Youth Challenges and Leadership
- Profiles in Catholicism
- Jun 21, 2018
- 10 min read
Updated: May 28
Interviews
Prayers
Prayer to St. Aloysius Gonzaga, Patron of Youth by Scott P. Richert
Book Reviews, Commentaries, and Announcements
The Word in Your Heart: Mary, Youth, & Mental Health. A Collection of Articles, Prayers, and an Experience of Pilgrimage. A Biography and Foreword by Maria McFadden Maffucci. A Biography and End WorD by Francis Etheredge Reviewed by Father. Vivian Boland, OP Assistant Professor at Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas – Angelicum
Blessed Are the Bored in Spirit: A Young Catholic’s Search for Meaning by Mark Hart Reviewed by Eileen Quinn Knight, Ph.D. Profiles in Catholicism
Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World by Cal Newport Reviewed by Eileen Quinn Knight, Ph.D. Profiles in Catholicism
Carlo Acutis: The First Millennial Saint by Nicola Gori Reviewed by Eileen Quinn Knight, Ph.D. Profiles in Catholicism
Youth Resources
Articles and Commentaries
Young people embrace Catholicism: Jesuits speak to Reuters and The Economist by Jesuits in Britain
Frequent Social Media Use and Experiences with Bullying Victimization, Persistent Feelings of Sadness or Hopelessness, and Suicide Risk Among High School Students — Youth Risk Behavior Survey, United States, 2023 by Emily Young, MSEd, MPH; Jessica L. McCain; Melissa C. Mercado, PhD; et al CDC
The Mental Health Impact of Bullying on Kids and Teens by McLean Hospital
Pope Leo calls on youth to ‘accept the invitation of the Church and Christ the Lord’ in first Regina Caeli by AC Wimmer Catholic News Agency/The Catholic World Report
Neo-Nazi sextortion ring that blackmails teens into making sick videos has become so prevalent every FBI office in the US has open cases by Jared Downing New York Post
Teens are turning to Snapchat's 'My AI' for mental health support — which doctors warn against by Melissa Rudy Fox News
Being Creative Enough: Lessons from a Mexican Jesuit Parish on Vibrant Youth Ministry by Humberto (Beto) Guzmán Parra, SJ The Jesuit Post
Pope Francis appoints priest who serves disadvantaged youth to Vatican evangelization office by Hannah Brockhaus Catholic News Agency/The Catholic World Report
Hundreds sue over alleged sexual abuse in Illinois youth detention centers by Sophia Tareen The Associated Press
WA government announce a major overhaul for notorious youth centre by Emma Kirk News.com.aus
This Jewish teen is bringing sustainable gardening to NYC prisons by Lisa Keys Jewish Telegraphic Agency
Pope: Young people do not need us. They need God! by Deborah Castellano Lubov Vatican News
WCC Youth demand climate justice by Independent Catholic News
18 Things to know about Howey Ou, China's only teenage climate striker by Sally Ho and Green Queen EarthBeat
Swiss youth adapt Laudato si' to music and bring it to the stage by Adélaïde Patrignani Vatican News
Philippines’ youth call for systemic change at climate protest by Bill and Melinda Gate Foundation
Pacific islands youth "cannot wait" for climate change action, Vanuatu says by Reuters
African youth deliver environmental demands to bishops at Laudato Si' meeting by Brian Roewe EarthBeat
A climate change disaster led this shy 24-year-old from Uganda into activism by Lauren Sommer Goats and Soda/NPR
A reflection on World Youth Day and climate change by Peter Coughlan Independent Catholic News
UN appoints Indian Archana Soreng to Youth Advisory Group on Climate Change by Sr Bernadette Mary Reis, fsp Vatican News
UN appoints Indian Archana Soreng to Youth Advisory Group on Climate Change by Sr Bernadette Mary Reis, fsp Vatican News
Philippines’ youth call for systemic change at climate protest by Bill and Melinda Gate Foundation
The History of Presidential Assassination Attempts, From Andrew Jackson to Teddy Roosevelt by Meilan Solly Smithsonian Magazine
Young adults defying secularism trend in the Church in Canada by Luke Mandato Catholic News Agency/The Catholic World Report
