Proposing to the young the faith in its totality, with a Christian experience based on tradition (sacraments, liturgy, catechesis, prayer) but also with “times, places and means” different from those used for adults: that is the attitude assumed by the Spanish Church to evangelize the young. The values it requires are especially those of “spiritual guidance”, “witness of life”, “coherence, transparency” and attention to the “dimension of communion”. The positive experiences of previous World Youth Days demonstrate that “the Gospel attracts the young when it is presented in all its radical demands”, point out those responsible for the Spanish youth apostolate, but the difficulties of living “an integral and systematic experience of faith derive from the characteristics of a dominant culture in Europe that has forgotten its own Christian roots” and from “forms of pseudo-religiosity that give few responses to the problems of man”. This sometimes creates prejudices against the Church among Spanish youth; hence the need to pose youth evangelization as a priority. The aspects on which emphasis should be placed include: solidarity, brotherhood, social justice, the “ecclesial” experience of groups, simplicity in relationships, the “mysticism of volunteer service”, the community experience of prayer. Among the resources at its disposal, the Spanish Church proposes courses in youth catechumenate in the parishes, intensive community experiences, pilgrimages (e.g. to Santiago), participation in World Youth Days, specific missions for the youth and university world, spiritual exercises, retreats, vigils. The activities of the new ecclesial movements, the Christian Action associations and those linked to the religious congregations, with their own pedagogical methods, are also fostered.
