Youth and families

"I have always been convinced that without prayer, we can never succeed in bringing children up well. As a bishop I encouraged families and parish communities to develop in young children a desire to encounter God in private prayer. In this spirit I recently wrote: 'To pray the rosary for children, and even more, with children, ... is a spiritual aid which should not be underestimated.' (Apostolic Letter Rosarium Virginis Mariae, 42)

"The pastoral care of children must obviously be continued as they enter adolescence. Frequent confession and spiritual direction help young people to discern their vocation in live and protect them from losing their way as they enter adulthood."

(John Paul II, Rise, Let Us Be On Our Way, pp 103-104)