Respecting ages and circumstances

86. Each young person is different. Each group of young people has its own unique character. Each cultural context and set of social circumstances creates its own possibilities and challenges to our mission of evangelising. ³² Conscious of such plurality, we develop approaches that respect the degree of readiness of the young people to whom we minister and their particular needs.

87. When working with children, we stress relating to nature, openness to one's companions and discovering Jesus as a friend. We introduce them to prayer, to knowledge of the Bible, to the life of the sacraments, and to attitudes of service and solidarity. ³³

88. We accompany adolescents in their coming to personal identity and balance: their acceptance of their own gifts and limitations; relating in new ways to others, friends and family members; finding their place in the world; growing beyond childish images of God. We help them in their search for values and ideals which can help them direct their life. We give special attention to the positive integration of their sexuality and affectivity. We show patience and understanding during moments of superficiality, rebellion and instability which are typical of their age.

89. In our work with older youth and young adults, we address their questions of meaning, of responsibility, of life-giving values. We foster their social and political awareness, and encourage their participation in organizations and groups working for social change. We support and accompany them in their experiences of social outreach. We prepare them to be a source of renewal and dynamism in the local Church. We provide them with a more solid religious formation so that they can be better prepared to explain their Christian faith and hope to their peers, ³⁴ and to be Christian leaders themselves.

90. We help young people to clarify their vocation in life, presenting the options of single, married, priestly, and religious life. We invite those who show signs of readiness to consider Marist religious life. We accompany them in their desire to respond to their vocational calling.