Getting Teens Excited about Mass
By Mark Hart
The heavy exhale. The almost lifeless body beneath the covers. You beg, you plead, you offer the ultimatum that threatens a loss of phone or Xbox or car. Slowly their overtired, hormone-driven corpus emerges from the darkness, bloodshot eyes rolling back in their heads as they make their way to the bathroom in hopes of being presentable … for Mass.
Perhaps this is your typical Sunday morning. It was absolutely the scene in my home growing up. Once we had transitioned from the elementary school years of “altar server engagement” and hit puberty, all of a sudden Mass wasn’t all that interactive or engaging anymore, and the bribe of donuts after liturgy no longer held its influential power over our sugar-crazed young bodies. It’s as though when the teenage years ushered in we realized that while Mass might have begun at 10 AM sharp, it consistently ended at 11 AM dull.
My cradle Catholic parents instilled in me the importance of going to Mass religiously (no pun intended) but were never able to articulate why we went, answering only “because we are Catholic and that is what good Catholics do.”
It wasn’t until a youth minister explained the significance, depth, and beauty of the Mass that my eyes (and heart) were truly opened. Slowly, over time, I began to see the Liturgy differently. It was as though, with every fact and insight I learned, the dots began to connect between the history and the mystery—between God’s divinity and our humanity, all colliding within the parish walls. I was given a great gift, a proverbial “pearl of great price” by a soul who not only knew about the Mass but who was patient enough to walk with me as my heart and soul opened up to this timeless, inestimable treasure.
Perhaps this is your typical Sunday morning. It was absolutely the scene in my home growing up. Once we had transitioned from the elementary school years of “altar server engagement” and hit puberty, all of a sudden Mass wasn’t all that interactive or engaging anymore, and the bribe of donuts after liturgy no longer held its influential power over our sugar-crazed young bodies. It’s as though when the teenage years ushered in we realized that while Mass might have begun at 10 AM sharp, it consistently ended at 11 AM dull.
My cradle Catholic parents instilled in me the importance of going to Mass religiously (no pun intended) but were never able to articulate why we went, answering only “because we are Catholic and that is what good Catholics do.”
It wasn’t until a youth minister explained the significance, depth, and beauty of the Mass that my eyes (and heart) were truly opened. Slowly, over time, I began to see the Liturgy differently. It was as though, with every fact and insight I learned, the dots began to connect between the history and the mystery—between God’s divinity and our humanity, all colliding within the parish walls. I was given a great gift, a proverbial “pearl of great price” by a soul who not only knew about the Mass but who was patient enough to walk with me as my heart and soul opened up to this timeless, inestimable treasure.
Change Takes Time
It’s not that modern parents, priests, or youth ministers are uncaring in their pursuit of educating teens and young adults on the liturgy. Rather, the problem more accurately lies within the lack of formation, time, and resources to adequately unpack the richness of the Mass.
This is not to assert that there is no success within families or parishes at all, only to point out that many teens are left with well-intentioned catechists who either aren’t in a theological position to catechise or who lack the time (and patience) it takes to cultivate a love for the Mass.
We all desire for the next generation to develop a deep and abiding love for the sacraments, in particular the Eucharist, but how do we develop and “unleash” that love in an increasingly overstimulated, disengaged, and screen-obsessed culture? I have several suggestions which I’ll share below.
First, our teenagers need our time more than our teaching points.
My youth minister was patient with me, and didn’t expect my disinterested attitude to change overnight. He didn’t try to “convince” me of the beauty of the Mass, rather I witnessed its mystical magnitude every time he made the Sign of the Cross and within the reverence of his genuflection. I was struck by the care he took in receiving communion and the obvious depth of his eucharistic meditation. I may not have understood the timeless sacrifice of Christ pouring out upon that altar, but I was aware that something ethereal was transpiring before my earthly eyes. He didn’t lead with doctrine (the “what”), he was a living example of a soul encountering a “Who” that led me to genuinely ask the question “why.” My youth minister understood an evangelistic principle many sorely miss, namely “If you want someone to care about the “what” (Church teaching), they must first encounter the “Who” (Lord).”
It’s not that modern parents, priests, or youth ministers are uncaring in their pursuit of educating teens and young adults on the liturgy. Rather, the problem more accurately lies within the lack of formation, time, and resources to adequately unpack the richness of the Mass.
This is not to assert that there is no success within families or parishes at all, only to point out that many teens are left with well-intentioned catechists who either aren’t in a theological position to catechise or who lack the time (and patience) it takes to cultivate a love for the Mass.
We all desire for the next generation to develop a deep and abiding love for the sacraments, in particular the Eucharist, but how do we develop and “unleash” that love in an increasingly overstimulated, disengaged, and screen-obsessed culture? I have several suggestions which I’ll share below.
First, our teenagers need our time more than our teaching points.
My youth minister was patient with me, and didn’t expect my disinterested attitude to change overnight. He didn’t try to “convince” me of the beauty of the Mass, rather I witnessed its mystical magnitude every time he made the Sign of the Cross and within the reverence of his genuflection. I was struck by the care he took in receiving communion and the obvious depth of his eucharistic meditation. I may not have understood the timeless sacrifice of Christ pouring out upon that altar, but I was aware that something ethereal was transpiring before my earthly eyes. He didn’t lead with doctrine (the “what”), he was a living example of a soul encountering a “Who” that led me to genuinely ask the question “why.” My youth minister understood an evangelistic principle many sorely miss, namely “If you want someone to care about the “what” (Church teaching), they must first encounter the “Who” (Lord).”
Go the Extra Mile
If you want your teenagers or the teens in your parish to really engage in the Mass, it begins with asking yourself this question, “How far am I willing to go for that to happen?”
Are you willing to be a consistent example to your own kids of what it means to enter into worship?
Are you willing to fulfill your baptismal call and sacramental pledge to raise them “according to the law of Christ and His Church” (i.e. take them to Mass whether they want to go or not)? Are you willing to volunteer for a core team within your parish youth ministries? Are you willing to help equip the youth minister with the right resources to aid their catechetical efforts? Are you willing to learn more and dive more deeply into the Mass personally, so that you become that living embodiment of a soul engaged by the majesty and mystery of the sacred liturgy with every response, antiphon, and prayer?
Once our young people see our own passion for the Mass and humble interaction with the Lord, they will begin to recognise the joy that it is to pursue virtue and their hearts will begin to soften through God’s grace and our intercession. The soil will be tilled and far more “receptive” to the seed of the Living
I’d love to suggest a few reminders for parents (and for all of us, really) when it comes to raising your kids in the faith and going to Mass:
Remember your actual goal
Change takes time, even for young souls un-jaded by life. Don’t let yourself get discouraged if the teen you’re parenting or journeying with doesn’t respond on your timetable. In fact, lose your timetable all together. Pray with 2 Timothy 4:1-5.
Remember your audience
The modern teen is the most overstimulated creature in existence (followed closely by the modern adult). They are constantly bombarded with screens and music and distraction. Getting them to enter into the stillness and serenity of the liturgy is a tall task. The odds are against you right out of the gate, but grace is real and God is bigger. Pray with Romans 12:11-13.
Remember the Sabbath
We all know that “keeping the Sabbath holy” is the third commandment. That being said, keeping it holy means far more than just attending Mass … that’s the minimum. Do everything you can to recapture your Sabbath. Make it a day of rest, not of tasks. Enter into the day, into family time and into true rest and communion with God and one another. The more we begin to set aside the entire day, the more our lives become balanced and the more we will be able to truly enter into the sacramental embrace of God. Pray with Exodus 20:8.
Remember not to come to Mass empty-handed
This doesn’t mean to bring your wallet. No, it means to arrive at Mass with intentionality and with intentions! Know who and what you are going to offer up to the Lord in prayer and encourage your teens to have someone/something as an intention, as well. Pray with 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18.
Remember the basics of communication
Where you sit matters. Teens are easily distracted. Proximity to the front is far more engaging than the typical “Catholic” spot in the very last pew. Responses matter. Encourage your teens to offer audible verbal responses, singing, and engagement. Let the priest hear you! Pray with Psalm 86:12.
Remember to be consistent
Consistency speaks to the fundamental importance of something. Give your teens the gift of consistency. Parents, take your teens to Mass no matter what, regardless of if they “feel like it”. No breaks. No excuses (not even on vacation). Actions follow beliefs. Pray with Deuteronomy 6:4-9.
Remember to keep learning
A true disciple is an eternal student. Keep learning more about the Mass yourself, not only so that the Spirit can utilise that knowledge and wisdom with your teenagers but, also, for your own sanctification. The Mass is an inexhaustible font of grace, but we must come thirsty and come often.
Pray with John 7:37-38.
This doesn’t mean to bring your wallet. No, it means to arrive at Mass with intentionality and with intentions! Know who and what you are going to offer up to the Lord in prayer and encourage your teens to have someone/something as an intention, as well. Pray with 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18.
Remember the basics of communication
Where you sit matters. Teens are easily distracted. Proximity to the front is far more engaging than the typical “Catholic” spot in the very last pew. Responses matter. Encourage your teens to offer audible verbal responses, singing, and engagement. Let the priest hear you! Pray with Psalm 86:12.
Remember to be consistent
Consistency speaks to the fundamental importance of something. Give your teens the gift of consistency. Parents, take your teens to Mass no matter what, regardless of if they “feel like it”. No breaks. No excuses (not even on vacation). Actions follow beliefs. Pray with Deuteronomy 6:4-9.
Remember to keep learning
A true disciple is an eternal student. Keep learning more about the Mass yourself, not only so that the Spirit can utilise that knowledge and wisdom with your teenagers but, also, for your own sanctification. The Mass is an inexhaustible font of grace, but we must come thirsty and come often.
Pray with John 7:37-38.
Mark Hart is the chief innovation officer at Life Teen International. He is an award-winning producer of Bible study DVDs and the author of more than twenty books, including One Sunday at a Time: Preparing Your Heart for Weekly Mass for cycles A, B, and C and the bestselling and award-winning Blessed are the Bored in Spirit.
A graduate of the University of Notre Dame, Hart is a blogger, podcaster, and international speaker. He is a research fellow at the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology. This article appears in Ascension Press, 21 May 2018. Images from Unsplash, Pixabay and Freepik. Used under license/with permission. |