The Art of Accompaniment Training - July 21-25, 2025
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The Ancient Art of Spiritual Accompaniment
“The
lost (or forgotten) art of spiritual direction goes back to the first centuries of Christianity, to the Fathers of the Desert. We could also say this art goes back to Christ Himself. We all know this story: a woman invited herself into the house of Simon the Pharisee, and there, weeping at the feet of Jesus, she kissed and wiped them with her hair. What did she see in Jesus? From all that she heard about Him, and from what she saw, she felt she could finally rest her burdened soul in His presence. A good spiritual director allows us to rest our burdened souls and to find ourselves made new again by God's grace.” (Bishop Gregory Mansour from the foreword to Spiritual Direction: A Guide to Sharing the Father's Love by Fr. Boniface Hicks)As Christians, we are called not only to faithfully follow in the footsteps of Christ our Lord, but also to become those who lead others deeper in relationship with Him as well. This can take a variety of individual expressions, whether it be through a clerical or religious vocation or as a parent guiding their children as they grow in the practice of prayer and discernment. Whether as a coworker, relative, friend, or simply a chance acquaintance on an airplane, invariably the Lord God puts us in situations with others where we are invited to accompany others in their encounter and relationship with Him. For it is only in relationship with Him that the longings of their hearts and the wounds of their lives are both met with healing, peace, and the joy that we all long for.
This 5-day Art of Accompaniment training was created specifically to equip us as sons and daughters of God to know how to help guide our brothers and sisters deeper into the heart of Christ and the arms of the Father. This will serve as a foundation for those who wish to continue learning the practice of spiritual direction, or it also can be a stand-alone course for those wish simply to learn the "art of accompaniment".
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Fr. Boniface Hicks, O.S.B - From atheist to evangelical to Catholic monk
Raised in a home with no faith or religious practice, Father Boniface Hicks first encountered God through the witness of an evangelical man who introduced him to the Scriptures while in college. This proved to be the transformational seedbed of faith that gradually led him to devote his entire life to God and to assisting others in receiving the Father's love more richly in their lives and sharing it generously with those they encounter. Father Boniface has now been a monk of Saint Vincent Archabbey since 1998. As a Catholic priest, he serves as both the Director of Spiritual Formation and Director of the Institute for Ministry Formation at Saint Vincent Seminary in Latrobe, PA. He also serves as Program Director for WAOB (We Are One Body) radio station, and has recorded thousands of radio programs on theology and the spiritual life. He has also been a formator with Encounter Ministries, was a featured prayer leader for the 2024 National Eucharistic Congress, is a contributor to ministries such as Word on Fire, The St. Paul Center, Exodus 90 and many others, in addition to being a guest on the popular Pints with Aquinas podcast hosted by Matt Fradd.
Father Boniface authored the book Through the Heart of St. Joseph, and co-authored, along with Father Thomas Acklin, O.S.B., Spiritual Direction: A Guide for Sharing the Father’s Love and Personal Prayer: A Guide for Receiving the Father’s Love. His most recent books are The Fruit of her Womb and The Hidden Power of Silence in the Mass: A Guide for Encountering Christ in the Liturgy. He is a sought-after retreat master and spiritual director, traveling throughout the United States, and as far as Beijing, China, in his work.
Father Boniface will also be leading a Made for Greatness Men's Retreat on July 18-20, 2025 immediately prior to the Art of Accompaniment Training. More information on that retreat is available HERE.
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Schedule for the Art of Accompaniment Training: July 21-25, 2025
Monday July 21 to Thursday July 24
Session 1: 9am-11:30am CDT
Session 2: 1:30pm-4:30pm CDT (with a break)Friday July 25
Session 1: 9am-12:30pm CDTThis is an intensive course and will require the student’s total dedication. Evenings will be needed for homework and reading. Evenings on Wednesday and Thursday will be used for an hour of spiritual direction practice. Scheduling that hour is flexible and up to the practice pairings to work out. A Eucharistic holy hour is also provided for prayerful integration.
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