General Secretariat for Redemptorist Youth
and Vocation Ministry (RYVM)
Rome, February 2000
Rome, 15 February
2000
Prot. N° 0000 0344/99
The XXII General Chapter
(1997) reaffirmed youth and vocation Ministry
as a priority for the Congregation (Final
Message, n.10). Continuing the thinking
of its predecessors, this Chapter reiterated
that “Youth Ministry is the proper place where
young people discover meaning for their lives
and their proper vocation” (Orientations,
n. 7). And, recalling that “to speak of Vocation
Ministry is to speak of “the future of the
Congregation” (Orientations, n.
4), the Chapter invited all Redemptorists
to new efforts in this field.
Guidelines for Redemptorist Youth and Vocation Ministry will help
the Congregation respond effectively to the
expectations of the General Chapter. This
document is the work of the present General
Secretariat for Youth and Vocation Ministry;
behind the document, however, we can recognize
the experience and reflection that has matured
in the Congregation over the last twenty years.
The text has been further enriched by a consultation
conducted at the Regional level of the Congregation
by the members of the General Secretariat
during the first years of this sexennium.
While it can be said that this document describes
the reality of the Congregation, given the
research that accompanied its preparation,
it also hopes to stimulate new projects.
These Guidelines are an aide or, if you prefer, a working paper. If it is
correct, especially in our day, that no document
can presume to have the final word on a given
argument, this is all the more true when the
question deals with young people and vocations.
Pastoral planning and effective action in
this area can be particularly exhausting because
we find ourselves faced with constantly changing
circumstances. By their own admission, young
people are reluctant to make any sort of lasting
commitment precisely because they live in
a culture that is characterized by the ephemeral
and the relative.
While recognizing such difficulties,
these Guidelines
want nevertheless to chart a path to follow.
It is clear that each (Vice-) Province will
change and adapt these proposals according
to their own circumstances and possibilities.
But this document can
and should
be studied. First, we need to discover
essential points of reference, both basic
theological principles as well as a way of
ministering that is particular to Redemptorists.
There is also a challenge to overcome a certain
dualism, like the breach that sometimes occurs
between youth ministry and vocation ministry.
Finally, every unit in the Congregation should
begin concrete action, however modest may
be the outset.
The General Council has reviewed
this document and hopes that all confreres
– but especially the persons and the groups
especially mentioned in these Guidelines (cf. nn. 5-9) – will discover in this document material
for study but, more importantly, an incentive
for a fresh commitment to Redemptorist Youth
and Vocation Ministry.
May our Mother of Perpetual
Help and Saint Alphonsus intercede for us,
so that missionary zeal will never allow us
to exclude a
priori an outreach to young people and,
when meeting them, that we have no fear to
propose Jesus Christ as the Redeemer of humankind
and the reason for a lifelong commitment.
In Christ the Redeemer,
Fr.
Joseph W. Tobin C.Ss.R.
Superior General
GUIDELINES
FOR
REDEMPTORIST YOUTH
AND
VOCATION MINISTRY
INTRODUCTION
THE PURPOSE
OF THIS DOCUMENT
1.
In the last decade, the attention of the Congregation
to Youth and Vocation Ministry has been gradual
and with increasing involvement. The work
of the General Chapters of 1985, 1991 and
1997, along with the Documents produced by
the different General Secretariats for Redemptorist
Youth Vocation Ministry have provided the
necessary impulse for this attention. In particular,
reference should be made to, among others,
“Some Key Concepts in Redemptorist Youth Vocation
Ministry” (also called the ‘Vienna Document’)
of 1989, and the General Guidelines for Redemptorist Youth Vocation
Ministry of 1996. This present document
records the steps and the experience the Congregation
has made in this area while responding to
some challenges the Congregation faces in
its approach to Youth and Vocation Ministry
today. It seems to us that these challenges
can be reduced to three factors that we now
state:
2.
A new
impetus. Following
Vatican II a special attention to youth developed
in the different Regions of the Congregation.
In order to have a dialogue with young people
and to open up our communities and way of
life to them, different pastoral projects
were begun and realized, popular booklets
were produced and different initiatives were
organized. Looking backward we can see that
admirable work was done. It must be said,
however, that in some (V)Provinces this thrust
was not continuous, others grew weary of it
and more were not clear on what to do. With
these Guidelines
we would like to offer some directives which
we consider important for a more courageous
commitment in favor of Redemptorist Youth
and Vocation Ministry.
3.
A common
approach. If we
look at the Congregation at present there
are such a variety of situations and so many
methods of dealing with Youth and Vocation
Ministry that we wonder if we belong to the
same religious family! Yet it cannot be otherwise
when we remember that we operate in 73 different
nations of the five continents with many varied
pastoral and cultural contexts. Even within
the same Region there may be a (V)Province
which demands a fully Christian formation
of young people while another may be happy
with occasional meetings. In some cases Youth
ministry is joined to Vocation ministry, in
others each is separate. We could furnish
many other examples as well. In this document
we would like to offer some points of reference
which within a similar and an inevitable variety
of situations should characterize Redemptorist
Youth and Vocation ministry.
4.
The urgency
of our time. The arrival
of the millennium points to a very new type
of future. Some Regions regard this ‘newness’
anxiously, while others dread being progressively
left behind in this growth of affluence and
progress, of well-being and of communications.
What will be the position of the Church in
the history of this world which is dawning
on the horizon? What mission is the Congregation
called to realize? Will it have the capacity
to call on the laity and youth in particular
to give a helping hand in the proclamation
of the Gospel to the most abandoned? What
decisions is the Congregation called to make?
We do not claim to answer all these questions
but only to initiate a process of reflection
and of discernment on Youth and Vocation ministry.
These Guidelines are meant to help in this discernment which we hope will
lead to a commitment to our youth. In this
process, competent authorities are called
to take opportune decisions based on mature
deliberations.
