3/17/2017 PreparatoryDocumentforthe15thOrdinaryGeneralAssemblyoftheSynodofBishops

PreparatoryDocumentforthe15thOrdinaryGeneral
AssemblyoftheSynodofBishops,13.01.2017

ThefollowingisthefulltextofthePreparatoryDocumentforthe15thOrdinaryGeneralAssembly
oftheSynodofBishopsonthethemeYouth,faithandvocationaldiscernment,totakeplacein
October2018.

Introduction
ThesethingsIhavespokentoyou,thatmyjoymaybeinyou,andthatyourjoymaybefull( Jn
15:11).ThisisGodsplanforallmenandwomenineveryage,includingalltheyoungmenand
womenoftheThirdMillennium,withoutexception.

ProclaimingthejoyoftheGospelisthemissionentrustedbytheLordtoHisChurch.TheSynodon
theNewEvangelizationandtheApostolicExhortation EvangeliiGaudium
treatedhowtoaccomplish
thismissionintodaysworld.ThetwosynodsonthefamilyandthePostSynodalApostolic
Exhortation Amorislaetitia
were,instead,dedicatedtohelpingfamiliesfindthisjoy.

InkeepingwiththismissionandintroducinganewapproachthroughaSynodwiththetopic,
YoungPeople,theFaithandVocationalDiscernment,theChurchhasdecidedtoexamineherself
onhowshecanleadyoungpeopletorecognizeandacceptthecalltothefullnessoflifeandlove,
andtoaskyoungpeopletohelpherinidentifyingthemosteffectivewaystoannouncetheGood
Newstoday.Bylisteningtoyoungpeople,theChurchwillonceagainheartheLordspeakingin
todaysworld.AsinthedaysofSamuel(cf. 1Sam
3:121)andJeremiah(cf. 1:410),young Jer
peopleknowhowtodiscernthesignsofourtimes,indicatedbytheSpirit.Listeningtotheir
aspirations,theChurchcanglimpsetheworldwhichliesaheadandthepathstheChurchiscalled
tofollow.

Foreachperson,thevocationtolovetakesconcreteformineverydaylifethroughaseriesof
choices,whichfindexpressioninthestatesoflife(marriage,ordainedministry,consecratedlife,
etc.),professions,formsofsocialandcivilcommitment,lifestyle,themanagementoftimeand
money,etc.Whetherthesechoicesarewilfullymadeorsimplyaccepted,eitherconsciouslyor
unconsciously,nooneisexcludedfrommakingthesechoices.Thepurposeofvocational
discernmentistofindouthowtotransformthem,inthelightoffaith,intostepstowardsthe
fullnessofjoytowhicheveryoneiscalled.

TheChurchknowsthebasisofthestrengthandbeautyofyoungpeople,[namely]theabilityto
rejoiceatthebeginningofundertakings,togiveoneselftotallywithoutgoingback,topickoneself
upandbeginagaininsearchofnewconquests( MessageofVaticanIItoYoungPeople
,8
December1965).TherichesoftheChurchsspiritualtraditionprovidemanyresourcesinguiding
theformationofconscienceandanauthenticfreedom.

Withthisinmind,thepresent PreparatoryDocument
beginstheSynodsphaseofconsultationof
theentirePeopleofGod.Thisdocumentaddressedtothesynodsandcouncilsofpatriarchsof

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theEasternCatholicChurches suiiuris
,theEpiscopalConferences,thedicasteriesoftheRoman
CuriaandtheUnionofSuperiorsGeneralconcludeswithaseriesofquestions.Theconsultation
willalsoincludeallyoungpeoplethroughawebsitewithquestionsontheirexpectationsandtheir
lives.Theanswerstobothseriesofquestionswillbethebasisfordraftingtheworkdocumentor
Instrumentumlaboris ,whichwillbethereferencepointinthediscussionofthesynodfathers.

ThisPreparatoryDocumentsuggestsareflectioninthreesteps,beginningwithsummarilyoutlining
someofthesocialandculturaldynamicsoftheworldinwhichyoungpeoplegrowandmaketheir
decisionsandproposingthatthesebereadinthelightoffaith.Thedocumentthenretracesthe
fundamentalstepsoftheprocessofdiscernment,whichtheChurchfeelsisthebasicmeansshe
canofferyoungpeoplesotheycandiscover,inthelightoffaith,theirvocation.Finally,the
documenttreatskeypointsinapastoralvocationalprogrammeforyouth.Thedocument,
therefore,isnotexhaustive,butservesasakindofguidetoencouragefurtherdiscussion,whose
fruitswillbeavailableonlyattheconclusionoftheSynod.

INTHEFOOTSTEPSOFTHEBELOVEDDISCIPLE

TheGospelimageofJohntheApostlecanserveasaninspirationatthebeginningofthisprocess.
InthetraditionalreadingoftheFourthGospel,heisbothanexampleofayoungpersonwho
choosestofollowJesusandthediscipleJesusloved( 13:2319:2621:7). Jn
...andhelookedatJesusashewalked,andsaid,Behold,theLambofGod!Thetwodisciples
heardhimsaythis,andtheyfollowedJesus.Jesusturned,andsawthemfollowing,andsaidto
them,Whatdoyouseek?AndtheysaidtoHim,Rabbi(whichmeansTeacher),whereareyou
staying?Hesaidtothem,Comeandsee.TheycameandsawwhereHewasstayingandthey
stayedwithHimthatday,foritwasaboutthetenthhour.OneofthetwowhoheardJohnspeak,
andfollowedhim,wasAndrew,SimonPeter'sbrother.HefirstfoundhisbrotherSimon,andsaidto
him,WehavefoundtheMessiah(whichmeansChrist).HebroughthimtoJesus.Jesuslookedat
him,andsaid,SoyouareSimonthesonofJohn?YoushallbecalledCephas(whichmeans
Jn
Peter)( 1:3639).

Inthesearchformeaningintheirlives,thetwodisciplesofJohntheBaptisthearJesusmakethe
penetratingquestion:Whatdoyouseek?Totheirreply,Rabbi(whichmeansTeacher),where
doyoulive?,theLordrespondswithaninvitation:Comeandsee( 1:3839).Atthesame Jn
time,Jesuscallsthemtoembarkonaninnerjourneyandtobepreparedtomoveforwardina
practicalway,withoutreallyknowingwherethiswillleadthem.Itwillbeamemorableencounter,
somuchsothattheyevenremembertheexacttimeofday(cf. 1:39). Jn
Asaresultoftheircouragetogoandsee,thediscipleswillexperiencetheabidingfriendshipof
ChristandwillbeabletopasseachdaywithHim.TheywillponderHiswordsandbeinspiredby
themandwillbedeeplyaffectedandmovedbyHisactions.John,inparticular,willbecalledtobe
awitnessofthePassionandResurrectionofhisMaster.AttheLastSupper(cf. 13.21to29), Jn
theintimatenatureoftheirrelationshipwillleadhimtoresthisheadonJesuschestandtotrust
Hiseveryword.InfollowingSimonPetertothehouseofthehighpriest,Johnwillfacethenightof
Jn
sufferingandloneliness(cf. 18:1327).AtthefootoftheCross,hewillenduretheprofound
griefofhisMother,entrustedtohim,whileacceptingtheresponsibilityoftakingcareofher(cf. Jn
19:2527).OnEastermorning,hewillsharewithPeterthefrenziedyethopefilledracetowards
Jn
theemptytomb(cf. 20:110).Finally,duringthemiraculousdraughtoffishattheSeaofGalilee
Jn
(cf. 21:114),hewillrecognizetheRisenLordandwillgivetestimonytotheentirecommunity.
Johnsexamplecanbeofassistanceinunderstandingthatthevocationalexperienceisagradual
processofinnerdiscernmentandgrowthinthefaith,whichleadstodiscoveringthefullnessofthe
joyoflifeandlove,makingagiftofoneselfandparticipatingintheproclamationoftheGood
News.

YOUNGPEOPLEINTODAYSWORLD

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Thischapterisnotacomprehensiveanalysisofsocietyortheyoungpeoplesworld,buttheresults
ofresearchinthesocialspherewhichisusefulinaddressingtheissueofvocationaldiscernment,
sothat[by]lettingthemtouchusdeeply[theycan]provideaconcretefoundationfortheethical
andspiritualjourney( Laudatos
,15).

Onthegloballevel,approachingthesubjectwillrequireadaptationtothespecificcircumstancesof
eachregion.Judgingfromglobaltrends,thedifferencesamongthevariousareasoftheplanetare
important.Inmanyways,itisfairtosaythatthereisamultiplicityofworlds,whenspeakingof
youngpeople,notasingleone.Amongthese,someareparticularlynoteworthy.Thefirstresults
fromdemographicswhichdividescountrieswithhighbirthrates,whereyoungpeoplemakeupa
significantandgrowingproportionofthepopulation,fromthosecountrieswherethepopulationis
diminishing.Aseconddifferenceisbasedonhistorywhichseparatescountriesandcontinentsof
ancientChristiantraditionandculturewhichshouldnotbelostfromcountriesandcontinents
whosecultureismarked,instead,byotherreligioustraditionsinwhichChristianityisintheminority
andoftentimesonlyrecentlypresent.Finally,nottobeforgottenarethedifferencesarising
accordingtogender,masculineandfeminine.Ontheonehand,genderdeterminesdifferent
perceptionsofreality,ontheother,genderisthebasisofvariousformsofdomination,exclusion
anddiscrimination,whichallsocietiesneedtoovercome.

