That survey on Gozitan youths

Little was I astonished when I read that "over 60 per cent of 16- to 18-year-olds in Gozo get bored during Sunday Mass". And still less when I continued to read that "the majority of young people, 50.9 per cent, cited the homily as the most irritating aspect of the Mass (July 28). Indeed, I was saddened.

On the other hand, it was a pleasure to learn that "95 per cent still attend regularly". And, although somewhat perturbed by the fact that of those 4.4 per cent who stated that "they were compelled to do so", I was happy to see that 83 per cent said they "felt the need to go".

These last words indicate a very positive note in the same youths - a characteristic which cries for help - that may be further developed. I believe this last remark of mine is even more justified by that other note stating that young Gozitans are still committed to prayer. "In other words a situation which reminds me of John Milton's line in his poem Lycldas "The hungry sheep look up". Good!

Likewise of consolation is the fact that "60 per cent pray together with their families." Which family atmosphere, very unfortunately, is marred by what follows on the watching of pornographic films. Not less perturbing, and perhaps also speaking of lack of religious education and of genuine prayers, is the information that "almost all those who engage in sexual relations attend Sunday Mass, while a number pray regularly and some are members of Catholic groups".

Sad, indeed, is the fact that this same information is then followed by "over 28 per cent believe there should be sexual relations between youngsters in their age group" - which, again, could speak of lack of religious education.

A good deal of the results of the survey indicates that there is good room for encouragement in the spiritual field. I see this not only in the substance of some quotations given above, but also in such sentences as the one stating that "the large majority, 95 per cent, say they have never taken drugs". I say this notwithstanding that I am also told that "from the study it seems that youngsters are no longer frequenting religious groups, or observing certain moral codes"!

I was happy to read that "the conclusions of the survey state that the Gozitan diocese has listed as a priority the case of youngsters in Gozo and their religious education". And I sincerely hope that, even if many similar past resolutions and decisions have given very scanty fruit if any, particularly in the field of religious education and "moral codes", and perhaps sometimes were even not maintained at all, this time it will not be just a matter of braggart words.

That this praiseworthy project may succeed, you obviously need to have dedicated to it and working on it people not already burdened with too much other work.

In a contrary situation, we have quite a deal of experience as to what usually happens! Whether we like it or not, officials with five or six time-and-energy-taking jobs to look after can hardly be expected to give efficient work in all their spheres. Particularly if, in addition to those same duties, they also have many other commitments, such as membership on commissions and committees or spiritual directorships of religious groups.

Of particular interest is the first-mentioned point in the survey, namely that connected with the homily. I believe that in the present structure of the liturgical services, the homily is perhaps the only occasion of imparting religious instruction to the community.

In pre-Vatican II times, we used to have regular weekly explanations of the catechism, normally by the parish priest; the abolition of this is perhaps rightly considered as one of the negative effects the Council has unfortunately had!

Indeed, I know of bishops who logically insist on the necessity of having a good homily at Mass - one which not only does not bore youths and make them consider it "as the most irritating aspect of the Mass", but also gives good spiritual results. That this may occur, however, some conditions are absolutely imperative. It is wise to remember the Latin adage which says that "Nemo dat quod non habet" or "you cannot give what you have not"!

The priestly ordination and a bishop's appointment alone do not give us all that is required to make us good pastors and, in this particular context, sound orators or preachers capable of giving good fruit by word of mouth.

Apart from prayer, which is an absolute requisite, a good homily presupposes a serious preparation: a distant and general preparation in the art of preaching or conveying a message, as well as an immediate and particular preparation for the subject in question.

What we are having, perhaps in too many cases today, sorry to note, is not likely to make the homily one worthy of its name. Absolutely not! Bishops know this, parish priests know this and priests know this. And yet the situation perpetuates itself, with the result that not only religious instruction suffers but even the Mass is given a "most irritating aspect".

For his homily to give fruit, the priest has to prepare himself well. Taking up a book, copying two or three pages and then reading these at Mass can hardly be said to be a homily.

Nevertheless, very sad to note it, bishops and parish priests allow the thing to happen regularly! Just as they allow reading of circular letters, sometimes with very little substance in them, to take the place of the homily itself.

Again Milton's "The hungry sheep look up", this time with the negative continuation of the line "and are not fed"!