Dear Confreres,

 

As the New Year dawns, we are happy to celebrate the Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God, on the first day of 2025. Happy New Year to each and every one of you. May God’s blessings and the protection of Mother Mary sustain you always, especially in this New Year. We also celebrate this first month of the New Year, January, as the month dedicated to St. John Bosco, our father and founder. Let us make every effort possible to grow closer to Mary and to imitate St. John Bosco in our apostolic life. Mary and St. John Bosco, young and youthful as they were, when accepting God’s plan for them, their feet were always ready in a gesture of moving forward to be of service to God and to humanity. Mary bore God’s Son and brought Him into the world. Her intervention at the Wedding at Cana, manifested Jesus as the Messiah to the whole world. In fact, during this Christmas Season our Breviaries will remind us of the triple manifestation of God’s Son: Epiphany, Baptism of the Lord and the Wedding at Cana where water is changed into wine. It is interesting to see that the beneficiaries of Jesus’ first miracle, according to John’s Gospel, are youngsters. A young man and a woman who had decided to come together to form a family in God’s name, experience the closeness of God and Mary in a difficulty. It was a similar closeness and the presence of Jesus and Mary that the little Johnny of Becchi experienced, when he received the mission of caring for the poor and the abandoned boys, in a dream at the age of Nine. As we march ahead throughout this Jubilee Year as Pilgrims of Hope, let us be attentive to these sorts of spiritual experiences wherein God acts through the intercession of our Blessed Mother, giving us hope to move ahead in our commitment as religious and priests, in the footsteps of St. John Bosco. 

 

On 24th December 2024, Pope Francis officially inaugurated the Jubilee Year and opened the doors of St. Peter’s Basilica saying: “All of us have received the gift and task of bringing hope wherever hope has been lost, lives broken, promises un kept, dreams shattered and hearts overwhelmed by adversity. We are called to bring hope to the weary who have no strength to carry on, the lonely oppressed by the bitterness of failure, and all those who are brokenhearted. To bring hope to the interminable, dreary days of prisoners, to the cold and dismal lodgings of the poor, and to all those places desecrated by war and violence. To bring hope there, to sow hope there.” For us it goes without saying that we are called to bring hope to the youth. Furthermore, the Pope insisted: “With haste, then, let us set out to behold the Lord who is born for us, our hearts joyful and attentive, ready to meet him and then to bring hope to the way we live our daily lives. And this is our task: to bring hope into the different situations of life. For Christian hope is not a cinematic “happy ending” which we passively await, but rather, a promise, the Lord’s promise, to be welcomed here and now in our world of suffering and sighs. It is a summons not to tarry, to be kept back by our old habits, or to wallow in mediocrity or laziness. Hope calls us – as Saint Augustine would say – to be upset with things that are wrong and to find the courage to change them. Hope calls us to become pilgrims in search of truth, dreamers who never tire, women and men open to being challenged by God’s dream, which is of a new world where peace and justice reign.”

 

The Salesian Strenna for 2025 is titled “Anchored in Hope, Pilgrims with Young People,” and it emphasizes guiding youth toward a future filled with hope and faith. This theme aligns with two significant milestones: The Church’s Ordinary Jubilee Year 2025, proclaimed by Pope Francis with the motto “Hope does not disappoint” (Romans 5:5), and the 150th anniversary of Don Bosco's first missionary expedition to Argentina. The Strenna underscores the importance of Christian hope, which remains steadfast amid life’s challenges, grounded in the assurance that nothing can separate us from the Love of Christ. It calls upon the Salesian Family to accompany young people on their life journeys, encouraging them to dream of a better tomorrow and to build a future rich in humanity and hope. By fostering an environment where dreams are nurtured and supported by faith, the Salesian community aims to inspire youth to overcome challenges with courage and self-confidence. This pilgrimage of hope is a collective journey, inviting both educators and young people to deepen their relationship with Christ and to live with authentic Christian values. In essence, the Strenna guides the Salesian Family and the youth they serve, toward a future anchored in hope, resilience, and unwavering faith.

 

Who are youth and what are the challenges we face today as educators of youth? The term “youth” has evolved across cultures and epochs, reflecting a shift in societal roles, responsibilities, and expectations. Traditionally, youth has been associated with the transition from childhood to adulthood, marked by physical, psychological, and social development. Sociological and legal definitions often frame youth within age ranges, such as 15–24 by the United Nations Organization (UNO) or 10–19 as defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) for adolescents, recognizing biological maturity alongside the gradual assumption of adult responsibilities. However, these boundaries are flexible and culturally contextual. Christian thought offers a nuanced understanding of youth. The Church has long acknowledged the vitality, potential, and challenges of young people, emphasizing their role as agents of change and hope in society. Pope Francis’s 2019 Post-synodal Apostolic exhortation Christus Vivit deepens this reflection, affirming youth as individuals characterized not merely by age but by their spirit, energy, and openness to transformation. While Christus Vivit acknowledges the age range of 16–29 in the context of the Synod on Youth, it transcends rigid definitions, portraying youth as a time of discernment and growth. Pope Francis celebrates the unique contributions of young people to the Church and society, urging them to embrace their call to live as joyful witnesses of the Gospel. Thus, youth is not merely a chronological stage but a dynamic phase of becoming, marked by openness to God’s plans. Christus Vivit, invites both the young and the young-at-heart to live fully in faith, hope, and love.

