Youth—and their special contributions—are a treasure of the Church.
The older I get, the more I appreciate Jesus’ words in Matthew’s Gospel about the necessity of becoming as little children (18:3). I must admit, though, I sometimes find myself agreeing with the artist Pablo Picasso, who said, “It takes a long time to become young.” But I hope to receive a lesson on this over the course of the next two weeks, when I will be visited by eight of my nephews and nieces.
Pope John Paul II is remembered as the pope of the youth, among many other things, and he often referred to them as a “special treasure” of the Church. He noted that as we get older, it’s not uncommon for us look down on youth and perhaps become overly critical of them. But this mindset limits us to a “ministry to youth” rather than also emphasizing a “ministry of the youth.”
Pope John Paul II made this point during his 1999 visit to St. Louis, which I helped coordinate. During his address to the youth at the Kiel Center, where more than 20,000 people had gathered, he said something I’ll never forget: “Jesus does not have ‘contempt for your youth.’ He does not set you aside for a later time when you will be older and your training will be complete. Your training will never be finished. Christians are always in training. You are ready for what Christ wants of you now” (Jan. 26, 1999).
The youth are not the Church of the future but of the present. The rich young man who came to Christ with the question “What must I do?” (cf. Mark 10:17) turned away from Christ because of his many material possessions. But it was the treasure of his youth that first led him to Christ. The youth of today seek Christ with the same energy and the same questions: What must I do in life? and What brings meaning and fulfillment?
“Ministry to the youth” is a reminder that Jesus is in conversation with them, as he was with the rich young man. “Ministry of the youth” is the sharing of their energy for Christ with others, especially with those whose energy for holiness has waned under life’s hardships. This is why I love being surrounded by our youth and visiting our schools and hanging out with them. They show me God’s goodness and remind me that God asks us anew each day to “follow me” (cf. Mark 10:21).
The liturgical calendar and our celebrations of the saints can help us remember that the history of the Church is a history of youth because the Church is eternally young. I think of some of those very young saints whose love and energy for life did not deter them from expressing it sacrificially, as did St. Maria Goretti, St. Tarcisius, and St. Agnes, to mention just a few.
A modern-day saint I think we should especially look to is Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati. Although he lived only 24 years, his energy for holiness and joy continues to minister to countless people. Pope John Paul II called him a “man of the beatitudes,” and his sister, Luciana, said, “He represented the finest in Christian youth: pure, happy, enthusiastic about everything that is good and beautiful.” This is the ministry that is particular to our youth.
I am very grateful to those in our parishes and schools who work so tirelessly with our youth and young adults, helping them recognize their place within God’s loving plan. I would also like to thank Al Forsythe and Karen Byrne of our diocesan Youth and Young Adult Ministry as well as Lourdes Garza and Blanca Primm for their Hispanic Ministry youth program. I offer special thanks as well to Marian Christiana in Chattanooga for her work as diocesan coordinator of Marriage Preparation and Enrichment.
These and many others remind me of that most memorable visit of John Paul II to St. Louis, when he reached out to the youth in such a masterly fashion, challenging them to realize their place, here and now, within the Church.
He reminded them, as I do now, that “training in devotion” includes frequent reception of the Eucharist and recourse to the sacrament of reconciliation.
Our youth thrive from training that perfects their gifts and directs their energy, both physical and spiritual. School activities and programs are one way of maturing and perfecting the gifts of mind and body. But I want to especially challenge all of you, particularly our youth, to participate in your parish community and become, like Blessed Giorgio, “an explosion of joy.”
