What attracts young people to religious life are not slick brochures or the so-called “vocation camps,” but their own God-experience and the inspiring lives of religious.
The young observe us. They have an “antenna” to sense who is genuine and who is not. They can see whether we look happy or not. They can generally make out who is God-centred and who is worldly.
The best do not come for positions or comfort or financial security. They seek ways of getting closer to God, living the Gospel message whole-heartedly and making a difference in the lives of others, especially of the poor.
Are our lives an inspiring and challenging example?
Are we, as Pope Francis—a religious himself—often tells us, joyful and prophetic witnesses?
Here are the things a group of young religious and novices found attractive in the lives of the religious they know.
Want to try guessing their answers before you actually read them? If so, list the three things you think today’s young people find most attractive about religious life. Now check your guesses with the actual replies of thirty-one young religious and novices.
Top-rated Attractions
Prayer came first. It was, very clearly, the top-rated attraction. Thirteen of them found prayer and God-centredness the most appealing aspect of religious life.
Sample responses:
“Complete dedication to live for the Lord attracts me most.”
“What attracts me is belonging to God and being a partner in the mission of Christ.”
“The way religious spend time in prayer.”
“Blending of prayer, work and community life.”
“Silence and unity attract me. It helps me to grow closer to God.”
“Prayer life, especially gazing at the Blessed Sacrament.”
Linked to this is this second aspect: Closeness to Jesus. Eleven mentioned this as the best thing about religious life.
“The person of Jesus attracts me most.”
“To be a joyful witness of Christ.”
“The close intimacy with Christ attracts me.”
“In the ups and downs of life, religious are happy because of their closeness to Christ. This attracts me.”
Next came community life. Seven respondents were inspired by the community life they had experienced.
“Religious from different backgrounds, cultures, languages, etc., live together, set their minds on the person of Christ.”
Six of them were attracted by the service religious render to people, especially to the poor.
“Religious combine prayer life with service to the poor and teaching children.”
“Fight for justice for the poor for whom no one cares—this attracts me.”
Four were inspired by the simplicity of life they noticed in religious.
“The simple way of life attracts me.”
The following traits were mentioned by one or two respondents each: Joy, silence, asceticism, the vows, hard work, teaching children, accepting suffering without complaining.
In one word, religious who are prayerful, close to God, create loving community and serve the poor are the most likely to inspire and attract today’s young people. Nothing surprising in this, right?
The young have got the order right: Closeness to God, loving relationships, service of the poor.
God, love, service: Who can find fault with these priorities?
(I thank Sr Mariola Sequeira MSA for collecting the responses of the junior sisters and novices.—Editor)
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