By Percival Holt

New Delhi, October 31, 2019: It has been one year since ‘we journeyed together’ at the Synod on Youth in Rome, October 2018.

I recall my journey as a participant at the 12th General Congregation of the Synod that discussed the theme “Young People, Faith, and Discernment of Vocation.” I would also recount what the Church in India has done to implement various programs on youth.

The journey began in 2017 with the preparatory work. I recall receiving a questionnaire from the national office all young people in my parish –lay, religious, students, working, rural, urban or whatever background — to fill up. It contained questions on several issues related to young people — social, political and spiritual – and our aspirations, perceptions, and challenges in the current world.

Since then I have been part of the Synod, participating in the pre-synod meeting at Rome in March 2018, attended by more than 350 young people from all over the world representing various backgrounds.

Again, it was in June 2018 that I received a direct invitation from the Vatican to attend the Synod as an auditor (listener) to represent the voices of the young people of India and Asia.

Thereafter, I began my preparation to be able to contribute to what I perceived was “the evolution of the Church through the People of God.”

I was told that we would have to present our thoughts in four minutes during the Synod. So, I took time to understand the pulse of young people. With this preparation, I set out on my journey to the Vatican.

I was aware of the bishop delegates from India, as well as the Focolare representative from the country –Cheryl Anne Menezes. I had no clue what would happen in a synod. However, all I knew was that it was serious meeting. So, I was prepared to offer whatever I could.

I landed in Rome on October 2, 2018. We walked into the Paul VI Hall of the Vatican on October 3. We felt the ground underneath us being swept away as Pope Francis met us at the door, welcoming every one personally. And this continued every day.

Finally, the day was here, 270 cardinals and bishops, 40 young people (auditors) from all over the world, 23 experts on youth affairs (psychologists, philosophers, theologians, social media, technology, and science experts), in total 350 people to deliberate upon “Young people; their faith and vocational discernment” for four weeks.

At the very outset when most of the young people wondered about the proceedings, Cardinal Lorenzo Baldisseri, secretary-general of the Synod of Bishops, in his welcome note said, “This is not a parliament where we will fight on issues, but rather follow a methodology of speaking and listening guided by the Holy Spirit in whose wisdom we rely completely. May this Synod be the work of the Holy Spirit and not of human minds.”

Therefore, each of us only had the opportunity to present our views without countering others or debating.

We young people had the task of initiating a missed concern, while sometimes also redirecting the direction of some existing thoughts put forth. While the Synod continued in the Synod Hall, a synodal family began to grow outside the hall – in breaks, free time, over dinner tables encounters on streets that had its beauty of exchange of thoughts.

The synod was diverse, the discussions even more unique. We, young auditors, were indeed happy with what emerged as the “final document” of the synod, after three weeks of intense work in assemblies as well as group discussions that further also became the foundation for the Apostolic Exhortation – Christus Vivit (CV or Christ is alive) by Pope Francis.

What amused us is the fact that Pope Francis was “listening” and made notes of his own, which are reflected by his words in CV.

The synod continues throughout the world, in different corners. There may not be huge transitions, but small attempts to create a difference. We witnessed this at the Post-Synod meet – The International Youth Forum in June 2019 at Rome, where again I was invited by the Dicastery for Laity, Family, and Life to represent and share the experience of the Synod with 350+ young people from the globe.

I have witnessed many developments after the Synod, at least in India. Many dioceses, religious organizations as well as people have been putting together efforts – sharing, seminars, conferences, new initiatives, more involvement of young people, and a synodal approach in youth ministry. Many dioceses declared “Year of Youth” and are looking into new pastoral and practical projects of improving the ministry with the young.

I traveled across the country, the national team of young leaders also visited various dioceses, to share and help people grasp the synod and in-turn build a better, synodal and co-responsible church. I also wrote various articles, papers, and presentations on the Synod, its implications, interpretation and the way forward.

The National Youth Commission of the Conference of Catholic Bishops’ of India has taken the Synod on Youth seriously and thus, deep interest to organize various training and formative sessions on the Synod and CV at national and regional levels.

It also printed Christus Vivit in English at a very reasonable price of which about 4000 copies were sold. CV was also printed in several vernacular languages across the country and thousands of copies made available to young people.

CV has also been the central theme in programs such as the Annual Youth Ministry course for religious and animators as well as the National Youth Conference recently held in October 2019, for young leaders from across country. Some of the plans for implementation of the Synod in India include ‘development of ample resource material on CV and the post-synodal recommendations’ as well as ‘revising the national guidelines for youth ministry in India from the post-synodal perspective’ whilst continuing training and formation programs across all ecclesial forums.

The Synod family still exists, on WhatsApp groups, via social media where we continue to share our post-synod experiences, initiatives, and programs being done throughout the world.

Yet this is not enough, a lot more has to be done! It is an ongoing process.

My only prayer and hope is that we may continue to spark the fire of the Synod and Christus Vivit in young people as well as the ecclesial structures of the church. May we continue to revive and rejuvenate the bride of Christ! Christ is Alive!

(Percival Holt is the national president, Indian Catholic Youth Movement, and National Youth Office, Conference of Catholic Bishops’ of India.)