TO WHOM THESE GUIDELINES ARE ADDRESSED
5.
We wish to clarify an important point with regard
to these Guidelines:
Youth and Vocation Ministry is not a problem
which concerns only some ‘experts’. It challenges
the very life itself of confreres. It is clear
that these Guidelines are, in a particular
way, directed to some Bodies or individuals
mentioned below because they can and ought
to take certain decisions on which depend,
in effect, the involvement of all. However,
in no way are they to be seen as ‘delegates’,
since, according to our Constitutions
[1]
every confrere is called
to commit himself to this ministry.
6.
Chapters
or (V)Provincial Assemblies. It is expected that these Bodies
make a clear option at the level of the Province
in favor of Youth and Vocation ministry. Further,
it is within their competence to adapt these
Guidelines for Youth and Vocation ministry
for every (V)Province. Dedicating at least
one Session to this ministry indicates a commitment
to work out pastoral strategies and to a process
of evaluation. It is important, however, that
this session be preceded by the involvement
of the confreres and the communities, and
then followed by an evaluation.
7.
Councils
and (V) Provincial Superiors. There
are certain duties which Councils and (V)Provincial
Superiors are called on to carry out personally:
Appointing those responsible for Youth and
Vocation Ministry, permitting them to work
with a certain continuity, providing them
with the means and conditions necessary for
fruitful work, encouraging confreres to co-operate
and animating the (V) Province to continual
renewal.
8.
Those
responsible in the (V)Provinces. This document is also addressed to those responsible for
Redemptorist Youth and Vocation Ministry.
Independent of the structures which determine
the Youth and Vocation Ministry of every (V)
Province, we want to recall what has become
a strong emphasis in the mission of the Congregation
since the XXI General Chapter, that is to
say: “Vocation Ministry receives tremendous
support from a Youth Ministry that has been
well organized.”
[2]
Later in this document,
[3]
we will strive to better
describe this relationship.
9.
Local
animators. Many
communities in the Congregation have appointed
a confrere or a lay associate for Redemptorist
Youth Vocation ministry. This document is
also addressed to them offering them ideal
points of reference, but also concrete directions
for their work. For these local animators
we must, in the first place, stress this point
about our document: since it is addressed
to the entire Congregation, we cannot offer
too many details nor describe the method of
work to be followed. We hope, however, that
the help of the Holy Spirit and each one’s
creativity may make more concrete the directions
which we give.
OUR POINTS OF REFERENCE
SOME THEOLOGICAL AND PASTORAL PRINCIPLES
10.
As in every pastoral task, including that of Redemptorist
Youth and Vocation Ministry, it is absolutely
necessary to keep in mind the real reasons
for which we are doing this work. Most important
is a theological vision and a series of profound
pastoral motives. If these be lacking we are
reduced to operating with a certain routine
and without enthusiasm. Here, we cannot adequately
develop these theological and pastoral reasons.
We would rather refer to the study of some
texts, which in our opinion every animator
of Youth and Vocation Ministry should know
and which we list in the Bibliographical
Appendix to this document. Here we recall
very briefly some of these theological and
pastoral principles:
11.
It was an act of love that brought about the creation of man and woman.
This creative act also includes a blessed
mission. Creation and mission cannot be separated.
Human beings have been created for a reason.
In the first place, it is to give glory to
God and to reflect the splendor of His face.
From another perspective it is to reach full
human potential. The creative act of God places
human beings in community so that they may
realize this fullness.
12.
A vocation is not something external to man, rather
it is something which radically explains the
mystery of his existence. Coming to life means
to respond already to the call of the Father,
to live in relationship with Him. If “God
is love” (1Jn 4,8), if everything in him is
determined by love, then our happiness and
our Christian vocation consist in bringing
to fullness love, of God and the neighbor:
“to love as he has loved us” (cf. Jn 13, 34;
1Jn 4,11). To live this Christian vocation
and to bring this love to the full we have
only this life itself with its successes and
its failures, its high points and also the
simple moments of our daily routine. In all
these great or small events the Father continues
to call us and to educate us. Therefore, the
existence and vocation of man are defined
by three realities: God who calls him to life,
the community into which he is born, by which
he is formed and to which he makes his contribution,
and his own person itself which is the means
of fulfilling the vocation confided to him
by God
13.
In Jesus the mystery of life becomes more clear.
Above all, he is the model of how to exercise
discipleship. God gave him a mission. His
response was a life completely in harmony
with the will of his Father. All this is confirmed
in a missionary and prophetic community intent
on carrying out the will of the Father. In
addition, on every page of the Gospel we find
reminders of our own image and a call to have
faith in Christ, to follow him. In Jesus we
see how love is measured “to give one’s life”
(Jn 15,13), while in the washing of the feet
we see its daily expression in humble and
disinterested service. To understand all this
it is important to join the school of Jesus
in order to ‘follow’ him, to ‘stay’ with him
(Mk 3,14), to learn from him (Mt 11,29). The
Christian life is a journey of discipleship.
14.
The Holy Spirit enables us to overcome the fear which
assails every disciple especially when confronted
with the beauty of an ideal and the poverty
of one’s capacity. It is the Spirit “who teaches
and reminds” (cf. Jn 14,26) us of all that
Jesus has said. It is he who ‘persuades’ our
intelligence in order to submit it to the
Father in the obedience of faith. It is he
who directs our hearts to love and put into
practice the law of God. All this signifies
the recognition of the primacy of the Spirit
in the Christian life and, as far as animators
are concerned, to have at heart the accompaniment
of young persons through discernment and to
put before them a challenging program of spirituality.
It is clear that the stages of this program
should refer to actual concrete situations
15.
The Church, as the same word ecclesia expresses, is the assembly of those who have been called.
