You are welcome here.
We are ” resurrection people,” encountering The Risen Christ to be transformed into a new creation. In the Catholic catechism, we read: “‘….And you were buried with him in Baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the working of God . . . . If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above…”
You do not need to be alone in your spiritual journey! Spiritual exploration and growing in faith are personal and at the same time communal. As we navigate finding a vibrant faith path and take ownership of our journey, we find that we need each other.
The Hermitage within provides faith nourishment (an online monastery or faith sanctuary!) where our feet-on-the-ground, soul-journeying faith blog nurtures your faith path. Reflect in a comfortable chair, be supported in your journey, explore theology, nurture a vibrant faith! Sign up for The Hermitage Within’s faith blog.
We also periodically provide online faith sharing groups for group-based faith accompaniment! These groups are led by Kim Burkhardt. Ms. Burkhardt, who has also been leading faith development groups (and, more recently, liturgy) at churches since 2021, has a Certificate in Pastoral Accompaniment from Catechetical Institute of Franciscan University (Steubenville) and a Catechetical Certificate from the Archdiocese of Seattle. Contact kburkhardt @ hermitagewithin.org to inquire about our upcoming online faith sharing groups (and sign up for our maturing-in-faith blog!
Join us, you are most especially welcome here!
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More about spiritual accompaniment (faith accompaniment):
Spiritual accompaniment is a relationship between individuals in which one individual helps facilitate another’s exploration and continued growth (maturity) in their faith journey.
Spiritual accompaniment takes innumerable forms, such as:
- A youth minister takes a spiritually curious young person “under their wing.”
- Someone at a parish notices that a parishioner “is at loose ends” or “looking for direction in their faith” and takes on a one–on-one faith guidance role.
- A parishioner who is experiencing a life transition – starting college, entering the workforce, having a child, losing a loved one, retiring, etc – asks their pastor for guidance and is directed toward “Hey, X or Y person would be a good person for you to connect with at this time.”
- An individual looking to potentially join a faith tradition – or a different denomination within a tradition – may be assigned a mentor and/or a lay minister to guide their faith inquiry.
- A parishioner may admire a fellow parishioner who has matured in their faith and ask the person for guidance and/or “faith friendship.”
- In various contexts, individuals exist who provide formal spiritual accompaniment to individuals looking for individual direction in their faith (spiritual directors, formal “faith mentors,” etc.). Such accompaniment often takes place when an individually formally seeks this out – when a person is actively looking to grow their faith; during a period of questioning, doubt, or struggle; during periods of transition (life transitions, transitioning from one stage of faith to another); when a person wishes to continually hold themselves accountable in faith.
Faith sharing as an aspect of our spiritual development is important!
You are a beloved child of God!
