Salesian Youth Ministry
Made Simple
Fr. Mario Antonio Villegas Baclig, SDB
Rome - 2003
Contents
Chapter 1Great to be young!
1.1. A Profile of Today’s Youth 4
1.2. Challenges of the New Millennium 6
Worksheet no. 1: An Initial Description of Today’s Youth 8
Chapter 2Journeying with youth!
2.1. The Journey of the World Youth Days 9
2.2. New Paradigms for Catholic Youth Ministry11
Worksheet no. 2: A Description of Catholic Youth Ministry13
Chapter 3Father and teacher of youth
3.1. A God-given Mission on behalf of Youth14
3.2 A System of Education and a Path to Holiness17
3.3. The Commitment of Salesian Youth Ministry19
Worksheet no. 3: A Short Biography of St. John Bosco21
Chapter 4A welcoming family for youth!
4.1. Our Educative-Pastoral Community22
4.2. An Animating Style27
Worksheet no. 4: A Picture of the
Educative-Pastoral Community29
Chapter 5A total ministry for youth!
5.1. Our Educative-Pastoral Ministry30
5.2. Strategic Management Mentality 43
Worksheet no. 5: A Description
of Total Salesian Youth Ministry45
Chapter 6An ongoing process of growth
6.1. Building Up the Educative-Pastoral Community46
6.2. Renewing Salesian Youth Ministry54
6.3. The Salesian Educative-Pastoral Project56
Worksheet no. 6: The Preparations for the
Salesian Educative-Pastoral Project65
Chapter 7Salesian settings for growth
7.1. Parishes66
7.2. Youth Centers67
7.3. Schools68
7.4. Training Centers69
7.5. Crisis Intervention Centers70
7.6. Salesian Youth Movement70
7.7. Formation and Retreat Centers72
7.8. Media Centers72
7.9. New Settings72
Worksheet no. 7: A Panorama of Salesian Settings73
Chapter 8Animating Salesians
and Lay Mission Partners
8.1. Governance and Animation Worldwide74
8.2. Governance and Animation in the Province74
8.3. Governance and Animation on the Local Level78
Worksheet no. 8: A Description of the Salesian Commission
on Youth Ministry79
Chapter 1
Great to be young!
The first step in any form of youth ministry is to know the youth. They are the starting point—where they are and as they are. No doubt, their many life-stories will guide and inspire us in our ministry.
This profile gives us an initial picture of today’s youth, and enables us to realize that indeed it is great to be young!
1.1. A Profile of Today’s Youth
Describing today’s youth is like describing a large mosaic. There is always a bit of anything and everything, often in striking contrast.
1.1.1. Today’s youth are fragmented:
- suffering from an identity crisis
- disoriented and insecure about the future
- confused over constantly changing value-systems
- alone and unable to communicate with others.
Yet, they aresearching for and gradually discovering their own identities:
- aware of their complex personalities
- guided by a clearer vision of life
- searching for the meaning of life
- involved in groups and barkadas(Filipino word for “gangs”).
1.1.2. Today’s youth are indifferent to God and religion:
- living as if there were no God
- believing that all religions are the same
- going after pseudo-religious experiences
- easily falling prey to fanatical sects
- aloof from the Church
- showing refusal, protest, and indifference.
Yet they are open to the Transcendent and to what lies beyond this life:
- seeing in God and religion the answer to life’s questions
- receptive to the witnessing of young and adult believers
- drawn to live an authentic life with Christ
- sustained by strong prayer experiences
- desiring to participate in the life and mission of the Church.
1.1.3. Today’s youth are unable to live according to a clear system and hierarchy of values:
- easy victims of today’s consumerist mentality
- running after money and things
- believing that persons, time, experiences, relationships, emotions can be bought, consumed and thrown away
- convinced that what counts are pleasure, appearances, possessions
- indulging in the cult of the body
- seeking refuge in what is transient, in the now
- looking at standards of right and wrong as negotiable
- considering social acceptance as the norm of behavior
- holding on to a wrong notion of love, that love is a fleeting experience of personal satisfaction or mere sexual enjoyment.
But they are searching for and setting up stable points of reference to look at life with the eyes of faith and hope:
- sensitive to solidarity with the poor, service, dignity of man and woman, ecology, human rights, respect for persons, friendship, family
- capable of lasting commitments
- willing to care for health and physical well-being
- interested in exercise and natural means of healing
- looking for communication on the deeper levels and authentic person-to-person relationships
- desiring to overcome injustice, oppression, discrimination
- feeling the need to free themselves from individualism, from the slavery of possessions, egoism, and selfishness.
1.2. Challenges of the New Millennium
We broaden our knowledge of today’s youth:
(1) Through scientific studies and published literature.
(2) Through participant observation in the various forms of exposure and immersion.
(3) Through a shared process of contextual analysis.
In fact, if we really want to know and understand today’s youth, we must get thoroughly acquainted with the ever-changing context in which they live. Only then can we identify the challenges that they pose to youth ministry.
1.2.1. We are in the age of the Information Revolution. In the context of today’s new millennium, which many refer to as the Third Wave, young people have easy access to all kinds of information. A simple click of the mouse opens them to the worldwide web. In the mass media they get information, in abundance and in real-time. At once we sense an emerging challenge: how can we enable the youth to face this avalanche of information with a critical mind and make the right decisions in front of seemingly countless options and alternatives?
1.2.2. We are in the age of globalization. The developments in communication and transportation are rapidly turning the vast world into a global village; individuals and families persons across the continents are now closer to one another than next-door neighbors. In the context of society becoming globalized day-by-day, the youth come in contact with people—including their fellow youth—from diverse cultures and religions. Again, we sense an emerging challenge: how do we foster and infuse in the youth the values of respect for diversity, teamwork, and solidarity?
Chapter 2
Journeying with youth!
The youth are no longer children, but are not yet adults. They are a unique breed! They deserve a ministry especially directed to them and carried out in a youthful style. Catholic youth ministry is precisely the Church’s special ministry for today’s youth.
2.1. The Journey of the World Youth Days
In Pope John Paul II, we see most clearly the image of Christ the Good Shepherd reaching out to the youth of today. Because of his leadership and example, the entire Catholic Church has taken up with seriousness and dedication the ministry to the young.
2.1.1. To John Paul II we attribute the phenomena of the World Youth Days. Already in 1984, at the close of the Jubilee celebration, he entrusted to the youth the Youth Jubilee Cross. The following year, 1985 (declared by the United Nations as International Year of the Youth), he wrote his monumental letter “To the Youth of the World,” and laid out a clear vision of Catholic youth ministry. In his words, the youth are “a special treasure” in the Church and society.
Thus began the journey of the World Youth Days, which has become today the greatest sign of the Church’s special love for the young. A wonderful invention indeed!
2.1.2. Through the themes of the main celebrations of this worldwide journey, the Pope guides the youth of today. These themes can very well serve as fundamental points in a program of youth catechesis and formation.
1st WYD – Rome, Italy. 1985. “Always be prepared to make a defense to anyone who calls you to account for the hope that is in you.” (1 Peter 3: 15)
2nd WYD – Buenos Aires, Argentina, 1987. “We ourselves have known and put our faith in God’s love towards ourselves.”(1 John 4: 16)
4th WYD – Santiago de Compostela, Spain, 1989. “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.”(John 14: 6)
6th WYD – Czestochowa, Poland, 1991. “You have received a Spirit of sonship.”(Romans 8: 15)
8th WYD – Denver, USA. 1993. “I came that they might have life, and have it to the full.” (1 Peter 3: 15)
10th WYD – Manila, Philippines. 1995. “As the Father sent me, so am I sending you.” (John 20: 21)
12th WYD – Paris, France. 1997. “Master, where are you staying? Come and see.” (John 1: 38-39)
15th WYD – Rome, Italy. 2000. “The Word became flesh, and dwelt among us.” (John 1: 14)
17th WYD – Toronto, Canada. 2002. "You are the salt of the earth! You are the light of the world!" (Mt 5:13-14)
20th WYD – Cologne, Germany. 2005. “We have come to worship him.” (Mt 2: 2)
2.2. New Paradigms for Catholic Youth Ministry
“Youth ministry” is the more modern term for what used to be called “youth apostolate,” or “youth work.” It renders beautifully the Italian “pastorale giovanile” or the Spanish “pastoral juvenil.” [We would rather avoid using the redundant term “youth pastoral ministry,” or the incomplete term “youth pastoral.”]
