobis, 43). This component of a mentor's
formation is “meant to lead [them] toward greater maturity as adults and as
ministers of the Church” (Co-Workers in the Vineyard of the Lord, p. 36). Hu-
man formation affirms the goodness of the human person and acknowledg-
es the healing effects of Christ’s redemption available to the human person
in this life: “A thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy; I came
so that they might have life and have it more abundantly” (John 10:10).
Through human formation, mentors work towards an abundant life in
Christ through self-awareness, authenticity, and communication. Human
formation responds to the call to “draw near to God, and he will draw near
to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts” (James
4:8). In participating in human formation, a mentor identifies ways to grow
1 Building Intercultural Competence for Ministers is a helpful resource on the development of
multi-cultural ministries from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.