One in 10 young people in Japan say they have been groped in public, survey finds by Chris Lau and Yumi Asada CNN
Pope Francis: 'Let your youth be a gift for Jesus' By Deborah Castellano Lubov Vatican News
Eastern Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew says young people can 'save democracy and our planet' by Barbara Fraser National Catholic Reporter
Catholic students from Texas universities unite for prayer and worship by Katie Yoder The Catholic World Report
Inspired by Blessed Carlo Acutis, Hollywood Producer and Catholic Internet Host Take on Eucharistic Miracles Movie by Joe Bukuras Catholic News Agency/National Catholic Register
A look at the Teen Center at St. Peter's by Jacqueline Cunniff The Pilot
Q&A with Vanesa by the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry (NFCYM)
Young people are leading a new approach to campus ministry . Pope Francis called young adults ‘protagonists of change.’ We need their leadership in the church. by Kevin Ahern U.S.Catholic
20-year-old filmmaker wins award for powerful 1-minute film about marriage by Aleteia
Teenage suicides could be sign of mental health toll by CathNews
Heart reaction probed as possible rare vaccine link in teens by Lindsey Tanner and Lauren Neergaard The Associated Press
Mississippi teen fatally shot hours after graduation by Leah Willingham The Associated Press
Brave Irish teen saves mother and daughter from drowning in Co Carlow by IrishCentral
World Youth Day guidelines emphasize importance of diocesan celebrations by Junno Arocho Esteves Catholic News Service
Minister uses his life experiences to help at-risk youth in Pilsen by Ely Segura Chicago Catholic
NET Ministries inspires teens through in-person and virtual retreats by Debbie Musser Catholic News Service
Opinion: Stop harming our children, follow the medical facts.The forced isolation of adolescents through COVID guidelines should be withdrawn immediately as a national policy to protect our youth from the severe epidemic of suicide that is far more dangerous to youth than is COVID. by Richard Fitzgibbons, M.D The Catholic World Report
The Desi Project: Jesuit High School Portland Student Empower South Asian Teenagers in the U.S. by Ignatian Solidarity Network
Teens Fight for Their Mental Health as They Take on Stress During the Pandemic by Jessica Easthope NetTV
Sisters set troubled Filipino teens on course to self-sufficiency by Gail DeGeorge and Charity Durano The Global Sisters Report
The Lost Year: What the Pandemic Cost Teenagers by Alec MacGillis ProPublica
Students abducted from Nigerian school 2 weeks ago freed by Sam Olujoya The Associated Press
Brazilian Franciscan works to raise Black teen girls' self-esteem in the Amazon by Catholic News Service/Global Sisters Report
Re-FOCUS: Revitalizing Campus Ministry in the Midst of COVID-19 by Kathryn Wallice National Catholic Register
Shock: Surge in student suicides during the pandemic by Deacon Greg Kendra The Deacon's Bench
Zimbabwean teen teaches taekwondo to fight child marriage by Farai Mutsaka The Associated Press
Inside the Lives of Immigrant Teens Working Dangerous Night Shifts in Suburban Factories by Melissa Sanchez ProPublica Illinois
Youth protests for police reform in Nigeria: What lies ahead for #EndSARS by Oluwole Ojewale Brookings
Preventing Drug Use among Children and Adolescents by National Institute on Drug Abuse
Four things you can do to support your teen’s mental health by UNICEF
With teen mental health deteriorating over five years, there’s a likely culprit by Jean Twenge The Conversation
Well-being of young: a silent pandemic of psychological distress by CathNews New Zealand
Pope Francis says Blessed Carlo Acutis is a model for young people to put God first by CNA Daily News/The Catholic World Report
Pew survey shows teens, parents practice faith together, though teens are less religious by Madeleine Davison National Catholic Reporter
Catholic teens in US mirror their peers on religious trends by Matt Hadro CNA/The Catholic World Report
