Guidance to the Young for Action
You, who are young, intend to do in your actions what in your old age you would like to have done for the glory of God and the advantage of souls. (OOCC, X, pp. 52 - 53; STA, 229)
St. Vincent Pallotti had great concern for the youth. He believed that they have a big role to play in the Church and in society. He called them the “Pillars of the Church.” He spent a lot of time guiding and caring for them. He often told them that they should not presume that because they are young, they have still a lot of time. Such an attitude would make them lazy and mediocre. With an average spirit, a person would do the minimum in his life, often postponing what was expected of him while idling away all his time. The constant living of the mediocre attitude can lead young people to moral degradation. They can get into different forms of vicious living. In the historical situation of St. Vincent, he saw the youth being led astray in a number of ways. Hence, he wanted the youth to cultivate a more authentic and committed attitude towards their life. He wanted them to do those very actions which they would like to do in their old age for the glory of God and benefit of their neighbor. Having the attitude of the older person regarding life, its expectations and its demands, the youth can attain genuine maturity of action in their life. In doing so, they will bear true fruits for the glory of God and happiness of the other.
How do I spend my life? Am I a minimalist, doing the minimum? Do I think that I have a lot of time to do the good I am called to do? Do I manifest the urgency in accomplishing the duties of my life? Do I have an authentic and committed attitude towards life? Do I bear fruit for the glory of God and the happiness of others?
Say not, “I am too young.” To whomever I send you, you shall go. Whatever I command you, you shall speak. (Jer. 1: 7)