Abstract
Degree Awarded: D.Min. Theology and Religious Studies. The Catholic University of America, AbstractThe loss of a beloved spouse constitutes one of the most profound existential ruptures in a marital union, often marked by loneliness and identity disruption. It plunges the bereaved spouse into an arduous pilgrimage of grief that comes with recondite emotional stressors – a very difficult route through which the bereaved spouse must navigate. This ministry project highlights the importance of pastoral care and accompaniment in providing solace, healing, and comfort to bereaved spouses navigating spousal grief. It also introduces the concept of forming bereaved spouses into ministers of consolation, encouraging them to become “accompanied accompaniers” who support others through similar journeys of grief.A key component of this ministry project is a formation training program designed to guide bereaved spouses both through their personal grief and into the practice of pastoral care and accompaniment within the parish context. This initiative aligns with Pope Francis’ call in Evangelii Gaudium for the Church to intentionally initiate everyone—priests, religious, and laity—in the “art of accompaniment.” The formation training program was conducted over two weekends in June 2025 for 29 bereaved spouses and consisted of 5 sessions. The Biblical Emmaus narrative serves as the primary pastoral framework and model for providing pastoral care and accompaniment to bereaved spouses in the parish, highlighting presence, listening, empathy, scripture, Eucharistic encounter, and mission. To assess the effectiveness of the formation training program, a comprehensive evaluation was conducted using pre- and post-project surveys (questionnaires), as well as longitudinal interviews. These assessments measured participants’ growth, understanding of pastoral accompaniment, and the overall impact of the training while maintaining confidentiality and anonymity.The research findings underscore the importance of being heard, understood, and accompanied during the grief process. The bereaved spouses reported experiencing significant comfort and healing when they received empathetic listening, pastoral care, and accompaniment, especially from the parish community, which contributed to a deeper sense of ecclesial belonging. The study strongly advocates establishing active grief ministries in parish communities and encourages pastors to recognize and respond to this critical pastoral need. Part of: Dissertations and Theses -- Catholic University of America