It is also the natural context in which every
Christian life is born and develops. The young
person carries out his spiritual life in the
Church, agreeing to be involved in it and
accepting precise responsibilities. This requires
animators of Youth and Vocation Ministry to
perform their work in a spirit of communion,
establishing fraternal relations with other
vocations and other animators, taking part
in meetings of similar organisms such as Centers
for Youth and/or Pastoral Ministry.
16.
The Church does not exist for itself; it is always
in relation to mission so that the world by
“believing, may have life” (Jn 20, 31). The
burden of sin which from all time threatens
the world, the depth of injustice which ever
deepens the chasm between the rich and the
poor, the cry of those who suffer, the need
to contact and discover the truth of the Gospel,
these are some examples which do not allow
the Church to “pass by” (Lk 10,13) nor permit
young people to remain indifferent.
17.
Today, ‘Youth’ is often manipulated by social, political,
economic and even religious interests. Its
myth is emphasized in advertising. Even so,
it remains “ a special richness of human existence.”
[4]
“Young people – if one
may express it thus – have a congenital sense
of truth.
[5]
They are searching for
an ideal in life and above all they want to
be stimulated to live it with enthusiasm.
Although they have a whole life before them
to put this enthusiasm into practice, yet
there are certain unchanging elements, typical
of youth, which every animator must have at
heart, so that the proclamation of Jesus Christ
may be a fruitful seed in the life of the
young people he meets. We refer to the value
of love, the problem of making sense of life
and the need to have attractive projects.
The proper evaluation and direction of these
unchanging elements ensures that the enthusiasm
for life does not remain an empty ideal; rather
it signifies that young people must be helped
to achieve the fullness of their existence
and find their place in the Church and in
society. In other words they are to discern,
to discover and to live their vocation.
WHAT WE INTEND BY REDEMPTORIST
VOCATION AND YOUTH MINISTRY
18
As the Redemptorist looks at life and society he
sees two points of reference closely connected:
the present and the future. The future will
one day become the present as we move forward
in time. Events determine history. New ideas
and ideologies become current. One of the
challenges for the Redemptorist animator working
with youth is to “see” future trends that
are emerging, to “see” as well the possibilities
which can help form youth for a better future,
but as well to “see” the dangers which lie
hidden in this attractive future. Together
with young people he seeks to create a society
based on Christian values, where God’s presence
is the all-important factor that determines
the quality of human life.
19. We have already
called attention to a problem which makes
us wonder if we can speak today of a Redemptorist
Youth and Vocation Ministry. It is not unusual
to express this problem as a conflict between
the identity of Youth Ministry and that of
Vocation Ministry: Are these two distinct
ministries? Are they the same? Or, quite simply,
do they get united into one?
Today, it is commonly accepted
that any ‘ministry’ is by itself ‘vocational’.
In some way the ultimate objective of every
‘ministry’ is to consolidate our common baptismal
vocation into a particular vocation.
Hence, for Youth Ministry, because
of its recipients, there is an added urgency
to develop this vocational dimension. The
growth process that is part of the human being
in the course of his life shows the existence
of privileged moments for defining personal
identity. Beyond doubt, the time of Youth
is most favorable for making decisions.
Decisions made and projects taken
up during Youth determine all of one’s existence.
If we agree that God ‘calls’ every person,
it is logical to say that during the time
of Youth, a ‘response’ is elaborated to that
call. It is in this sense that our Youth Ministry
points to ‘discernment’ as a necessary and unavoidable step for all
and for each of the youth who live this process:
a search and a personal response
to the call God makes to human beings.
All youth who live this ‘personal
encounter’ with Jesus Christ and his Gospel
in some way face this question: “What can
I expect from God and from the Church?” Through
the process of discernment this question becomes:
“What does God expect from me? What does the
Church request of me?” In order to help in
answering such questions, self-examination
is important on the part of the one who accompanies
this process.
Normally, with the discovery of
our natural capacities, the place where we
are positioned by our tasks in history always
becomes more clear. Because God has made us
capable of an ‘occupation’, it is He who respects
our conscience and encourages us to take up
our freedom.
20.
The other reason is that of structures that should
carry vocational discernment to its logical
end.
In some
parts of our Congregation we find different
structures for ‘Youth Ministry’ and for ‘Vocational
Discernment’. These structures do not always
imply a personal process which is ‘unitary,’
for youth. The process is divided into two
distinct ministries as though it is possible
to have vocational discernment without a prior
process of evangelization.
In other
parts, there is a single structure for ministry.
Starting from the call of the Gospel, they
accompany youth to the point of vocational
discernment and to a choice of life. In this
way, under one structure, they present and
accompany different vocational options. All
youth who desire to opt for the Redemptorist
life are, in this way, previously introduced
to the Christian life.
We are
convinced that the Redemptorist Youth Vocation
Ministry finds ‘internal coherence’ when one
works with a single process. In cases where
a double structure exists, we would like to
insist on the necessity of group work. A ‘unitary’ process cannot
neglect any dimension: evangelization should
flow into vocational discernment and, in turn,
vocational discernment requires a prior and
unavoidable evangelization.
In this
way, when we are approached by a youngster,
it is necessary to recognize at what stage
of the process he is, and departing from that
point, to accompany him in his vocational
discernment. There are not diverse processes,
but only one with different moments (the
law of graduality).
21.
We are aware, however, that this basic statement
has to be considered in relation to the different
pastoral and cultural situations in which
the Congregation carries out its mission.
There are places where the word ‘vocation’
turns off young people even before any dialogue
is possible. We find others where the priesthood
and religious life are seen as something desirable.
There are also contexts where a long process
of Christian formation is required in order
to speak of a vocation. There are still others
where the Church is alive in the Spirit of
Jesus and fills people, especially youth,
with vibrancy with a view to a vocational
journey. For all these the first characteristic
of our ministry remains valid: it finds its
roots in the Christian baptismal vocation
and places itself as a help, offered to every
youngster, to carry to the full this vocation.
