Presence Along Life’s Path

When we look at the life of Jesus, we see a teacher who did not walk ahead of his disciples but beside them. Sharing his presence along life’s path, he broke bread at their tables, listened to their questions, calmed their fears, and carried their sorrows. He revealed a God who chooses presence over distance and companionship over solitude. St. Paul captures this spirit in his letter to the Galatians: “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2)

This is the essence of the practice of accompaniment. It is less about offering answers and more about offering ourselves — sharing in another’s joys, holding space for their grief, and reminding them that they are not alone. At its heart, accompaniment is walking in the footsteps of Jesus, who shows us that love is made visible in presence. 

Rooted in the Gospel

Jesus’ life and ministry show us what accompaniment looks like in action. In every encounter, Jesus embodied love — not by solving people’s problems but by assuring them that they are not carried alone. 

“Jesus teaches me that love, patience and respect are the clearest ways to accompany others,” says Sister Nieves Lidia Ortiz Galván, CSC. “Jesus is like the roots of a tree; you can’t always see him, but he is always present.”

For Sister Mary Josephine Delany, CSC, the model of accompaniment extends to Mary, Our Lady of Sorrows, the patroness of the Holy Cross congregations. “The image of Mary walking with the people of God, standing with them in their suffering and difficulties — that is my model,” she reflects. “To journey with people, offering counsel, practical help, faith and hope, to the degree that we are able.”

A Ministry of Presence

For the Sisters of the Holy Cross, accompaniment is part of ministry and a way of life. Whether serving in classrooms, hospitals, parishes, or communities around the world, sisters live out this charism of presence in meaningful ways. 

Accompaniment often means walking with those who are suffering — children without families, migrants seeking refuge, or neighbors facing poverty and injustice. But it can also mean celebrating life’s joys together — from new beginnings to moments of healing and hope. In all things, accompaniment reflects God’s closeness, reminding us that love is never distant.

“For us sisters, practically everything we do requires journeying together with people,” says Sister Mary Jo. “It is about presence—real presence—in a world where many ask, ‘Where is God in all of this?’ We witness to the truth that God is here, in the midst of life’s struggles.”

This truth comes alive in everyday encounters. “When I began volunteering at the hospital [St. Alphonsus Regional Medical Center], I was ‘doing’ — cleaning, moving gurneys, serving water and juice,” says Sister Mary Louise Wahler, CSC. “Soon, I found myself ‘being with’ patients — holding their hand, listening to their stories, smiling, looking into their eyes and speaking words of comfort. That is when I began to learn what it truly means to ‘accompany’ someone—to simply be there for them in their time of need. To allow Jesus’ healing touch and voice to flow through me however he wishes.”

One patient at the hospital, after recovering from surgery, wrote a note of gratitude for Sister Mary Lou:

 “I was very scared, and waking up from anesthesia was difficult — but Sister Mary Lou stood beside me and held my hand as I came to. Her presence was so comforting during a moment when I felt vulnerable and disoriented. … her kindness and support made me feel truly safe and cared for.”

This simple testimony reflects the heart of this practice: making Christ’s love visible through presence.

Creating Space for Others

To accompany another also requires attentiveness to oneself. It requires consciousness to set aside one’s own agenda, the patience to listen before speaking, and the faith to recognize Christ in every person and situation.

“I work with young people and children,” says Sister Nieves. “For me, accompanying them means entering the world and the heart of each child with respect, humility, love, and above all, with a mind that is free of judgment.”

Sisters often witness how this practice transforms them as well, deepening their faith and teaching them to rely on God’s grace. “I had to learn to set aside my own experiences and reactions so that I could truly be present to people,” says Sister Mary Jo. “At times, someone’s story touched on my own struggles. I had to learn to pause, to breathe, and to come back with an openness. Accompaniment must be done selflessly.”

Facing Challenging Moments with Grace

Walking closely with others also brings us challenging moments. It is in these spaces that accompaniment calls for prayer, trust, and the grace to remain present. “Sometimes we are challenged when we cannot change the situation of people and wish we could do more than we are able to do,” says Sister Verónica A. Fajardo, CSC. “We are challenged to go into spaces where we find ourselves being vulnerable as we are present with others and feel their pain deeply too. I rely heavily on prayer during those times and have not been disappointed by God.”

“It can be challenging to be silent, to trust that God is at work in the life of the person, to let whatever is going on come to maturation and just be with the person,” says Sister Ellen Mary (Taylor), CSC. “My faith in God at work in these times has deepened my faith when I have been privileged to see healing and transformation come about in the person. I was very aware that this came from the person’s inner resources and God’s grace, not from anything I did.”