Even when the journey is uncertain and you fall, God, rich in mercy, will extend his hand to pick you up.”

Pope Francis

Engaging young people as apprenticing disciples is an essential priority in every youth ministry endeavor. Helping adolescents to know the Lord Jesus Christ, to grow in their faith, and to develop skills in Christian leadership is of paramount importance to the life of the parish, diocese, and the universal Church. Youth Ministry offers a variety of services to assist parishes in developing and sustaining a vibrant outreach to adolescents that empowers the entire Christian community to respond to youth in ways that enable young people to share their gifts with the Church.

“Pastoral Juvenil” refers to youth ministry within a Latino context. It is most effective when it interrelates to the overall schema for comprehensive parish-based youth ministry. Diocesan support for “pastoral juvenil” is shared among various elements of the Secretariat for Laity, Family and Life because it equally engages adolescence and emerging adulthood.