[6]
But that does not prevent
us from suggesting a definite vocation to
young people. So that animators may avoid
any kind of ambiguity or manipulation, young
people must know that the Gospel as such has
to become incarnate in a life project. And
they have the right to know what concrete
ways are offered them so that they may live
their baptism.
22.
The word ‘Youth’ also requires an explanation. By
this we wish to indicate those to whom our
Ministry is directed: to young people between
the ages of 16 and 30. However it must be
noted that in certain Provinces of the Congregation
they no longer speak of Youth Ministry, but
rather of “Young Adult Ministry” to those
between 18 and 35 years. In any case these
young people or ‘young adults’ pose a challenge
for the Church and society. In some situations
they are “forgotten” or “abandoned” by the
ordinary ministry. In others they are the
ones who are leaving the Church regarding
it as out-of-date in its language and in its
method of facing the problems of our time.
In both cases our Congregation as a missionary
[7]
one is called to deal with
them. In this sense Redemptorist Youth and
Pastoral Ministry is a missionary response
to an urgent contemporary pastoral problem.
[8]
Nonetheless, the word ‘Youth’
excludes nobody from our pastoral work. In
our proclamation of the Gospel it must be
always made clear that God calls every age,
even though each candidate is in a situation
which must be individually analyzed. We should
recall therefore that everybody in every life
situation has a responsibility for vocations.
23.
But, under what conditions is our Youth and Vocation ministry to be called
“Redemptorist”? Here we would like to briefly
point out some characteristics which deserve
further development by animators or groups
of their collaborators. Let us remember that
the first element is to be found in our tradition.
St. Alphonsus right from the beginning wished
us to be men of simple language, easily understood,
attentive to people and their situations,
capable of using the power of love and the
centrality of conscience. All this signifies
that our ministry is one of discernment, suggesting
times and activities in common, but also insisting
on personal contact, providing time to listen,
celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation
and giving spiritual direction.
24.
Our tradition also demands that we give necessary space to “the great means
of prayer”. We are called to be masters of
prayer, or at least to provide opportunities
for deeper experiences of it, to provide helps
to pray, to ensure that in our meetings there
is time and a place for personal as well as
community prayer. It is important that our
prayer be ‘incarnated’, making it the cry
of the poor, so that our prayer provokes a
concrete commitment to justice.
25.
Our Redemptorist spirituality implies that our Ministry
be attentive to the value of the Eucharist
and the presence of Mary in every process
of Christian formation. The Eucharist is memory, actualization and prophecy. As memory, the Eucharist makes us participants in the marvelous works
of God that culminate in a life which was
broken, of blood poured out for us. The Eucharist
is also a glimpse of the present,
recognizing in that broken life and in
that shed blood the true measure of love and,
in our times, a fertile seed for the Church
of today. Prophecy pushes us to respond to the challenges
of our time in a way that is always new. In
the light of this theology, the presence of
Jesus in the Tabernacle, of fundamental importance
to Alphonsian spirituality, is not solely
an object of devotion, but also the fount
of all spiritual progress. It helps us to
encounter the One who is at the centre of
our Charism and the Christian life: Jesus
Christ, Redeemer of the world. From this perspective,
the Alphonsian devotion to Mary also has a
decisive role in order that every young person
may walk with generosity and in faith.
26.
In order to make the most of the Redemptorist tradition
we should use those means which Alphonsus
de Liguori employed in such a masterly manner.
We refer to the attraction of his hymns, his
practical catechesis, his desire that our
community should pray with the people, his
concern for the decoration of the altar etc.
We believe that the atmosphere which he created
in the Evening
Chapels should be a great inspiration
in our work with youth. It was his characteristic
way of demonstrating the value of community,
a value which, even today, we have to inculcate
in our young people. For this purpose we need
to have recourse to the power of the Holy
Scriptures and to methods which we find more
suited to “the breaking of the bread of the
Word” (Lectio divina etc,)
27.
Our Ministry is also ‘Redemptorist’ because it is
missionary. As has already been said, this
is not only because it responds to the urgent
needs of young people, but because it is capable
of involving the young people themselves in
mission, especially in favor of the most abandoned.
Copiosa Redemptio is a value which the
world stands badly in need of today. It is
a manifestation of the superabundant love
of the Father and through the power of the
Spirit reaches its apex in the paschal mystery
of Christ. The cross remains the best criterion
for understanding the mystery of life and
for making us more sensitive to the cry of
the poor. In the light of the death and resurrection
of Jesus, Copiosa Redemptio is an inexhaustible fount
of hope, capable of overcoming the destructive
force of sin. It provides the dynamism to
create a new world and to struggle against
injustice. It is the main object in our work
of evangelizing and provides sufficient reasons
for involving young people in it.
28.
As we present our charism we should always have in our hearts and in our
proclamation both the vocation to the priesthood
and to the brotherhood. Both these are equally
forms of Redemptorist life in so far as religious
life and fraternity are concerned. It is important
that we draw attention to the beauty of them
as we help youth to discover the best means
of following their vocation. In the same way,
in our vocational work we should take into
account the vastness of the Alphonsian family,
which in a more or less direct manner shares
our charism and our mission: in a multi-faceted
horizon that begins from the nuns of the Order
of the Most Holy Redeemer to other religious
families, secular institutes and lay associations.
29.
We should also ensure that we speak with care and
a certain pride of our saints and our beatified.
All of them were united in their sense of
mission which led them to forsake an apparently
secure life in order to minister to the most
abandoned, wherever the Lord called them.
In the light of these great figures we should
stress how we should not resign ourselves
to being just ‘any kind of Christian’, but
rather aim courageously to be ‘witnesses and
prophets’ in a world which prefers the ordinary
and does not want to be disturbed.
30.