Inthefollowingpages,thewordyouthreferstopersonswhoareroughly16to29yearsold,
whilebearinginmindthatthetermneedstobeadaptedtolocalcircumstances.Inanycase,itis
goodtorememberthatthetermyouth,inadditiontoreferringtopersons,isastageoflifethat
eachgenerationunderstandsinanunequal,originalmanner.

1.ARapidlyChangingWorld

Arapidprocessofchangeandtransformationisthemaincharacteristicofcontemporarysocieties
andcultures(cf. Laudatos
,18).Thehighlycomplexnatureandpaceofthisprocessiscreatinga
situationoffluidityanduncertaintyneverbeforeexperienced.Withoutjudging whetherthis apriori
stateofaffairsisaproblemoranopportunity,thesituationdemandscompleteattentionandan
abilityforlongtermplanning,whilebearinginminditsenduranceandtheconsequencesoftodays
choicesforthefuture.

Thegrowthofuncertaintyresultsinastateofvulnerability,thatis,acombinationofsocialunease
andeconomicdifficultiesaswellasinsecurityinthelivesofalargepartofthepopulation.With
regardstowork,thissituationbringstomindunemployment,anincreaseinflexibilityinthelabour
marketandexploitation,especiallyofminors,ortheoverallseriesofcivil,economicandsocial
causes,includingthoseoftheenvironment,whichexplaintheoverwhelmingincreaseinthenumber
ofrefugeesandmigrants.Comparedtoaprivilegedfew,whocantakeadvantageofthe
opportunitiesofferedbytheprocessesofeconomicglobalization,manypeopleliveinaprecarious
andinsecuresituation,whichhasanimpactonthecourseandchoicestakeninlife.

Globally,thecontemporaryworldismarkedbyaculturebasedonscience,oftentimesdominated
bytechnologyandtheendlesspossibilitiessciencepromises,withinwhichsadnessandloneliness
appeartobeontherise,notleastamongyoungpeople( Misericordiaetmisera
,3).Astaughtin
theEncyclicalLetter Laudatos
,theintertwiningofatechnocraticstandardandafranticsearchfor
shorttermprofitsisthebasisofthethrowawayculturewhichexcludesmillionsofpeople,
includingmanyyoungpeople,andleadstotheindiscriminateexploitationofnaturalresourcesand
environmentaldegradation,threateningthefutureofupcominggenerations(cf.2022).

Itshouldnotbeoverlookedthatmanysocietiesareincreasinglymulticulturalandmultireligious.In
particular,thepresenceofdifferentreligioustraditionsisachallengeandanopportunity.The
situationcanleadtouncertaintyandthetemptationofrelativism,but,atthesametime,can
provideforincreasedpossibilitiesforfruitfuldialogueandmutualenrichment.Fromthevantage
pointoffaith,thesituationisseenasasignofourtimes,requiringgreaterlistening,respectand
dialogue.

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2.NewGenerations

Todaysgenerationofyoungpeopleliveinaworldwhichisdifferentfromthatoftheirparentsand
educators.Economicandsocialchangeshaveaffectedthegamutofobligationsandopportunities.
Youngpeoplesaspirations,needs,feelingsandmannerofrelatingtoothershavechangedaswell.
Furthermore,fromacertainpointofview,youngpeople,becauseofglobalization,tendtobemore
homogeneousinallpartsoftheworld.Nevertheless,theyremainintheirlocalsurroundingsand
theiruniqueculturalandinstitutionalsettings,whichhaverepercussionsintheprocessof
socializingandformingapersonalidentity.

Thechallengeofmulticulturalismispresentinaspecialwayintheworldofyoungpeoplefor
example,withthespecialfeaturesofsecondgenerations(thatis,thoseyoungpeoplewhogrow
upinasocietyandaculturedifferentfromthoseoftheirparents,asaresultofmigration)or,ina
certainsense,thechildrenofmixedparents(fromthevantagepointofethnicity,cultureand/or
religion).

Inmanypartsoftheworld,youngpeopleareexperiencingparticularhardshipswhichpose
difficultiesfortheminmakingrealchoicesinlife,becausetheyhavenoteventheminimal
possibilitytoexercisefreedom.Thissituationincludesyoungpeopleexperiencingpovertyand
exclusionthosewhogrowupwithoutparentsorfamily,orareunabletogotoschoolchildrenand
youngboysandgirlswholiveonthestreetinmanysuburbstheyoungwhoareunemployed,
displacedpersonsandmigrantsthosewhoarevictimsofexploitation,traffickingandslavery
childrenandyoungpeopleforcefullyrecruitedincriminalgangsorasguerrillafightersandchild
bridesorgirlsforcedtomarryagainsttheirwill.Toomanyintheworldpassdirectlyfromchildhood
toadulthoodandaburdenofresponsibilitytheywereunabletochoose.Oftentimesfemale
children,littlegirlsandyoungwomenfaceevengreaterdifficultiesthantheirpeers.

Studiesconductedattheinternationallevelcanhelpidentifysomecharacteristicfeaturesofyoung
peopleinourtimes.

BelongingandParticipation
Youngpeopledonotseethemselvesasadisadvantagedclassorasocialgrouptobeprotected
or,consequently,aspassiverecipientsofpastoralprogrammesorpolicies.Manywishtobean
activepartintheprocessofchangetakingplaceatthispresenttime,asconfirmedbythe
experiencesofinvolvementandinnovationatthegrassrootlevel,whichseeyoungpeopleas
major,leadingcharacterstogetherwithotherpeople.

Youngpeople,ontheonehand,showawillingnessandreadinesstoparticipateandcommit
themselvestoconcreteactivitiesinwhichthepersonalcontributionofeachmightbeanoccasion
forrecognizingonesidentity.Ontheotherhand,theyshowanintoleranceinplaceswherethey
feel,rightlyorwrongly,thattheylackopportunitiestoparticipateorreceiveencouragement.This
canleadtoresignationorfatigueintheirwilltodesire,todreamandtoplan,asseeninthe
diffusionofthephenomenonofNEET(notineducation,employmentortraining,namely,young
peoplearenotengagedinanactivityofstudyorworkorvocationaltraining).Thediscrepancy
betweenyoungpeoplewhoarepassiveanddiscouragedandthoseenterprisingandenergetic
comesfromtheconcreteopportunitiesofferedtoeachoneinsocietyandthefamilyinwhichone
develops,inadditiontotheexperiencesofasenseofmeaning,relationshipsandvalueswhichare
formedevenbeforetheonsetofyouth.Besidespassivity,alackofconfidenceinthemselvesand
theirabilitiescanmanifestitselfinanexcessiveconcernfortheirselfimageandinasubmissive
conformitytopassingfads.

PersonalandInstitutionalPointsofReference
Variousresearchstudiesshowthatyoungpeoplehaveaneedforpersonsofreference,whoare
closeby,credible,consistentandhonest,inadditiontoplacesandoccasionsfortestingtheirability
torelatetoothers(bothadultsandpeers)anddealingwiththeirfeelingsandemotions.Young

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peoplelookforpersonsofreferencewhoareabletoexpressempathyandofferthemsupport,
encouragementandhelpinrecognizingtheirlimits,butwithoutmakingthemfeeltheyarebeing
judged.

Fromthisvantagepoint,theroleofparentsandfamiliesiscrucialyetsometimesproblematic.The
oldergenerationsoftentendtounderestimateyoungpeoplespotential.Theyemphasizetheir
weaknessesandhavetroubleunderstandingtheneedsofthosewhoareveryyoung.Parentsand
adulteducatorscanalsobeawareoftheirownmistakesandknowwhattheywouldnotwant
youngpeopletodo.However,oftentimestheydonothaveaclearideaofhowtohelpyoung
peoplefocusonthefuture.Inthisregard,thetwomostcommonreactionsarepreferringnotto
sayanythingandimposingtheirownchoices.Absentoroverprotectiveparentsmaketheirchildren
moreunpreparedtofacelifeandtendtounderestimatetherisksinvolvedorareobsessedbya
fearofmakingmistakes.

Youngpeople,however,arenotseekingreferencepersonsamongadultsonlytheyhaveastrong
desireforreferencepersonsamongtheirpeers.Consequently,theyneedopportunitiesforfree
interactionwiththem,tobeabletoexpresstheirfeelingsandemotions,tolearninaninformal
mannerandtoexperimentwithrolesandabilitieswithoutstressandanxiety.

Youngpeople,cautiousbynatureofthosewhoareoutsidetheircircleofpersonalrelationships,
oftentimesnourishmistrust,indifferenceorangertowardsinstitutions.Thisisnotjustabout
societybutincreasinglyaffectseducationalinstitutionsandtheChurchasaninstitution.They
wouldliketheChurchtobeclosertopeopleandmoreattentivetosocialissues,butrealizethat
thiswillnothappenimmediately.

