Blog

Saint Meinrad recently attended the SEEK Catholic conference in St. Louis where 20,000 participants – most of them college students – gathered to worship, share in community, and learn about our common call to discipleship.

 For our booth at SEEK this year, we invited young adults to reflect on a couple of questions: (1) where they see God’s light and (2) what gifts they have been given. The other questions we asked did not receive enough response to draw meaningful conclusions. In total, we are basing the following graphs on 408 responses.

So what can we take away from this? Below I have extracted some common themes in the responses and commented on how they can better inform our ministry with young adults.

THEME #1: RELATIONSHIPS WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS

• As the responses to both questions show, we cannot overstate the importance of relationships – especially in how they mediate God’s love to one another. The Young Adult Initiative has always believed in the model of accompaniment, and this data reinforces and supports that belief.
• It is interesting to note that there was an even split between family of origin and family of choice when it came to relationships. The exact same number of respondents listed family members (42%) or friends (42%) as the place where they see God’s light. More and more, young people – especially in college – are relying on peer support and friendships as they navigate life. However, family of origin is still just as important, and those relationships can be a source of God’s light as well.
• Respondents indicated a desire to serve others and use their gifts of listening, patience, compassion, kindness, and joy. Young people are looking for this type of authentic and steadfast accompaniment, and they are more than capable of providing it to others.
• What’s the takeaway? As a Church, we must continue to invest in long-term relationships with our young people. As individual people who may come and go from their lives, we can show genuine interest in the people they love. Getting to know their family and friends is a great way to understand more about their lives. We can also create environments that promote and support healthy friendships – the best gift we can give young people is a space to encounter God and one another, to discover the things that make life meaningful and abundant.

THEME #2: NATURE AND CREATION

• More respondents said they see God’s light in nature than in church. This does not lessen the importance of inviting young people into our churches and making space for their gifts, but it is important to note where they are currently experiencing the sacred.
• According to the 2023 Springtide Report (a survey of young people age 13-25):
  • 36% of young people responded “very true” to the statement “I see evidence of a higher power in nature and creation”
  • 54% regularly spend time in nature as a religious or spiritual practice
  • 69% of those who reported having a sacred moment experienced it in nature
• What’s the takeaway? As I said above, the takeaway is not “let’s abandon our churches in favor of doing everything outside.” The worship we do in church is still central to our faith and should remain so. However, it is important to know where young people are encountering God so that we can meet them there first, and so that we broaden our idea of ministry beyond the walls of our church buildings. Our hearts are touched by beauty, and God can bring us deeper into communion with Himself and each other when we spend time in His creation.

THEME #3: ART AND MUSIC

• Respondents indicated a variety of gifts, including writing, art, singing, playing an instrument, and dance. Several respondents said they already share their gifts in a church choir or campus ministry setting.
• According to the 2023 Springtide Report (a survey of young people age 13-25):
  • 56% of respondents engage in art as a religious/spiritual practice
  • 43% of those who reported having a sacred moment experienced it at a concert or other musical gathering
• What’s the takeaway? Art and music can be deeply personal but can also be points of connection with young people. We can share the richness of our faith tradition’s art and music, while at the same time, leave room for the contributions and gifts of our young adults. Engaging with art, music, and tradition – such as creating Advent wreaths as a community or singing praise and worship during Adoration or learning to pray with icons – brings another dimension to our communal faith life.

THEME #4: VOCATION AND DISCERNMENT

• The responses indicate that young adults see God’s light within their vocational path, but they also need God’s light to illuminate that path.
• Many of the responses that dealt with vocations were from current leaders. Young adults are already leading in various areas of the Church, which shows not only their capability, but their desire to be a force for good.
• What’s the takeaway? Young adults need our accompaniment, mentorship, and guidance when it comes to discerning their vocation. For many people, choosing a career or a vocational path causes anxiety and is a big transition point in their lives. This is a place where we can be present, reassuring, and always pointing the way to Christ.