 

Youth today are profoundly influenced by globalization and technology, which homogenizes cultural experiences across socioeconomic classes worldwide. They are exposed to diverse stimuli through the Internet, television, and entertainment, fostering shared tastes, trends, and preferences that transcend national boundaries. This interconnectedness creates greater cultural alignment between socioeconomic peers across continents than between different classes within the same country. However, the non-linear nature of digital media consumption, such as hypertext navigation and audio-visual engagement, reduces their attention spans and weakens their ability to concentrate. Their world revolves around visual communication, using images, symbols, and styles to express identity, though this reliance stifles imagination by presenting predefined fantasies. Socially, early sexual activity contrasts with delayed marriage, influenced by changing norms and the sexual liberation of women, which demands greater sensitivity and emotional engagement from men. Young people often adapt their behavior to fit various social contexts, displaying flexibility but also struggling with a fragmented sense of self. This fluidity makes forming a cohesive identity more challenging, as their aspirations for authenticity conflict with the expectations of multiple social spheres.

 

Consequently, the youth grapple with finding their true selves while navigating a world of competing influences and rapid cultural shifts. 

 

The Bible regards youth as a time of great potential and spiritual opportunity, emphasizing both the vibrancy and challenges of this stage of life. In Ecclesiastes 11:9, young people are encouraged to rejoice in their youth and follow their heart’s desires, but they are reminded that God will hold them accountable. This balance of freedom and responsibility reflects the Bible’s recognition of the youthful desire for exploration while cautioning against folly. Biblical figures like David and Timothy demonstrate the capacity of young people to serve God with zeal and courage. However, the Bible also identifies challenges faced by youth, such as pride, impulsiveness, and susceptibility to temptation (e.g., 2 Tim 2:22 advises fleeing youthful lusts). It highlights the importance of seeking wisdom, honouring parents, and adhering to God’s commandments as anchors for navigating life’s complexities. Jesus’ approach to youth underscores love, inclusion, and the call to discipleship. In Matthew 19:14, He says, “Let the little children come to me,” reflecting His affirmation of their spiritual worth. He engages young people by recognizing their unique needs and encouraging childlike faith. Jesus’ teachings encourage youth to adopt humility, trust in God, and serve others, exemplified by His call for the young ruler to sell his possessions and follow Him (Matt 19:21). The apostolate to youth, therefore, must be relational and empowering, meeting them where they are while guiding them toward spiritual maturity. This involves providing mentorship, fostering community, and presenting Christ as the ultimate source of meaning and purpose. By modelling Jesus’ example, the Church can inspire young people to use their gifts for God’s kingdom, addressing their struggles with love and truth. 

 

Theology of the youth, stretching across millennia, intertwines timeless truths with the boundless energy and potential of the young, offering a profound reflection on their unique role in divine history. From Augustine’s Confessions in the early centuries, where youthful restlessness mirrored the soul’s search for God, to Thomas Aquinas’s scholastic exploration of youthful virtue in the Middle Ages, and into the modern contemplations of Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s “cost of discipleship” for a zealous generation, this theology unveils a vital narrative. Youth emerges not as a passive season of spiritual latency but as an active Kairos – an appointed time when radical receptivity to grace ignites transformative possibilities. In our postmodern era, voices like Gustavo Gutiérrez emphasize that youth, especially within marginalized contexts, serve as prophetic agents of liberation, embodying the Beatitudes with unyielding hope. This theology proclaims that the youthful heart – prone to idealism, fervour, and courageous questioning – reflects the vitality of the Kingdom of God. The Scriptural exhortation to “let no one despise your youth” (1 Tim 4:12) aligns with the eschatological view of youth as a sacrament of beginnings, heralding divine renewal in a world often marred by cynicism and apathy. Yet, this is not a theology of naivety but of integrated wholeness: youth’s dynamism married to wisdom’s discipline, their passion tempered by the humility of walking with God (Mic 6:8). 

 

A creative insight arises in framing youth not only as a stage of human development but as a divine paradigm. God Himself manifests youthful attributes: boundless creativity in creation, persistent hope in covenantal restoration, and self-giving love renewed in the Incarnation. This perspective reframes youthful energy as a theological locus where God’s redemptive work thrives through a generation that dreams (Acts 2:17) and bears the courage to disrupt the status quo for justice, peace, and reconciliation. In conclusion, the theology of the young calls for a radical shift: recognizing youth as the spiritual frontier where God continuously renews creation. It challenges older generations to nurture and empower, not suppress, the divine fire within youth, and it charges the young to embrace their identity as co-creators of God’s unfolding story. This theology transcends chronology, reminding all of their participation in God’s eternal “newness.” 

