I love when Pope Benedict speaks to young people. In a generation quite used to their elders being “out of touch” on so many issues, the man is a beautiful contradiction - oozing with substance and relevance. And substance and relevance are two things the youth are especially hungry for, but rarely find together.
Kids are smart. The Pope treats them like they’re smart. Kids are tired of gimmicks. He doesn’t waste his time with any. And when it comes to their faith, kids are capable of so much more than the mickey mouse religion we so often try to spoon feed them. And then we wonder why they grow up and lose their faith.
Amy Welborn recently identified 5 keys to youth ministry from Pope Benedict’s world youth day addresses. Here they are:
1) Teach them who they are
2) Continually hold up Christ as the answer
3) Are you seeking Christ? He gave us the Church so we can find Him
4) The Way of the Christian is the Way of the Cross
5) Go out to all nations
I recommend reading her commentary on each one, but my point is that what they amount to is real substance. Not out-dated dogma or pop-culture clichés. But real food for hungry souls. Kids eat that stuff up - once they’re listening. Adults do, too.
For all the efforts we make to reach and relate to young people, it can’t stop there. We focus so often on the reaching out. On the connection. On being perceived as relevant and attractive. And those can be very good things. But to what end? If the end is not the five points above, then we’re missing the point. We’re failing. And these keys don’t just apply to youth, of course. They apply to everyone.
When my first child was born I began to feel the weight of the responsibility that comes with shepherding the souls you love most in this world. I am constantly trying to think of ways to ensure that they turn out alright, keep their faith, are happy in life and make it to heaven. So often we forget that Jesus has already given us the way to do that. He gave us the Church. He gave us the Sacraments. He gave us Her wisdom. He gave us the fullness of truth.
Too often we assume that old things are irrelevant just because they’re old. And we forget that perhaps the reason such old things grew so old in the first place was because of how relevant they remain.
Too often we assume that old people are irrelevant just because they’re old. But on the other side of the planet, there’s an old man in the oldest church who is a stark reminder that the timeless wisdom of the Church is always timely.
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Matthew, this is an excellent article you wrote! Yes, all God’s children (meaning all ages from 0-110) need to be listened to, respected and taught so much more about our Lord and Savior. Our youth need to be validated and allowed to express their love and faith in our Lord and Savior. The church needs to allow them to express themselves more. I do believe the last two Popes have been able to relate to the youth of the world very well. God bless you.
Great article Matt! I’m amazed everyday on what my kids are learning about the faith and how much they actually get it. Great point on the fact that Jesus has given us the tools in the Catholic Church old and new to get the job done!
Amen! Wow, great way to reflect on today’s gospel as well.
Out-dated dogma? What is that? Dogma or truth can never become outdated!
Yes, we need to offer substance and not pablum to the coming generations.
And yes, no one does this better than Benedict XVI..and his predecessor, John Paul II! But they would and do insist we teach always the truth! which is the unchanging dogma proclaimed and protected by the Church. With perhaps the more modern methods and technologies of our current times. Overall, this was a very on point and well written piece…loved the title especially…but please get rid of the phrase…out-dated dogma. It does not compute!
Thanks for the blog. As a mom of several children, I agree wholeheartedly. Let’s give them the real stuff, not dumbed-down dogma!
The claim that the Roman Catholic Church is the “oldest church” is false. It only dates to Emperor Constantine, circa 313 A.D.
In any case, the Church in Jerusalem predates the church in Rome. There are several churches in the Bible, but the Church in Rome wasn’t established yet at that time.
To the writer of this article. Why are you so disrespectful to our HOLY FATHER by referring to him as an “old man”. He is the Vicar of Christ in case you have forgotten. He is the POPE and HOLY FATHER whatever age.Simply because he is an “elder person” why refer to him w/such obvious disrespect. No one who respects their own father, ever refers to him as the “old man” unless he is being disrespectful. I am simply horrified at your stooping to this level of common disabuse of language when you are writing, talking of the Vicar of Christ. According to you then, God the Father would be called “the old man” rather than referenced respectfully as “Father” or “the Ancient One”.
Get some class, plz.
What a beautiful Article. Yes, you are so right on all points. And his newly instituted Pontifical Missionary for Children (PMC)has captivated our youth in a most spectacular way. The stampede back to the Catholic Church by the youth who had drifted away to the Pentecostals and Evangelicals of the American variety and the enthusiasm with which they have taken over the Church Liturgy and the Life of the Parishes is breathtaking. How sad we get such a jarring response from Robert. Why deny that the Catholic Church is the oldest. Surely, She has remained strong and unchanged as She preserves, protects, proclaims and teaches the Salvation Message of Jesus Christ.
Sam, did you even read the same article as the rest of us?
What is certainly striking about our “old man” of a Pope is that he’s exactly that, superficially speaking: an old man.
BUT. All one has to do is listen to him to realize that the Holy Father is youthful; far more youthful than many who are much younger in age than himself. Thank Peter Seewald for that description, not me; it’s spot on. Many young Catholics are listening to him, and contemplate what he has to say. It’s clear that “the kids” are the ones who “get it.”
1. Teach them who they are. That is my hope and plan.
This year I am teaching Biology from a different angle in the Catholic high school. Same facts, but from the perspective of a Catholic world view - which is truth! I will present them with the truth that they are God’s creation, loved into being, in a world that God created for them to care for and benefit from, therefore they have to understand how it works! All learning is connected when one takes the view that we are created for union with God and all of our senses are meant to guide us in that direction.
The School of Catholic Thought at the JPII Newman Center at the University of Illinois, Chicago, opened my eyes to this incredibly awesome, unifying and common sense approach. I pray I can do justice in presenting it to my students as I teach them about our physical world.
Thanks to everyone for the great comments!
@ ThirstforTruth - I’m using dogma here in the general sense…as in a system of beliefs or principles. And indeed many people perceive the Church’s dogma as out-dated. And the point here is to say that it’s NOT outdated.
@Robert - The Catholic Church is the same Church as the one in Jerusalem or any of those mentioned in the Bible. All established by bishops/apostles of the same Church my friend. And Peter and Paul were in Rome long, long before constantine.
@Sam - I’m offended by your agist and sexist remarks that imply that just because somebody is “old” and/or a “man” that it is a negative thing. That’s very insensitive to old people. And especially to old men, of which there are many - the Vicar of Christ being one of them. There is nothing wrong with being old. And there is nothing wrong with being a man. Please be more sensitive in your comments.
Very well written article, thank you. Thank God for Pope Benedict and his leadership of Mother Church. Long may he reign over us as Peter.
How Blessed we are to be placed by God in the Barque of Peter.
God bless us all.
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