LISTENING TO GOD’S CALL:
Highlights from the Diocese of San José
Young Adult Assembly
Versión en español próximamente.
On September 21, 2024, at Archbishop Mitty High School, nearly 200 young adults across the Diocese of San José came together for a transformative day of listening and reflection. Guided by Bishop Oscar Cantú and diocesan leaders, the assembly sought to listen to and engage young adults in order to intentionally draw them more fully into the heart of the Church. The energy was palpable, and for those who were there, it was a day delegates and volunteers will not soon forget.
Opening Liturgy and Prayer
The day began with a powerful morning prayer, inviting the Holy Spirit into the Assembly. The Easter (Paschal) Candle and a relic of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati—one of the patrons of the young adult assembly along with Our Lady of Guadalupe—processing around the gym established a sacred tone. Joined by relics of saints who were passionate for youth and young adults or were one when they passed, like Blessed Carlo Acutis, Pope St. John Paul II, and St. Thérèse of Lisieux, the gathering place became a place of deep reflection and inspiration. The dramatization of the Road to Emmaus by three young adult delegates brought the Gospel story to life and set the stage for a day of listening and discerning.
Bishop Cantú’s Vision
After the morning prayer, Bishop Cantú addressed the assembly with a powerful message, outlining his vision for the diocese’s future. He underscored the vital role of spiritual renewal and the central position of young adults in shaping the direction of the Church as we approach the Diocese’s 50th anniversary, in 2031. Bishop Cantú asked the delegates to consider, “What is the Holy Spirit asking us to act upon? What new initiatives are we to imagine, and what old initiatives are we willing to let go of?”
Engaging Table Discussions
Throughout the day, participants engaged in four rounds of facilitated table discussions. Young adults exchanged ideas, hopes, and struggles, guided by questions developed from the diocesan Young Adult Survey, which had nearly 1,000 responses with over 4,000 comments. The dialogue was rich and profound, touching on everything from the importance of faith and community to how the Church can better support young adults on their spiritual journeys. Each table’s reflections provide unprecedented insights for the Pastoral Plan Implementation and Young Adult Advisory Committees, as well as parish and diocesan leaders in general. A sense of being part of something historic — real voices, real stories, and real dreams for the future of our local Church — pervaded the atmosphere of the Assembly.
Afternoon Prayer
During the afternoon prayer service, the reading from 1 Kings 19:9-13 reminded participants that God often speaks to us not in the loudness of life but in the stillness of a ‘small voice.’ This was followed by 10 minutes of silent contemplation of God’s voice. Each delegate wrote a word or phrase on a wooden block at each table representing their hopes for young adult ministry. Then, the delegates built a Jerusalem Cross with their blocks, a sign that diverse voices, together, form the foundation of our Church’s future.
Key Themes and Insights
As the day drew to a close, table representatives shared highlights from their discussions. Authentic community, greater representation of young adults in Church decision-making, the importance of personal invitation, spiritual formation, and sharing resources and activities across the diocese, hospitality and welcoming, and the opportunity to have tough discussions and understand teachings of the Church were the overwhelmingly recurring themes. The energy in the room was palpable — participants expressed a desire to take these insights back to their parishes, schools, and organizations.
Sending Forth
The assembly concluded with Mass celebrated by Bishop Cantú and concelebrated by over 29 priests from the diocese. In his homily, Bishop Cantú reminded the delegates of the models provided by Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati and Our Lady of Guadalupe — Frassati, who conquered mountains both physical and spiritual, and Our Lady, who enculturated the Gospel to bring the Good News to the New World, embodying Christianity’s call to evangelization. The delegates were then commissioned to bring what they had learned back to their communities. Afterward, many spoke of wanting to initiate conversations, organize fellowship opportunities, and advocate for young adult representation in their parishes, schools, and Catholic organizations. The sending forth wasn’t just a conclusion — it was a call to an ongoing mission.
A Path Forward
The thoughts and ideas gathered from the assembly discussions will shape the Diocese of San José’s efforts to more fully engage young adults in the life of the Church. With over a thousand new reflections gathered, the Office of Adult Spirituality and Family Life, the Young Adult Advisory and the Pastoral Plan Implementation Committees, and other diocesan leaders will use the feedback from the survey and the assembly to create tangible goals for the ministry to Young Adults in the coming years.
The Diocese remains committed to listening and responding to the needs of young adults. We encourage everyone who attended to share their experiences with their peers, parish, school, and/or Catholic organization. For those who couldn’t join us, there will be future opportunities to connect, collaborate, and contribute as we work together to spiritually renew our diocese in Christ and go out together in mission.
For more information about the Diocese of San José’s Young Adult Ministry and upcoming events, visit https://www.dsj.org/evangelization/young-adult/.