Convinced that collaboration is the way to walk more closely with young people, the Youth Ministry of the Jesuit Conference of Asia Pacific (JCAP) is equipping Magis youth members with the skills to become spiritual formation companions to other young people.
“As a ministry that seeks to support the growth of young people in the church, the Youth Ministry feels that it’s time for our accompaniment programmes, which are often given by Jesuits, to allow greater involvement of our young members,” said Fr Alexander Koko Siswijayanto SJ, JCAP Youth Ministry Coordinator.
This means not only deepening young people’s knowledge of Ignatian Spirituality, but also training them in the skills of mentoring, listening, spiritual guidance, and formation. To this end, Magis Asia Pacific organised a two-day training on spiritual companionship on 6 and 13 February that drew the participation of more than 50 young people and youth ministers or animators from Malaysia, Singapore, Korea, Japan, Indonesia, Thailand, Taiwan, Vietnam, Philippines, Myanmar, Cambodia, and Timor-Leste.
During the training, Fr Koko and his team shared with the participants some methods and techniques in spiritual companionship of young people. Besides learning how to facilitate spiritual conversations, the participants were also introduced to spiritual guidance, emphatic listening, processing of emotions, and spiritual animation. The hope is for them to be encouraged and equipped to lead more Magis formation programmes in their home countries.
Scholastic Saw Heandreas SJ, Magis Myanmar Coordinator, says that the training helped him to gain a deeper understanding of what spiritual companionship means. “It made me reflect more on myself and my role as a Magis Myanmar Coordinator, especially at this time when we are dealing with the challenges of Covid-19 and the coup,” he shares, admitting that accompanying young people in this difficult time in their country is a challenge. However, he says, he is inspired to find ways even if it is just in doing simple things. “What I learned is that to be a good spiritual companion, one must know how to listen emphatically, pay attention, affirm, clarify, and create a space where people can feel comfortable. Knowing this will help me to grow as a good spiritual companion and an instrument of God’s grace.”
Here are more insightful reflections from the Magis Myanmar participants.
“Through the inputs and exercises, I learned not only the technical process of spiritual companionship but also its practical application. Spiritual companionship is crucial in our spiritual journey of knowing God better and encountering Him in our daily life. In the future, as a Magis core team member, I will be able to accompany young people and my friends as a facilitator and a good companion.” ~Htet Htet Win, 26
“The training has been really helpful. Through the talks, exercises, and group sharing, I felt God’s care and love. I also came to understand how to listen to and care for others.” ~Margaret Mary, 25
“I used to think that only religious persons, like priests or nuns, can become spiritual directors. Now, I realise that lay persons can also be spiritual directors while being spiritual directees at the same time. This is a beautiful blossoming of companionship. I have learnt the power of heartfelt listening, which can be the most difficult part of being a companion. Since we are not just having a chit chat but a spiritual conversation, the most important thing is prayer and silence before and after the conversation so the Holy Spirit can enlighten us in our desolation and consolation. I hope to share this habit of building companionship by practising with the core team members or with a regular companion, having regular sessions online, and especially accompanying my friends in the war zone and those who need someone to listen to them.” ~Nu Nu Pan, 23
“Honestly, I have lived away from God, and I am lazy to praise the Lord. I rarely write a daily reflection because I do not have time. But when I reflect on how journaling is different from keeping a diary, the experience becomes deeper and more practical. With journaling we get to know the movements of the Spirit that we would otherwise not realise if we don’t take a moment to review our day, then write it down. By keeping a journal every day, we can see patterns in our feelings, thoughts, and inner movements. We have to give time to read our journal and reflect. Knowing ourselves helps us to grow, and teaches us to listen and give time to others. I learnt from the training that being a spiritual director or companion means we must to be a good listener and put ourselves in other people’s shoes.” ~Zar Zar Win, 22
“There were many young people from different countries with different languages at the training. We might be different but we are brothers and sisters in the Lord, and have the same goal. It is to praise and bring glory to God. Even if we did not speak the same language, we tried to understand and listen to each other by paying more attention and listening with our heart. The biggest communication problem is that we do not listen to understand, we listen to reply. I learnt from the training that understanding how other people feel is very important. It is what a spiritual companion does. I hope I can practice it in my daily life and in my companionship with my friends and others.” ~Almarie PiPi, 20
“Before this workshop my understanding of Ignatian Spirituality was limited to meditation, contemplation, discernment, journaling, and examen. Through this programme, the aspect of being spiritual directors and directees was added to my understanding of Ignatian Spirituality. The workshop helped me to gain positive energy, strength, and enthusiasm to to reach out and help others in this crucial, critical, and challenging time for our country. As a follow up, if we could have a chance to practise being spiritual directors and directees at the same time, it will help us have more confidence, and grow as men and women for others.” ~Susan Phyu Thiri Khaing, 25