Last
weekend I attended the Evangelium Conference in Reading for Young Adults, where over 250
young people were in attendance. Modestly dressed young ladies and suitably
attired young men were treated to some marvellous talks by inspiring speakers,
and engaged in great social activities (including a live music night and football
in the rain!) as well as some splendid liturgy, including Morning and Evening
Prayer in Common, Exposition and Confession.
The
talks on the faith, the sacraments, morality and history were well worth
hearing and generated some penetrating questions from the young people who
sought to clarify rather than criticise. This contrasted sharply with the kind
of formation I received at school where we were actively encouraged to challenge,
even confront, the Church -we were certainly formed by and for relativism
rather than Truth: “The Church says...what do you think?”
Mass
at the Conference was in the Ordinary Form but offered Eastward-facing with
Gregorian Chant and traditional, faith-based hymns. The young people happily
received Our Blessed Lord on the tongue as a sign of reverence. I suspect this liturgical
slant and the talks were well accepted simply because these young people knew to
put God at the centre of things, not themselves. I have to say that the
liturgical experience contrasted sharply with the kind of ‘youth Mass’ I
experienced at school, the latter being geared towards giving us a jolly and
affirming experience, as though it was God’s task to applaud us and have us
applaud ourselves rather than our task to adore Him.
While
the vast majority of contemporary liturgy is dangerously inverted in its
purpose, the relativist formation we give our young people in our schools is also
dangerous. When I was at school ten years ago pre-marital sex, contraception
and homosexuality were all espoused by my peer group who had been formed to
‘think for themselves’ and confront the Church, placing ourselves at the centre
of our morality; at the same time we were formed liturgically to take on board the
prejudices of older Catholics who pejoratively say ‘sticking out the tongue and
having priests turn their back on you to speak in a foreign language is
dismissive; we should get the priest’s attention at Mass’ (funny, that. I
thought God should get everyone’s attention).
I
look forward to attending another Evangelium Conference. Youth workers
nation-wide should adopt the format used by the Evangelium team and leave their
70’s style of being ‘hip’ behind.
Good to hear, Andrew, that within the Church outside of the 'traditionalist' wing things are beginning to revert to real Catholicism. Admittedly this group was relatively small but hopefully represented a wide area by means of those present. If those young people go back to their home areas & show how the Church should be worshipping God then there is hope.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment, David.
DeleteThere seemed to be an atmosphere of charity and conviviality; people genuinely seeking to please the Lord. I think many in each 'wing', so to speak, have genuine conviction; it's often simply a failure of catechesis that causes an inauthentic trajectory.
The Conference sought to enable a catechised laity to evangelise, so please God it will bear Fruit.
With prayers,
Andrew.
Having been at the same conference, Andrew, I would endorse your sentiments. Being a university chaplain I hope gives me some insight into what 'works' with young Catholics, and when presented with the full beauty of Catholicism coherently explained, and reverent, God-centred worship - they seem to respond very positively.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment, Father.
DeleteThank you for sharing your insight; I trust it is given a good hearing within your Diocese...
There is something within Man that seeks truth and transcendence but is distracted by New Age philosophy, Astrology, Spiritualism etc.
With prayers,
Andrew.
Andrew,
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your experience with us.
Theocentric worship and orthodox catechesis captures the hearts and minds of young people; man-centred liturgy and a modernistic approach to doctrine drives them away. The success of this conference proves that young people desire orthodox catechesis and reverent liturgy. I hope those the Youth Ministry Team take notice.
Thanks for your comment, Philip.
DeleteI agree wholeheartedly: yes, truth and reverent worship do more to attract the soul than relativism, which is self-focused.
Perhaps we should suggest to the Evangelium UK team that they ask if they can hire the Hexham &Newcastle Youth Village next time and model good Youth Ministry to the Youth Ministry Team?
With prayers,
Andrew.
That is a fantastic idea! Maybe you could contact the Evangelium UK team and invite them? I am sure the Youth Ministry Team would be happy to work with Evangelium UK. This would be a brilliant way to promote the New Evangelisation in our diocese.
ReplyDeleteI do think it would be great to welcome the Evangelium UK Team to the area and to use the Youth Village as a venue, Philip. But I couldn't foresee effective collaboration given their very different goals and methods...
DeleteHi Andrew
DeleteAs a non-supporter of the Youth Team & their work I'd be delighted to see something concrete & worthwhile happen there. At least our money would not be totally wasted
Thank you David.
DeleteI think the Youth Workers are sincere and dedicated but misdirecting their energy into jollity and person-centred affirmation rather than doctrine and God-centred liturgy.
Like David, I am a non-supporter of the Youth Team and their work; I say this not to criticise or denigrate, but to highlight the fact that their pastoral approach has been a momentous failure.
ReplyDeleteSince the 1970s young people have been leaving the Church in droves. The reason is obvious; they do not respond to watered-down catechesis and lacklustre liturgies. Visit most parishes and you will notice a distinct lack of young people.
The Youth Ministry Team aims to "encourage young people into a relationship with Christ and fully into the life of the church." Evangelium UK will help them achieve this goal by demonstrating an approach that actually bears fruit.
You should really consider asking Evangelium UK to come to this diocese. I am sure one of their conferences would be a great success. And if the Youth Ministry Team really cares about the salvation of young people, they will willingly collaborate.
As I say, I think youth workers mean well but youth work in general has failed us.
DeletePerhaps Evangelum UK will ask to come here. Sadly, everything seems to go on down South and we have some very faithful priests and people in this Diocese.