St. John Bosco once said, “Jesus could have limited his presence only to the celebration of Mass, but no! He wanted to make a permanent dwelling among us. Night and day he awaits us and offers himself to us at all times.” He continued, “Do you want our Lord to give you many graces? Visit him often.”
When you think about it, a lot of youth ministry is about creating the circumstances in which young people can encounter Christ in a real way that leaves a lasting impression. We can’t force it, and the Lord also moves when he wills. But as those who care about the young, whether in ministry or our own families, we can help prepare their hearts to receive him when he comes and to prepare the ground for the seeds of faith to be planted.
St. John Bosco, patron saint of the young, understood this deeply. In his time, he gathered young people in what he called the Oratory. While this term is not common to us today, think of it as a place where the young could pray, play, and gather outside of school hours. But more than a location it was a style of youth ministry that touched upon four key components: home, school, parish, and playground. These four pillars guided St. John Bosco’s approach to accompanying young people into becoming “good Christians and honest citizens.”
The Oratory model can also be incorporated into an Adoration night for young people at your parish by keeping in mind these four aspects. Think of it as a "Bosco Blueprint" for bringing the young to Jesus:
A HOME Where All Feel Welcome
The first component focuses on creating a home where all feel welcome and where each young person is personally known and loved. Make the event approachable, open to everyone, where there is a real sense of camaraderie and friendship. The most effective way to get young people to come is through the encouragement of their peers. A small group of peer ministers could lead the way in inviting their friends to attend. This also means that Adoration should be appropriate to meeting the kids where they are. Your desire might be to have a full hour of Adoration, but perhaps you can begin with 30 minutes of Adoration — getting the young accustomed to the practice and walking them through what will be happening.
A SCHOOL that Prepares for Life
That leads us to the second component — the school — which can be accomplished by incorporating an educative or catechetical component to your event. Perhaps this is a brief talk before Adoration on the Real Presence of Jesus; or, depending on the liturgical season, a reflection or Scripture reading related to Advent or Lent. This aspect of “school” touches upon what the young can learn about their faith and engages their intellects — providing an opportunity for solid catechesis.
A PARISH that Evangelizes
Then comes the parish where the young come to pray and have access to the sacraments. Often, being in front of the Blessed Sacrament stirs a sense of repentance and the desire to go to Confession. Having priests available during Eucharistic Adoration gives them an easy way to make use of the grace of this Sacrament. Provide a brief handout that outlines how to go to Confession and that includes the Act of Contrition. This can ease anxiety for those who may not have been to Confession in a while. And don’t hesitate to lead by example — go to Confession yourself if you don’t see anyone in line!
A PLAYGROUND Where Friends Can Meet
Finally, the Oratory is the playground where friends can meet. Following a time of prayer and Adoration, have something such as open gym time or a bonfire outside with s’mores. Anything that allows the young to connect in a fun way — to socialize and relax. Other options include karaoke, glow-in-the-dark volleyball, or a potluck dinner. These times of fun help build strong friendships among youth who share the same values and hopefully the desire to grow in holiness. St. John Bosco said, “Choose your friends and companions among the people who are known to be good; in fact, choose the best among them. As you associate with them, imitate the best in them and avoid their shortcomings, which we all have.”
In the end, youth ministry is about opening the door for young hearts to meet Jesus in a real and personal way. Bringing young people before the Blessed Sacrament is bound to open up a sea of graces for them. By building on the wisdom of our saints, particularly one who had a special charism for the young, we can help our young people encounter Christ in the Blessed Sacrament. The Oratory model allows youth ministers and parents to accompany the young in a holistic way: emotionally, intellectually, spiritually, and socially.
Sr. Christina Chong, FMA, is a Salesian Sister of St. John Bosco. She serves as the Communications Coordinator for the Eastern United States and Canada and is the Editor of "Partners in Giving" magazine. She also helps in the formation of young women discerning a call to become a Salesian Sister.
Image credit: The Salesian Sisters of St. John Bosco.