Allthistakesplaceinacontextwheresectarianmembershipandreligiouspracticemoreandmore
characterizeyoungpeople.Thoughyoungpeoplearenotinopenopposition,theylearntolive
withouttheGodpresentedbytheGospelandwithouttheChurchandtorelyonalternativeand
minimallyinstitutionalizedformsofreligionandspiritualityortotakerefugeinsectsorreligious
experienceswithastrongaffiliation.Inmanyplaces,thepresenceoftheChurchisbecomingless
widespreadand,consequently,moredifficulttoencounter,whilethedominantcultureisthebearer
ofneedsoftentimesatoddswithGospelvalues,whetheritbeelementsoftheirtraditionorthe
localrealityofglobalization,whichischaracterizedbyconsumerismandanoveremphasisonthe
individual.

TowardsaHyperConnectedGeneration
Today,theyoungergenerationischaracterizedbyitsrelationshipwiththemoderntechnologiesof
communicationandwhatisnormallycalledthevirtualworld,whichhasveryrealeffects.This
virtualworldprovidespotentialaccesstoarangeofopportunitieswhichpreviousgenerationsdid
notenjoy,butnotwithoutitsrisks.Nevertheless,itisveryimportanttofocusonhowthe
experienceoftechnologicallymediatedrelationsmightstructuretheconceptionoftheworld,reality
andinterpersonalrelationships.Onthisbasis,theChurchiscalledupontoevaluateherpastoral
activity,whichneedstodevelopanappropriateculture.

3.YoungPeopleandChoices

Withinthefluidityandinsecuritypreviouslyoutlined,thetransitiontoadultlifeandthebuildingofa
personalidentityincreasinglyrequireareflectivecourseofaction.Peopleareforcedtoreorient
theirlifesjourneysandcontinuallytakepossessionoftheirchoices.Moreover,togetherwiththe
spreadofwesternculture,aconceptionoffreedomasthepossibilityofhavingaccesstoevernew
opportunitiesisemerging.Youngpeoplerefusetocontinueonapersonaljourneyoflife,ifit
meansgivinguptakingdifferentpathsinthefuture:TodayIchoosethis,tomorrowwe'llsee.In
affectiverelationshipsasintheworldofwork,thehorizonconsistsofoptionswhichcanalwaysbe
reversedratherthandefinitivechoices.

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Inthiscontext,theoldapproachesnolongerworkandtheexperiencepassedonbyprevious
generationsquicklybecomesobsolete.Valuableopportunitiesandenticingrisksareintertwinedin
anentanglementwhichisnoteasilyextricable,thusrequiringsuitablecultural,socialandspiritual
means,sothattheprocessofdecisionmakingdoesnotstallandendup,perhapsforfearof
makingmistakes,undergoingchangeratherthanguidingit.TousePopeFranciswords:Howcan
wereawakenthegreatnessandthecourageofcomprehensivechoices,oftheimpulsesofthe
heartinordertofaceacademicandemotionalchallenges?.ThephraseIuseveryoftenis:takea
risk!Takearisk.Whoeverdoesnotriskdoesnotwalk.ButwhatifImakeamistake?.Blessedbe
theLord!Youwillmakemoremistakesifyouremainstill( DiscourseatVillaNazareth
,18June
2016).

Thesearchforwaystoreawakencourageandtheimpulsesoftheheartmustnecessarilytakeinto
accountthatthepersonofJesusandtheGoodNewsproclaimedbyHimcontinuetofascinate
manyyoungpeople.

Youngpeoplesabilitytochooseishamperedbydifficultiesrelatedtoprecariousconditions,
namely,theirstruggletofindworkorthedramaticabsenceofopportunitiestoworkobstaclesin
theirachievingeconomicindependenceandtheirinabilitytocontinueinonecareer.Generally
speaking,theseobstaclesareevenmoredifficultforyoungwomentoovercome.

Theeconomicandsocialhardshipoffamilies,thewayinwhichyoungpeopleadoptcertain
characteristicsofcontemporarycultureandtheimpactofnewtechnologiesrequireamajor
capacityinresponding,initsbroadestsense,tothechallengeineducatingtheyoung.Thisisthe
educationalemergencyhighlightedbyPopeBenedictXVIinhis LettertotheCityandtheDiocese
ofRomeontheUrgencyofEducatingYoungPeople (21January2008).Onthegloballevel,
inequalitiesbetweencountriesneedtobetakenintoaccountaswellastheireffectonthe
opportunitiesofferedtoyoungpeopleinfosteringinclusionindifferentsocieties.Furthermore,
culturalandreligiousfactorscanleadtoexclusionby,forexample,genderinequalityor
discriminationagainstethnicorreligiousminorities,whichdrivethemostenterprisingamongthe
youngtoreverttoemigration.

Thissituationmakesparticularlyurgentthepromotionofpersonalskillsbyputtingthematthe
serviceofasolidplanforcommongrowth.Youngpeopleappreciatethechoiceofworkingtogether
inrealprojectswhichmeasuretheirabilitytogetresults,ofexercisingleadershipdirectedto
improvingtheenvironmentinwhichtheyliveandofseekingopportunitiestoacquireandrefine,in
apracticalway,usefulskillsforlifeandwork.

Socialinnovationexpressesapositiveinvolvementwhichturnsupsidedowntheconditionofnew
generations,transforminglosersseekingprotectionfromtherisksofchangetoagentsofchange
whocreatenewopportunities.Itissignificantthatyoungpeopleoftenwithdrawnintoa
stereotypeofpassivityandinexperienceproposeandpractisealternativeswhichshowhowthe
worldortheChurchcouldbe.IfsocietyortheChristiancommunitywanttomakesomethingnew
happenagain,theyhavetoleaveroomfornewpeopletotakeaction.Inotherwords,devising
changeaccordingtotheprinciplesofsustainabilityrequiresenablingnewgenerationstoexperience
anewmodelofdevelopment.Thisisparticularlyproblematicinthosecountriesandinstitutions
wheretheageofthosewhooccupypositionsofresponsibilityishighandslowsdownthepaceof
generationalchange.

II

FAITH,DISCERNMENT,VOCATION

ThrougheveryphaseofthisSynod,theChurchwantsagaintostateherdesiretoencounter,
accompanyandcareforeveryyoungperson,withoutexception.TheChurchcannot,nordoesshe
wishto,abandonthemtotheisolationandexclusiontowhichtheworldexposesthem.Thatyoung
peopleslivesmightbeagoodexperiencethattheydonotlosethemselvesinviolenceordeath
andthatdisappointmentdoesnotimprisonandalienatethem,allofthishastobeofgreat

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concerntoonewhohasreceivedlife,beenbaptizedinthefaithandisawarethatthesearegreat
gifts.

Becauseofthesegifts,beingbornopensapersontothepromiseofafulllifeandbeingaccepted
andcaredforisthebasicexperiencewhichplacesintheheartofeachpersonnotonlythe
confidenceofnotbeingabandonedtoalackofasenseofmeaningortothedarknessofdeath
butthehopeofbeingabletoexpressonesindividualityinajourneytowardsthefullnessoflife.

ThewisdomoftheEasternChurchishelpfulinseeinghowthisconfidencemightbebasedinan
analogyofthreebirths:naturalbirth,thatis,oneisbornfemaleandmaleinaworldwhichcan
accommodateandsupportlifebirthinbaptismwhensomeonebecomesachildofGodthrough
graceandthenathirdbirth,thatis,thepassagefrombodilylifeinthisworldtothespirituallife
inthenext,whichopensapersontothefullexerciseoffreedom(cf. DiscourseofPhiloxenusof
Mabbug ,afifthcenturySyrianbishop,9).

Offeringothersthegiftsthatonehasreceivedmeansaccompanyingthemandwalkingbeside
themonthisjourneyastheydealwiththeweaknessesanddifficultiesintheirlives,andespecially
supportingthemintheexerciseoffreedomwhichisstillbeingformed.Consequently,theChurch,
beginningwithherPastors,iscalledtomakeaselfexaminationandtorediscoverhervocationof
caringforothersinthemannerrecommendedbyPopeFrancisatthebeginningofhispontificate:
...caring[and]protectingdemandgoodness[they]callforacertaintenderness.IntheGospels,
SaintJosephappearsasastrongandcourageousman,aworkingman,yetinhisheartwesee
greattenderness,whichisnotthevirtueoftheweakbutratherasignofstrengthofspiritanda
capacityforconcern,forcompassion,forgenuineopennesstoothers,forlove.( Homilyatthe
BeginningofthePetrineMinistryoftheBishopofRome, 19March2013).

Fromthisperspective,someideaswillnowbepresentedregardingaccompanyingyoungpeople,
beginningwiththefaithandlisteningtothetraditionoftheChurch,withtheclearobjectiveof
supportingthemintheirvocationaldiscernmentandtheirmakingfundamentalchoicesinlife,
startingfromanawarenessthatsomeofthesechoicesarepermanent.