Sometimes it happens that we ourselves
restrain or at least do not support sufficiently
the missionary enthusiasm of youth. On the
contrary we should envisage and point out
to them concrete ways of putting this enthusiasm
into practice, such as joining voluntary organizations,
taking part in our parish missions, going
on the foreign missions etc.
PART TWO
PUTTING THE IDEAL INTO PRACTICE
31.
After having described, or rather outlined, the theological context in which
Redemptorist Youth and Pastoral Ministry is
situated and after having drawn attention
to some of its characteristics, we would like
at this stage to assist animators in the more
difficult task, which is to give concrete
form to its pastoral concern for youth and
vocations.
32.
If it is relatively easy to describe the ideal of Redemptorist Youth and
Vocation Ministry, there are not a few difficulties
when it comes to facing reality. There are
many factors, which we do not intend to describe
here, which often make the world of young
people a planet apart, which few succeed in
contacting and with which it is difficult
to enter into dialogue. Here we meet the first
challenge to our ministry, because it must
be ‘inculturated’, that is, able to understand
the language of young people, to grasp their
questions and to be in step with them. In
addition to this difficulty, common to our
times, there are other elements in some (V)Provinces
which make a solution hard to achieve. We
refer to the advanced age of the members,
the lack of confreres willing to be involved
in this sector, the absence of structures,
the incapacity to collaborate and a certain
distrust arising from the lack of proper renewal
of religious life, therefore making it difficult
to propose it to young people.
33.
The recent General Chapters have given great prominence
and in some cases a priority to Redemptorist
Youth and Vocation Ministry.
[9]
Despite all the toil and
effort expended in some (V)Provinces to make
this priority effective, we consider of more
decisive importance the passionate dedication
with which each animator lives his Redemptorist
vocation for the sake of young people. The
first quality required from him is a love
of young people, a desire to share with them
the beauty of the Gospel and the cause of
the abandoned. Even where this dedication
is not the result of a specific preparation,
it is important that he be open to learn not
only from his successes and above all from
his mistakes, but also through his permanent
formation (by reading magazines dedicated
to Youth and Vocation Ministry, taking part
in Conventions, meetings, courses, etc.).
34.
With the intention of explaining
how to ‘incarnate’ the ideal into reality,
we now propose a possible itinerary that every
Animator is called to adapt to the situation
of his (V) Province.
In the first place, the Animator
should have a clear idea of the GENERAL OBJECTIVE
aimed for: “To lead youth to know, in an attractive
manner, the person of Jesus Christ and his
Gospel, in order that, making a personal option
for HIM, they may agree to commit their lives
with that of the ecclesial community and,
beginning with this, to contribute efficaciously
to the construction of a society that is more
just and fraternal.
In order to make this objective
achievable, we propose an itinerary composed
of four steps:
FIRST STEP: INITIATION
Point of departure - Ignorance
or fragmented knowledge of the person of Jesus
Christ.
Point
of arrival - Personal commitment to Jesus Christ and to his Gospel.
Objective -
To propose to youth the first announcement
of Jesus Christ leading to a personal commitment
that shows his life of faith.
Means
- We try to reach out to youth in every
way possible.
- We favor moments of encounter to be with them, for
support and a reciprocal accompaniment.
- We present the call of the Gospel in an attractive,
provocative and challenging manner.
- Let
us call into question some of “clichés” about
the Gospel and our Christian values.
- We facilitate
the creation of deep bonds, of feelings of
closeness and of belonging (experience of
community).
- We guarantee the presence
of the animator to accompany the first moments
of the group that is born.
SECOND STEP: DEEPENING
Point of departure Personal commitment to Jesus and to His Gospel.
Point of arrival The option
to commit oneself to follow Jesus and to build
the Kingdom in history.
Objective
To suggest
to youth the way of discipleship that exposes
them to a process of personal discernment
and to help them give rise to new attitudes.
All this in order that each of them may clarify
their life project and may intervene powerfully
in the transformation of society.
Means
- We deepen the sense of community and the demands
of a mature and realistic commitment through
belonging to a group.
- We favor an itinerary of permanent formation
so that youth may realize a clear discernment
of their option.
- We promote the integration between ‘faith’ and
‘life’.
- We help in being conscious of the necessity
of personal accompaniment for the maturation
and the realization of the life-project.
- We generate, at the personal and community levels,
a critical conscience of the social problematic
and a pastoral sensitivity towards all forms
of poverty and marginalization.
- We accompany growth in faith and in the spiritual
life beginning with a ‘relation of friendship
with God’ (personal and community prayer,
prayer readings on the Word of God, the celebration
of the Sacraments).
- We invite youth to reflect on the way to realize
the potential of their lives, taking into
consideration the different vocations that
make up the Church.
- We present the Redemptorist Charism and Spirituality
as a way of being present in the Church.
THIRD STEP: MISSION
Point of departure The option to commit oneself to follow Jesus and to build the Kingdom in
history.
Point of arrival To incarnate a life-project that
may help the youth become ‘adult Christians’
(lay vocation, consecrated life, ordained
ministry) in the Church and in society.
Objective To discover the ‘place’ and the
‘way’ to incarnate the following of Jesus
as a vocational project, to promote a renewal
in the Church and in society.
Means - We assume a style of life inspired
by the Beatitudes, in order to live life as
a generous gift of love and of service to
others.
- We prepare for missionary
commitment, to be transformers of personal
and social realities.
- We verify the itinerary
already completed and we renew the steps leading
to human and faith maturation in the midst
of the community, in a spirit of discernment
and of continual conversion.
- We accompany youth spiritually so that they may arrive
at a choice of life, or commitment as a lay
person in the Church, or also with a vocation
to the consecrated life.
- Participation
in the Redemptorist family is presented as
an option of life. It is the moment of ‘specific
accompaniment’ for the Redemptorist vocation.
35.
