Lent is a time of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, and Viatorian Young Adults are coming together to share their practices with one another.
The YA Lenten Series is a season-long series of daily posts from Viatorian Young Adults @ViatorianYAOnTheWay on Instagram. Every post features a young adult’s recent photo with a short update about their current town, current studies or work, and a little more on what they’re up to. Then, each person shares with the rest of the community a component of their prayer, fasting, or almsgiving, and concludes with a bible verse for the day.
Some share common practices, such as reducing sweets or caffeine, adding a prayer or Bible study discipline, or increasing exercise. Others share some novel ideas: Peri from Las Vegas is studying at the University of Nevada and doing a “Forty Forty” of walking one mile and reading the Bible each day of Lent; Trevor from the Chicago suburbs is studying at Creighton University and trying out the Exodus 90 men’s spirituality program and app; Pre-Associate Georgina Martinez is an early childhood teacher in Las Vegas and committed to sending one text each day to reconnect with someone with whom she’s lost touch a bit.
Pulling this all together behind the scenes is Abby Hartz, who volunteers as coordinator of our Viatorian Young Adults. She casts a wide net among young adults from Viatorian parishes and schools and our over 250 followers – and got a great response. “I was most surprised to hear from many young adults that I haven’t met before. Finding young adults that represent all areas of our community can be challenging, but this year it was no problem!” Abby said. “People can be more comfortable because they know 39 other people are sharing along with them.”
Online content does not replace in-person faith life – such as Living Stations at Maternity BVM, Taizé Prayer at St. Viator Catholic Community, or the feast day at St. Patrick – but that either-or viewpoint misses the purpose. “This online presence reminds young people that we’re never alone. In young adult life, it can be hard to find faith communities that are rooted in our values,” Abby said. “Viatorians meet people where they’re at, and young people are on social media. Some may feel digital communities can’t produce results, that this isn’t deep or is too basic. I just say it’s not our place to judge that and that we can always give people ways to grow.”
Abby is a senior at Belmont University, studying media and entertainment, pictured here helping at an event at her home parish, St. Viator Las Vegas.
The young adult account features this annual Lent campaign; the user-generated “YA Day in the Life” videos (such as this one from Justin Daus); and shares young adults’ appearances on the Viatorian Voices podcast, in Viatorians.com stories, and more. To Abby, the reach and impact reflect the strength of VYC, local Viatorian ministries, and the relationships between young adults and Viatorian associates, brothers, and priests – it excites her for our future. “This digital space allows for us to invite others from new faith communities. Personally, I’ve introduced people in my college, Belmont University, to the Viatorians and showed people living the faith in new ways. As I start thinking about what comes after these 40 days – which will be hard to top – I’m hopeful that engagement continues and even more people feel inspired to get involved.”