- By PERCIVAL HOLT (ICYM National President 2018-2020 & Synod Auditor) 

It has been one year since ‘we journeyed together’ at the Synod on Youth in October 2018. In fact, the journey began in 2017 with the preparatory work. I recall receiving a questionnaire from the National office in my parish back then for all young people (lay, religious, students, working, rural, urban or whatever background) to fill up. It contained questions on several realities of young people, about social, political and spiritual life, our aspirations, perceptions and challenges in the current world etc.

I was part of the Synod journey since then, following which I had the chance to participate in the pre-synod meeting at Rome in March 2018, attended by 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 to represent the voices of the young people of India and Asia. Thereafter, I began my personal preparation to be able to contribute to what I perceive as “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 other Bishop delegates from India, as well as the Focolare representative (Ms. Cheryl Anne Menezes from India) participating in the Synod. I had no clue of what was going to happen in a Synod. However, all I knew that it was serious and I was prepared to offer whatever I could.

I landed in Rome on 2nd October. We were all set for the Synod to begin and as we walked into the Paul VI hall of the Vatican on the 3rd, we had already experienced enough to digest just when the land swept beneath our feet as we encountered Pope Francis at the doors welcoming each and 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 & science experts etc), 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 were wondering about the proceedings, Cardinal Baldisseri 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 own 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 3 weeks of intense work in assemblies as well as group discussions that further also became the foundation for the Apostolic Exhortation – Christus Vivit (CV) 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 & Life to represent and share the experience of the Synod with 350+ young people from the globe.

Personally, 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 – sharings, seminars, conferences, new initiatives, more involvement of young people, a synodal approach in youth ministry and so on. Many dioceses declared “Year on Youth” and are looking into new pastoral and practical projects of improving the ministry with the young.

I myself travelled 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 CCBI National Youth Commission of the Episcopal Conference of India (CCBI) has taken the Synod on Youth seriously and thus, deep interest to organize various trainings 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 programmes 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 future 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 trainings and formation programmes across all ecclesial forums.

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

Yet this is not enough, a lot more has to be done! It’s 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!