1.FaithandVocation

FaithisseeingthingsasJesusdoes(cf. Lumenfidei
,18).Faithisthesourceofvocational
discernment,becausefaithprovidesvocationaldiscernmentwithitsfundamentalcontents,specific
development,personalstyleandpedagogy.Joyouslyandwillinglyacceptingthisgiftofgrace
requiresmakingitfruitfulthroughconcreteandconsistentchoicesinlife.

Youdidnotchooseme,butIchoseyouandappointedyouthatyoushouldgoandbearfruitand
thatyourfruitshouldabidesothatwhateveryouasktheFatherinmyname,Hemaygiveitto
Jn
you.ThisIcommandyou,toloveoneanother( 15:1617).Ifthevocationtothejoyofloveis
thefundamentalcallthatGodhasplacedintheheartofeveryyoungpersonsothateachones
existencewillbearfruit,faithisbothagiftfromonhighandaresponsetofeelingoneselfchosen
andloved.

Faithisnorefugeforthefainthearted,butsomethingwhichenhancesourlives.Itmakesus
awareofamagnificentcalling,thevocationoflove.Itassuresusthatthisloveistrustworthyand
worthembracing,foritisbasedonGodsfaithfulnesswhichisstrongerthanoureveryweakness
(Lumenfidei ,53).Thisfaithbecomesalightcapableofilluminingallourrelationshipsinsociety,
contributingtobuildingauniversalbrotherhoodamongthemenandwomenofourtime( , ibid.
54).

TheBiblehasnumerousaccountsofyoungpeoplereceivingavocationalcallandtheirmakinga
response.Inthelightoffaith,theygraduallybecomeawareoftheGodsplanofprofoundlovefor
eachperson.ThisisGodsintentionineveryoneofHisactions,fromthetimeofcreatingtheworld
asaplacethatisgood,aplacecapableofacceptinglifeandaplaceofferedasagiftina
networkofrelationstobetrusted.

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TobelieveistolistentotheSpiritand,withallonespowersofmindandemotion,todialoguewith
Jn
theWord,WhoistheWay,theTruthandtheLife(cf. 14:6)andtolearntotrustintheWord,
embodyingItintheconcreteinstancesofeverydaylife,inmomentswhenthecrossis
encounteredandwhenoneexperiencesthejoyinseeingthesignsofresurrection,justasthe
beloveddiscipledid.ThischallengemustbefacedbyeachChristiancommunityandtheindividual
believer.

Theplaceforthisdialogueistheconscience.AstaughtbytheSecondVaticanCouncil,conscience
isthemostsecretcoreandsanctuaryofaman.ThereheisalonewithGod,Whosevoiceechoes
inhisdepths( Gaudiumetspes
,16).Conscienceisthereforeaninviolableplacewherea
promisinginvitationispresent.TodiscernthevoiceoftheSpiritfromothercallsanddecidehowto
respondisthetaskofeachperson.Othersmayaccompanyandaffirmaperson,buttheycan
nevertakeanotherpersonsplaceinthisregard.

Lifeandhistoryteachthathumanbeingscannoteasilyrecognizetheconcreteformofthatjoyto
whichGodcallseachoneandtowhicheachoneaspires,letaloneatthepresenttimeofchange
andwidespreaduncertainty.Atothertimes,personshavetodealwithdiscouragementorthe
pressureofotheremotionalattachmentsthatstallsapersononthepathtothefulfilment.Many
peopleexperiencethisforexample,theyoungmanwhohadtoomanyricheswhichkepthimfrom
acceptingthecallofJesus,andbecauseofthis,wentawaysad,ratherthanfullofjoy(cf. Mk
10:1722).Humanfreedom,despitethefactthatitalwaysneedstobepurifiedandperfected,
neverlosesthefundamentalcapacitytorecognizethegoodandcarryingitout.Humanbeings,
whilecapableoftheworst,arealsocapableofrisingabovethemselves,choosingagainwhatis
good,andmakinganewstart,despitetheirmentalandsocialconditioning( ,205). Laudatosi
2.TheGiftofDiscernment

Makingdecisionsandguidingonesactionsinsituationsofuncertaintyandinthefaceofconflicting
innerforcesistheplaceforexercisingdiscernment,aclassicterminthetraditionoftheChurch
whichappliestoavarietyofsituations.Indeed,oneformofdiscernmentisexercisedinreadingthe
signsofthetimeswhichleadstorecognizingthepresenceandactionoftheSpiritinhistory.Moral
discernment,instead,distinguisheswhatisgoodfromwhatisbad.Stillanotherform,spiritual
discernment,aimstorecognizetemptationsoastorejectitandproceedonthepathtofullnessof
life.Theconnectionofthevariousmeaningsoftheseformsisevident,aconnectionwhichcan
neverbecompletelyseparatedonefromtheother.

Withthisinmind,thefocusinthecaseofthesynodisonvocationaldiscernment,thatis,the
processbywhichapersonmakesfundamentalchoices,indialoguewiththeLordandlisteningto
thevoiceoftheSpirit,startingwiththechoiceofonesstateinlife.Thequestionofhowaperson
isnottowastetheopportunitiesforselfrealizationispartandparcelofeverymanandwoman.
Forthebeliever,thequestionbecomesevenmoreintenseandprofound,namely,howdoesa
personlivethegoodnewsoftheGospelandrespondtothecallwhichtheLordaddressestoall
thoseHeencounters,whetherthroughmarriage,theordainedministryortheconsecratedlife?
Wherecanapersonstalentsbeputtogooduse:aprofessionallife,volunteerwork,servicetothe
needyorinvolvementincivilandpoliticallife?

TheSpiritspeaksandactsthroughthehappeningsinthelifeofeachperson,whichinthemselves
areinexplicitorambiguous,insofarastheyareopentodifferentinterpretations.Discernmentis
requiredtorevealtheirmeaningandtomakeadecision.Thethreeverbsin ,51, EvangeliiGaudium
usedtodescribediscernment,namely,torecognize,tointerpretandtochoose,canbeof
assistanceinmappingoutasuitableitineraryforindividualsorgroupsandcommunities,fullyaware
that,inpractice,theboundariesinthedifferentphasesareneverclearlydelineated.

Recognizing
Aboveall,recognizingconcernshowlifeshappenings,thepeopleonemeets,andthewordsone
hearsorreadsaffecttheinteriorlife,namely,thevariousdesires,feelingsandemotions( Amoris
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laetitia,143)andtheirdiverseexpressions:sadness,gloom,fulfilment,fear,joy,peace,afeelingof
emptiness,tenderness,anger,hope,apathy,etc.Apersonfeelsattractedorpushedinavarietyof
directions,withoutenoughclaritytotakeaction,atimeofupsanddownsand,insomecases,a
realinternalstruggle.Recognizingrequiresmakingthisemotionalrichnessemergeand
ascertainingthesefeelingswithoutmakingajudgment.Italsorequirescapturingtheflavourthat
remains,thatis,theconsonanceordissonancebetweenwhatisexperiencedandwhatisinthe
depthsoftheheart.

AtthisstagetheWordofGodisofgreatimportance.Meditatingonit,infact,mobilizesthe
passionsasinallexperienceswhichtouchone'sinnerself,but,atthesametime,offersthe
possibilityofmakingthememergeandidentifyingwiththemintheeventsitnarrates.Thestageof
recognizingfocusesontheabilitytolistenandononesfeelingsandemotions,withoutavoiding
thearduouseffortofsilence,acriticalstepinpersonalgrowth,particularlyforyoungpeoplewho
areexperiencingwithgreaterpressuretheintensityofvariousdesiresandcannotremain
frightenedbythem,andthereby,renouncingeventhegreatadvancestowhichtheyaredrawn.

Interpreting
Recognizingwhathasbeentriedisnotenough.Thenextstepisinterpreting,inotherwords,to
understandwhattheSpiritiscallingthepersontodothroughwhattheSpiritstirsupineachone.
Oftentimes,apersonstopstorecountanexperience,notingthattheexperiencemadeadeep
impression.Greaterdifficultyisencounteredinunderstandingtheoriginandmeaningofthe
desiresandemotionsoneexperiencesandverifyingwhethertheyleadinaconstructivedirectionor
whethertheyleadtowithdrawingintooneself.

Thisinterpretativestageisverysensitive,requiringpatience,vigilanceandevenacertain
knowledge.Apersonneedstobecapableoftakingintoconsiderationtheeffectsofsocialand
psychologicalconditioning,whichevenrequirestheinvolvementofonesintellectualfaculties,
withoutfallingintothetrapofconstructingabstracttheoriesaboutwhatwouldbegoodorniceto
do.Evenindiscernment,realitiesaregreaterthanideas( Evangeliigaudium
,231).Likewise,
interpretingcannotfailtoconfrontrealityandtoconsiderthepossibilitiesthatrealisticallyare
available.

Interpretingdesiresandinnermovementsrequiresanhonestconfrontation,inlightofGod's
Word,withthemoraldemandsoftheChristianlife,alwaysseekingtoapplythemintheconcrete
situationthatisbeingexperienced.Thiseffortleadstheonewhodoesit,nottosettleforthe
legalisticlogicofthebareminimum,butinsteadtoseekawaytomakethemostofonesgiftsand
possibilities,whichresultsinanattractiveandinspiringmessageforyoungpeople.

