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Latest News Latest News “Let Us Pray” ... Aussie Youth Do

“Let Us Pray” ... Aussie Youth Do

Wednesday 23 July 2008   With the phenomenal success of World Youth Day highlighting a fervent religious spirit amongst youth in Australia, research conducted by the De La Salle Brothers has found that 62% of young Australians turn to God through prayer regularly, with many admitting to doing so on a daily basis.  22% of respondents also said that prayer helped them get through tough times when things were going wrong in their life.     A further 49% of the 16 – 35 year old Australians surveyed said that they attended the occasional traditional mass or service.   Whilst 14% said they that they wouldn’t miss their weekly mass a smaller number said that they take it up a notch by being actively involved in religious youth groups and church choirs.    With thousands crowding into Churches during WYD, the appeal of participating in community prayer was further validated when only 3% of respondents said that they preferred to participate privately in religious activities such as prayer with incense or meditation as their main practice.   Br Mark McKeon Director of Vocations and Youth Ministry for the De La Salle Brothers says, “World Youth Day illustrated the variety of ways people express their religious beliefs. Whilst some preferred to pray in solitude others celebrated their faith in large public gatherings as well as openly on the streets through song and dance.  Unlike many other nations, Aussies are not traditionally known to celebrate their faith openly, so to see it happen was very uplifting.  Even those who weren’t attending WYD events couldn’t help but join in.”   Whilst 62% of those surveyed did not see themselves as deeply religious only 4% said they viewed those who were as weird.  1% admitted to feeling sorry for those with deep faith as they are talked about because of their beliefs.   As far as how to best express religious beliefs, 49% of survey respondents believed the most important way was through helping others, or being kind to one another (29%).  Only 9% believed that going to church was the best way, whilst a tiny percentage felt that informing others about their beliefs was the most appropriate way to live out their religion.    “The Pope’s presence seemed to impact the youth who attended immensely,” says Br Mark. “He asked them to live out their beliefs through considering a religious vocation and respond to a calling.  The thousands of young people who attended the WYD Vocations Expo reflected how this may truly appeal to some.  We hope the Brothers work and way of life may be one of the options young men looking to put their faith into action will consider.”   The De La Salle Brothers recently launched a campaign to raise awareness of their work in the community, and to encourage and inspire young men to look at the Brothers vocation as a potential life choice.   For more information visit www.delasallebrothers.com