2.2.1. Catholic youth ministry is the ministry of the Church specially directed to the young who comprise the majority of society and of the Church. It may be described as the total effort of the Church to extend to the young of today the loving care of Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd. In more practical terms, it is the ensemble of actions (ranging from full-blown programs to specific activities) for, to, by, and with the youth. The drawing below identifies the four basic elements.
2.2.2. Today’s Catholic youth ministry isthe ever-growing and growth-enabling relationship between the youth minister/s and the youth. By focusing more on the persons involved and less on the actions undertaken, we discover this new paradigm. We assert further! No amount of activities, no matter how grand (and costly!), can bring growth and can be considered genuine youth ministry unless they unfold within a relationship of dedication and service on the part of the youth minister and of confidence and openness on the side of the youth.
2.2.3. Today’s Catholic youth ministry is the process of journeying that the entire Christian community makes with the young people, in order to lead them to Christ, the Perfect Human Person, and to responsible service in society and the Church. This new paradigm emerges from the Biblical story of Emmaus (cf. Luke 24: 13—35). The Risen Christ (youth minister par excellence!) walked along with the two (truly young!) disciples on the way to Emmaus and back to Jerusalem. From this paradigm, two challenges emerge.
(1) Catholic youth ministry unfolds in a variety of settings—parishes, schools, centers, workplaces, groups, and even street corners—and with an even greater variety of strategies. But every setting is actually a growing and growth-enabling community, where the youth find their distinct place among the children and the adults. Therefore, community-building, modelled on the Church as community, must be an important concern and the basic methodology in youth ministry.
(2) Catholic youth ministry aims for the total development of every young person, as an individual and as a member of a community, with Christ the God-Man as model. “Total” encompasses both the human or earthly and the spiritual or heavenly dimensions. “Development” refers to growth from within, an empowering of the young person to the point of maturity. The story of Peter, who ministered to the crippled man at the “Beautiful Gate” in Jerusalem and enabled him to get up and walk on his own, is a meaningful illustration of this total development. (cf. Acts 3:1--10) Therefore, youth ministry cannot but be total. Youth ministers, whether adult or young, should be equipped with the knowledge, attitudes, skills, and resources necessary to make their youth ministry efficient and effective.
A Philippine paradigm. Catholic youth ministry in the Philippines is summarized in the acronym F O M . The entire process of journeying covers three phases: (1) Formation, (2) Organization, and (3) Mobilization of the young.
Chapter 3
Father and teacher of youth
In the field of Catholic youth ministry, St. John Bosco occupies a special place as “the father and teacher of youth.” He received from God a mission on behalf of the young. In fulfilling this mission he developed and lived what he called the “Preventive System” of education. Today, we continue his mission and system by committing ourselves to Salesian youth ministry.
3.1. A God-given Mission on behalf of Youth
3.1.1. God entered human history and entrusted to St. John Bosco a special mission.Signs from above, his natural gifts, the advice of prudent persons, his own discernment, providential circumstances, all these combined to convince him that God had enriched him with extraordinary gifts, was calling and sending him on a unique mission for the young, especially the poor and abandoned. and was asking for his total dedication to the young.
“I have promised God that I would give of myself to my last breath for my poor boys.”(from the SDB Constitutions, no. 1) This is the Salesian charism in history!
