The One Accompanied 71
accompaniment towards a growth in faith can be strengthened by the use
of various resources, such as scripture studies, spiritual books, Church doc-
uments, films, music, or any material that speaks to human experience and
the integration of faith.
Certain communities and groups who are marginalized within the
Church especially benefit from spiritual companionship over particular
seasons of life. The needs of these groups and individuals must be heeded
by the Church, to whom belongs the responsibility of helping bear their
burdens:
The joys and the hopes, the griefs and the anxieties of the men of
this age, especially those who are poor or in any way afflicted, these
are the joys and hopes, the griefs and anxieties of the followers of
Christ. Indeed, nothing genuinely human fails to raise an echo in
their hearts. (Gaudium et Spes, 1)
Listening is the first step of the Church’s movement to accompany the
marginalized:
Drawing together creates the conditions for the Church to become
a place of dialogue and a witness to life-giving fraternity … listen-
ing makes possible an exchange of gifts in a context of empathy
… At the same time, it sets the conditions for a preaching of the
Gospel that can touch the heart truly, decisively and fruitfully.
(Christus Vivit, 38)
The Church serves these people in love, humility, and trust through soli-
darity and co-responsibility. In the relationship of the accompaniment, the
marginalized are provided a space in which they can come to deeply know
the love of Jesus Christ through friendship, guidance, and authenticity
with a mentor. So too does the Church learn from those she accompanies;
through the apostolate of accompaniment, the experiences of the marginal-
ized are given voice, respect, and hospitality.
Accompaniment in Moments of Transition
While accompaniment can benefit the human person across all aspects
of the life cycle, spiritual accompaniment is most essential in the context of
important life transitions. As one matures and gains life experiences, faith