By Fr Soroj Mullick, SDB –
Another ‘safe compass’ for youth is mission, – a gift of self out of freedom through catechesis, vocational discernment and moral reflections – that leads to an authentic and lasting happiness in searching for the truth in charity. Vocation is linked to mission: every life is a vocation in relation to God, it is not the fruit of chance or a private good to be managed on its own. It is “not just a part of my life or a badge I can take off; it is not an ‘extra’ or just another moment in life. Instead, it is something I cannot uproot from my being without destroying my very self. I am a mission on this earth; that is the reason why I am here in this world” (Evangelii Gaudium 273, cited in YS 69).
It is call to holiness. Each one must live his own specific vocation in every area: the profession, the family, the consecrated life, the ordained ministry and the permanent diaconate. A renewed missionary vigour is called for in the midst of the challenges faced namely, digital environment, migrants, women’s role in the Church, Sexuality, Economics, politics, work, care of the earth (YS 144-150) within an intercultural and interreligious context through ecumenical dialogue (YS 151-154).
A prerequisite for such renewal is the integral formation (Youth Synod – YS 157-162) through education, faith formation and concrete action plan, both for the youth and youth animators, making them missionary disciples through an accompanying discernment. This holds too for accompaniment for marriage and joint formation of lay people, religious and priests (YS 163) with emphasis on pastoral care of young people, especially education to the faith, backed up by experience and in a community context leading towards pastoral responsibility (YS 164).
In this context, vocational promotion and guidance are an essential element of an Youth Mission (YM) which helps every young person to make life choices in a responsible manner, in the light of faith deepened through youth catechesis. Promoting a culture of vocation through YM is decidedly evangelizing and calls for generous commitment to the service of others. It has to foster apostolic commitment through faith education in collaboration with the local community, thus witnessing with courage and joy, the beauty of being a Christian. Through open spaces for community building and missionary experiences, within the Church, the creative ideas can be put into action, giving the youth opportunities to contribute to the Church and society.
Family and Youth Catechesis:
It is to be accepted that when religious education begins at home, there is a better chance of belonging fully to the Church, even after the crisis of the adolescent period. A research done by a Salesian Priest Mario Pollo, indicates concretely that the family takes the prior step to educate the children to faith. Catechism and religious education should follow and not precede the communication of faith by parents.
The study confirms to this, while finding the same fate of youth in a particular context. The reason is: the transmission of faith is not there. Religious socialization is almost totally lost. The parents are not interested either. Their job completes with sending children to the parish for catechism. Catechesis takes place there, and not at home. There is a danger when we declare: to resolve the problem it is enough to say ‘we shall teach the truth of our faith’. The “I Believe” is taught to many youth, in schools and in catechism classes on Sundays. But soon they have forgotten because it was not contextualized and enculturated within their existential experiences, especially within the family.
The family, “the domestic Church” (LG 11), has an irreplaceable role in Youth Catechesis. The “parents are given divine help to be their own children’s foremost catechists” (NCD 252; cf. CT 68). The family is a privileged place of reference for formation, unity, friendship and relationships (YS -36), and there the youth grow in affectivity and in moral consciousness (YS 32-40).
Family is an integral part of every Church/societal community. For many, the cultural value of acknowledging generations, past and present, parallels an understanding of the Church’s tradition. Many youth in the parishes find themselves caught between two cultures: their family’s particular ethnic culture – to which they often wish to remain loyal – and the larger mainstream world/western culture.
As many view the parish as a trustworthy foundation, the Youth Ministry (YM )have the unique opportunity to collaborate and support them. “The family is the key agent of faith formation and hence the Bishops wish to stress the role of parents, the first teachers of faith, in fostering a love for the Word of God in their children.” The CCBI Pastoral Plan states, “[T]he Church in India plans to encourage Catholic spouses to be open to life (HV 10), to be educators of faith and morals of their children (AA 11), accompanying them from the cradle to the time when they are able to choose a career and form their own family” (CCC 2230). The Synod on Youth too strongly emphasizes on the importance of involving the family in the process of youth formation through the appreciation of family values, traditional cultures and other religions.
The role of the parents and the elderly has a key element for education and formation of personal identity of the young generations (YS 34). Through careful guidance, the family as a whole, help the young “discover the living richness of the past, treasuring its memory and making use of it for their choices and opportunities” (YS 35). Youth Ministry has to promote intergenerational dialogue among families. For example, identify a core family value, and describe ways in which that value is passed on from one generation to the next; expand resources for marriage preparation programs. With the increase of inter-ethnic, ecumenical and interreligious marriages, faith forums or events can provide dialogue on sensitive topics that may not be addressed successfully in domestic settings, such as live-in together, or interracial and interfaith marriages.
The Church as a family must constantly accompany the youth in their holistic growth. The animators (lay and clergy) must be present with them and know them personally. The dioceses can hold a synod at the local/regional level, in order to discuss and pass on the deliberations of the YS and draw a National pastoral plan for YM in every country, while creating forums for young people in parishes and institutions, providing opportunities for spiritual, social, educational, skills and professional growth, under the leadership of young people and youth directors.
Youth catechesis within the YM “can present the ideal of life in Christ as the process of building a house on rock (cf. Mt 7:24-25) through marriage or other vocations in life within the Christian community (CV 243) and Church’s educational institutions. Youth catechesis and family ministry, in a coordinated effort, would ensure a continuous accompaniment of the vocational process (CV 242) and contribute to the integral education of the young (CV 247; YS 15). Youth have to discern and discover God’s call to friendship with Jesus (CV 250) and say ‘yes’ to the call of missionary service to others (CV 253).
Fr. Soroj Mullick, SDB is a Salesian priest from the Kolkata Province. He has a Licentiate in Catechetics and a Doctorate (Christian Education) from UPS, Italy. He has number of years of teaching experience in college and in the formation of future priests. Besides, he has written number of research papers and articles, and has 25 years of Ministry in India and abroad as Educator, Formator, Retreat Preacher, Editor and engaged in School, Parish Catechetical & Youth Ministry. He is now an assistant priest in Bandel Basilica, rendering pastoral and catechetical ministry to the parishioners and to the pilgrims. He can be contacted at [email protected].