Right from the start, St. John Bosco knew clearly what was to be the characteristic trait of his mission. He was sent to the young, especially the poorest “For you I study, for you I work, for you I live, for you I am ready even to give my life.”(from the SDB Constitutions, no. 14)
It was this all-pervading love for the young (a holy obsession, we must say!) that enabledSt. John Bosco to unite his priestly life
and teaching, his many relationships with people, and his deep spirituality in one integrated project of life. “He took no step, he said no word, he took up no task that was not directed to the saving of the young.”(from SDB Constitutions, no. 21)
3.1.2. Today, God continues to call many others to share in this charism and continue this mission. Among them are the Salesian Fathers and Brothers (SDB), whom he consecrates, unites and sends out to be in the Church signs and bearers of his love for the young, especially the poorest. There are also the Salesian Sisters (FMA), the Salesian Cooperators (ASC), the Don Bosco Volunteers (DBV), and several other groups that form part of what is now called the vast Salesian Family. There is the even vaster Salesian Movement encompassing men and women, adults and young, who, in the most diverse conditions of life, each in his or her own vocation and way of life, continue this mission. (Within this movement, the young form a special part—the Salesian Youth Movement.)
The Salesian mission which St. John Bosco embraced and which began to unfold many years ago in Valdocco (a section of Turin, an industrial city in northern Italy) goes beyond the limits of space and time. Today, many other persons and groups embrace the same mission on behalf of youth, and share a common way of life and path to holiness. We too are part of this mission.
St. John Bosco (1815—1888)
A Short Biography
16 August 1815. Johnny Bosco is born in the little farmhouse of Becchi. Here, in what is called “Colle Don Bosco,” the Temple of Don Bosco now stands. Two years later, his father dies. Barely 12, Johnny leaves home and works for two years in the Moglia farm at Moncucco. Fortunately, he meets Fr. Calosso in the church of Morialdo, not far from Becchi, and gets his first lessons in Latin.
Johnny is already 16 when he makes the difficult decision to continue his studies in Castelnuovo, 10 kilometers away. He stays in the house of a tailor and learns some tailoring to support himself. He then moves to Chieri in the hope of becoming a priest. Here he spends ten hard but beautiful years, earning his living as a stable boy and waiter, sleeping for years in a corner under the stairs of a shop. He makes some very good friends, like Luigi Comollo and Giona, a Jew. He founds the "The Cheery Company.” At the age of 20, John enters the Seminary in Chieri. Finally, on 5 June 1841, he is ordained a priest in the city of Turin. Johnny becomes "Don Bosco" (Don is the Italian word for Father.)
On 8 December 1841, Fr. Bosco chances upon Bartolomew Garelli in the sacristy of the St. Francis Church in Turin. He takes him aside and starts with a Hail Mary and the basic catechism. This marks the beginning of his work among the young. Week after week, more boys start coming. On Easter Sunday of 1846, he finds a place for them, the Pinardi shed in Valdocco, in the outskirts of the city.
In 1854 Fr. Bosco starts the Salesian Congregation of priests and brothers, to ensure stability for his work among the young. In 1864 he lays the foundation stone of the Basilica dedicated to Mary Help of Christians. In 1872 he teams us with Maria Domenica Mazzarello and starts the Institute of the Salesian Sisters. Gradually he sets the ground for the Association of the Salesian Cooperators. Afire with love for those most in need, Fr. Bosco turns his gaze to the mission lands and in 1875 sends the first expedition to Argentina.
At dawn of 31 January 1888, Fr. Bosco dies, a man whose strength has been sapped by the immense work done, but in the eyes of everyone, a saint of everlasting memory. In 1929 he is declared “Blessed” by Pius XI. And on Easter Sunday of 1934 he is declared a saint by the Church, and proclaimed the “Father and Teacher of youth.”3.2. A System of Education and a Path to Holiness
Through his daily contact with the young and with his mission partners, St. John Bosco gradually developed and lived a system of education which he called “the Preventive System.” In his time, the more common system was rather repressive. Believing in the basic goodness of every young person, St. John Bosco instead wanted to walk hand in hand with them, and thus prevent them from falling into evil and destroying themselves.
We can describe the Preventive System with three affirmations.
3.2.1.The Preventive System is St. John Bosco’s method of educating the young.
These are its distinctive characteristics.
Pro-youth. St. John Bosco spent all his life with the young, sharing their life and their world, communicating with them, and attending to their deeper needs and aspirations. He set no conditions: he took them where they were and as they were.