A new shining light

Over 170 thousand young people from Catholic youth associations in Germany will take part in the greatest volunteering initiative for young people, next June 13-16, for 72 hours running, titled “The sky sent us here” (www.bdkj.de), a truthful title. The praiseworthy initiatives carried out by youths within the framework of the event promoted by the German Catholic Youth Federation (BDKJ), open to everyone, deserves special mention. Notably: a group of young people will help families rebuild their house destroyed by flames. Other young people will set up a party for those assisting family members of patients. Groups of youths came together spontaneously over the past days to help recover from the damage caused by the floods in the South and East Germany. Several thousands of local projects, all with a common feature: children, adolescents and young adults for three days will assume a social, environmental, intercultural and political non-remunerated commitment. They will thus transform solidarity in a concrete experience, setting the example. BDKI writes: “Assistance is provided not only by young Catholics groups but also by chorus members, student groups, evangelical and ecumenical groups, firemen, professional support centers for the young and sports clubs. There will be also a group of aides from the juvenile detention centre”.Christians are volunteering side by side with non-Christians in providing relief to all those in need.It’s an important, encouraging initiative. Young people come together doing good, bound together by their commitment: in 72 hours they will lay the foundations of a long-lasting commitment, to make the world a better place. Through the preparation of these initiatives a “new light” shines for the young, enabling them to discover areas of their neighborhoods marked by anxiety and fear. They realize there is a kindergarten, a nursing home, a library or a community centre, which need their help. Within a 72-hour timeframe, open to youths throughout the Country, the initiative has a beginning and an end – everyone feels part of an enormously large group, i.e., in our understanding, of the ecclesial community. It is a significant, unifying experience for the young. It’s very important that public authorities and institutions support the campaign both in ideal and material terms. As a Church, our mission is to bear witness to the world. And Pope Francis is relentless in his reiterations. Frère Roger of Taizé conceived the binomial “action and contemplation”.Prayer and celebration always include social work and commitments. The initiative of German youths is an example of a Church servicing others. There should be more similar initiatives. Could they be coordinated and stepped up at European level?