Discusson on unit 5 of the course: Fundamental Models and Experiences for the Spiritual Growth of the Young
English-speaking Group: Magdalene Chan, Benny Valiyakattel, Carlo Maria Savio Villegas
17 December 2015
We had a very interesting and fruitful discussion on the theme. We felt that fundamentally all young people, regardless of cultures and regions, look for models and examples to imitate and follow, especially in growing in spiritual and human values. Therefore, the animating elders have a special role to play as models for their wards. We proposed few questions to think and act.
Salesian youth (and youthful camels) in Mongolia |
To the Animators:
1) Look back into your own youthful years… and tell us what you yourself feared, made you hesitate, made you indifferent to persons who did not contribute in bringing you closer to Scripture, the sacraments, the teachings of the Church and to Christ himself?
2) What were the hindrances and obstacles you faced to grow spiritually as youth?
3) Can the same bad experiences be applicable to the youth of today?
4) As animators are you afraid to ‘challenge’ the youth towards a change and reform? Why? Are you really prepared to accept the challenge to guide the youth and to be models to them?
5) Who were your models in your younger days? What were the expectations you had from them? What were the qualities you admired in them? Do you yourself have them in your life today… as animator of the young? Who were the animators you did not like at all? Why? Do you have in your life any traits of such unacceptable models?
Catechetical icebreakers in Macau among Catholic youth |
To the Young:
After discussing on the possible answers and our own personal answers to these questions, we dealt with our questions to the youth themselves.
1) According to you, who is a FRIEND? What are the qualities you expect a good friend to have with whom you can share your difficulties, worries, joys, hope, fears, etc.?
2) Why are you afraid to make Jesus as your best friend? What are the qualities he is lacking?
3) As a young person, you have to get married soon….. What kind of spouse you would like to have? What are the qualities and characteristics you want in your future spouse that could make you a better and complete person?
4. Who is Jesus for you today personally? What is Jesus role in your life? Describe yourself as a person WITH JESUS AND WITHOUT JESUS.
5) Where do you find the source for your ‘project of life’ and sense of ‘responsibility’? Is it intrinsic? What are your ‘responsibilities’ as a young person in the society?
6) What are the qualities that you expect the animators/guide/your model to have? Do you have them? Do you try to inculcate these values in your personal life?
Catholic youth gathered in Macau |
During the discussion we felt that it is very important and crucial to guide the young to make their own ‘project of life’ to grow in faith and spirituality. For this the group activities and animations are very helpful. But the difficulty is that very often the animators are not prepared well enough or they don’t have the confidence or the charism to lead the young to a deeper spiritual experience. Often the animators find that they themselves are not authentic and sincere enough in their behavior and attitudes. They are not able to be powerful models to the youth, because they do not practice what they preach. So, what the youth today are lacking is not the qualitative inputs to grow spiritually, but rather good role models to look up to and imitate.
Young leaders in Don Bosco Hyderabad |
We spoke of the so many powerful leaders in the world who were able to influence the youth from all over the world and bring about a positive change in their mentality and behavior like Pope John Paul II, Pope Francis, Nelson Mandela, the Dalai Lama, Bro. Roger of Taize, etc (all elderly, poor, simple people… in giving big talks, performances…) unlike the young and dynamic models or pop stars that excite the mass-media. It is not because of the power they had and the positions they held, but because of the sincere and authentic examples they gave in their words, works and life. They have influences so many youngster to change their ‘project of life’ and grow spiritually in Christian and human values. That is the POWER of examples and authentic role models in the spiritual growth of the young.
Rudolph's sister takes part in the discussion and says 'Merry Christmas' |
For the English Speaking Group,
Benny Mathew VALIYAKATTEL sdb
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