Journeying with Youth

Accompany young people in the creation of a hope-filled future

Journeying with Youth

Accompany young people in the creation of a hope-filled future

Journeying with Youth

Reality - how things stand

Youth is a time for fundamental decisions and the beginning of fulfilling our dreams. And yet, young people today face enormous challenges: the uncertainty of relationship in a digital era, diminishing opportunities for work, the growth of political violence, discrimination, degradation of the environment. All of this makes it difficult for them to find a road where they can build supportive personal and family relations based on solid spiritual and financial foundations.

God's Dream

Meeting Jesus, young people can find the path to deepest fulfilment. “I have come that you may have life and have it to the full”. (John 10:10)
The 2018 Synod on Youth and Vocational discernment recognizes the importance of the perspectives of the young. We stand at their side. We glimpse the future with them. We walk with them in order to perceive and discern where the Spirit is leading our world and our Church.

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. (…) Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Ephesians 3:16.20-21 (NIV)

The culture of encounter is a call inviting us to dare to keep alive a shared dream. Yes, a great dream, a dream that has a place for everyone.

Pope Francis to WYD 2019 participants in Panama

Our Response

uaps_3-journeying_our-response

Young people have so many possibilities in this digital age which unites them as never before. We want to walk with them, discerning these possibilities and finding God in the depths of reality. Accompanying young people puts us on the path of conversion; it requires a new way of living in Jesuit community, a way that is more coherent, more personal, more open, more evangelical.

We want our apostolic works and houses to be spaces open to youthful creativity in which the encounter with the God of life, revealed by Jesus and the deepening of the Christian faith are fostered.

We commit to promoting a healthy and safe environment for children and young people so that they can develop their full potential as human beings.

We want to help young people to know Jesus Christ and to feel themselves loved, saved and forgiven.

We ask our schools, our universities and those who work in parishes to help in the faith development of young people and creatively adapt the Spiritual Exercises so that young people can personally know Jesus in ever deeper ways and follow Him more closely.

Take Action


• Listen to God calling through the prayer in tab How can I pray?

• Reflect on the relationship with your children. Think how could it be better. Try to implement the conclusions.

• Support responsible sex-education agenda.

• Learn more about the youth-related problems, challenges and reality.

• Inspire others by sharing this site with your friends.


Mark 10: 17-31. The Rich Young Man

Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”


The 2018 Synod on Youth spoke of the contribution of young people:

“through them the voice of a whole generation was heard loud and clear at the Synod. Journeying with them as pilgrims to the tomb of Peter, we experienced how coming together in this way creates the conditions for the Church to become a space for dialogue and a witness to a life-giving fraternity. The strength of this experience overcomes all weariness and weakness. The Lord continues to say to us again and again: Do not be afraid, I am with you”


A Prayer for Young People Today

Shine your truth into our hearts. May we hear you in music, see you in art and experience you through the love and care of family, friends and teachers.
Build your hope into our lives. May we sense this hope rise in our hearts as we encounter the power of nature, the majesty of the oceans and the beauty in creation.
Come sow your wisdom into our minds. May we discover wisdom as we read their bibles, discuss deeper issues of life or encounter hardships or difficulties.
Come weave your love into our dreams. May we find vision in our interests, opportunities for our talents and aspirations for our abilities.
May we know you more and more.
Amen.


Prayer for Students

Father, as I study away from home - I am not alone
You are my friend - help me to meet new people
You are my encourager - come build my confidence and vision
You are my teacher - help me to learn and gain wisdom
You are my comforter - hold me when I’m lonely or afraid
You are my counsellor - I share my excitement and worries with you
You are my protector - I lay my life into your safe hands
Thank you for your presence with me now
Amen.


Prayer before Exam

Father,
Be with me as I take this exam.
Keep my mind alert and my memory sharp.
Calm my nerves and help me concentrate.
I know that you walk with me,
Guiding my path and inspiring my heart.
I pray that I would feel you with me,
And that your friendship would soften the pressure I feel.
I pray that I would pass this exam and go on to new things with you.
Thank you for your peace and your love in my life.
Thank you for your kindness and care for me.
Amen.

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