Principles for Pastoral Juvenil
Quienes Son 'Los Jovenes'?
In Hispanic Youth and Young Adult Ministry, the term 'jovenes' is used to describe young people between the ages of 18-35 and ministry with them is known as "pastoral juvenil hispana".
The USCCB recognizes the vastness of this age demographic and the rich diversity that the Hispanic/Latino culture contributes to the life of the Church. What unites them all is their youthful enthusiasm and energy, but also the challenges of transition and discovery. Pastoral Juvenil ministries celebrate the excitement and optimistic outlook of immigrant generations and those that follow and offers opportunities for holistic growth and pastoral care for our young people.
'Los Jovenes' represent men and women in their late teens, twenties, and thirties who represent diverse cultural, racial, ethnic, educational, vocational, social, political, and spiritual backgrounds. They are college students, workers, and professionals; they are persons in military service; they are single, married, divorced, or widowed; they are with or without children; they are newcomers in search of a better life.
Conclusiones
In 2006, at the University of Notre Dame, the First National Encounter for Hispanic Youth and Young Adult Ministry (Primer Encuentro Nacional de Pastoral Juvenil Hispana-PENPHJ) began. This event, from June 8-11, highlighted the necessity to edify and support the efforts of our ministries, organizations and leadership initiatives that are offered for our Latino young people. Through this Encuentro process, this dialogue concretely identified the needs, aspiration and pastoral commitments of our adolesents and jovenes. The mission, vision and principles of Pastoral Juvenil Hispana were laid out and identified in the quality pastoral practices that were effective at the parish, diocesan and national levels. The Conclusiones document highlights the continued need for support of young people in their parishes, diocese, apostolic movements, regional and national level.
Conclusiones can be bought here.