Episode 2843: The Traditus Training Program - Part 1 - Retraining Young Catholics with Sharon

"Rediscovering the Faith: Retraining Young Catholics to Embrace Tradition" – Episode 1
Hosts: Sharon (Host) and Walt (Co-Host)
Opening Prayer
Sharon: Let us begin with a prayer to Our Lady of Fatima, the guiding light for returning to the fullness of Catholic tradition:
"O Most Holy Virgin Mary, Queen of the Holy Rosary, intercede for us as we strive to restore the faith in the hearts of our young. Inspire them to love Christ, His Church, and His teachings. Amen."
Sharon: Welcome to today’s episode, where we tackle one of the most pressing challenges facing our Church: how to retrain our young Catholics to embrace the richness of our traditional Catholic faith and detach from the modern relativistic culture.
Walt: That’s right, Sharon. We live in an era where modern culture marked by relativism, humanism, and indifference has infiltrated the Church. As traditional Catholics, we must guide the next generation back to the eternal truths of our faith, as taught by the saints and Church Fathers.
Segment 1: Diagnosing the Problem
Sharon: The Church today is often unrecognizable compared to the faith passed down by the Apostles. Many young Catholics have been raised in a culture that tells them, "Live your truth" or "God accepts everything."
Walt: St. Pius X warned about this in his encyclical Pascendi Dominici Gregis. He called modernism the "synthesis of all heresies." It’s no wonder we see indifference to sin and a loss of reverence for the sacraments in many young Catholics today.
Sharon: Exactly. To address this, we need to acknowledge that the current catechetical methods in most parishes are failing. They focus on feelings rather than objective truths.
Walt: A great example of this failure is the widespread ignorance of the Traditional Latin Mass. The Mass of the Ages connects us to centuries of saints and martyrs, yet many young Catholics have never even heard of it.
Segment 2: The Crisis of Relativism in the Modern Church
Sharon: Many young Catholics have been formed in a Church influenced by modernism, which St. Pius X called the "synthesis of all heresies." Messages like "live your truth" and "all religions are equal" distort their understanding of objective truth.
This relativistic mindset undermines the faith, leading to indifference to sin, loss of reverence for the sacraments, and ignorance of the beauty and depth of the Traditional Latin Mass. The result? A generation that views religion as a feeling rather than the truth.
To combat this, we must reintroduce them to authentic Catholic teaching and help them see that the truth is not relative it is found fully in Jesus Christ and His Church.
Segment 3: Retraining the Next Generation
Walt: The foundation of this retraining lies in the home. Pope John Paul II reminded us that parents are the first educators of their children in the faith.
Here are key steps:
1. Teach the Faith: Use the Baltimore Catechism to instill a firm understanding of Catholic doctrine.
2. Center Life on the Sacraments: Attend the Traditional Latin Mass weekly, receive Confession regularly, and teach reverence for the Eucharist.
3. Daily Prayer: Establish family prayer time, especially the daily Rosary. St. Louis de Montfort reminds us, “The Rosary is the most powerful weapon against sin and heresy.”
4. Build Catholic Culture: Replace secular media with Catholic art, literature, and music. Live liturgically, celebrating feast days with traditions that bring the faith alive.
Segment 2: Retraining the Next Generation
Sharon: So, how do we retrain young Catholics? It starts in the home. Parents must reclaim their role as the first educators of the faith.
Walt: Absolutely. This is where the Baltimore Catechism becomes invaluable. Its clear, concise questions and answers teach the faith in a way young minds can absorb.
Sharon: But education isn’t just intellectual it’s also spiritual. Families should center their lives around the sacraments, especially Confession and the Holy Eucharist. St. John Bosco emphasized frequent reception of the sacraments as the best way to guard the souls of the young.
Walt: We must also instill in them a love for prayer. The Rosary is essential. St. Louis de Montfort called it the "weapon for these times." It teaches young people to meditate on the life of Christ and His Blessed Mother, grounding them in truth.
Segment 3: Detaching from Modern Culture
Sharon: Detaching from the modern culture is no easy task, but it’s necessary. St. Benedict’s Rule teaches us the importance of creating small, intentional communities centered on Christ.
Walt: Yes, and this doesn’t mean withdrawing from the world entirely but being a leaven within it. Encourage young Catholics to limit exposure to secular media and instead immerse themselves in Catholic art, music, and literature.
Sharon: And let’s not forget modesty in dress, speech, and behavior. St. Padre Pio said, "The devil enters through the eyes." Teaching young Catholics the importance of modesty helps them protect their purity and dignity.
Walt: Another powerful tool is fasting and penance. St. Francis of Assisi said, "If God can work through me, He can work through anyone." Training the young to embrace sacrifice helps them grow in virtue and detachment.
Segment 4: The Role of Saints and Church Fathers
Sharon: The saints and Church Fathers are our guides in this mission. St. Augustine’s journey from a life of sin to one of holiness shows us the transformative power of grace.
Walt: St. Catherine of Siena reminds us that "if you are what you should be, you will set the world on fire." Her example inspires young Catholics to live courageously in their faith.
Sharon: And we can’t overlook St. Joseph, the model of fatherhood and protector of the Church. His quiet strength and unwavering faith show young men what it means to lead their families in holiness.
Walt: By teaching our youth to imitate the saints, we give them role models who inspire them to strive for heaven.
Call to Action
Sharon: It’s clear that retraining young Catholics requires effort, prayer, and perseverance. Parents, catechists, and clergy must work together to form young hearts and minds in the truth.
Walt: Let’s commit to reclaiming our Catholic heritage, rejecting the modernist trends that have led so many astray. As St. Paul said in Romans 12:2: "Do not conform to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind."
Sharon: Thank you for joining us today. We’ll close with a prayer by St. Pius X for the renewal of the Church.
"O Lord, renew Your wonders in this our day, as by a new Pentecost. Grant that Your Church may preach the Gospel with boldness and zeal, restoring all things in Christ. Amen."
Walt: Until next time, let us continue to fight the good fight for the faith and our children’s souls.