Adults using Youth Material

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SalesianSDB

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Let me start by saying, it’s a great time to be a youth in the Church! I love it! One reason is because there is just so much more youth material coming out now, and there’s even a Youth Catechism (YouCat) that will be launched on World Youth Day!

One of my favorite saints is Don Bosco (patron of the youth) and my favorite Blessed is John Paul II (a Pope that reached out to the young), so it shouldn’t be a surprise that youth ministry is very near and dear to my heart (hopefully I will be some form of youth minister eventually). I also love taking advantage of all the new youth resources. In fact, my favorite Bible is a Youth NRSV (Catholic Edition).

But it hit me, I won’t be considered a youth forever (though I will be at heart) and I started wondering, is it alright for an adult to be using Catholic youth resources?

I was just wondering, what are your thoughts on adults using these resources (Youth bibles, Catechisms, and other materials)?
 
I will forever be grateful for youth material and people who make things clear to read. I’m dyslexic so as much as I love God, I’d rather stick a fork in my eye than read the catechism. To me it’s a modern form of torture.

I think that certian things appeal to people. I had a great grandmother who always like bright colors. Which was great for her…she was a rebel in the 50’s…but fit right in in the remainder of the decades.

I think I will always perfer modern music to gregorian chant. If it means I go to the “youth” mass than sobeit. I definatly prefer that over the insipid 70’s guitar banger hymnals. Atleast modern christian songs pull from actual verses insted of telling us all the ways we are called.

Some will say you’re just buying into the “me” centered youth culture. But I think it’s more than that. We need to be filled spritually. I know that as time goes on I will want books and materials that fit my life…through all the things I pray happens. I want God’s guidance in my dating life. And I will want it when I’m married and when I’m a mother. At that time the youth materials may no longer fit. But I’ll enjoy them while I can and while they’re the best fit for me.
 
I forgot to mention how old I am, which I think is relevent in this topic. I’m 18 and will start at a Catholic university in the fall.
 
SalesianSDB said:
I forgot to mention how old I am, which I think is relevent in this topic. I’m 18 and will start at a Catholic university in the fall.
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:confused: Umm. Toranto WYD was for ages 14-32. So I believe that you’d qualify for a Youthcat.
 
SalesianSDB said:
But it hit me, I won’t be considered a youth forever (though I will be at heart) and I started wondering, is it alright for an adult to be using Catholic youth resources?

I was just wondering, what are your thoughts on adults using these resources (Youth bibles, Catechisms, and other materials)?
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can you think of some reason why it would not be okay? I still have my catechism and bible from Catholic High school–and my English grammar and a couple of Math books. At least I know where to find what I want there.
 
SalesianSDB said:
I forgot to mention how old I am, which I think is relevent in this topic. I’m 18 and will start at a Catholic university in the fall.
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The YOUCAT is available now through Ignatious Press if you are interested.
ignatius.com/Products/YOUCAT-P/youcat.aspx

The Newman Centers recommend the “Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition” for college students. As you know, the YOUCAT refers to CCC paragraphs for additional information.
And some true Catholic Universities such as Ave Maria and others use the CCC as a student text in the sophomore year.

If you can afford it, I would get both.

Not all Catholic Universities are equally and faithfully ‘Catholic’. This link will take you to the Newman Society recommended Colleges.
cardinalnewmansociety.org/CardinalNewmanSociety/tabid/36/ctl/Details/mid/435/ItemID/634/Default.aspx
 
You’re getting a good foundation now with the resources you have. Use them as long as you wish, well into adulthood. Later on you will build on this foundation with other resources.

I’m in my 60’s and still enjoy reading some young adult fiction, still re-read the Narnia book every couple of years. Getting older doesn’t necessarily mean giving up everything meaningful from earlier in your life.

BTW, Salesian spirituality is great. Francis de Sales is the patron of my diocese.
 
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