MANILA (AsiaNews): The International Conference on Youth Ministry, sponsored and organised by the Loyola School of Theology and the Don Bosco School of Theology, was held at the University of Manila, Quezon City, the Philippines, from April 13 to 15.
The event brought together more than 700 participants from 30 nations around the world.
The words of one participant, Maria Lea Lee, summed up the experience: “I grasped the value of the uniqueness of life, determining my place and role within the community and working toward desired outcomes.”
The conference helped her “understand and learn” the importance of youth ministry in the Church, making “wise” decisions about life, leadership, accompaniment and discernment, human and Christian specifically, as in the case of marriage or consecrated life.
Attendees were able to explore, reflect and analyse the relationship between the Church and young people, the value of pastoral care and the ways through which laity and Church hierarchy can best serve them.
One of the messages that characterised the event, in fact, was to “accompany young people in their journey of maturation in faith and mission in modern society.”
Attendees were able to explore, reflect and analyse the relationship between the Church and young people, the value of pastoral care and the ways through which laity and Church hierarchy can best serve them
Jesuit Father Henry Eusebio Jr., explained that the entire programme was aimed at “animating, guiding and supporting” young people, to “accompany them on their faith journeys” and in different “life contexts.”
Father Eusebio, who is presided at the conference and heads the Loyola School of Theology, recalled that as with parents, the Church is “committed to accompanying them toward maturity of faith and the fulfillment of their mission” with “compassion, commitment and care.”
He added that young people “are called to render their service through the time, talents and treasures” they have for the “common good” at every stage and in every one of their choices, from marriage to consecrated life, as priests or nuns, as lay or religious.
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Jayeel Serrano Cornelio, dean of Manila University, called the conference an opportunity to “dialogue” with those who care about the world of youth. The ministry to them, he noted, is an “effort in the key of evangelisation” made to “guide them into the fullness of life in Jesus and so that they can be dynamic protagonists” in their lives and in their environment.
…young people “are called to render their service through the time, talents and treasures’ they have for the ‘common good’ at every stage and in every one of their choices, from marriage to consecrated life, as priests or nuns, as lay or religious
The three-day gathering, therefore, focused on the vision, principles and practices of the Church, with plenary speakers and 20 working groups dialoguing on various topics and issues in the world of young people.
Present were experts and professionals in the field from the Philippines, Indonesia, India, Vietnam, the United States, France, Croatia, and Italy among others who, through events and cultural initiatives, showcased the richness and diversity of the Churches and peoples of Asia, the Pacific and beyond.
Speaking on the topic, Youth Animation: planning and models for youth ministry, Father Jerome Vallabaraj of the Don Bosco Theological Centre in Chennai, India, emphasised how the ministry should be “customised” to meet the needs and vision of different groups and that planning is a duty and a commitment.”
He added, “Youth ministry, becomes fruitful and effective when it becomes responsive to local needs, is guided by specific convictions and promoted by people.”
Father Anthony de Guzman, also of Don Bosco Theological Seminary, concluded by emphasising that one of the elements of youth ministry is catechesis. It instills in them a mindset centred on a faith consistent with the gospel so that they can “feel, think and behave like Christ. Therefore, youth catechesis should begin by teaching young people how to learn from Jesus, the omnipresent source of inspiration and ideal teacher.”
