Spiritual Moderator: Accompaniment

Accompaniment

Opening Prayer

Loving God, in encountering the poor we discover the mystery of God. Give me perseverance, courage and patience in my encounters with those wounded by life. As I give myself generously to the little ones of the world, may you offer your kindness and blessing. May Jesus be my strength as He knows the burden of my mission, my service and my life. I ask these things through Jesus, my Savior and my brother. Amen. Prayer adapted from homily in Clichy: Session for the Advisors of the Vincentian Family, July, 2002

An Advisor of a Vincentian Group

It is absolutely essential that the advisors should have a thorough knowledge of the association. They should know its history, its problems, its aims, its mystique, its internal dynamism, its identity, its spirit … its potential and also its particular limitations.

The advisor is a servant but is also a disciple. For this reason the advisor must not place him/herself within the group as the supreme source of all wisdom. The advisor has things to learn as well. First …, the advisor must learn of what the Vincentian spirit consists and what are the characteristics specific to the Vincentian group being accompanied. This is just the beginning.

The advisor will find, within a lay Vincentian institution, many members who, by their example and often by their words, give the advisor beautiful lessons on what it means to be Christian and have a Vincentian spirit. The advisor, who is servant and disciple, must be ready to learn from the group with true humility. All of us in the Vincentian Family need the help of our brothers and sisters in faith in order to steadily progress in the Christian life and in an authentic Vincentian vocation.

Rev. J. Corera, Session for Advisors of the Vincentian Family, Paris, 2002

ACCOMPANIMENT

• Accompaniment demands selflessness.

• Accompaniment requires an attitude of humility

• Accompaniment demands patience

• Accompaniment includes fostering Vincentian reflection and discernment

(adapted from concepts in The Vincentian Session in Paris, July 2002)

Louise de Marillac listened to her sisters. In her life we read: “She won their hearts by her gentleness and affability, and gave them liberty to speak to her without ever letting it be seen that they were troubling her, even when she had to leave her prayers or her other occupations.” When several girls came to speak to her at the same time on different subjects, she answered each one calmly and with evenness of disposition. Although it was sometimes very inconvenient for her, she never said anything, which might suggest they should leave her in peace.

Elizabeth Charpy DC, Session for Advisors of Vincentian Family, Paris, 2002

"Listen to me…pay attention, come to me. Listen and your soul shall live.” Is 55:2-3

Reflective Questions

What challenges me in the writings above?

What commitments do I wish to make?

What have been the “learnings” that I have received from the Ladies of Charity with whom I have ministered?

Words of Vincent de Paul to Louise deMarillac

Go forth, then Go forth in the name of the Lord. We pray the Divine Goodness to accompany you, to be your consolation on the way, your shelter against the heat of the sun, your protection from the rain and cold, your soft couch in weariness, your strength in labor, and that, in the end, it may bring you back in perfect health, laden with good deeds and precious remembrances.