Preparing the Future: How young people can answer the Pope's call by Kate Eastmond Independent Catholic News
The Safety.com Guide to Teen Health and Safety by Mary Blowers Safety.com
Catholic altar girl in hiding in Pakistan after escaping abductor, Maira Shahbaz was raped, blackmailed and forced into sex work after being made to convert to Islam by Kamran Chaudhry UCA News
UN appoints Indian Archana Soreng to Youth Advisory Group on Climate Change by Sr Bernadette Mary Reis, fsp Vatican News
Teens and the Impact of Sleep on Mental Health by Slumber Yard Medically reviewed by Dr. Gregory Minnis, DPT
Pope Francis Asks Young People: ‘Send a Hug’ to the Elderly by Courtney Mares CNA/National Catholic Register
Delargey Awards recognise five outstanding Catholics for youth work by CathNewsNew Zealand
Youth Movement Brings Christ’s Healing to Homes With Online Challenge by New Evangelization Television (NET) I’
For Irish young people, global justice is more than just a game by Charles Collins Crux
New Orleans Young Adults Meet Christ in the City by Jim Graves National Catholic Register
FOCUS Student Summit Shows a Hope-filled Future for the Church by Connor Smith SJ America
Teens hurl rocks at school bus transporting Jewish schoolgirls by Geller Report Staff - Geller Report
Internet Safety for Teens, Kids, and Students by Dean Chester Best VPN News’
‘Cooking priest’ shares recipe to help teens get to heaven by John Shaughnessy Catholic News Service/Crux
Teenager's charity calendar raises hundreds for overseas communities by Independent Catholic News
Vatican dicastery announces formation of new youth advisory body by Paige Hanley Catholic News Service/National Catholic Reporter
Vatican dicastery gets new youth advisory bodyThe 20-member group will look into issues related to youth ministry by La Croix International staff La Croix International
Pope to young people in Tokyo: ‘Japan needs you, the world needs you!' by Linda Bordoni Vatican News
Tales From the Teenage Cancel Culture, What’s cancel culture really like? Ask a teenager. They know. by Sanam Yar and Jonah Engel Bromwich The New York Times
Youth Standing Up to Climate Change: Reflections from the Strikes by ISN Staff Ignatian Spirituality Network
To reach young people, we must be honest about our broken church by Mary Ann Spanjers, O.S.F. America
The Teen Center at St. Peter's -- an oasis for Dorchester youth by Debie Ramdo The Pilot
International conference on “Laudato Si'” focuses on youth’s role in addressing “global ecological crisis” by Fredrick Nzwili The Catholic World Report
How to respond to child sexual abuse by Father Shay Cullen UCANews.com
How one carpenter used his whole life’s savings to help young people he didn’t know by Cerith Gardiner Aleteia
New Mexico Catholic youth group involved in deadly bus crash by Associated Press/America
Franciscans nurture Indonesian youth awareness of nature by Ryan Dagur UCANews.com
3 Things That Almost Guarantee Teens Stay Catholic by Fr Matthew P. Schneider, LC Project YM
Younger progressive Catholics ready to 'regenerate' Call to Action by Heidi Schlumpf National Catholic Reporter
Tagle warns youths against 'fake news,' gadget addiction by Joe Torres UCANews.com
Cardinal Tagle Tells Youth: Face Your Upsets, Never Lose Hope. Be Compassionate, Not Self-Focused by Zenit Staff Zenit
Beirut: Young people from 43 countries attend Taize weekend by Katja Dorothea Buck Independent Catholic New
Pope cites tech whiz as role model for young people by Junno Arocho Esteves Crux
Francis' youth exhortation says Catholic Church must change but offers few proposals by Joshua J. McElwee National Catholic Reporter
Young People are Taking to the Streets by Billy Critchley-Menor, SJ The Jesuit Post
You can’t keep your kids from screen addiction unless you do this one thing by Mathilde De Robien Aleteia
Catholic Youth Minister Leads Teens Closer To Christ by Melissa Enaje The Tablet
An open letter to young Catholics A response to a letter from Filipino youth to the Philippine Church for the 2019 Year of the Youth celebration by Edita T. Burgos La Croix International
