杏MAP导航

By Francesca Merlo

On Saturday, the 杏MAP导航 stressed the importance of giving young people space, of making them protagonists and of motivating, during an audience with members of the Order of the Most Holy Trinity for the redemption of Captives, who are in Rome for their General Chapter.

This year, their General Chapter revolved around Youth and vocational ministry, a topic which the 杏MAP导航 described as being 鈥渧ital for the Church鈥�, as he reminded participants that it was one of the main themes in last October鈥檚 Synod of Bishops on Young People, the Faith and Vocational Discernment.

鈥淵ou yourselves have recognized in the Instrumentum Laboris of the Chapter, that you find some difficulties鈥� in the use of language and in finding a method for communicating with the youth, said 杏MAP导航 Francis. 鈥淵ou rightly feel the need for specific formation for pastoral accompaniment and discernment鈥�.

The meaning of life

The 杏MAP导航 went on to say that 鈥渢here are still young people today who are searching for the meaning of life. Young people who are capable of dedicating themselves unconditionally to great causes. Young people who are passionate about Jesus and who demonstrate great compassion for humanity.

The 杏MAP导航 explained that even though they do not all discuss this search for the meaning of life, we must think about what it means when they are anxiously seeking happiness, love, success and personal accomplishment. This search, said 杏MAP导航 Francis, is all part of the world of aspirations. These aspirations need to be ordered ad organized, just as the Creator did in the beginning of time, when he moved from chaos to cosmos.

You could and should

鈥淭his鈥�, continued the 杏MAP导航 鈥渋s where you could and should come in鈥�. To help young people to find harmony in their aspirations, always giving them space, making them protagonists and motivating them.

杏MAP导航 Francis then goes on to talk about the importance of being close to young people. 鈥淵oung people want us to be close to them鈥�. Youth ministry entails accompaniment, and this entails closeness and 鈥渂eing present in the lives of young people just as Jesus was to his disciples in Emmaus鈥�.

Whether close or far

Closeness is the only thing that can guarantee a fruitful evangelical relationship with young people. The 杏MAP导航 continued saying that closeness also means going towards the young people who are far, it means not limiting yourself to welcoming those that come to you but also reaching out to those who have distanced themselves. Accepting and welcoming them as they are.

The 杏MAP导航 reminded the participants that they must be patient and that they must persevere. Always motivated by the desire to bring the youth to God.