TheworkofinterpretationiscarriedoutinaninternaldialoguewiththeLord,fullyengaginga
personsabilities.TheassistanceofanexperiencedpersoninlisteningtotheSpirit,however,isa
valuablesupportthattheChurchoffers,asupportwhichwouldbeunwisetodisregard.

Choosing
Onceallthedesiresandemotionsarerecognizedandinterpreted,thenextstepinmakinga
decisionisanexerciseofauthentichumanfreedomandpersonalresponsibility,which,ofcourse,is
alwaysconnectedtoaconcretesituationandthereforelimited.Thechoiceissubjected,then,to
theblindforceofimpulse,towhichacertaincontemporaryrelativismendsupbyassigningas
ultimatecriterion,normsimprisoningapersonincontinualchange.Atthesametime,apersonis
freedfromsubjectiontoforcesoutsideoneself,namelyheteronomy.Allofthisrequirescoherency
withoneslife.

Foralongtimethroughouthistory,basicdecisionsinlifehavenotbeenmadebytheindividuals
concerned,asituationwhichstillenduresinsomepartsoftheworld,aspreviouslymentionedin
thefirstchapter.Promotingtrulyfreeandresponsiblechoices,fullyremovedfrompracticesofthe
past,remainsthegoalofeveryseriouspastoralvocationalprogramme.Discernmentisthemain

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toolwhichpermitssafeguardingtheinviolableplaceofconscience,withoutpretendingtoreplaceit
(cf. Amorislaetitia
,37).

Adecisionneedstobeprovenbyfactstoseewhetheritisarightdecision.Achoicecannot
remainimprisonedinaninterioritywhichislikelytoremainvirtualorunrealisticarealdanger
accentuatedincontemporaryculturebutiscalledtobetranslatedintoaction,totakeflesh,to
embarkonapath,acceptingtheriskofaconfrontationwiththerealitywhichcausedthedesires
andemotions.Otherdesiresandemotionswillariseinthisstagerecognizingandinterpreting
themwillallowthepossibilityofseeingwhetherthedecisionisgoodorwhetheritisadvisableto
reevaluateit.Consequently,goingoutisimportant,evenwiththefearofmakingamistake,
which,aspreviouslyseen,canbecrippling.

3.PathsTowardsVocationandMission

Vocationaldiscernmentisnotaccomplishedinasingleact,evenif,inrecountingthedevelopment
ofavocation,identifyingspecificmomentsordecisiveencountersispossible.Asforallimportant
thingsinlife,vocationaldiscernmentisalongprocessunfoldingovertime,duringwhichone
continuestomonitorthesignsusedbytheLordtoindicateandspecifyavocationthatisvery
personalandunique.TheLordaskedAbrahamandSarahtoleavetheircountry,butonlyina
gradualprocessnotwithoutmistakenstepswhichclarifiedwhatwasinitiallyamysterious
landthatIwillshowyou( Gen
12:1).Maryherselfmakesprogressintheawarenessofher
vocationthroughmeditatingonthewordsshehearsandtheeventswhichtookplace,eventhose
shedidnotunderstand(cf. 2:5051). Lk
Timeisfundamentalinverifyingtheeffectivenessofadecisionmade.Astaughtineverypageof
theBible,everyvocationisdirectedtowardsamissionundertakenwithreluctanceorenthusiasm.

Acceptingthemissionimpliesthewillingnesstoriskoneslifeandtotravelthewayofthecross,in
thefootstepsofJesus,WhofirmlysetoutonhisjourneytoJerusalem(cf. 9:51)toofferHislife Lk
forhumanity.Onlybygivingupbeingselfishlyoccupiedwithonesneedsdoesapersonbecome
opentoaccommodateGodsplaninfamilylife,theordainedministryorconsecratedlifeand
seriouslytocarryoutonesprofessionaswellassincerelytoseekthecommongood.Particularlyin
placeswherethecultureismoredeeplymarkedbyindividualism,choicesneedtobeexaminedto
seewhetherthepursuitofselffulfilmentmightbetheresultofnarcissismorinsteadincludesa
willingnesstoliveoneslifelogicallyincompliancewiththegenerosityofthegiftofself.
Consequently,contactwithpoverty,vulnerabilityandneedareofgreatimportanceontheroadto
vocationaldiscernment.Aboveall,membersoftheformationstaffinseminariesshouldconfirmand
fosterinseminariansawillingnesstobecomeimbuedwiththe'smellofthesheep.

4.Accompaniment

Threebasicbeliefsunderlietheprocessofdiscernment,beliefswhichareingrainedineveryhuman
beingsexperienceunderstoodinthelightofthefaithandChristiantradition.Thefirstisthatthe
SpiritofGodworksintheheartofeverymanandwomanthroughfeelingsanddesiresthatare
boundtoideas,imagesandplans.Listeningcarefully,thehumanbeinghasthepossibilityto
interpretthesesignals.Thesecondbeliefisthatthehumanheart,becauseofitsweaknessand
sin,isnormallydividedbecauseitisattractedtodifferentandevencontraryfeelings.Thethird
beliefisthateverywayoflifeimposesachoice,becauseapersoncannotremainindefinitelyinan
undeterminedstate.ApersonneedstoadopttheinstrumentsneededtorecognizetheLord'scall
tothejoyofloveandchoosetorespondtoit.

Amongtheseinstruments,theChurchsspiritualtraditionemphasizestheimportanceofpersonal
accompaniment.Inaccompanyinganotherperson,thestudyoftheteachingsondiscernmentis
notenoughoneneedsthehard,personalexperienceofinterpretingthemovementsoftheheart
torecognizetheactionoftheSpirit,Whosevoicecanspeaktotheuniquenessofeachindividual.
Personalaccompanimentdemandstheconstantrefinementofonessensitivitytothevoiceofthe
Spiritandleadstodiscoveringaresourceandrichnessinapersonsindividualcharacter.

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ItisaquestionoffosteringapersonsrelationshipwithGodandhelpingtoremovewhatmight
hinderit.Hereinliesthedifferencebetweenaccompanimentindiscerningandpsychological
support,which,whenopentotranscendence,oftentimeshasabasicimportance.Thepsychologist
supportsthoseindifficultiesandhelpsthembecomeawareoftheirweaknessesandpotential.
SpiritualguidancereorientatesapersontowardstheLordandpreparesthegroundforan
encounterwithhim(cf. 3:2930). Jn
JesusencounterwiththepeopleofHistime.asrecordedintheGospels,highlightcertainelements
whicharepartoftheidealprofileofthepersonaccompanyingayoungpersoninvocational
discernment,namely,alovinglook(thecallingofthefirstdisciples,cf. 1:3551)an Jn
Lk
authoritativeword(teachinginthesynagogueinCapernaum,cf. 4:32)anabilitytobecome
Lk
theneighbour(theparableoftheGoodSamaritan,cf. 10:2537)achoicetowalkbeside
Lk
(thedisciplesofEmmaus,cf. 24:1335)andanauthenticwitness,fearlesslygoingagainst
preconceivedideas(thewashingofthefeetattheLastSupper,cf. 13:120). Jn
Inthetaskofaccompanyingtheyoungergeneration,theChurchacceptshercalltocollaboratein
thejoyofyoungpeopleratherthanbetemptedtotakecontroloftheirfaith(cf. 1:24).Such 2Cor
serviceisultimatelyfoundedinprayerandinaskingforthegiftoftheSpirit,Whoguidesand
enlightenseachandeveryone.

III

PASTORALACTIVITY

HowdoestheChurchhelpyoungpeopleaccepttheircalltothejoyoftheGospel,especiallyin
thesetimesofuncertainty,volatilityandinsecurity?

Thepurposeofthischapteristofocusonhowearnestlytorespondtothechallengeofpastoral
careandvocationaldiscernment,takingintoconsiderationthoseinvolvedinthistask,theplaces
wherethisguidancetakesplaceandtheresourceswhichareavailable.Inthissense,thepastoral
andvocationalcareofyoungpeople,thoughoverlapping,havedistinctdifferences.Thefollowing
overviewisnotintendedtotreatthesubjectfully,buttoprovideindicationswhicharetobe
elaboratedfurther,basedontheexperienceofeachlocalChurch.

1.WalkingwithYoungPeople

Accompanyingyoungpeoplerequiresgoingbeyondapreconceivedframework,encounteringyoung
peoplewheretheyare,adaptingtotheirtimesandpaceoflifeandtakingthemseriously.Thisis
tobedoneasyoungpeopleseektomakesenseoftherealityinwhichtheyliveandtoutilizethe
messagewhichtheyhavereceivedinwordsanddeedsintheirdailyattemptstocreateapersonal
historyandinthemoreorlessconscioussearchformeaningintheirlives.

