what is a pilgrim companion
WHAT IS A PILGRIM COMPANION?
A Pilgrim is a person who journeys to a sacred place for a spiritual purpose. Someone participating in The Spiritual Exercises is referred to as a Pilgrim. Unlike a physical pilgrimage that ends with arriving at a specific place, a Pilgrim in this sense is one that continues to experience and to move closer to knowing God.
The starting point varies for each person. Each of us begins from where we already are. We are exactly where we are meant to be. One enters The Spiritual Exercises with the desire to travel further on their journey. God plants the desire to know him within us and we are restless until we do.
The beauty of this retreat is that you do not journey alone. Ignatius designed The Exercises so that the Pilgrim is accompanied with a companion. The Pilgrim Companion is present to offer guidance with each exercise, to listen to the experiences that are taking place and to offer considerations for the Pilgrim to reflect on where God may be present in their life.
The Manresa Way Pilgrim Companions are individuals who have participated in The Spiritual Exercises. Each one discerned that their desire is to offer The Spiritual Exercises to others. Pilgrim Companions participate in a three year program of instruction and supervision as they learn the purposeful aspects of The Exercises as well as becoming aware of the movement of God in others and themselves. Knowing that each journey is as unique as each person, they place their trust in God to guide them as they accompany their pilgrim. They grow and share their awareness of God working in themselves and in their Pilgrim.
Each Pilgrim Companion meets regularly with their Spiritual Director as well as their 19th Annotation supervisor. Their Spiritual Director guides them in being aware of their own journey which helps them to continue to discern their call to accompany others. Supervision aids them in knowing how God is present for their Pilgrim as well as how God is present through their relationship with the Pilgrim.
Being a Pilgrim Companion is a vocation that requires holy listening. To be open and accepting of all that the Pilgrim is experiencing and offering the opportunity for the Pilgrim to recognize the workings of God in their life.