The Catholic Church is, as I see it, a wonderful institution, perhaps one of the best ever put into existence. It has a diverse and profound history, founded as it was by Jesus the Christ of Nazareth. The Church is also diverse. Through the years and across the continents, the Church has adapted well to different peoples, times, and cultures. Wherever they went, preachers and missionaries sought to tell people the truth, but to do it in a way that they knew and appreciated so that they would accept it more readily. Looking across the span of years, however, there
is a rather significant culture that is left out.
This is the teen culture of the modern era. As much as it may be disputed, discussed, or otherwise dismissed, the life and ways of teens in modern America is a culture. The youth population of the U.S. ages 14-24 is about 14.5% of the total population- about 47 million people. This is about the population of Spain. Teens also have their own sayings, behaviors, music, and customs. It is to this culture - the teen culture - that the Church has failed to adapt. Understand me not. I do not wish the Church to make itself into a pop music and social media crazy institution. Nor do I want it to abandon its two thousand year tradition. I only request that it finds, as it has in the past, a happy medium and a way to reach out to and relate to its people. After all, there are so many people in the teen culture that the Church would be foolhardy not to reach out to them.
is a rather significant culture that is left out.
This is the teen culture of the modern era. As much as it may be disputed, discussed, or otherwise dismissed, the life and ways of teens in modern America is a culture. The youth population of the U.S. ages 14-24 is about 14.5% of the total population- about 47 million people. This is about the population of Spain. Teens also have their own sayings, behaviors, music, and customs. It is to this culture - the teen culture - that the Church has failed to adapt. Understand me not. I do not wish the Church to make itself into a pop music and social media crazy institution. Nor do I want it to abandon its two thousand year tradition. I only request that it finds, as it has in the past, a happy medium and a way to reach out to and relate to its people. After all, there are so many people in the teen culture that the Church would be foolhardy not to reach out to them.
As a Catholic teen myself, I know how hard it is to live out the Christian life. Teens are constantly bombarded with pressures from all fronts of life. Because of this, teens need a relatable and encouraging Church to turn to. I myself find great solace, comfort, and hope in my faith, and this is what I want for others as well. Church figures such as Pope Saint John Paul II, have recognized the importance of the youth. John Paul II even told the youth “Be not afraid” and started World Youth Day to celebrate with and reach out to the young people of the world.
In many parishes, the Church has adapted and done it well. In others, however, teens sit half asleep through Masses that are neither relevant nor enjoyable. If the Catholic Church wants the next generation to be on board and willing to serve and bring the world to Christ, it in turn must be ready to work. The Church needs to adapt in such a way it is relatable to teens. As Mark Patrick Hederman said in an article in the Irish Times: “Times have changed; both the world and ourselves are different from what they were 100 years ago. We (the Church) have to decide whether we intend to work from a 19th- or a 21st-century template.”
In many Masses, priests give homilies that, although good for adults, are neither engaging or relevant to teens. At “youth masses,” the homilies are often aimed at young children. Neither of these situations are favorable for teens. Homilies and teen directed Masses need to be relatable, encouraging, engaging, and inspiring. They need to relate the readings in Mass to the teens and show how they can be applied and lived out in everyday life.
The single, most impactful way to reach out to teens at Mass is through the music. Music sets the mood at the beginning of Mass and can either keep people engaged throughout the Mass, or give them a time to zone out. The Psalmist said we should “shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.” The music at Masses needs to contemporary and uplifting. The main issue, oftentimes, is not the words or music itself, but the tempo. Incredibly slow tempos make music more of a lullaby than a opportunity for worship. Although this is not how it was written, to many younger parishioners it has the effect nonetheless. The issue with the older Christian music from past decades and centuries is that, for the modern younger generation, this music is unfamiliar bordering on alien, not something that is apt to encourage open worship and deeper relationships with God.
There are a plethora of contemporary Christian artists. I have seen many in concert and met a few myself. They include Chris Tomlin, Jamie Grace, Matt Maher, and groups like Casting Crowns, Hillsong United, and MercyMe. The music of these groups is statistically sound. It contains no heresy, it spreads no evil, it holds no themes that can influence its listeners for the worse (as in the case of many other popular songs). Why, then, is it often treated as taboo by those who think the only music the Church should sing is that which was composed over one hundred years ago? Contemporary Christian music would engage Catholic teens and give them something from the Church to relate to. Such music could link the culture of modern teens with the Catholic Church, allowing an easy way to pray, worship, and evangelize.
There are a plethora of contemporary Christian artists. I have seen many in concert and met a few myself. They include Chris Tomlin, Jamie Grace, Matt Maher, and groups like Casting Crowns, Hillsong United, and MercyMe. The music of these groups is statistically sound. It contains no heresy, it spreads no evil, it holds no themes that can influence its listeners for the worse (as in the case of many other popular songs). Why, then, is it often treated as taboo by those who think the only music the Church should sing is that which was composed over one hundred years ago? Contemporary Christian music would engage Catholic teens and give them something from the Church to relate to. Such music could link the culture of modern teens with the Catholic Church, allowing an easy way to pray, worship, and evangelize.