Taking these stages into account every formator ought to be clear on what
he is to propose and the methodology he intends
to adopt. For example, in the beginning he
must leave a lot to creativity, adopting means
in line with the local situation. He might
suggest an occasional meeting for prayer,
reflection, or a little festive celebration.
He should try to meet young people where they
usually gather, or approach them through other
young people who are already members of groups.
He might organize a group of volunteers, using
methods and language which young people understand
(music, song, visual arts, computers etc,
or perhaps visiting the school). Similarly,
getting away from vocation strictly speaking,
times of ordinary ministry can be availed
of to introduce the call, such as (teaching
catechism or liturgy, talking to groups) reminding
all that ‘life is a vocation’ and to pray
for vocations. Likewise one could suggest
special meetings, days of retreat, prayer
study, etc. more specifically vocational.
We could list more examples for the other stages or objectives as well.
But formators know them already and we are
not going to pause here since much depends
on the situation in which we work
36.
We would like to insist on the importance of a overall project for Redemptorist
Youth Vocation Ministry in each (V)Province,
a project to be realized with annual dead-lines.
At the same time it is important that one
succeeds in sharing this project with a team.
But even those who are constrained to begin
alone can and should have a project, even
if a simple one. Where it is not possible
to work out a ministry inside the (V)Province,
we suggest collaboration with neighboring
(V)Provinces.
37.
In elaborating its project for Redemptorist Youth Vocation Ministry, every
(V)Province should consider that fact the
a pastoral reality closed in on itself gets
impoverished while one that is open and where
there is sharing of experiences and collaboration
gets enriched. Hence, it is important to consider
three levels of participation:
Local: In every Redemptorist Community,
one should be able to meet a group of youth
who are integrated into the Christian community
and in the local Church.
Provincial: These Youth groups should enter into
contact and share their experiences with other
groups of the Redemptorist (V)Province, sharing,
in the measure possible, a common project
and in team work.
Inter-Provincial: For the enrichment of the youth
and their animators, every (V)Province should
share some experience with the other (V)Provinces
of the Region or sub-Region.
38.
In order to better plan a project it is good to have clear answers to some
questions: What is the situation of youth
in this (V)Province or in this country? What
are their greatest needs as regards evangelizing
or for planning their lives? What type of
believers do we want? These are questions
which must be faced when planning a project
or issuing documents on Youth and Vocational
Ministry in the country where the (V)Province
labors. We must also take into account our
Constitutions and Statutes and the theme of
the sexennium as a proposal of the General
Chapter made to the whole Congregation.
39.
Another series of questions can help to produce a more practical project.
What collaboration can we count on from the
confreres or from young people themselves?
What type of evangelization can be carried
out at the level of local communities or by
a central team? What important occasions should
we suggest to young people for meeting during
the year? How can we guarantee ever greater
participation in the work of the team?
40.
The answer to these questions should lead to a project. This is not a series
of disconnected initiatives each with an end
in itself and leading nowhere. Starting with
what one has, however limited, it is important
to seek a logical continuity by means of the
important meetings programmed, even if they
are few, moving forward gradually and envisaging
a further step from year to year. In this
sense it is wise to envisage programs and
checks at the end of each year of pastoral
activity.
41.
To conclude this part of our document
dealing with the ‘project’, it seems opportune
to indicate a series of examples which every
animator can use in his work. To begin with,
what can a ‘rich’ animator do who has sufficient
collaboration from his confreres and adequate
resources from the (V)Provincial Government?
We offer some examples in the case where it
is up to the animator or his team to take
part in an organic project. One of his concerns
could be that of forming the animators: arranging
a session of formation during the year for
his Redemptorist or lay collaborators. He
might call in competent experts or periodically
visit some committed communities or confreres
to present his project. He could arrange systematic
visits to groups in order to animate them
and deal with possible conflicts. He could
arrange to publish a bulletin of news or information.
He could plan various meetings for youth during
the year in line with their different stages
of formation.
42.
On the other hand what can the
‘poor’ animator do who has only his own good
will to count on, at least in the initial
stages? If we give some examples it is not
to compare adversely the ‘poor’ animator with
the ‘rich’ one. What we mean is that the lack
of means should be kept in mind when planning
a more ambitious project. We want to stress,
however, that no animator can dispense himself
from doing something in the field of Redemptorist
Youth and Vocation Ministry, even if he feels
that he lacks sufficient resources. He could
begin in the area of his own community, trying
to form and animate a small group of young
people. He could encourage the community to
pray with the young people and/or for the
specific intention of vocations. Always starting
with his own community he should be concerned
to make use of important occasions such as
a vocation week, or better still the World
Day of Prayer for Vocations or the World Day
for Youth. He can join the program of the
local Church with and for youth. He can take
part in a parish mission in order to contact
youth and/or preach the ‘Gospel of vocation’.
Here he might make an effort to distribute
publications of other Provinces or of the
General Government with regard to Redemptorist
Youth and Vocation Ministry. The ‘poor’ animator
should take care about his own personal formation
and inform other confreres of the (V)Province
about initiatives of common interest for permanent
formation or the pastoral care of young people
etc. It is important, however, that the ‘poor’
animator while concerned about his lack of
resources, remain faithful to his dream of
a well organized Redemptorist Youth and Pastoral
Ministry. And he should strive with all his
strength to see his dream come true.
PART THREE
THE EXPERIENCE OF RECENT YEARS
A SURVEY
43.
Before concluding we would like to mention some experiences of recent years
which have been significant and effective
in Redemptorist Youth and Pastoral Ministry.
We may perhaps be repeating something already
said, but here we want to describe very briefly
the methods and content of various initiatives.
In mentioning them we hope to offer animators
some other elements of use for their projects.
[10]
44.