EverySunday,ChristianskeepalivethememoryofthecrucifiedandrisenLordintheirencounter
withHiminthecelebrationoftheEucharist.ManychildrenarebaptizedinthefaithoftheChurch
andareengagedinthejourneyofChristianinitiation.Nonetheless,thisisnotthesameasmaking
amaturechoiceforalifeoffaith.Arrivingatthispointrequiresajourneywhichsometimes
includesunpredictablepathsanduncustomaryplaceswhicharefarremovedfromecclesial
communities.Inthisregard,PopeFrancissaid:Vocationalpastoralministryislearningthestyleof
Jesus,whopassesthroughtheplacesofdailylife,stopswithoutbeinghurriedand,bylookingat
ourbrotherswithmercy,leadsthemtoencounterGodtheFather( AddresstoParticipantsinthe
InternationalConferenceonPastoralWorkforVocations ,21October2016).Walkingwithyoung
peoplebuildsuptheentireChristiancommunity.

Preciselybecausetheproposedmessageinvolvesthefreedomofyoungpeople,everycommunity
needstogiveimportancetocreativewaysofaddressingyoungpeopleinapersonalwayand
supportingpersonaldevelopment.Inmanycases,thetaskinvolveslearningtoallowforsomething
newandnotstiflingwhatisnewbyattemptingtoapplyapreconceivedframework.Noseedfor

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vocationscanbefruitfulifapproachedwithaclosedandcomplacentpastoralattitudethatsays:
Wehavealwaysdoneitthiswayandwithoutpeoplebeingboldandcreativeinthistaskof
rethinkingthegoals,structures,styleandmethodsofevangelizationintheirrespective
communities( Evangeliigaudium
,33).ThreeverbsfromtheGospel,whichdescribethewayJesus
encounteredthepeopleofhistime,canbeofassistanceinadoptingthispastoralstyle:going
out,seeingandcalling.

GoingOut
Pastoralvocationalcare,inthissense,meanstoaccepttheinvitationofPopeFrancis:goingout,
primarily,byabandoningtherigidattitudeswhichmaketheproclamationofthejoyoftheGospel
lesscrediblegoingout,leavingbehindaframeworkwhichmakespeoplefeelhemmedinand
goingout,bygivingupawayofactingasChurchwhichattimesisoutdated.Goingoutisalso
asignofinnerfreedomfromroutineactivitiesandconcerns,sothatyoungpeoplecanbeleading
charactersintheirownlives.TheyoungwillfindtheChurchmoreattractive,whentheyseethat
theiruniquecontributioniswelcomedbytheChristiancommunity.

Seeing
Togooutintotheworldofyoungpeoplerequiresawillingnesstospendtimewiththem,tolisten
tothestoryoftheirlivesandtobeattentivetotheirjoys,hopes,sadnessandanxietiesallinan
efforttosharethem.ThisleadstotheinculturationoftheGospelandfortheGospeltoenter
everyculture,evenamongyoungpeople.IntheaccountsofJesusencounterswiththemenand
womenofhistime,theGospelpreciselyhighlightshisabilitytospendtimewiththemandhis
appealtothosewithwhomheexchangedglances.Thesameisthecasewitheverytrueshepherd
ofsouls,whoisabletopeerintothedepthsoftheheartwithoutbeingintrusiveorthreatening.
Thisisthetruelookofdiscernment,whichdoesnotwanttotakepossessionofanothers
consciencenorpredeterminethepathofGodsgrace,butbeginsbysettingasideonesown
mentalframework.

Calling
IntheGospelaccounts,Jesuslookofloveistransformedintoaword,thatis,acalltonewnessof
lifewhichistobeaccepted,exploredandbuiltup.Aboveall,callingmeansawakeningadesireand
jarringpeoplefromwhatblocksthemorfromthecomplacencywhichslowsthemdown.Calling
meansaskingquestionswhichhavenoreadymadeanswers.Inthisway,andnotbypassively
respectingnorms,peopleareimpelledtoembarkonajourneyandtoencounterthejoyofthe
Gospel.

2.Agents

AllYoungPeople,WithoutException
Inpastoralactivity,youngpeoplearenotobjectsbutagents.Oftentimes,societyseesthemas
nonessentialorinconvenient.TheChurchcannotreflectsuchanattitude,becauseallyoung
people,withoutexception,havetherighttobeguidedinlifesjourney.

Consequently,eachcommunityiscalledtobeattentivetoyoungpeople,especiallythosewhoare
experiencingpoverty,marginalizationorexclusionandleadthemtobecomeinvolvedinlife.Being
closetoyoungpeople,whoarelivingamidstgreatpovertyandhardship,violence,war,disease,
disabilityandsuffering,isaspecialgiftoftheSpirit,whichcantrulymanifestapropermannerof
actingbyaChurchwhichisgoingout.TheChurchherselfiscalledtolearnfromyoungpeople.
Manysaintsamongyouthgiveshiningtestimonytothisfactandcontinuetobeaninspirationfor
everyone.

AResponsibleCommunity

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TheentireChristiancommunityshouldfeeltheresponsibilityofeducatingnewgenerations.Infact,
manyChristiansinvolvedinthisworkdeserverecognition,beginningwiththosewhohaveassumed
thisresponsibilitywithinecclesiallife.Theeffortsofthosewhobeartestimonyeverydaytothe
goodnessoftheGospellifeandthejoythatflowsfromitshouldequallybeadmired.Finally,the
Churchneedstogivemajorimportancetoyoungpeoplesinvolvementinthestructuresof
participationindiocesanandparishcommunities,startingwithpastoralcouncils,invitingyoung
peopletomaketheircreativecontributionandacceptingtheirideas,evenwhentheyappear
challenging.

Everywhereintheworld,parishes,religiouscongregations,associations,movementsandecclesial
realitiesexistwhichcandeviseandofferyoungpeoplesignificantexperiencesofgrowthand
discernment.Sometimes,theaspectofplanningshowssignsofunpreparednessandalackofskill,
asituationwhichneedstobeavoidedbymoreearnestlyundertakingthetaskofthinking,realizing,
coordinatingandimplementingthepastoralprogrammeforyoungpeopleinacorrect,consistent
andeffectivemanner.Suchataskwillalsorequireaspecificandcontinualpreparationofthose
responsibleforformation.

PeopleofReference
Theroleofcredibleadultsandtheircooperationisbasicinthecourseofhumandevelopmentand
vocationaldiscernment.Thisrequiresauthoritativebelievers,withaclearhumanidentity,astrong
senseofbelongingtotheChurch,avisiblespiritualcharacter,astrongpassionforeducationanda
greatcapacityfordiscernment.Sometimes,however,unpreparedandimmatureadultstendtoact
inapossessiveandmanipulativemanner,creatingnegativedependencies,severedisadvantage
andseriouscounterwitness,whichcanevenintensifytothelevelofabuse.

Havingcrediblepeopleofreferencerequirestrainingandsupportingthemandevenprovidingthem
withmajorpedagogicalskills.Inaparticularway,thisappliestothosewhohavethetaskof
accompanyingpersonsintheirvocationaldiscernmenttoacceptacalltotheordainedministryand
theconsecratedlife.

ParentsandFamily:theirreplaceableeducationalroleplayedbyparentsandotherfamilymembers
needstobeacknowledgedineveryChristiancommunity.Inthefirstplace,parentsinfamilies
expresseachdayGodscareforeveryhumanbeingthroughalovewhichbindsthemtoeachother
andtotheirchildren.Inthisregard,PopeFrancishasofferedvaluableinformationinaspecific
chapteronthesubjectin Amorislaetitia
(cf.259290).

ShepherdsofSouls:meetingswithclergy,whohavetheabilityofagenuineinvolvementwithyouth
bydedicatingtheirtimeandresources,andconsecratedwomenandmenthroughtheirunselfish
witness,aredecisiveinthegrowthofnewgenerations.Inthisregard,PopeFrancissaid:Iask
thisespeciallyofthePastorsoftheChurch,theBishopsandthePriests:youaretheones
principallyresponsibleforChristianandpriestlyvocations,andthistaskcannotberelegatedtoa
bureaucraticoffice.Youtoohaveexperiencedanencounterthatchangedyourlife,whenanother
priestaparishpriest,aconfessor,aspiritualdirectorhelpedyouexperiencethebeautyof
Godslove.Thus,youtoo:goingout,listeningtoyoungpeopleittakespatience!youcanhelp
themunderstandthemovementsoftheirheartandguidetheirsteps( AddresstoParticipantsin
theInternationalConferenceonPastoralWorkforVocations ,21October2016).

TeachersandotherPersonsinEducation:manyCatholicteachersareinvolvedaswitnessesin
universitiesandschoolsineverygradeandlevel.Manyarealsoardentlyandcompetentlyinvolved
intheworkplace.Stillotherbelieversareengagedincivillife,attemptingtobetheleavenfora
morejustsociety.Manyengagedinvolunteerworkinsocietydevotetheirtimeforthecommon
goodandthecareofcreation.Agreatmanyareenthusiasticallyandgenerouslyinvolvedinfree
timeactivitiesandsports.AllofthesepeoplebearwitnesstothehumanandChristianvocation
whichisacceptedandlivedwithfaithfulnessanddedication,arousinginthosewhoseethema
desiretodolikewise.Consequently,respondinggenerouslytoonespropervocationistheprimary
wayofperformingpastoralvocationalwork.

