Well-Being - Accompanying our young people using the wisdom of our tradition
In a time when there are many voices about well being, how can we also draw on the riches in our own tradition to support young people’s well being? Brother Richard Hendrick, a Capuchin Franciscan Friar, shared his thoughts on how the tradition of the Church - especially drawing on his Franciscan heritage - can offer us a basis for caring for well being. The main takeaways from his input include:
The word Holy is derived from the Greek word holos meaning “balance” - the word goes back further in Jesus time to the word Shalom which means peace. In English peace means a cessation of conflict, but what Shalom meant was living in a way in which our being was aligned with the will of God. To live in a right relationship with him, our brothers and sisters and the whole of creation. When Jesus breathes peace over his disciples he is offering them a peace that the world cannot give (because the world is out of sync with the purposes of God). Living a life which seeks that balance - in a contemplative way - is living in shalom (the right relationship with God, others & creation) and moving into a place of peace. This is our Christian basis for well being.
Meditation is an essential practice on the path to contemplation and it has been present in our tradition from the beginning. Kavannah > attention of the heart on God. Psalms speak of keeping our hearts on God. Attending to the presence of God in each moment. New Testament focused on the word Prosekai (Greek)> attentiveness: mindful awareness of the present moment, as being a place of encounter with divine presence.
The contemplative brain: Patterns of stress and anxiety are natural and are normal parts of our human being. The only place you won’t be stressed is in the next life. In moments of trauma we experience anxiety - fight, flight or freeze - we walk the same pattern over and over again. In the Christian tradition we are asked to walk the Labyrinth (monastic practice) - it is not a maze, you don’t get lost, you will always reach the centre in a calm and controlled way. We move from doing the same thing over and over again (being reflective) into a path that brings us a centred peace (shalom). By choosing shalom you are choosing a reflective response in the present moment. The present moment is where we have agency. The past can only give wisdom and the future is in God’s hands. We find peace in the present, operating within grace.
Prayer: St. Theresa of Avila - “Prayer is a conversation with someone whom I already know loves me.” God’s love is infinite and unconditional and doesn’t change on your behaviour. Although your ability to be present to God changes deepening on your behaviour, but God’s presence to you does not change. You have nothing to prove in prayer.
How do we always come back to the present moment? 1) By breathing - in that moment we touch the breath as an anchor to the Divine presence. 2) We unite our prayer to the breath by reciting the Divine name or mantra (small verse or short word) that unites with the breath. 3) Do it regularly and be disciplined, at least 10 to 15 mins twice a day (deep listening). You have the tools within yourself, go within. And if we get distracted, begin again , it is part of the prayer.
Prayer and connecting:
Christ is alive! He is our hope, and in a wonderful way he brings youth to our world, and everything he touches becomes young, new, full of life. The very first words, then, that I would like to say to every young Christian are these: Christ is alive and he wants you to be alive! Pope Francis CV 1
[Yet] young people also experience setbacks, disappointments and profoundly painful memories. Often they feel “the hurt of past failures, frustrated desires… of feeling unloved and unaccepted”… Jesus makes his presence felt amid these crosses borne by young people; he offers them his friendship, his consolation and his healing companionship. The Church wants to be his instrument on this path to interior healing and peace of heart. Pope Francis CV 83
Faith Sharing: Where have you been aware of the Church as an instrument of peace and healing?
Loving God, we offer to your care those who are confronted by the sadness, struggle and confusion of anxiety, stress and mental ill health.
Lift their burdens, calm their anxiety, and quiet their fears.
Surround them with your healing presence that they may know that they are not alone.
Provide for them homes of dignity and peace, and give them the willingness to accept the love and help of others.
Bless those who provide care, that they may have a deep understanding and bear witness to God’s spirit of love
We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Breakout room discussion:
What has struck you from the sharing from Brother Richard?
How can you support young people’s well being at this time?
A conversation between Danny and Br Richard Hendrick brought up the following questions: How do you make this work with young people?
How do we learn from the labyrinth - centring prayer - at this time?
In the Celtic Church there was the ‘Finger Labyrinth’ - carve a small labyrinth on a stone and they would trace the labyrinth with their finger, and it was only when they reached the middle would they walk into the space. This could be mirrored using print outs of labyrinths - or even on screen.
Go for a walk without earphones in and observe the neighborhood, be present to it in a loving way, pray for the people that pass, be grateful for the creation around you - cultivating your attention
Being in a gracious place - take the attentiveness of the walk into gratitude
Count your blessings. We may begin with food and shelter and then move out to the more obvious things around you - the friend on the screen who I am grateful for.
Interview people in their own homes about what they are grateful for - different experiences
Encouraging a Eucharistic spirituality using gratitude and thanksgiving
Resources offered by Br Richard to explore (see below for other resources):
Meditation with Children Dr. Noel Keating
Cave of the Heart (CD) Guided Christian Meditation by Brother Richard Hendrick (available from the Sanctuary, www.sanctuary.ie)
The Jesus Prayer: Frederika Matthews-Green
Recommended further reading:
Richard Rohr's book Eager to Love is a wonderful modern look at the alternative orthodoxy of Franciscan Theology
Murray Bodo's Francis: The Journey and the Dream is a very powerful retelling of some of the more important stories of the life of Francis.
Ilia Delio's Simply Bonaventure is a good intro to the theological vision of the Franciscan School
Two new opportunities to engage with Million Minutes:
EXTENDING OUR YOUTH MINISTRY: A NEW 6 WEEK ONLINE TRAINING PROGRAMME - Accompanying young people in the parish and beyond -
Starting June 2020/Spaces are limited. Million Minutes will accompany local Catholic communities in the call posed by Pope Francis to accompany young people in the parish and beyond, resourcing them with our tools and ten years of experience, staying with you for the long haul. To find out more about our programme and to register your interest explore our page here.
THE BLESSED PIER GIROGIO FRASSATI AWARD
Celebrate young people who during these “abnormal” times are contributing to the common good in their local communities.
Applications are open on a rolling basis and all who are nominated will be considered for a small grant (£50 - £300).
For more details and to read our criteria please visit: millionminutes.org/local-awards. NOMINATIONS ARE OPEN
Other resources from the conversation:
Lock down poem fro Br Richard: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8q2xh54HtY&t=1s
Guided Meditation Ideas:
Footprints in the sand
Invite young people to create a labyrinth where they have access to outside space
Create a gratitude journal
Exercise that leads to contemplation
Use of poems, scripture, mindfulness drawings, pens and paper, candles, crucifix
Meet them where they are at: https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/5-4-3-2-1-countdown-to-make-anxiety-blast-off
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pLUleLdwY4
Via Zoom: Focus on a prayer or scripture and then turn out the lights
For more details on our next conversations and to register please visit: millionminutes.org/conversations
