The Jubilee of Youth celebrates the life and contribution of young people in our Church and the world.
“Young people are no longer children. They are at a time of life when they begin to assume a number of responsibilities, sharing alongside adults in the growth of the family, society and the Church” (Pope Francis, Christus Vivit, n.64).
PRAYER
Come Holy Spirit of this Great Southland
Inspire our entire faith community,
As we prayerfully discern new horizons for spreading joy
in the lives and communities of the People of God.
Come Holy Spirit of Youth
Fill the hearts of young people with the hope and love of Jesus Christ.
Enliven our community with the creativity, energy and joy of youth.
Guide us together, as we strive to offer God’s mercy
to those who feel abandoned or outcast.
Come Holy Spirit of Faith
Empower our community to be courageous.
Unite your people as witnesses of love.
Walk with us, as we blaze new trails of discipleship,
Accompanying young people as we renew the Church together.
Come Holy Spirit of Vocation
Stir within young people an awareness of God’s call.
Reveal to us the graces of young people.
Guide us all, in finding our place and raising our voices
To build a civilisation of love. Amen.
Our Lady of the Southern Cross, Help of Christians, pray for us.
St Mary of the Cross MacKillop, friend of the young, pray for us.
(Year of Youth 2018 Prayer, Australian Catholic Bishops Conference)
TEACHING
From Pope Francis’ Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation, Christus Vivit, to Young People and to the Entire People of God (2019):
“67. Anyone called to be a parent, pastor or guide to young people must have the farsightedness to appreciate the little flame that continues to burn, the fragile reed that is shaken but not broken (cf. Is 42:3). The ability to discern pathways where others only see walls, to recognize potential where others see only peril. That is how God the Father see things; he knows how to cherish and nurture the seeds of goodness sown in the hearts of the young. Each young person’s heart should thus be considered “holy ground”, a bearer of seeds of divine life, before which we must “take off our shoes” in order to draw near and enter more deeply into the Mystery.
“112. The very first truth I would tell each of you is this: “God loves you”. It makes no difference whether you have already heard it or not. I want to remind you of it. God loves you. Never doubt this, whatever may happen to you in life. At every moment, you are infinitely loved.
“118. The second great truth is that Christ, out of love, sacrificed himself completely in order to save you. His outstretched arms on the cross are the most telling sign that he is a friend who is willing to stop at nothing: “Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end” (Jn 13:1).
“124. Finally, there is a third truth, inseparable from the second: Christ is alive! We need to keep reminding ourselves of this, because we can risk seeing Jesus Christ simply as a fine model from the distant past, as a memory, as someone who saved us two thousand years ago. But that would be of no use to us: it would leave us unchanged, it would not set us free. The one who fills us with his grace, the one who liberates us, transforms us, heals and consoles us is someone fully alive. He is the Christ, risen from the dead, filled with supernatural life and energy, and robed in boundless light. That is why Saint Paul could say: “If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile” (1 Cor 15:7).
“130. In these three truths – God loves you; Christ is your Saviour; he is alive – we see God the Father and Jesus. Wherever the Father and the Son are, there too is the Holy Spirit. He is the one who quietly opens hearts to receive that message. He keeps alive our hope of salvation, and he will help you grow in joy if you are open to his working. The Holy Spirit fills the heart of the risen Christ and then flows over into your lives. When you receive the Spirit, he draws you ever more deeply into the heart of Christ, so that you can grow in his love, his life and his power.”
TESTIMONY
“In 2019, Pope Francis wrote Christus Vivit (‘Christ is Alive’) to address not only young people but the “entire people of God”, following the 2018 Synod on Young People, the Faith and Vocational Discernment. Christus Vivit emphasises the important role of youth in the Church and encourages them to embrace their faith and actively participate in their communities.
“As a youth leader and musician in the Church it was an eye-opening experience to learn about this important document and how it can be used in youth ministry across Australia. I hope to utilise and implement within the community through discernment and dialogue with young people.
“My aim is to reach out to youth and young adults by hosting events across Australia, such as worship nights, where I will speak on evangelisation and using your gifts. Someday, I aspire to share this message globally through my ministry.”
– Kyle Correya, Australian Delegate to International Congress on Youth Ministry 2024.
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
For the young people in our community, that they may come to know God’s love and salvation, and be led to be missionary disciples in our world.
We pray to the Lord.
That we all may play our part in accompanying young people and embracing their youthful spirit in our community.
We pray to the Lord.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Pope Francis’ Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation, Christus Vivit, to Young People and to the Entire People of God (2019)
Anointed and Sent: An Australian Vision for Catholic Youth Ministry (2009, Australian Catholic Bishops Conference)
Called to Fullness of Life and Love: National Report on the Australian Catholic Bishops Youth Survey 2017 (2018, National Centre for Pastoral Research)
Addressing the ageing demographic as well as the needs of young people (Qwayne Guevara and Samantha Hill, Australian Catholic Youth Ministry Network)
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