Have you ever heard the term "spiritual accompaniment" and wondered what it was? In reality, it’s simpler than you might imagine, and something many Christians have sought throughout history.
In the Church, it can go by different names: spiritual accompaniment, spiritual direction, guidance for interior life... At its core, it refers to the various forms of support that every believer receives on their journey toward God. This can range from a homily during Mass to teachings from the Pope’s catecheses to the personal advice received in a one-on-one conversation with a priest or lay person.
This last case (personal spiritual accompaniment) is commonly understood as a relationship between two people, in which one provides guidance and counsel. In this relationship, the Holy Spirit works through someone who genuinely desires your happiness. The spiritual director is an instrument of God, who is the ones who brings growth (cf. 1 Cor 3:7-9), because the Holy Spirit is the one "on whom depends your sanctification” (The Way, no. 57).
Everyone needs guidance in their spiritual life, whether they're far along and want to keep growing, or just at the beginning and want to understand which direction to walk in. Even St. Paul, after his impressive conversion, was guided by the Spirit to his spiritual director, Ananias (cf. Acts 9:10).
A spiritual director is not a motivational coach, a life strategist, or merely a mentor. Rather, they are people — whether priests, religious, or lay — who cultivate their own interior life, prays for you, and offer you advice.
"The role of the spiritual director," St. Josemaría taught, "is to open up horizons, help in the formation of sound judgment, point out obstacles and suitable means to overcome them, correct distortions or deviations in the path, and always encourage—never losing sight of the supernatural perspective, which is an optimistic affirmation because every Christian can say that they can do all things with God’s help (cf. Phil 4:13)" (Letter, 8 August 1956, no. 37).
During spiritual accompaniment, you can discuss the aspects of your interior life that fill your heart with joy or that concern you. If you’re not sure where to start, here are some questions and topics you might explore with your spiritual director:
My relationship with God and my place in the world
- I feel okay, but I think I could be happier. Why?
- Should I be doing something more to grow closer to God and others?
- I struggle with prayer: I get bored or fall asleep. Is there a "right" way to pray?
- Why does having a plan for my prayer life and relationship with God matter?
- Does God still love me when I make mistakes or don't follow Him? Really?
My relationships with others
- My sibling makes me angrier than anyone else in the world. What can I do?
- I see my friends every day and I know a lot of people. Should I talk to them about my Christian faith?
- I feel like I don’t love my parents the way I should. Is that unchristian?
- If I can’t forgive my brother for eating the last piece of chocolate, will I be able to forgive someone who's done something really hurtful?
- I believe that free time is a treasure and an opportunity to improve myself and the world, but I struggle to make good use of it. Do you have any advice?