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3.Places

DailyLifeandSocialCommitment
Becominganadultmeanslearningtomanageindependentlytheaspectsoflifewhichare,atone
andthesametime,fundamentalandpartandparcelofeverydaylife,namely,theuseoftimeand
money,alifestyleandasoundwayofusinggoodsandservices,studyandleisure,clothingand
food,theaffectivelifeandsexuality.Foryoungpeople,learningthesethings,inevitablyastruggle,
isalsoanopportunitytoputsomeorderintheirlivesandpriorities,experimentinginchoosing
coursesofactionwhichcanbecomeanexerciseindiscernmentandareinforcementinlifes
orientationinmakingveryimportantdecisions.Themoreauthenticthefaith,themorethefaith
challengeseverydaylifeandallowsitselftobechallenged.Experiencesintheworldofwork,
oftentimesdifficultorproblematic,aswellaslackofemploymentdeservespecialmention.These
tooareopportunitiestoacceptorponderindepthonesvocation.

Thepoorcryout,andwiththem,theearth.Thecommitmenttolistentobothcanbeareal
opportunitytoencountertheLordandtheChurchandtodiscoverone'svocation.PopeFrancis
teachesthattheactionsofacommunityinthecareofthecommonhomeandthequalityofthe
lifeofthepoor,whentheyexpressselfgivinglove,canalsobecomeintensespiritualexperiences
(Laudatosi ,232)and,consequently,alsoanopportunityinlifesjourneyandvocational
discernment.

SpecificPlacesinPastoralActivity
TheChurchoffersyoungpeoplespecificplacesformeeting,culturalformation,education,
evangelization,celebrationandservice,puttingherselffirstandforemostinopenlyreceivingeach
andeveryone.Thechallengeoftheseplacesandthepastoralworkersinvolvedinthemis
increasinglytoproceedindevelopinganintegratednetworkofmessagestoyoungpeople,andto
adoptasuitableoperatingstyleofgoingout,seeingandcalling.

WorldYouthDaysstandoutontheworldlevel.Episcopalconferencesanddiocesesare
increasinglyfeelingtheresponsibilityofofferingspecificeventsandexperiencesforyoungpeople.

Parishesofferevents,activities,timesanditinerariesforyoungergenerations.Thesacramental
lifeoffersfundamentalopportunitiestogrowinanabilitytoacceptthegiftofGodintheirlivesand
isaninvitationtobecomeactivelyinvolvedintheChurch'smission.Youthcentresandoratoriesare
anindicationoftheChurchsconcernforyoungpeople.

UniversitiesandCatholicschools,withtheirvaluableculturalandeducationalservices,arestill
anotherindicationoftheChurchspresenceamongtheyoung.

Socialactivitiesandvolunteerworkprovideopportunitiesforunselfishservice.Inthisregard,
meetingwiththosewhoarepoorandonthemarginsofsocietycanbeapropitiousopportunityfor
spiritualgrowthandvocationaldiscernment,because,fromthisvantagepoint,thepoorcanteach
alesson,indeedthey,inthemselves,arebearersofthegoodnewsthatsalvationisexperiencedin
weakness.

Associationsandecclesialmovements,aswellasmanycentresofspirituality,offeryoung
peoplespecificprogrammesfordiscernment.Missionaryexperiencesbecomeanaltruisticservice
andafruitfulexchange.Therediscoveryofpilgrimagesasaformandmannerofproceedingon
lifesjourneyhasvalueandisverypromising.Inmanyplaces,popularpietysustainsandnourishes
thefaithofyoungpeople.

Seminariesandhousesofformationhaveastrategicimportance,because,theyhavethetask
ofprovidingyoungpeoplewhorespondtoGodscall,withexperiences,includinganintense
communitylife,whichwillmakethem,inturn,abletoaccompanyothers.

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Becauseofallthathasbeenpreviouslymentioned,theworldofthe newmedia
deservesspecial
attention,since,especiallyinthecaseofyoungergenerations,itreallyoccupiesamajorplacein
theirlives.The newmedia
offermanynewopportunities,especiallywithregardtoaccessto
informationandcreatingrelationswiththoseindistantplaces.However,theyalsoposerisks(such
ascyberbullying,gambling,pornography,hiddendangersin chatrooms
,ideologicalmanipulation,
etc.).Despitethedifferencesinthisfieldamongvariousregions,theChristiancommunityisstill
developingherpresenceinthisnew Areopagus
,whereyoungpeoplecertainlyhavesomethingto
teachher.

4.Resources

TheMeansofExpressioninPastoralWork
AlthoughmanyfruitfulencounterstakeplaceintheChurchsactivityandtheexpectationsofyoung
peopleinareasoftheBible,liturgy,art,catechesisandthemedia,theChurchsometimeshasa
difficulttimefindingtheproperlanguageandexpressionstospeaktoyoungpeople.Manydream
ofaChurchcapableofsignificantlyinvolvingyoungpeopleinheractivitythroughheruse,among
others,ofyoungpeoplesmeansofexpressionandbyshowingappreciationandtheimportanceof
youngpeoplescreativityandtalents.

Inaparticularsense,sportsareaneducationalresource,becausetheyofferopportunitiesinmany
ways.Musicandotherartisticexpressionsareinthemselvesaprivilegedmeanswithwhichyoung
peoplecanmanifesttheirindividuality.

EducativeCareandthePathofEvangelization
Pastoralactivitywithyoungpeople,whichiscalledupontostartprocessesmorethantodominate
spaces,shows,aboveall,theimportanceofservicetothehumangrowthofeachindividualand
theeducationalandformativeresourcesthatcansupportit.Aproductivegeneticconnectionexists
betweenevangelizationandeducation,aconnectionwhich,inthesetimes,musttakeintoaccount
thegradualmaturationoffreedom.

Asopposedtosituationsinthepast,theChurchneedstogetaccustomedtothefactthatthe
waysofapproachingthefaitharelessstandardized,andthereforeshemustbecomemore
attentivetotheindividualityofeachperson.Togetherwiththosewhocontinuetofollowthe
traditionalstagesofChristianinitiation,manycometoencountertheLordandthecommunityof
believersinotherwaysandlaterinlife,forexample,comingfromacommitmenttojustice,orfrom
contactsoutsidetheChurchwithsomeonewhoisacrediblewitness.Thechallengefor
communitiesistoreceiveeveryone,followingtheexampleofJesusWhocouldspeakwithJews
andSamaritansandwithpagansinGreekcultureandRomanoccupiers,seizinguponthedeep
desiresofeachoneofthem.

Silence,ContemplationandPrayer
Finallyandmostimportantly,nodiscernmentispossiblewithoutcultivatingafamiliaritywiththe
LordandadialoguewithhisWord.Inparticular, Lectiodivina
isavaluablemethod,whichChurch
traditionhasalwaysfollowed.

Inanincreasinglynoisysociety,whichoffersaplethoraofstimuli,onefundamentalobjectiveinthe
pastoralcareofyoungpeopleistoprovidetheyoungwithopportunitiestoenjoythevalueof
silenceandcontemplationandtoreceiveformationinunderstandingonesexperiencesandto
listentoonesconscience.

5.MaryofNazareth

ThesynodalprocessisentrustedtoMary.Inthecourseofthisprocess,theChurchisself
examiningherselfonhowtoaccompanyyoungpeopletoacceptGodscalltothejoyofloveand
thefullnessoflife.Mary,theyoungwomanofNazareth,whoineverystageofherexistence

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acceptedtheWord,andpreserveit,ponderingitinherheart(cf. Lk2:19)wasthefirsttofulfill
thisjourney.

EachyoungpersoncandiscoverinMaryslifethewaytolisten,thecouragethatfaithgenerates,
Lk
thedepthsofdiscernmentanddedicationtoservice(cf. 1:3945).Inherlowliness,theVirgin
betrothedtoJoseph,experiencedhumanweaknessanddifficultyinunderstandingthemysterious
Lk
willofGod(cf. 1:34).Shealsowascalledtolivebyanexodusfromherselfandherplansby
learningtotrustandtoconfide.

RecallingthegreatthingswhichtheAlmightyaccomplishedinher(cf. 1:49),theVirgindidnot Lk
feelalone,butfullylovedandsupportedbytheFearnotoftheAngel(cf. 1:30).Knowingthat Lk
Godiswithher,MaryopenedherhearttoHereIam,andthusbegantheGospeljourney(cf. Lk
Jn
1:38).WomanofIntercession(cf. 2:3),atthefootofthecrossofherSon,unitedtothe
beloveddisciple,againacceptedthecalltobefruitfulandgeneratelifeinhumanhistory.Inher
eyeseveryyoungpersoncanrediscoverthebeautyofdiscernmentinherhearteveryyoung
personcanexperiencethetendernessofintimacyandthecourageofwitnessandmission.

QUESTIONS

Theaimofthequestionsistoassistthecustomaryecclesialbodiesbyrighttoexpresstheir
understandingoftheworldofyoungpeopleandassesstheirexperienceofvocational
accompaniment,inordertogatherinformationfordraftingtheworkdocumentor Instrumentum
laboris
.

Soastotakeintoaccountthevarioussituationsonthedifferentcontinentsandregions,three
specificquestionsforeachgeographicareahavebeeninsertedafterquestion15,togenerate
responsefromtheinterestedecclesialbodies.

