By listening more to youth the Catholic Church can reach them better

Van Dijk previously conducted longitudinal research on high school students' religion; the interviews conducted at the WYD will complement that. She develops and researches evidence-based new ways of working through professional learning communities and gives advice on identity to secondary schools. Good formation is essential and urgent she argues, on the one hand for young people to learn about, from and through everyone's core values, most of which have traditional religious roots. On the other hand, it is important for teachers, educators and youth workers to learn to engage in a narrative dialogue with this generation and with each other.

'The purpose of my study during the WYD was above all: listen! We, researchers, administrators, often talk about young people and we do so from our frames of reference and with our own research perspective. But we actually need to hear their voices, listen to how they view the world. Empathize and discover their way of life and their language. Talking with them, and above all listening and I mean really listening.’

Range of religious experiences

She recorded many conversations with Dutch young people between the ages of 18 and 30 for her research. It is not a representative, but a qualitative study, she clarifies right away, to get a picture of who these young people are. A wide range of diverse religious experiences emerges, a variation from orthodox and conservative to free and progressive and everything in between. In that multiplicity, Van Dijk also heard much in common among the participants.

"First, of course, they are all curious about the Catholic faith and certainly about what binds them all together. Many said that in the Netherlands they usually feel alone in this. They often have to answer for what is wrong in the Church and why they 'still' believe in this day and age. And sometimes defend themselves against the image that they are holy beanies, or especially pathetic young people. In Lisbon they met like-minded young people where they could immediately enter into a conversation about deeper existential issues, and about dealing with your faith in everyday life.

A lot of nationalities gathered at the WYD, and Van Dijk heard from many participants that they found the connectedness very inspiring. 'The fact that people from all over the earth came together with an all-transcending faith, they enjoyed that intensity immensely. We felt that positive vibe. Several bishops and priests were present and more approachable than the participants were used to. Confessions could be made in rows of booths on the field, and they made great use of them, despite the heat. They danced, sang and discussed well into the evening. And some said: it is so peaceful here, this must be how the world is meant to be. That overall fraternization was a very different experience for many than going to church, usually alone, at home on Sundays. They experienced very strongly the idea of thinking from a community of believers, and how that stimulates the good in each other.

Not just preaching and prescribing

In her personal conversations, she heard very beautiful things, Van Dijk says. ''I would like to become the best version of myself, also spiritually, and that is possible here,'' someone said, for example. Another said she felt inspired by Mary precisely as a female example. And someone said: "Here you notice that everyone can be as they are, that everyone just accepts each other. Would be nice if that were always so in the world, but here it is."

"What I hope is that by listening more to young people, teachers and counselors in the church will be able to reach them better as a result. Not just preaching and prescribing things to them, but understanding what is in the young people by listening. There is so much color and diversity and they have so much to offer. Take them seriously in what they bring. The Church is for and of everyone and everyone can be connected. Young people of faith feel that they always have to defend themselves. This experience gives them hope that peace and love is possible and that they can find and bring it into this world.’