I am thinking that it means to come alongside someone and help lighten their load on the path, to help them get where they want to go or help them even figure out what that destination is.
In working with scouting leaders and youth, I have to pause to listen to where they want to go, not push my own agenda of a destination. Especially when I am working with youth in a youth-led organization, I need to really be the guide on the side and use questions rather than answers to help them take the next steps. In working with family camp folks, it is listening and sharing from my own lived family experience.
I have been accompanied in my faith/ministry by wise mentors from NFCYM and other youth ministers, who have been there to listen, encourage, and empower me in my own ministry.
To “accompany” is simply meeting people where they’re at and within the emotion they’re feeling at that time. It’s essential for sharing any ministerial message to first know who you’re talking with and how they’re feeling.
I work within a school that has about 1,200 students directing campus ministry at Cathedral. My current job allows me more facetime with the students I’m blessed to serve. My office is a revolving door of students sharing successes, frustrations, seeking advice, and checking in. Thankfully, I’ve learned how to handle what I call “compassion fatigue.” It’s natural to want to be happy when others are happy and sad when others are sad, but that can cause harm in your personal life if you can’t manage those highs and lows together. Having an outside source to speak with that doesn’t overlap my professional circle helps a lot. Thankfully, NFCYM has provided me with multiple avenues to connect with others outside of my professional circle who understand that hardship and that blessing.
The simplest definition I can give is that it means “to journey with.” It means being affected by the journey of another. It is not being a casual spectator but a concerned and supportive companion.
I have tried to model the Good Samaritan who notices needs, offers care and compassion, refers others to the best resources, and then follows up.
To accompany is to be like Jesus was with the disciples that were going to Emmaus: to walk together and to have a conversation with each other on the way to heaven.
In my ministry with persons with disAbilities, accompaniment happens when we walk together and have a conversation with each other as we make accessible the way to heaven.
Take a moment to recall instances when you accompanied a young person as they recognized Christ and became Christ incarnate in their family and community.
Share your story with us at [email protected].
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Pastoral Juvenil Hispana Coordinator,
Diocese of Austin
Diocesan Member
"NFCYM has accompanied me in reaching out to like minded professionals to better provide service (ministry) to adolescents. NFCYM has allowed me to network and grow professionally.
'Youth as Protagonists' has been essential to Pastoral Juvenil Hispana in the Diocese of Austin."
Youth Minister, St. Christopher Church
Associate Member
"The various resources have helped me keep our program exciting and vibrant. NFCYM has provided me with shared information via webinars, workshops, conferences, outreach, and opportunities that are very informative to help make my ministry successful.
NFCYM is an open forum for me to seek material, guidance and support in keeping the youth ministry program successful."
