Jonathan Michelon
“There are group and plenary sessions. There are about twenty groups in total, divided according to language – English, French, Spanish and Italian. Each group has a facilitator and someone who takes notes. The members of the group have to work together and answer fifteen questions that have arisen from the Synod Document. The responses from each group will form the basis of a document that will be given to the Synod Fathers.”
Tell me more about the questions. “The first section is about the challenges and opportunities that young people experience in the world today. For example, it refers to personality development, relationships with people of other nationalities, inter religious challenges, diversity seen as opportunity, young people and the future, their dreams, their attitude to technology, their search for meaning in life and the relationship between what is sacred and what is mundane in life.”
What about the second section? “That part refers to faith, vocation, the specific role of young people in the world, discernment and accompaniment as a vocation develops. There are also questions about their relationship with Jesus, about how they see Jesus in the twenty-first century. The last part focuses on pastoral formation and activities provided by the Church; it’s really about how young people see and experience the Church nowadays.”
Where do the young people in your group come from? “Some come from
Europe – Slovenia, Germany, Greece and Poland – but there are also people from other continents. One person comes from as far away as the Islands of Samoa in the Pacific Ocean. A young Sikh boy talked about his faith and the relationship he has with the spiritual leaders in the temple where he worships. He said they are always there as a source of peace and encouragement for everyone. There is also a young Anglican boy from Zimbabwe who is studying for the priesthood. I feel they speak with great wisdom: discussion is always very open and enriching.”
Have you been struck by any of the experiences they shared? “Yes, there was one in particular. A young Polish doctor, who is part of the Neocatechumenal Way, spoke about an association that he and his wife have founded that cares for people who are dying. The first day, there was a reflection upon the meaning of suffering that was based upon the experience of Chiara Luce Badano and I think this helped them to speak openly about what they are doing. The members of this association spend time with people who are dying, they provide medical assistance but also ask these people to offer up their sufferings for others. In doing this, these people leave the earth “full of life” because, as the young man said, ‘Dying is the most beautiful time in life because we are drawing close to God who we love more than anyone else.’”
The young people from the Focolare have been asked to help with the liturgy for the Mass each day and with the time for meditation… “Yes, some young people from Loppiano and from the Gen Centre in Rome formed a choir which is beginning to take in other people. They asked people with talent to help with the music for the Mass. A violinist joined them yesterday. It’s a really good experience.”
Are the young people happy with what is happening? “We are beginning to realise that this is a historic moment in the Catholic Church. This is the first time in two thousand years that there has been a synod about young people in which young people are participating! But it’s natural for them to play a role in the Church. They are the Church. They treat the Pope and the Cardinal as their best friends – shaking hands with them, embracing them – it’s beautiful to see.”
What’s it like for you? “It’s an absolutely unique experience. You realise how great the Church is and the impact it makes in the world. There is the whole world here – the universality of the Church.”
Source: Loppiano online
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