Collaboration
on different levels
The commitment
of the Congregation in the field of Redemptorist
Youth and Vocation Ministry has produced collaboration
among the confreres. Without going into detail
we may point out that this collaboration has
developed not only at the local level but
also at (V)Provincial and Regional levels.
We feel it necessary that this collaboration
continue and improve in the future. Our commitment
to normal ministry for youth should not lead
us to neglect our relations with animators
of the same Region and with the Regional Representative
in the General Secretariat for Redemptorist
Youth and Vocation Ministry. We need to share
among ourselves our experiences and helps,
such as prayer texts, programs of meetings
and activities; we need to promote (sub)Regional
meetings, to encourage each other in a work
which I want to stress once more concerns
our very life and therefore all of us.
45.
In the
(V)Provinces
45a) Youth
groups.
They are formed within a parish or beside
a Redemptorist community and directed by a
confrere. They can meet every week for prayer
and sharing. They can also promote the life
of the Christian community in a very practical
way.
Groups
for organizing young people. It is
a (V) Provincial regrouping of Redemptorists
and laity involved in youth and vocation ministry.
Each year this group comes together to take
stock of the various activities taking place
in the (V)Province and to establish a link
between the different Houses.
Liturgical
animation groups. A group
is formed each year to help Redemptorists
in their ministry at places of pilgrimage.
These young people conduct the Way of the
Cross and hours of adoration, providing religious
hymns and on the occasion of important feasts
ensure a dynamic and up-to-date liturgy.
Meetings
at (V)Provincial level. One or
more meetings of two or three day’s duration
are envisaged annually. Young people who have
taken part in a spiritual vocation program
in our communities are invited to these. Normally
each meeting has a special subject and is
conducted in a festive and prayerful climate.
In some (V)Provinces, these meetings are called
‘Dialogue’ and last for 4 to 5 days.
Youth
Week. It is
a week organized with young people in a coordinated
way to stage different formative events which
interest youth in the domain of culture, social,
religion, recreation or sport.
Song Festival. It is
a question of promoting a celebration together
with young people by means of something which
interests them closely such as music. It could
be done on the occasion of Easter, Christmas
or on another occasion of common interest
in the local Church.
45b) Participation in parish missions. With the help of some young people
the animator takes part in this important
preaching program to organize meetings and
times of prayer in order to draw near the
young people of the parish in which the mission
takes place.
Groups
of young missioners. Formed
by Redemptorists and young people, these groups
proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ to
youth in a dynamic way. They do it on the
streets, in the schools and in the parks.
To enliven their preaching these groups use
people giving witness, music, songs, mime,
sketches video, etc.
A mission
station for young people. A group of Redemptorists and young people stay in a diocese
for a year. In the parishes entrusted to them
(from 5 to 10), they have the mission of forming
lay persons who will become Animators of youth
groups. Some missionary teams also prepare
adults to become catechists for the sacramental
preparation of youth.
Projects
for the foreign missions. Some
young people directed by Redemptorists have
the experience of spending some weeks on a
Redemptorist foreign mission.
45c) Projects
to help the marginalized.
During the summer a group of Redemptorists
welcomes about fifteen young people in a Redemptorist
House so that they may do volunteer work for
the marginalized (repairing houses, residences
for the homeless, those suffering from Aids,
helping the handicapped etc.) At the same
time these young people have an experience
of our community life and receive a formation
in Redemptorist life.
Ministry
in favor of young adults at risk: This ministry, carried out for
indicted young adults or for those in a situation
‘a delinquere’, aims to help them take decisions based on human and
spiritual values, rather than on their instinctive
reactions. With this being the scope of their
activity, Redemptorists and young adults offer
Retreats on ‘how to direct and take hold of
one’s own life’.
45d) Retreats
for young adults:
Animated by Redemptorists and lay people,
these Retreats are aimed at helping young
adults of a parish to grow at the level of
their spiritual and emotional lives. The means
used are: conferences, exchanges, sharing
of experiences, prayer and the celebration
of the sacraments.
Houses
open to young adults. This refers
to a community made up of young adults and
Redemptorists who live our community life
and provide different activities and Christian
formation for the marginalized of the locality.
Communities
of young people and Redemptorists. This is at a more advanced level with stable groups of
young people. It is very effective especially
when giving missions together, particularly
for young people. It has to be approved by
a statute of the (V) Provincial Government.
45e) Vocation
Week-ends.
Once a month or more often, from Friday evening
to Sunday afternoon, young people who want
to reflect on their choice of life or the
option of becoming Redemptorists are invited
to a House. Sharing the normal life community,
times of prayer and meditation are arranged
as well as discernment and sharing in the
work an in the fraternal recreation
Redemptorist
Vocation Day. A date
is chosen, suitable if possible for the whole
(V)Province, on which confreres, (better if
novices and students), talk about the Redemptorist
vocation and invite people to pray for vocations.
One can make use of audiovisuals or exhibitions
etc.
45f) Alphonsian
Folders.
The program suggested with these ‘spiritual
folders’ to help the young people to draw
near to Jesus Christ by means of a progressive
knowledge of St. Alphonsus, his missionary
dynamism and his love for Mary and the poor.
There are twelve such folders. From time to
time the study of some writing of Saint Alphonsus
is the main subject of each meeting.
On the
Internet. When one
knows the technology one can take advantage
of resources on the net, either by creating
or participating in a web-site which presents
the (V)Province or the life and charism of
Redemptorists. Often one can develop communication
with youth through E-mail and this fosters
group discussion.
A liaison bulletin. Three
or four times a year the animator publishes
a simple news bulletin on the activities which
have taken place and those planned in the
field of youth and vocation ministry. This
bulletin is sent to all the young people in
contact with the (V)Province and to the local
communities.
Leaflet
on Redemptorist Youth and Vocation Ministry. According to the resources at one’s disposition, a simple
leaflet may be prepared giving an account
of our activities and charism, our ministry,
our style of living and the activities of
the Redemptorist Youth Vocation ministry.
