Accompanying in the existential peripheries

I Meeting Circles Marisa Moresco

The Meeting Circles receive their denomination from Marisa Moresco in recognition of her contribution as a companion and witness, which was reflected in her determined and permanent decision to generate life, from the unconditional trust in the One who is Life and with the mediation of the accompaniment.

The Circles are destined to become a meeting between different people and groups linked by spiritual accompaniment.

This first volume meets the challenge of how to accompany life in the existential peripheries, creating safe spaces in which Life is welcomed, shared and unfolds for everyone, especially the most vulnerable.

Lola ARRIETA OLMEDO is a spiritual guide and psychotherapist. At present she is fully dedicated to the coordination of the Ruaj team, which was founded in 1997 together with Marisa Moresco and Concha Calleja.

Elisa ESTÉVEZ LÓPEZ has a PhD in Theology and is a permanent teacher in the Department of Sacred Scripture and Church History at Comillas Pontifical University (Madrid). She is a member of the Ruach team.

Introduction

I. Transiting the peripheries and allowing to be looked at by the peripheries. Transiting (and stopping). Peripheries (and center). Look (and be looked at).

II. Who can understand my pain? Who appears and does not pass by. Who learns to look carefully. Who sets sail far from the self and lives widening its borders.

III. The peripheries as places of creativity. What is the place of creativity in the peripheries from the perspective of accompaniment? Connecting and interconnecting different areas, people and situations. “At long range, every mountain is blue. At close range, every person is human» (Casaldáliga).

V. The throwaway culture. What new ethics? Elements that ask us to give new ethical responses. How can we contribute to changing mentalities? Philosophical perspectives.

V. Taking charge and charging with the peripheries. “His heart pounded”. How does God look at the peripheries? How does God look at us from the eyes of those who live on the peripheries? As an epilogue: The poor are our teachers, the humble are our educators” (Saint Gregory Nazianzen).

VI. “You have comforted me and spoken kindly to your servant” (Rt 2:13). Accompany in the existential peripheries. What happens and what happens to us if we rethink them together? What pounds our heart? Witnesses... There are witnesses who say it’s over there.