{"id":30492,"date":"2026-05-01T14:17:20","date_gmt":"2026-05-01T21:17:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/salesianbulletin.org\/?p=30492"},"modified":"2026-05-01T17:54:53","modified_gmt":"2026-05-02T00:54:53","slug":"young-people-are-not-only-the-choir-theyre-the-movement","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/salesianbulletin.org\/es\/2026\/05\/01\/young-people-are-not-only-the-choir-theyre-the-movement\/","title":{"rendered":"Young People Are Not ONLY the Choir\u2026 They\u2019re the Movement"},"content":{"rendered":"

Por JC Montenegro, PhD<\/strong> <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Los Angeles, California) <\/strong>– In many communities, especially within the Salesian Family, young people are often visible. They read at Mass, sing in the choir, help with events, and fill the space with energy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But visibility is not the same as participation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If we\u2019re honest, sometimes young people are treated more like decoration than direction. Present, but not leading. Included, but not entrusted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s not the Salesian way. And it\u2019s certainly not the Gospel way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From Audience to Protagonists<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Salesian charism, inspired by Don Bosco, has always been rooted in a bold belief: young people are not just the future, they are the present. Not passive recipients, but active builders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yet in practice, it\u2019s easy to default to control. Adults plan, organize, and decide. Young people are invited to help\u2026 but rarely to shape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s the shift: if we want connection, we have to move from \u201cHow do we include them?\u201d<\/em> a \u201cHow do we trust them?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because young people don\u2019t just want a role. They want a voice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Actually Builds Connection<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

From the insights we\u2019ve been reviewing, a few patterns are clear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Young people connect best with adults who are consistent. Who show up. Who don\u2019t change tone depending on mood or setting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They respond to adults who listen without jumping in to correct, fix, or lecture. And they quickly disengage when they feel judged, dismissed, or managed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They also recognize authenticity immediately. If we\u2019re real, they lean in. If we\u2019re performing, they check out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This aligns perfectly with the Salesian \u201cpreventive system\u201d: reason, religion, and loving-kindness. Not control, not distance, not fear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In other words, relationship first. Always.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Biblical Reality Check<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If there\u2019s any doubt that young people can lead, Scripture clears that up quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Take David. A teenager overlooked by nearly everyone, yet the one who steps forward when no one else will. He doesn\u2019t wait to be \u201cready.\u201d He acts with courage and trust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Or Mary, likely very young when she says yes to something far bigger than herself. No committee. No long preparation. Just openness and faith.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then there\u2019s Jeremiah, who literally tells God he\u2019s too young to speak. God disagrees. Strongly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And let\u2019s not forget Timothy, encouraged by Paul the Apostle with the famous reminder: “Don\u2019t let anyone look down on you because of your youth.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pattern is consistent. God doesn\u2019t wait for people to age into relevance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So why do we?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let Them Lead (Yes, Really)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If we believe young people can be protagonists, then we have to act like it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That means:<\/p>\n\n\n\n