Been to...

the FAITH Movement's Summer Session,which was teeming with young people, including a number of seminarians and newly-ordained priests. On a warm summer night, lots of us enjoyed talking long and late out of doors, while children skimmed about and roars of talk and laughter came from inside where teams of young people were taking part in a highly competitive quiz and other activities...

After a cheery family interlude staying with young relations, on to the Evangelium conference, held this year at the Oratory School. Speakers included Fr Ed Tomlinson of the Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham who gave an inspiring address, linking Walsingham with the events leading up to the establishment of the Ordinariate and placing all this in the perspective of the spiritual heritage of England...

Like the FAITH Session, Evangelium was packed. It is aimed at an older age group - 20s and 30s rather than teens - and this year there was an emphasis on the Scriptures (excellent lecture by Fr Marcus Holden showing how to understand the spiritual messages binding together the Old and the New Testaments), on Gregorian Chant (sung at all the Masses), and on grappling with current challenges (superb workshop and address by Edmund Adamus, director of Pastoral Affairs for the diocese of Westminster, looking at marriage and family issues). Sister Roseanne Reddy gave us a rallying call with her address on cherishing the sanctity of life, focusing on the practical realities of caring for mothers and unborn children with lively anecdotes drawn from her wonderful work in Glasgow...

Much to ponder as we drove home. Active young Catholics in Britain in 2011 have to make daily decisions to live a counter-cultural way. In the most ordinary and fundamental human relationships, the Christian way of living - for so long regarded as the norm by so many people - is now regarded as odd. It's impressive to see the depth of commitment to the Church shown by so many young, the reverence at prayer, the liveliness in discussions, the energy in all sorts of forms of service. It's touching to see how they have to grapple with the challenges thrown their way, including the wounds created by this messy society: no one in unaffected by divorce, by complicated family situations, by the atmosphere in which a lack of commitment is seen as somehow celebarting freedom. I do hope that older Catholics keep the young in their prayers.