Who is involved in the apostolate of accompaniment? 47
in right relationship with themselves, God, and others through the nature
of their humanity.
In order to provide healthy accompaniment, the mentor must be com-
mitted to seeking human formation. Human formation “should therefore
cultivate a series of human qualities, not only out of proper and due growth
and realization of self, but also with a view to the apostolate. These quali-
ties are needed for them to be balanced people, strong and free, capable of
bearing the weight of pastoral responsibilities. They need to be educated to
love the truth, to be loyal, to respect every person, to have a sense of justice,
to be true to their word, to be genuinely compassionate, to be [people] of
integrity and, especially, to be balanced in judgment and behavior” (Pastores
Dabo Vobis, 43). This aspect of formation trains mentors in accompanying in
a manner that is self-aware, honest, accountable, authentic, healthy, hum-
ble, clearly communicated, fully present, realistic, and respectful of bound-
aries. Human formation helps facilitate fruitful accompaniment between
the mentor and the one accompanied. It inspires a growth towards holistic
maturity rooted in a true understanding of freedom:
Human maturity, and in particular affective maturity, requires a
clear and strong training in freedom, which expresses itself in con-
vinced and heartfelt obedience to the "truth of one's own being,
to the "meaning" of one's own existence, that is to the "sincere
gift of self " as the way and fundamental content of the authentic
realization of self. Thus understood, freedom requires the person to
be truly master of oneself, determined to fight and overcome the
different forms of selfishness and individualism which threaten the
life of each one, ready to open out to others, generous in dedication
and service to one's neighbor. (Pastores Dabo Vobis, 44)
Human formation is comprised of different aspects that assist in the
mentor's development of maturity, healing and building up of weaknesses,
and identification and refinement of strengths. Of all the areas of forma-
tion, human formation is at once personal and communal. The mentor must
be motivated to seek their own human formation and to rely on the sup-
port of professionals and other ministers in order to continue their personal
development. Human formation includes aspects that are not explicitly
spiritual, but aid in the building up of the entire human person so that they
may live out their call to accompaniment abundantly.