The important thing is to circulate it.
Vocation
advertising. With
the help of experts in the field of advertising
and without too much expense, an advertising
campaign could be launched with posters, brochures
and advertisements in the newspapers. This
would present our charism to youth in a dynamic,
lively and appropriate way and above all to
excite the curiosity of young people who have
an interest in vocations.
Media
involvement. In response to invitations some
Redemptorists are called to give an account
of their vocation in the mass-media: radio,
newspapers and television. These transmissions
give prominence to the Congregation in some
areas where vocations are lacking and makes
people who are interested more familiar with
religious life
46. At the Regional level
Youth
Meetings. The international
meetings of young people who take part in
our ministry have proved very valuable. Their
frequency can be arranged according to the
possibilities of the Region, perhaps every
three or four years and they may last between
three and five days. Every meeting should
have a subject for discussion and foster work
in groups, workshops, celebrations and prayer.
Meetings
of animators. A link
between animators at Regional level is important
for the sharing of experiences, to ensure
a certain formation, to stimulate new ideas
and to carry out interprovincial projects,
advertising for example, and also to evaluate
and prepare international and regional youth
meetings and to guarantee continuity in youth
ministry.
Sub-Regional
meetings. In some
cases because of the size of the Region or
the diversity of language it is preferable
to organize meetings on a sub-Regional level.
APPENDIX
SOME
TEXTS WHICH EACH ANIMATOR SHOULD KNOW
We refer here to some documents and publications which one should have for
further developing and more thoroughly studying
these Guidelines.
A. SOME BASIC TEXTS
·
The messages
of the Holy Father on the occasion of World
Youth Days give sources of inspiration for
youth and for their animators.
·
The same
is true of papal messages on the occasion
of World Days of Prayer for vocations.
B. FOR DIFFERENT REGIONS
1. The European Region
·
New vocations
for a New Europe, the Final Document of the
Congress on Vocations to the priesthood and
the consecrated life in Europe,
1998.
·
CENCINI
A., Vocazioni,
dalla nostalgia alla profezia, Bologna,
EDB 1989.
2. The Asian Region
·
The documents of the Federation of the Asian Episcopal
Conferences (FABC).
·
Documents of the Youth Commission of the Conference
of Catholic Bishops in India (CBCI).
·
In India,
the Salesians have a group called “Don Bosco
Youth Animation”. This group publishes a series
of books on different aspects of youth ministry.
Up to the present it has produced five on
the guidance of groups, etc.
3. The African Region
·
Le Regardant (Rédemptoriste), Quarterly
publication, by the Burkina-Niger
Vice
Province.
4. The North American Region
a) Works on vocational ministry
·
La pastorale vocationelle: une sentinelle de vigilance. Edited by the Association of Diocesan Directors
of Youth Ministry of French Canada,
Montreal,1998.
·
KELLY
NEMECK F. – COOMBS M.T., Called
by God,,
Minnesota, USA, 1992.
·
KELLY
NEMECK F. – COOMBS M.T., Discerning
vocations to marriage, celibacy and singlehood.
By Marie Theresa Coombs and Frances Kelly
Nemeck, USA,
1994.
·
PABLE
M., Seigneur
que veux-tu que je fasse (French version
of A
religious Vocation: is it for me?), Quebec,
Canada,
1998.
b) Works on young adult ministry
·
Sons and daughters of the light – A pastoral plan
for ministry with young adults. A Pastoral letter of the Catholic
Bishops of the United
States, 1996.
United States Catholic Conference, Inc. (USCC),
3211
Fourth Street NE, Washington
DC, 20017-1194,
Tel 202-541-3040.
·
WEBER
J., Becoming
a young adult responsive Church, 1994.
Distributed by The Center of the Ministry
development, P.O. Box 699, Naugatuck,
Connecticut,
Tel.: (203) 723-1622.
·
Sharing God’s work through the year (A guide
for small groups of young adults), In collaboration,
1999, Distributed by The Center of the Ministry
development, P.O. Box 699, Naugatuck, Connecticut,
Tel.: (203) 723-1622.
·
Connecting young adult with the Word )A guide
for homilists and liturgy planners). In collaboration,
1999. Distributed by The Center of the Ministry
development, P.O. Box 699, Naugatuck,
Connecticut,
Tel.: (203) 723-1622.
·
Young adult works. In collaboration,
5 volumes, Distributed by The Center of the
Ministry development, P.O. Box 699, Naugatuck,
Connecticut, Tel.: (203) 723-1622.
5. South American Region
·
CELAM
(Youth Sector), Elementos
para un Directorio de Pastoral Juvenil Orgánica,
Santa Fe de Bogotá-Colombia, 1982.
·
CELAM
(Youth Sector), Civilización
del Amor: tarea y esperanza (Orientaciones
para una Pastoral Juvenil Latinoamericano),
Santa Fe de Bogotá-Colombia, 1995.
INDEX
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this document (nn. 1-4)
To whom these Guidelines are addressed (nn. 5-9)
Part One. OUR POINTS OF REFERENCE
Some theological and pastoral principles (nn.10-17)
What we intend by Redemptorist Vocation and Youth Ministry (nn. 18-30)
Part Two. PUTTING THE IDEAL INTO
PRACTICE (n.31)
Wisdom and patience (nn. 32-33)
Proposal for an itinerary (nn. 34-35)
First step: Initiation
Second step: Deepening
Third step: Mission
The urgency of a project (nn. 36-42)
Part Three. THE EXPERIENCE OF RECENT
YEARS
A survey (nn.43-44)
In the (Vice) Provinces (n.45)
At the Regional level (n.46)
Appendix. SOME TEXTS WHICH EACH ANIMATOR SHOULD KNOW
CONGREGATIO
SANCTISSIMI REDEMPTORIS