I have heard from some catechists that the catechesis of teenagers is sometimes a pointless exercise. Without doubt, it is difficult, and there are great challenges in passing on the Faith to our adolescents. I have seen that one of the challenges catechists face with youth is the crisis of many changes the adolescents go through at this age. I believe that this stage of life is a great opportunity for those who will teach them because it is in this stage

I believe that in present times, teens especially are listening for authentic witnesses, whose lives match their words. Therefore, I can almost be assured that in these "hard listening" moments teens have a special freedom to remain with the Lord. Like the Good Samaritan (in Luke 10:30-35) who had nothing to lose by touching the ritually unclean and wounded man on the side of the road, teens can have a freedom to respond genuinely to the truth. The priest and the Levite had a personal investment and concern that kept them away from the imperatives of charity, and they passed the poor man by on the far side of the road. Like the priest and the Levite, adults who are well invested with their busy schedules can find good reasons for avoiding the radical ways of Christ. There is an openness to truth in adolescents that can truly help us too, if we can have the courage and openness to remain with them in the truth. For this reason, I think the catechesis of teenagers can then be a great opportunity for everyone because teenagers need the Gospel for their own survival in this world of increasing hostility to authentic human life, and they need the moderating guidance and stability of more mature believers. We adults need the confrontation and challenge, as well as their example of natural enthusiasm that is part of the package of catechizing teenagers. We all need one truth, and this is in our Lord Jesus Christ.

A final stage of prayer that I believe needs to be encouraged with adolescents is the prayer of simplicity, but it should be clear, however, that it is not wise to try to force oneself, or anyone else, into this prayer. This prayer should be a way which suggests itself to the soul because it is Jesus Christ Himself who works this growth into deeper prayer. The prayer of simplicity is in a sense an advanced form of prayer. As was asserted about the stages of meditation and affective prayer, it is also asserted here that teens have a unique need for the prayer of simplicity. The prayer of simplicity is a resting before God, a quiet and peaceful waiting in His presence. I believe that if the catechist does a good catechesis the young persons would be naturally ready for the relationship with God that would enable such enlightenment and integrity, through meditation and affective prayer. But a problem that I believe we face in our Catholic church is that adults understand little about prayer beyond the formula prayers they learned in childhood. These beautiful formula prayers lack nothing in themselves, but if adults pray them with no more depth they that learned as children,

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