The One Accompanied 61
Formation
The formation of the one accompanied takes place both prior to and
during the apostolate of accompaniment. This formation prepares them to
take an active role in their spiritual life, increase self-awareness, identify
choices that require deep discernment, discern the voice of the Spirit, and
grow in relationship with their Christian community.
For the apostolate of accompaniment to be fruitful and effective in the
life of the one accompanied, they must also be willing to be “protagonists”
of their own formation, participating actively in their transformation to-
wards the Person of Christ. This entails:
A Life of Prayer
For one to be formed through accompaniment, their life must be one
already based on a solid foundation of prayer: “In spiritual accompaniment,
it is crucial to begin with prayer and the interior world…” (Final Document
of the Synod of Bishops on Young People, Faith and Vocational Discernment,
100). By beginning with prayer as a foundation of spiritual accompaniment,
those accompanied create conditions to hear the voice of Christ in all areas,
relationships, and situations of their lives. According to the context of their
life, the one accompanied must choose life-giving and formative means of
prayer that assists them in their spiritual growth. Within the apostolate of
accompaniment, they are also formed through prayer by praying with their
mentor, being introduced to new forms of prayer, and contemplating their
own experience through the lens of prayerful consideration.
Ongoing Faith Formation
In order to continue growing in their faith life, the one accompanied
must seek to learn more about salvation history, the Church, and the Trin-
itarian God. Though their formation in faith does not need to be formal, a
theological understanding of life assists them in considering God’s action
and call in their own life. For those accompanied to grow in relationship
with Christ, they must seek faith formation through study, catechetical
ministry through parishes or Catholic institutions, and their own personal