The Synodal Journey Towards Christus Vivit: A Journey with Young People as Protagonists

Abstract

This article reconstructs the journey of the Synod of Bishops on Young People, the Faith and Vocational Discernment, which took place between 2017 and 2019 and culminated in the post-synodal apostolic exhortation Christus vivit. Through a narrative organized into successive stages, the author examines the preparatory documents, the processes of consultation and listening to young people, the pre-synodal meeting, the Instrumentum laboris, and the Final Document of the Fifteenth Ordinary General Assembly. The analysis highlights youth participation, the credibility of the Church, and the importance of discernment as essential elements of the synodal process. It also identifies several theological and pastoral priorities: the centrality of faith throughout life, a vocational understanding of human existence, the need for authentic ecclesial witnesses, and the active role of young people in the Church’s evangelizing mission. Drawing on the reception of the Synod, the author proposes a model of youth ministry characterized by missionary synodality, accompaniment, attention to community relationships, and the development of formation pathways and missionary projects. The article concludes that the principal fruit of the synodal process lies not only in its documents but also in adopting a shared way of living and working, grounded in listening, discernment, and the participation of young people and adults.