Youth evangelization is one of the most challenging tasks of the church today, and this book faces that challenge head-on. Roots: Catholic Youth Evangelization in a Post-Pandemic World features essays written by leading scholars in the fields of philosophy, theology, psychology, sociology, pastoral ministry, medieval studies, and ecology. In this timely volume, scholars tackle tough issues presented by contemporary culture while engaging the ripe fruits of the 2019 apostolic exhortation of Pope Francis, Christus vivit. Readers will be treated to a variety of themes, including beauty, belonging, hope, political theology, cultural analysis, vocational discernment, ecclesial strategies, and the history of Catholic youth ministry in the United States. By approaching the general topic of Catholic youth evangelization from diverse angles, the precise nature and demands of ministry with young people in a postmodern context are illuminated. This volume promises to provide ample insights for church leaders active in the field of pastoral care of youth from an interdisciplinary perspective. Readers can be assured that they never will think the same about youth evangelization after encountering the rich contents of this book.
Industry Reviews
“As our society has had to endure an unimaginable pandemic, our youth have been exposed to an environment where God is perceived as irrelevant and Christ is not viewed as either fully man or fully God. Cavadini and Wallenfang have masterfully developed and compiled a cadre of Catholic educators whose respective backgrounds address the current state of Catholic youth in the United States and skillfully demonstrate the approaches we can implement to guide our youth toward an active relationship with Jesus Christ.”
—Marlon De La Torre, Executive Director of Evangelization and Missionary Discipleship, Archdiocese of Detroit
“The evangelization of Catholic youth is one of the most important challenges in the church today. Professors Cavadini and Wallenfang have brought together an amazing collection of essays written by some of the foremost Catholic experts in the evangelization and education of Catholic young adults. Drawing inspiration from Pope Francis’s 2019 exhortation to young people, Christus vivit, the authors of this volume explore ways to help young people find their roots in family, school, society, and, most of all, in Christ.”
—Robert L. Fastiggi, Sacred Heart Major Seminary