OMIUSA



13LIFE-LONG FORMATION: THE YOUTH ARE EVANGLIZING US1. Arranging the locale: The leader prepares the meeting room. In addition to possible Oblate symbols (Constitutions and Rules, Oblate cross, image of St. Eugene or other Blessed Oblates...) we suggest decorating the room with photographs of young people (better if they are known to the group…)2. Introduction of the leader.3. Hymn4. Prayer5. The Word of God (1 Timothy 4:10-16)For this we toil and struggle, because we have set our hope on the living God, who is the savior of all, especially of those who believe. Command and teach these things. Let no one have contempt for your youth, but set an example for those who believe, in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity. Until I arrive, attend to the reading, exhortation, and teaching. Do not neglect the gift you have, which was conferred on you through the prophetic word with the imposition of hands of the presbyterate. Be diligent in these matters, be absorbed in them, so that your progress may be evident to everyone. Attend to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in both tasks, for by doing so you will save both yourself and those who listen to you.(Or also 1 John 2: 12-14 or Luke 7: 11-17)6. Time for silent reflection7. Response to the Word of God: song or prayer8. Oblate textsAccording to our Founder, our presence among youth is crucial for evangelization. The widespread poverty of today’s youth is not just a question of material deprivation, but is also systemic (unemployment, drugs and addictions, manipulation, sexual exploitation, child labour, absence of hope for the future, broken families, HIV & AIDS, etc.). Despite this we believe that youth have enormous capacity to transform the situation through their embodiment of Gospel values, expressed in their generosity, commitment to face challenges, openness to internationality, thirst for spirituality, sense of justice, readiness for change, and much more.We Oblates are moved by the situation of the youth and, like the Founder, we want to respond to these calls, affirming that mission to youth is a fully Oblate ministry. It is to this purpose that the 34th General Chapter has re-introduced mission to youth into Rule 7b of our Constitutions and Rules. (Acts of the 34th General Chapter: Witnessing to Hope, Chapter 4 Mission with Youth)9. Going more deeply into the themeJournal of the Congregation of the Youth of Aix, May 1814 E.O. XVIDear children, please let me put into this chronicle, which should serve for the instruction of those who have the good fortune to follow your footsteps, feelings of love, esteem, gratitude and admiration with which you have inspired me by your conduct toward me.How will I not have for you the heart of a father when you have proven that you love me as if you were my children? It is true that I have loved you first, but is it not a virtue, at your age, to appreciate a feeling that was primarily aimed at your souls whose salvation I would have wanted to support at the expense of my own blood? Journal of the Congregation of the Youth, 1 November 1817. E.O.XVIDeath of Mr. Fortunato Sallier, 18 years old. The merit of this young man was not well enough known. I believe it my duty to give him justly deserved recognition. And if I were allowed, in praising the dead, to disparage a little the living, it would not be difficult for me to prove that he had more merit than others in remaining constantly virtuous, very virtuous until his last breath ... I have often taken the initiative to win the confidence of young people and bring them to good. How often it has happened that I have wasted my time! Sallier alone merited, due to his willingness and desire to do good, the advantage of belonging to the Congregation and to be led by a priest who devoted the early years of his ministry almost exclusively to the sanctification of youth ... My surprise equaled my admiration at seeing in this young man the candor and innocence that he was able to maintain in the midst of so many dangers, and without any help. Since then, I revered him as one predestined, without knowing, however, that he was so soon to take possession of the kingdom that the heavenly Father had prepared for him. Shy and reserved in appearance, he was no less consistent in his resolve, and his fidelity to the practices of piety that his position allowed him and he withstood the greatest of tests ... No doubt he is an intercessor that we have in heaven. The Congregation paid him the ultimate homage in the customary way.Rule of 1818. First part, Chapter3&3. Direction of youth.Article 3, Direction of youth.The direction of youth will be considered an essential duty of our Institute. The Superior General will designate at least one of the Missionaries for this task, he himself participating diligently in it, always in so far as his other responsibilities permit.He will require a report on the state of the Congregation of Youth, which must be established in all of our houses with the same care and the same attention as the novitiate itself.10. Sharing our faithThe animator invites each Oblate present to share what has inspired him in the reflection and around the questions:What young persons do I know (name names)? What positive and negative traits can point to in these young people? As for my Christian, religious and missionary life: What are the challenges these youth awaken in me?Can I point to some moment in my life in which young people helped me to live my vocation more radically?Is our community open to young persons? Do we let ourselves be evangelized by them? Do we support them and do we let ourselves be supported by them? Do we walk with them?What sign of personal and/or community conversion do you think you are called to put into practice after reflecting on and sharing our faith about our relationship with youth?11. Personal and community commitment.12. Prayer13. Blessing and song ................
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