(This article originally appeared in the TAU-USA Winter 2025 Issue #114)

By Kathleen Molaro, OFS

I’m writing this article in the wake of another school shooting, this time in Wisconsin. On the morning after, I heard one young woman outside of Mass say to her mom, “I thought we were supposed to ‘Do what’s right and just.’” Her mom simply put an arm around her shoulders and continued walking to their car. I didn’t hear her response, but said a quick prayer that the mother would know what words would comfort her daughter and give her hope.

Young people in our midst have experienced difficult events during their lives: scandals in the Church, a global pandemic, financial struggles, acts of racism and violence, not only abroad but in our own neighborhoods. Depression and anxiety are prevalent even in our youngest children. We are called by our Franciscan Rule to bring “joy and hope to others.” (Art. 19) So the question is how do we accomplish this goal?

In the very beginning of the newly published book by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, called Listen, Teach, Send: A National Pastoral Framework for Ministries with Youth and Young Adults, the bishops explain, “the purpose of the framework we offer to the Church is to empower the entire Catholic community to be conduits of the Holy Spirit in sharing the Gospel with all young people to transform the world by Jesus’ love.” A quote by Servant of God, Sr. Thea Bowman, FSPA, is included: “It takes a whole Church to raise a child.”

Parents can’t be the only ones concerned about the mental, spiritual, and physical health of their children, adolescents, and young adults. How can we help? What is our responsibility as Secular Franciscans in this important work? Here are several suggestions.

Live the Rule. Take seriously our vocation, and be
a witness to the joy that comes from living a gospel life, which is the main source of our joy. Draw young people into your vocation by letting them not only see you work, pray, and even play, but invite them to join you. The Lord gives us hope and joy to balance our afflictions. Some people—especially our youth—have trouble seeing that. The world may seem all bad. An evening of Adoration or a hike in the woods may offer a different perspective.

Serve Others. Young people might feel overwhelmed and powerless. Empowerment often comes through action, so another thing we can do is connect our younger Catholics to causes they care about. Encourage active participation in an area of service that touches them the most. Show them that helping to alleviate pain and suffering in others gives us hope, purpose, confidence, and joy.

Listen. One of the best ways to connect with youth is to listen. Share your story of resilience, but also listen to theirs. Be an ear or a shoulder. Careful reflection and discernment can help them recognize their own advantages and gifts, which leads to gratitude, but also to active planning in making changes.

Start a Conversation. Many of you have shared how difficult it is to even begin a conversation with a young person. It helps to plan a few questions in the anticipation of an opportunity. Instead of avoiding a connection with a young person, ask the Holy Spirit for courage, introduce yourself, show genuine interest when you strike up a conversation. “It’s good to see you.” “What are you doing these days?” “Have you met new friends?” “What do you like to do on your day off?”

Our attention and care can help them learn how to find hope and to be messengers of that hope in the world.

The words HOPE in hearts

Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay