The discernment was not only to help the youth see their path more clearly, but for the Church to listen to her reality as seen through the eyes of the youth, so she might choose to make the necessary changes to embrace the youth with their hopes, dreams and questions, allowing them to be leaders in the Church. Learning the reality of the youth in our Church involved attentive listening to their xperiences and their search for how best to follow Jesus, how best to encounter God. It was essential that the Cardinals, Bishops and all participants see the actual context in which the youth live, not what we presumed to be their reality. This happened in the Synod Hall, in small discussion groups and during the breaks and outings.

I was impressed with the level of openness and acceptance of all of the participants, but especially, the cardinals and bishops, who really tried to listen to each other and to the youth and allow the youth to respond or react in their own way, including with cheers in the Synod Hall, when they heard what they considered hope-filled presentations.

Some of the youth participants at the Synod, and those who were present at Pre-Synod meetings, have not always felt at home or welcome in our Church. While many were engaged in some way with the Church, often as youth ministers or diocesan directors of youth, others were less engaged.

One young woman, raised as a Catholic, named herself now as an atheist, but one who was searching. The youth asked that we listen to them, listen differently without judging them and listen in freedom, being willing to dialogue with them. They want us to spend time with them and to trust that they are not too young to be responsible or to be leaders within our Church. The young people are full of passion, with varied life experiences, some very tough and painful, such as living daily with war in Iraq, being homeless, having abusive parents. All of them are thirsty to deepen their faith, to know more about God and to be more involved in the Church. From us they expect respect, acceptance, transparency, authenticity, time with them, spaces they can gather and for us to share our vulnerability with them as they share theirs with us.

They want all of God’s people to be welcome in our Churches regardless of their gender, sexual orientation, race, economic status. The youth offer us great generosity, passion for God, service to the poorest, energy to live dreams and to support the Church in good times and in bad. In fact, on one of the last days, when offering the Pope some small gifts, one stated, “and we will always support you and our Church in good times and in bad times.” It was a very poignant moment and a call for each of us.