Young People, the Faith and Vocational Discernment

 “Young People, the Faith and Vocational Discernment”

Preparatory Document – Rev. Dr. Kalarickal Sebastian Shiju

“I ask this especially of the Pastors of the Church, the Bishops and the Priests: you are the ones principally responsible for Christian and priestly vocations, and this task cannot be relegated to a bureaucratic office. You too have experienced an encounter that changed your life, when another priest — a parish priest, a confessor, a spiritual director — helped you experience the beauty of God’s love. Thus, you too: going out, listening to young people — it takes patience! — you can help them understand the movements of their heart and guide their steps” (Pope Francis, Address to Participants in the International Conference on Pastoral Work for Vocations, 21 October 2016).

BACKGROUND

The wider process started with the Synod on the New Evangelisation (2012) and the resulting Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium (2013). The two synods on the family and the Post synodal Apostolic Exhortation Amoris Laetitia, were an attempt to examine how the Joy of the Gospel could be expressed in families. This preparatory document is an attempt to do the same for young people. The Latin American Bishop’s Conference document Aparecida, Laudato Si' also features throughout the Preparatory Document.

INTRODUCTION

The focus and title for the forthcoming Synod is ‘Young People, the Faith and Vocational Discernment', and it is about vocational discernment in the broader sense. By listening to young people, the Church will once again hear the Lord speaking in today’s world. As in the days of Samuel (cf. 1 Sam 3:1-21) and Jeremiah (cf. Jer. 1:4-10), young people know how to discern the signs of our times, indicated by the Spirit.

The Document has three Parts

Part 1. The social and cultural dynamics of the world in which young people live.

There is not just one world for young people. Moreover the world is changing rapidly. Through Globalisation young people are becoming more homogenous around the world, while also still living in their own cultures, which affects how they socialise and form their identities. Studies show that young people “do not see themselves as a disadvantaged class or a social group to be protected.” Rather, they want to be involved in shaping what’s around them. Young people have a need for persons of reference, who are close-by, credible, consistent and honest, in addition to places and occasions for testing their ability to relate to others

“From this vantage point, the role of parents and families is crucial yet sometimes problematic. The older generations often tend to underestimate young people’s potential” Young people also seek these persons of reference among their peers, hence their desire for strong peer connections.

Young people today are in part a “hyper-connected generation” because of technology, virtual environments etc. This carries both risks and opportunities and is something the Church must respond to. They are more reluctant to make definitive choices that cannot be later reversed. They are more reflective on their choices. The preparatory document offers Pope Francis’ words form 2016 as an antidote to this: “‘How can we reawaken the greatness and the courage of comprehensive choices, of the impulses of the heart in order to face academic and emotional challenges?’ The phrase I use very often is: take a risk! Take a risk. Whoever does not risk does not walk. ‘But what if I make a mistake?’  Blessed be the Lord! You will make more mistakes if you remain still” (Discourse at Villa Nazareth, 18 June 2016).

Part 2. The fundamental steps of the process of discernment

The Church is concerned that she does not abandon young people to the difficulties of our times, but journeys with them to help them realise their full potential. “Faith is the source of vocational discernment” Faith is both a gift from on high and a response to feeling oneself chosen and loved. Conscience is key in making decisions and young people must be taught to discern “the voice of the Spirit” in their consciences.

The Preparatory Document then offers the framework of Recognising, Interpreting and Choosing. Recognising “the Word of God is of great importance, while Interpreting is about taking what has been recognised and realising what the Spirit is calling us to do. Choosing or vocational discernment is a long process unfolding over time, during which one continues to monitor the signs used by the Lord. Here the Church takes seriously her task of accompanying the younger generation.

Part 3. The Document lists five Key points in a pastoral vocational programme for youth

1. Walking with young people builds up the entire Christian community. No seed for vocations can be fruitful if approached with a closed and complacent pastoral attitude. This is all about three verbs from gospel, which describes how Jesus encountered people in His time; “going out, seeing, and calling”.

2. Agents  

“In pastoral activity, all young people without an exception are not objects but agents. The communities must be attentive to young people, especially those who are in certain difficulties. The document returns again to the importance of People of Reference. The people of references are; (1) Parents & families, who express each day God’s care for every human being through a love which binds them to each other and to their children, (2) Shepherds of Souls: meetings with clergy, who have the ability of a genuine involvement with youth by dedicating their time and resources, and consecrated women and men through their unselfish witness, are decisive in the growth of new generations, (3) Teachers and educators bear witness to the human and Christian vocation.

3. Places

Daily Life and Social Commitment: Becoming an adult means learning to manage independently the aspects of life. It is a struggle to put some order in their lives and priorities.

Specific places for Youth Ministry are: World Youth Days; Parish events and activities; Universities and Catholic schools; Social activities and Volunteer work; Associations and ecclesial movements; Seminaries.

Digital world: The new media offer many new opportunities, especially with regard to access to information and creating relations with those in distant places. However, they also pose risks. Despite the differences in this field among various regions, the Christian community is still developing her presence in this new Areopagus, where young people certainly have something to teach her.

4. Resources:

The Means of Expression in Pastoral Work: Young people’s creativity and talents should be utilized. Sports and music also are resources, as they provide a place for young people to “manifest their individuality.”

Educative Care and the Path of Evangelization The Church must become more attentive to the individuality of each person. The challenge for communities is to receive everyone, following the example of Jesus.

Silence, contemplation, and prayer - No discernment is possible without cultivating a familiarity with the Lord and a dialogue with his Word.

5. Mary of Nazareth. The Synod process is trusted to Mary, to her intercession and to her example. Each young person can discover in Mary’s life the way to listen, the courage that faith generates, the depths of discernment and dedication to service (cf. Lk 1:39-45).