Young people deserve to hear directly from Pope Francis on synod by Father Daniel P Horan, OFM National Catholic Reporter
Study shows young adults leaving church start down that path at age 13 by Nicholas Wolfram Smith, Catholic News Service .National Catholic Reporter
Holy Land's youth offer beacon of light by Father Mark Madden The Archdiocese of Liverpool
Challenge 2000 responding to serious at risk youth by CathNews New Zealand
Defying Statistics to Become an Agent of Change for Youth by Amanda Knowles Points uf Light
Hate crimes rising among young people by Deacon Greg Kandra Patheos
Instrumentum Laboris (the "Working Document" of "Instrument of Work") produced prior to the present October 2018 Synod on Young People, the Faith, and Vocational Discernment by the Synod of Bishops Vatican
Poll: Young Americans say online bullying a serious problem by Associated Press
Be lifeline of hope for youth alienated from church, pope tells synod by Carol Glatz Catholic News Service/Angelus
African youth struggle with poverty and broken families by Russell Pollitt, SJ Vatican News
UN calls for action to ensure mental health of adolescents by Robin Gomes Vatican News
Card. Cupich promises to be more attentive, present, available to young people by Linda Bordoni Vatican News
Synod of Bishops: We don’t believe in a “google” God by Russell Pollitt, SJ Vatican News
Bangladesh's Catholic youth need guidance by Father Pradeep Perez, SJ UCANews.com
Young people want to be useful by Gauthier Vaillant La Croix International
UNICEF: Half the world’s teenagers victims of violence in school by Francesca Merlo Vatican News
Encuentro aims to break segregation, keep Hispanic youth Catholic by Christopher White Crux
‘Be brave!’ Pope tells participants at Vatican pre-synod on youth by Claire Giangravè Crux
Actor Mark Wahlberg's faith journey leaves impression on young adults by Catholic News Service
Pope Francis: The church needs young people so that “no one should be rejected by Michael J. O’Loughlin America
Culture Project brings virtue into the center for Catholic dating – and life by Valerie Schmalz Catholic San Francisco
US bishops: Next synod must address disillusioned, indifferent youth by Matt Hadro CNA/EWTN NEWS
Dating Gracefully: Advice for Girls by Courtney Kissinger Life Teen
Tackling the silence around Pacific youth suicide by Dr Jemaima Tiatia-Seath CathNews New Zealand
Catholic leaders urge extreme caution for new Netflix series by Mary Rezac CNA
New Stats on Why Young People Leave the Church by Brandon Vogt
The Decline of Faith Among Young Catholics by Matt Emerson America
Young people are leaving the faith. Here's why by Mark Gray OSV Newsweekly
Why CYO? New Report Details Why Young People Leave the Catholic by Mark Gray OSV Newsweekly
The spiritual life of American teenagers by Jessica Mesman Griffith, US Catholic
Engaging Parents in Youth Ministry by Amanda Montoya Catholic Life Teen Blog
Bringing teen mental illness out of the shadows Katie Scott The Arlington Catholic Herald
Questions on sexuality loom large ahead of youth synod by Elise Harris Catholic News Agency
TV Reviews
13 Reasons Why Reviewed by Jake Martin, SJ America
Documents
USCCB General Assembly November 2016 - Address Of The Apostolic Nuncioh His Excellency Most Reverend Archbishop Christopher Pierre Fall
Youth Ministry USCCB
Resources
Videos
New Life at Preda: Resilience and Hope | Preda Foundation, Inc.
UN Debate on 'Youth" Interview with Emily Toole, Youth Leader by Christian Peschken PESCHKEN reports
Fr. Mike Schmitz - The Hour That Will Change Your Life - SEEK 2015
EVERY PARENT AND TEEN: WATCH THIS! "You're Amazing!" Justin Fatica | HAN [ MassImpact.us ]
Life on the Rock - Model for Chastity - Fr. Mark and Doug with Leah Darrow
Long-lasting Catholic Youth Ministry with Christopher Wesley | Rebuilt Parish
5 Reasons The Church Needs Youth Ministry
Paul J. Kim - Saturday Evening Keynote - 2015 Steubenville on the Bayou
