MANILA, Sept 2, 2009—In this modern age, still many young Asian Catholics do not fully understand what the Eucharist is all about, according to a survey. [Let me guess. No proper catechesis?]
This situation has served as an “eye opener” for the Catholic hierarchy to make theological and pastoral reflections on the Eucharist and the young faithful. [Maybe liturgical dancing and "creativities" was not much of help, eh?]
The poll, they said, also provided them a more “factual look” at the youth who are not just the future of the Church “but the hope of the present.”
Initiated by the Youth Desk of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences (FABC), the survey showed how young people have taken the Eucharist out of context. [Maybe the elderly gave them that impression? Or maybe...those who are tasked to teach them about the Faith gave them the wrong impression.]
In the 1, 033 youth respondents aged 15 to 35 from 12 Asian countries including the Philippines, 30 percent believe that it protects them from harm and 17 percent think that it is a mean to obtain luck. [Folk Catholicism]
Infanta Bishop Rolando Tirona, however, said the result should not be a cause alarm because a bulk of those surveyed has a “tremendous” appreciation of the Mass. [Were traddies surveyed?]
“Majority of them or 65 percent believe that they are receiving the body of Christ in Holy Communion,” the survey said. [Great!]
Also, half of the respondents have recognized that the Eucharist “help them grown in their relationship with God.” [A very good sign indeed!]
The Youth Desk was organized under the Office of the Laity, chaired by Bishop Tirona, as the official arm of FABC that responds to the needs and concerns of Asian youth.
While majority of them claimed of actively participating [Here's that word again.] and have ‘adequate’ understanding in the Eucharist, still some said it really doesn’t have much weight into their daily lives. [Uh-oh.]
“Though young Catholics generally rated themselves as adequate in terms of their understanding(2.2 mean rating) and average in their participation (7.06 mean rating ) in the Eucharist, they also revealed that it has had a very little influence on their daily activities (1.97 mean rating),” the survey showed.
Only .6 percent of Asian Catholic youth acknowledge the parish as their source of information and understanding on the Eucharist and more than 50 percent claimed to have known through “personal readings”. [We need to give them more copies of the Sunday Visitor!]
When asked about their reasons for attending the Mass, majority expressed their desire to worship, give thanks and pray. [Not listen to how the priest gives jokes during homilies, see and hear him sing and dance, and...Ok you get the picture.]
“This has more weight compared to the community dimension and the formative component that the Mass offers,” the FABC said.
“61% of the respondents maintain that silence before the Eucharist helps them to prepare for the celebration. There may be a need however, to support them in preparing through reflection on the Sunday readings (33%) going on a Eucharistic fast (37%) and going to confession (33%),” it added. [Because we got to Mass to Adore, Ask for Forgiveness, Thank the Lord, and Ask for his blessings. Not to be entertained!]
Bishop Tirona said what the Church now wants to do if for the young faithful realized that the Eucharist is a “very powerful force” that can move them to be “agents of transformation.” [Ah...yes. How about recognizing that it is the same sacrifice of Calvary? That is a GREAT jumping point.]
“That is the challenge,” said the chairman of FABC’s Office of the Laity.
One way of doing this, according to him, is for the Church to come up with a “creative liturgy”. [WAIT A MINUTE!!! The youth just said silence and reflection! Now why even bring that up? This is what we call a "generation gap". Older people think they know what the youth wants. BUT THEY HAVE SAID WHAT THEY NEED! 66% says silence before the Mass helps! This statements sends shivers down the spine.]
In other words, he added, the celebration of the Mass should speak to the young people. [This type of spirituality is soooo 1960s. Piero Marini, Mahony, Chupungco, Diwa style of Masses, {belch}]
The survey book was launched during the 9th FABC plenary assembly last August 2009 at the Pope Pius XII Catholic Center in Manila.
It is hoped that the study may be considered in evaluating catechesis for the young as well as pastoral programs that aim to instill a “Eucharistic spirituality” among them.
The survey will also serve as a major resource paper to be used in the upcoming Asian Youth Day to be held in the Diocese of Imus from November 20 to 30, 2009.
“We hope that this event would serve as a catalyst,” Bishop Tirona said. “We really want them to help the Church in its mission to transform.”
San Fernando Auxiliary Bishop Roberto Mallari said Asian Youth Day is a pilgrimage of faith, where young people from diverse backgrounds meet and experience the love of God.
“We wanted to bring together young Catholics from Asia to celebrate and learn about their faith on a more regular basis,” he said.
He said the Catholic festival is a way to reach out to the next generation of Catholics and ensure that the core teachings of Christ are transmitted and lived.
***
Creative Liturgies tend to steer the attention away from the Lord and instead draw them to the performers on stage or whatever was left of the sanctuary.
The youth are hungry for a place of silence, reflection and adoration. The world is so full of noises all we want is some peace and quiet. This is the reason why I was drawn to the EF Mass or as I would love to call it, The Mass of the Ages. Quiet and solemn. The priest draws us to the Lord and not to himself.
Remember this...
Then the LORD said, "Go outside and stand on the mountain before the LORD; the LORD will be passing by." A strong and heavy wind was rending the mountains and crushing rocks before the LORD--but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake--but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake there was fire--but the LORD was not in the fire. After the fire there was a tiny whispering sound. When he heard this, Elijah hid his face in his cloak and went and stood at the entrance of the cave. A voice said to him, "Elijah, why are you here? (1 Kings 19: 11-13)
No comments:
Post a Comment