Let me offer two example masses. At one mass, the tradition of the Church is extremely evident. The music, which is played on the organ, is slow, and beautiful. It is also, however, unengaging. Most of the congregation members of this mass are half asleep with boredom. Each new song brings an opportunity to sit, staring into space. There is no aspect of celebration (as there should be at Mass). Nearby, another mass is taking place. The music is upbeat and modern with guitar and drums. Here, the congregation is awake: singing joyfully and swaying in time with the joyful music. The opening and closing hymn are chances for praising God, and the offertory is prayerful and thought-provoking.
The amount of difference that music alone can make is astounding.
Again, think me not an extremist. If having guitar and drums is two much to think of, let me offer a third example. This mass has no guitar or percussion. The music however, is still from the later 20th and early 21st centuries, and the music is provided by piano and choir. Members of the congregation - children, teens, and adults alike - are singing. It is a joyful mass, one that anyone can enjoy. This is the perfect Goldilocks scenario: not too hot, and not too cold, not all modern, and not all traditional. It is the happy medium. There is the perfect mix of traditional songs in the Psalms and anthems, but the music is overall joyful, uplifting, and inspiring.
The amount of difference that music alone can make is astounding.
Again, think me not an extremist. If having guitar and drums is two much to think of, let me offer a third example. This mass has no guitar or percussion. The music however, is still from the later 20th and early 21st centuries, and the music is provided by piano and choir. Members of the congregation - children, teens, and adults alike - are singing. It is a joyful mass, one that anyone can enjoy. This is the perfect Goldilocks scenario: not too hot, and not too cold, not all modern, and not all traditional. It is the happy medium. There is the perfect mix of traditional songs in the Psalms and anthems, but the music is overall joyful, uplifting, and inspiring.
This is the kind of music we need at our masses. Tradition can be evident in opening and communion songs, but the offertory and closing should be an opportunity for praise and worship of God, not for dozing and waiting for mass to be over! Instead of singing the same ten songs over and over at mass, look through the hymnal and find the upbeat ones that can be used as supplements. Modern, engaging music will relate the Church to the modern teen culture & help teens with their faith.
And there’s a good reason to change. Whether people like it, or not, the future of the Church (and the world) are in the hands of the younger generation. This makes reaching out to this generation and getting it “on board” with the Church absolutely imperative. Dr. David Barker, responsible for the 2004 Report of the Church in America says that the Catholic Church has “probably five or, at most, 10 years to take modern-day realities on board before being reduced to a tiny, irrelevant minority.” The sad truth is, teens who grow up with masses that they either hate or are indifferent about are very unlikely to continue to attend masses when they grow up, which does not bode well for the future of the Catholic Church. We can either have a future in which people do not care about the Church or Mass, or the Church is alive & vibrant. It all depends on what we do today.
And there’s a good reason to change. Whether people like it, or not, the future of the Church (and the world) are in the hands of the younger generation. This makes reaching out to this generation and getting it “on board” with the Church absolutely imperative. Dr. David Barker, responsible for the 2004 Report of the Church in America says that the Catholic Church has “probably five or, at most, 10 years to take modern-day realities on board before being reduced to a tiny, irrelevant minority.” The sad truth is, teens who grow up with masses that they either hate or are indifferent about are very unlikely to continue to attend masses when they grow up, which does not bode well for the future of the Catholic Church. We can either have a future in which people do not care about the Church or Mass, or the Church is alive & vibrant. It all depends on what we do today.
Besides, it is not as if other Christian Churches have not adapted. Many other denominations have alive and vibrant services that reach out to teens. After one Catholic Mass with choir, piano, and other instruments, a woman told the choir “I always thought that Catholics had terrible music at Mass. Now I’ve been proven wrong.” What a sad thing to say! It is painful to think that she may soon go into a not-so-amazing Catholic Mass and be severely disappointed. It is people like that woman that we must prove wrong. Many people speak of “that one Church” they have gone to once where the Mass was amazing. Why can’t our Church be that Church?
Matthew 28:19-20 says “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey all I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Jesus intended the Church to reach out to all people of all ages. The very future of the Catholic Church could very well rest on this decision, the decision to adapt and reach out, or ostracise the younger generation of the Church with unrelatable and unengaging Masses.
Mark Patrick Hederman said that, if the Church fails to adapt, we will be “categorised as the out-of-date leftovers from a previous era.” The beginnings of this tragedy can already be seen in schools and parishes. The majority of Masses are filled with older Church-goers or families with very young children. Once children are out of the house and into college and the workforce, they disappear from the pews. In short, when they are no longer required to attend Mass, they simply do not go. In school Masses, children in younger grades sit attentively while their older siblings doze and daydream. Why? Once many young Catholics reach middle school age, once they begin to be more and more influenced by pop culture, the less interested in the Church they become. They effectively “outgrow” sayings like “Just be a good boy and remember God loves you and you’ll get to Heaven.” It is to this age that the Church must reach out. They are a critical link. It is because of these people in these situations that homilies must apply to teens and adults alike. It is because of them that Masses should be relatable, applicable, and engaging in every way possible. It is because of these that music must be uplifting, encouraging, and a way to praise and speak to the God that made us all. It is because of these that the Church must change