Being a Young Catholic in the Modern World

[MaterDei37113]

Being a young Catholic in today’s society is a horrible, lonely and depressing experience that tears up your faith every day. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a devout Catholic who loves the Church and Our Lord, but sometimes (or all the time), being a Catholic youth is just so lonely.

I’m 15 years of age and and living in Ireland (which us supposed to be a staunchly Catholic country, but that really isn’t true). over 70% of the population are Catholics in Ireland, 95% of which aren’t really Catholic at all, and the youth are just so faithless that it’s not even funny.
I mean, look at it this way, fellow Catholic youth laugh at me for going to Mass. Seriously. They all call themselves Catholics, but they laugh at me for going to mass…and praying…and making the sign of the cross. They laugh at me for not watching pornography or not snogging random girls.
There are more devout young muslims in my school than there are devout young Catholics…and it’s a Catholic school, by the way. I have no Catholic (true Catholic) friends at all.

What on Earth do I do? It’s just wrecking my faith every day and giving the Church such a bad image! Why doesn’t the Church evangelise youth at all? The “Catholic” youth here don’t even know what sin is, they don’t even know that Mass on a Sunday is an obligation! If you asked them what “mortal sin” is they’ll stare at you blankly waiting for an answer.
So what can I do to reduce this feeling of lonliness? I looked for youth groups but there are none here. I apologise for the rant and if this is the wrong forum, I apologise also.
Peace be to you.

 

[Kindness]

Hello MaterDei I’m sorry to hear you are suffering such spiritual loneliness, unfortunately it is not unusual anywhere in the Western world but particularly Europe (I say this as a European). I have devout friends in Ireland who are raising six children, a few who are teenagers and I know they have gone out of their way to bring similar families together to create a supportive community. I would seek out believers wherever they are. Are you involved in Youth 2000?

Youth2000.ie

They have many fantastic retreats in Ireland and the UK and throughout Europe. On their website is listed a number of prayer groups, I don’t know if there are any near you. How are you sustaining your faith? Are your parents and siblings devout? Do you have parish friends or a priest who can support you in your faith? I would not be shy in joining any Catholic organization you are interested in as long as they will have you because of your age. If age is not a barrier I would join any Catholic group which is devout, even if you are the only teen as other devout Catholics will help you in your faith. Are they any religious orders near you? You could approach a sister, brother or priest who is devout and ask if they would be a spiritual mentor to you. If you make contact with Youth2000 ask if they know anyone in your area they can recommend or anyone you could call or keep in contact with online.

I will pray for you. Keep the faith! God will do great things through you!

 

[Trident_H]

Being a young Catholic in today’s society is a horrible, lonely and depressing experience that tears up your faith every day. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a devout Catholic who loves the Church and Our Lord, but sometimes (or all the time), being a Catholic youth is just so lonely.

I’m 15 years of age and and living in Ireland (which us supposed to be a staunchly Catholic country, but that really isn’t true). over 70% of the population are Catholics in Ireland, 95% of which aren’t really Catholic at all, and the youth are just so faithless that it’s not even funny.
I mean, look at it this way, fellow Catholic youth laugh at me for going to Mass. Seriously. They all call themselves Catholics, but they laugh at me for going to mass…and praying…and making the sign of the cross. They laugh at me for not watching pornography or not snogging random girls.
There are more devout young muslims in my school than there are devout young Catholics…and it’s a Catholic school, by the way. I have no Catholic (true Catholic) friends at all.

What on Earth do I do? It’s just wrecking my faith every day and giving the Church such a bad image! Why doesn’t the Church evangelise youth at all? The “Catholic” youth here don’t even know what sin is, they don’t even know that Mass on a Sunday is an obligation! If you asked them what “mortal sin” is they’ll stare at you blankly waiting for an answer.
So what can I do to reduce this feeling of lonliness? I looked for youth groups but there are none here. I apologise for the rant and if this is the wrong forum, I apologise also.
Peace be to you.

Yeah. It can be a tough break to be alone like that. I mean it’s tough anywhere being the one who wants to work hard while everyone else slacks off. I think the world’s got its priorities a bit messed up sometimes. I mean going to church isn’t for slackers. You have to get up when you’d rather stay in bed. And you’ve got to pray and things when really you’d rather do something else.

So that should tell you something right there. I mean people usually make fun of someone else when they see a guy with a stronger character or commitment than they have. They do this because when they see you they have to decide something in their mind. They have to decide something in their heart. Each and every time. They have to decide whether you are right or whether they are right. So obviously if they don’t want to admit they’re wrong on this their best plan is to try to convince you that you’re wrong.

So that’s why you should actually be super happy when they make fun of you like that. Because it means down deep they’re not comfortable with where they’re at. They’re not really comfortable slacking off when they know someone else is still strong enough to do the work that they should be doing. They’re still trying to convince themselves, as much as you, to just stay put and do nothing. When really down deep they know there’s something wrong with that. That there’s something wrong with being lazy like that.

So man you’ve got my respect. You keep doing what you’re doing. Because people mature. People grow out of stuff. And you never know who you’re really affecting. You never know on a fundamental level who you might slowly be converting. Because at least when they’re uncomfortable they’re still thinking about it. They’re still flipping it over in their minds. Even if they don’t want to admit it. Even if they’d never admit it.

Peace man. Take care of yourself.

-Trident

 

[1ke]

fellow Catholic youth laugh at me for going to Mass. Seriously. They all call themselves Catholics, but they laugh at me for going to mass…and praying…and making the sign of the cross. They laugh at me for not watching pornography or not snogging random girls.

Blessed are they who are persecuted…

Beatitudes and virtue… Keep doing what you are doing.

What on Earth do I do?

Keep doing exactly what you’re doing now-- be faithful to the Lord

Why doesn’t the Church evangelise youth at all?

Well, those in the Church certainly try. Those on the receiving end have to be open to the message.

However, let me point out that it is their parents’ responsibility 100% to evangelize their children and raise them in the faith. They made a solemn promise before God on the day of their child’s baptism, and they will answer before God as well. Indeed, today’s reading speaks of those who lead a little one into sin.

The “Catholic” youth here don’t even know what sin is, they don’t even know that Mass on a Sunday is an obligation! If you asked them what “mortal sin” is they’ll stare at you blankly waiting for an answer.

This is the fault of their parents who have failed to teach the their catechism and to bring them up in a holy, God centered home.

So what can I do to reduce this feeling of lonliness? I looked for youth groups but there are none here. I apologise for the rant and if this is the wrong forum, I apologise also.
Peace be to you.

The teen years are difficult any way you slice it, if you are unable to meet faith filled people IRL, contact your diocesan office to see if they have youth ministry at a larger scale level. And, look on social media for faithful Catholic youth groups.

 

[runwaymodel]

MaterDei,
As part of that youth generation I feel strongly what you are saying. What helps me get through on particularly tough days, is thinking of Christ. He battled the hardest. His resolve was tested. He was crucified. But he did this for us. If HE, the purest or pure, and kindest of kind, could do that for us, then I find it feeds my soul to stay on the right path. You may not know it, but there might be quite a few of your weaker minded peers who really look up to you and might emulate your good heart one day. Some kids are just afraid to be brave (brave like you) and rather choose to stay quiet like sheep so they don’t get picked on. Praying for you.
God bless. :hug3: