In the summer of 2025, the young people who participated in the 'Year of the Young' filled the streets of Rome with passion and vitality as protagonists of the Church. Responding to Pope Francis's invitation, participants from around the world powerfully testified to the presence and potential of youth within the church community. That experience did not end with that moment in time. Even after returning to their daily lives, the youth gathered again for a Thanksgiving Mass. At that gathering, they filled out the 'Application Form to Serve at the 2027 World Youth Day in Seoul.'
Encouraging volunteer work is not wrong, but when I heard that news, I felt a sense of frustration. The atmosphere, which seemed to demand action before the reverberations of a deep faith experience had fully subsided, felt as if it did not allow enough time to fully savor the inspiration. Of course, turning that inspiration into service is another form of experiencing God, and it is meaningful for both the individual and the Church.
Reflecting carefully on why my heart felt heavy at that moment, memories surfaced of how youth in the Church have always been perceived as 'obvious workers.' In parish events, young people's labor was naturally expected. When it came to moving heavy loads or dismantling the nativity scene, the youth were invariably the first to be called. Even while saying, "Youth are members of the community and should participate," in reality, it took a long time and complex procedures before the voices of young people were respected and reflected within the Church.
I once served as a catechism teacher for middle and high school students myself. The coordination among teachers was good, and I planned activities and prepared lesson materials to make time with the children more enjoyable. The children enjoyed attending the parish, and some high school seniors even showed an interest in becoming catechism teachers after entering college. Contrary to concerns about a shortage of catechism teachers, in flourishing communities, youth felt a sense of belonging and joy in their faith.
I often observed that when people experience joy in their faith, it naturally leads to service. A friend who majored in cello in college was also an excellent piano accompanist, so he was welcomed at every parish event. When concerts were held, he participated in orchestra practice months in advance, and he never missed volunteering for the sacred music committee. The problem was that he was teaching students or performing part-time at a Protestant church to earn tuition. Yet, the parish did not even cover transportation costs. Balancing part-time work, primary practice, and volunteering, he one day complained, "Today I'm going to forced volunteer work again."
My own youth activities at the parish were certainly nourishing in my life, but whether I can confidently say that the frustrations I experienced 20 years ago no longer occur today is still uncertain. The way of encouraging service also needs to adapt to the changing times. It is necessary to explain kindly why volunteering is meaningful from the perspective of young people, and to persuade them with empathy. We need to move away from seeing youth as mere labor and recognize them as the protagonists and agents at youth conferences, requiring consistent and patient efforts to encourage voluntary participation.
To win the hearts of young people, the Church must approach them more patiently and warmly. A fisherman who catches people is not someone who catches them with skill all at once, but someone who earns their hearts through communication and shared moments. Similarly, the Church should have the patience and willingness to invest in relationships rather than focusing solely on immediate results.
The 2027 World Youth Day in Seoul will serve as a mirror reflecting the challenges of youth ministry today. Along the way, old wounds may resurface, and long-buried issues may come to light. It will undoubtedly be a challenging path, but I believe this time will be a crucial period of reflection for the Korean Church. To allow more young people to take root in the Church, this journey will be both a time of healing that soothes pain and a beginning that sprouts new hope.