Tofacilitateandmaketenablethiswork,therespectivebodiesarerequestedtolimittheir
responsetoapproximatelyonepageforthequestiononstatistics,onepageeachforthe
questionsassessingthesituationandonepageforthethreeexperiencesforthecontinentsand
regions.Ifnecessaryordesired,othertextscanbeattachedtosupportorsupplementthe
contentsoftheresponses.

1GatheringStatistics

Pleaseindicate,wherepossible,thesourceofthestatisticsandmakereferencetotheyear.Other
pertinentinformationcanbeattachedtobetterunderstandthesituationinvariouscountries.

Numberofinhabitantsinthecountry/countriesandthebirthrate.

Numberandpercentageofyoungpeople(ages1629)inthecountry/countries.

NumberandpercentageofCatholicsinthecountry/countries.

Averageage(forthelast5years)formarrying(distinguishingbetweenmenandwomen),for
enteringtheseminaryandtheconsecratedlife(distinguishingbetweenmenandwomen).

Inthe1629agegroup,thepercentageofstudents,workers(ifpossiblespecifythetypeof
work),unemployed, . NEET
2.EvaluatingtheSituation

a)YoungPeople,theChurchandSociety
ThesequestionsreferbothtoyoungpeoplewhotakepartinChurchprogrammes,aswellasthose
whodonottakepartorhavenointeresttoparticipate.
1.InwhatmannerdoestheChurchlistentothelivedsituationsofyoungpeople?

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2.Whatarethemainchallengesandmostsignificantopportunitiesforyoungpeopleinyour
country/countriestoday?

3.Whatkindsandplacesofgroupgatheringsofyouth,institutionalizedorotherwise,haveamajor
success within
theChurch,andwhy?

4.Whatkindsandplacesofgroupgatheringsofyouth,institutionalizedorotherwise,haveamajor
success outside
theChurch,andwhy?

5.WhatdoyoungpeoplereallyaskoftheChurchinyourcountry/countriestoday?

6.Whatpossibilitiesforparticipationexistinyourcountry/countriesforyoungpeopletotakepart
inthelifeoftheecclesialcommunity?

7.HowandinwhatmanneriscontactmadewithyoungpeoplewhodonotfrequentChurch
surroundings?

b)PastoralVocationalProgrammesforYoungPeople
8.Howarefamiliesandcommunitiesinvolvedinthevocationaldiscernmentofyoungpeople?

9.Howdoschoolsanduniversitiesorothereducationalinstitutions(civilorecclesial)contributeto
youngpeoplesformationinvocationaldiscernment?

10.Inwhatmannerareyoutakingintoaccounttheculturalchangesresultingfromthe
developmentofthedigitalworld?

11.HowcanWorldYouthDaysorothernationalorinternationaleventsbecomeapartofordinary
pastoralpractice?

12.Inwhatmannerisyourdioceseplanningexperiencesforthepastoralvocationalprogrammefor
youngpeople?

c)PastoralCareWorkerswithYoungPeople
13.Howmuchtimeandinwhatmannerdoclergyandotherformatorsprovideforpersonal
spiritualguidance?

14.Whatinitiativesandopportunitiesforformationareinplaceforthosewhoprovidepastoral
vocationalguidance?

15.Whatpersonalguidanceisofferedinseminaries?

d)SpecificQuestionsAccordingtoGeographicAreas
AFRICA

a.Whatplansandstructuresinpastoralvocationalcareforyoungpeoplebestrespondtothe
needsofyourcontinent?

b.Whatdoesspiritualfatherhoodmeaninplaceswhereapersongrowswithoutafatherfigure?
Whatformationisoffered?

c.Howdoyoucommunicatetoyoungpeoplethattheyareneededtobuildthefutureofthe
Church?

AMERICA

a.Howdoesyourcommunitycareforyoungpeoplewhoexperienceextremeviolence(guerrilla
warfare,gangs,prison,drugaddiction,forcedmarriages)andaccompanytheminvariouswaysin

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theirlife?

b.Whatformationisofferedtosupporttheengagementofyoungpeopleinsocietyandcivillife,
forthecommongood?

c.Inaworldwhichisgreatlysecularized,whatpastoralactivitiesaremosteffectiveforcontinuing
thejourneyoffaithaftertheSacramentsofChristianInitiation?

ASIAANDOCEANIA

a.WhyandhowdoreligiousgatheringsbythosewhoarenonCatholicexerciseanattractionon
youngpeople?

b.InwhatwaycanthevaluesofalocalculturebecombinedwithChristianteaching,whilealso
givingimportancetopopularpiety?

c.Howisthelanguageusedinayoungpeoplesworldincorporatedinthepastoralcareofyoung
people,especiallyinthemedia,sportsandmusic?

EUROPE

a.Whatassistanceisofferedtoyoungpeopletolooktothefuturewithconfidenceandhope,
beginningwiththerichnessofChristianrootsofEurope?

b.Youngpeopleoftenfeelsidelinedandexcludedinthepolitical,economicandsocialsurroundings
inwhichtheylive.Inwhatwaydoyoutakeintoconsiderationthefeelingtoprotestsothatitcan
betransformedintoparticipationandcollaboration?

c.Atwhatlevelsdorelationsbetweengenerationsstillwork?Iftheydonotfunction,howcanthey
berenewed?

3.SharingActivities

1.Listthemaintypesofpastoralactivityinaccompanimentandvocationaldiscernmentinyour
presentsituation.

2.Choosethreeactivitiesyouconsiderthemostinterestingandrelevanttosharewiththe
universalChurch,andpresentitaccordingtothefollowingformat(nomorethanonepagefor
eachexperience ).

a)Description:Inafewsentences,roughlydescribetheactivity.Whoaretheleadingcharacters?
Howdoestheactivitytakeplace?Where?Etc.

b) Analysis:Evaluatetheactivity,eveninlaymansterms,forabetterunderstandingofthe
importantelements:whatarethegoals?Whatisthetheoreticalbasis?Whatarethemost
interestinginsights?Howhavetheydeveloped?Etc.

c) Evaluation
:Whatarethegoals?Ifnotachieved,why?Strengthsandweaknesses?Whatarethe
consequencesonthesocial,culturalandecclesiallevels?Whyandinwhatwayistheactivity
important/formative?etc.

INDEX

INTRODUCTION...................................................................................................................2

INTHEFOOTSTEPSOFTHEBELOVEDDISCIPLE......................................................4

IYOUNGPEOPLEINTODAYSWORLD....................................................................6

1.ARapidlyChangingWorld......................................................................................6

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1.ARapidlyChangingWorld......................................................................................6
2.NewGenerations.....................................................................................................7

BelongingandParticipation...............................................................................8
PersonalandInstitutionalPointsofReference..................................................8
TowardsaHyperConnectedGeneration............................................................9
3.YoungPeopleandChoices......................................................................................9

IIFAITH,DISCERNMENT,VOCATION.....................................................................12

1.FaithandVocation.................................................................................................13

2.TheGiftofDiscernment.......................................................................................14

Recognizing........................................................................................................14
Interpreting........................................................................................................15
Choosing............................................................................................................16
3.PathsTowardsVocationandMission...................................................................16

4.Accompaniment......................................................................................................17

IIIPASTORALACTIVITY............................................................................................19

1.WalkingwithYoungPeople...................................................................................19

GoingOut...........................................................................................................20
Seeing.................................................................................................................20
Calling...............................................................................................................20
2.Agents.....................................................................................................................20

AllYoungPeople,WithoutException...............................................................20
AResponsibleCommunity.................................................................................21
PeopleofReference...........................................................................................21
3.Places......................................................................................................................22

DailyLifeandSocialCommitment....................................................................22
SpecificPlacesinPastoralActivity..................................................................23
TheDigitalWorld..............................................................................................24
4.Resources...............................................................................................................24

TheMeansofExpressioninPastoralWork......................................................24
EducativeCareandthePathofEvangelization...............................................24
Silence,ContemplationandPrayer...................................................................25
5.MaryofNazareth..................................................................................................25

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QUESTIONS.......................................................................................................................26

1.GatheringStatistics...............................................................................................26

2.EvaluatingtheSituation........................................................................................26

a)YoungPeople,theChurchandSociety.........................................................26
b)PastoralVocationalProgrammesforYoungPeople...................................27
c)PastoralCareWorkerswithYoungPeople..................................................27
d)SpecificQuestionsaccordingtoGeographicAreas.........................................27
Africa............................................................................................................27

America........................................................................................................28

AsiaandOceania..........................................................................................28

Europe...........................................................................................................28

3.SharingActivities.......................................................................................................28

a)Description........................................................................................................28
b)Analysis.............................................................................................................28
c)Evaluation..........................................................................................................28

Pope'sLettertoYoungPeopleontheOccasionofthePresentationofthe
PreparatoryDocumentofthe15thOrdinaryGeneralAssemblyoftheSynodof
Bishops
PresentationofthePreparatoryDocumentoftheSynodonYouth,faithand
vocationaldiscernment
AudiencewiththemembersoftheGeneralInspectorateforPublicSecurityatthe
Vatican
Audiences
OtherPontificalActs

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