 

The Church’s approach to youth has evolved significantly over time, reflecting broader historical, theological, and social developments. In the ancient Church, youth were seen as inheritors of the faith, with catechesis and baptism marking their integration into Christian life. The emphasis was on moral discipline and instruction in faith. During the medieval Church, the approach expanded to include the establishment of schools and universities, emphasizing the intellectual and moral formation of young people within a Christian framework. The modern Church, influenced by Enlightenment ideals, increasingly recognized the individuality and agency of youth, fostering movements like Catholic Action to involve them in evangelization and social justice. Pre-Vatican II, the Church’s engagement with youth became more institutionalized, with organizations like the Legion of Mary and Catholic Youth Organizations promoting spiritual and social activities rooted in Catholic doctrine. The Second Vatican Council (1962–65) marked a significant shift, emphasizing the dignity, potential, and active role of youth in the Church’s mission, highlighted in documents like Gaudium et Spes. Post-Vatican II, the Church further embraced youth as agents of change, evidenced by the establishment of World Youth Day in 1985, fostering a global sense of belonging among young Catholics. Entering the third millennium, the Church acknowledged the challenges faced by youth in a rapidly secularizing world, focusing on digital evangelization and addressing issues like mental health and social inequality. Under Pope Francis, this approach deepened with an emphasis on listening to young people, as seen in the 2018 Synod on Young People, which emphasized accompaniment, dialogue, and empowerment. His Post-synodal Apostolic Exhortation Christus Vivit calls young people to active participation in the Church and society, reflecting a pastoral approach that values their voices and energy. This development illustrates a progression from instruction and integration to accompaniment and partnership, adapting to the evolving needs of youth. 

 

Christus Vivit outlines ten pivotal points that redefine youth ministry and the Church’s relationship with young people. First, it emphasizes the necessity of presence and accompaniment, urging the Church to build personal relationships with youth, guiding them with care and understanding in their faith journeys. Second, the importance of listening is highlighted, advocating for a Church that values the voices, concerns, and aspirations of young people, ensuring their perspectives influence ecclesial life. Third, there is a call for pastoral and missionary conversion, encouraging a dynamic and adaptable ministry that meets youth where they are, responding to contemporary challenges without compromising the Gospel's integrity. Fourth, synodality is promoted, fostering a participatory Church where young people actively contribute and journey together in decision-making processes. Fifth, the focus on vocational discernment emphasizes helping youth discover their unique callings and purposes in life, reflecting on diverse paths within the Christian mission. Sixth, the integration of digital environments is recognized, identifying the digital world as a significant space for evangelization and community-building, and urging the Church to engage meaningfully within these platforms. Seventh, the need for intergenerational relationships is addressed, encouraging dialogue and mutual enrichment between different age groups to foster a cohesive and supportive faith community. Eighth, there is a strong commitment to social engagement, inspiring youth to take active roles in addressing injustice, inequality, and environmental degradation, embodying a faith that transforms society. Ninth, the exhortation emphasizes cultural sensitivity, encouraging the Church to appreciate and include diverse cultural expressions, ensuring the Gospel resonates universally across varied contexts. Tenth, it stresses the importance of spiritual depth, urging young people to cultivate a profound relationship with Christ through prayer, sacraments, and active participation in community life, grounding all activities in genuine spiritual growth. These points collectively propose an innovative and inclusive approach that balances Christian proclamation with a gradual, personal, and pastoral focus, aiming to rejuvenate the Church’s engagement with young people in a changing world. 

 

The apostolate for the young, as exemplified in the life of St. John Bosco and articulated in the constitutions of the Society of St. Francis de Sales, is deeply rooted in a vision of love, understanding, and pastoral care. At its heart is a commitment to forming authentic relationships with young people, marked by patience, kindness, and empathy. It emphasizes the importance of a preventive system of education, where discipline is exercised not through fear but through reason, religion, and loving-kindness. This approach nurtures a sense of belonging and fosters a spirit of trust and mutual respect, creating an environment where young people feel welcomed, safe and valued. Central to this mission is the integration of faith into daily life, encouraging young people to encounter Christ through prayer, the sacraments, and the lived example of their mentors. Education is seen as a pathway to holistic development, combining intellectual, spiritual, and moral growth to prepare young people for responsible and fulfilling lives. A spirit of joy and optimism permeates this apostolate, reflecting the belief that happiness and cheerfulness are essential parts of youth and means of drawing them closer to God.

 

The work for the young is inseparable from a sense of missionary zeal, requiring flexibility, creativity, and perseverance to meet them where they are, especially those who are marginalized or at risk. Collaboration and community life are vital, as the apostolate is not an individual endeavor but a shared mission that thrives on teamwork, communion and mutual support. This spirit extends to the active involvement of the young themselves, empowering them to become protagonists in their own development and contributors to the larger community. Underlying all these principles is a profound trust in divine providence and the guiding presence of Mary, Help of Christians, whose intercession is sought to sustain and inspire the work. St. John Bosco’s legacy and the Salesian constitutions call those in this apostolate to a life of self-giving, seeing in every young person the image of God and dedicating themselves wholeheartedly to their salvation.

 

Yours affectionately,

Fr. Don Bosco SDB
INM Provincial 

Date: 01.01.2025 
Place: Chennai - 10

Source: INM-DBL-CIR 39/01-2025