Liturgiese riglyne vir die sensitiefmaak van die jeug vir die probleem van armoede

Abstract

The question investigated in this article is the following: In what way can financially privileged young people be made sensitive to the massive problem of poverty by participating in the liturgy of a congregation? The working plan is to describe synoptically the scope of poverty and give a brief characterisation of the young people concerned as regards their relationship to liturgy and poverty. The further investigation into liturgical praxis is based on these findings. Liturgical guidelines for making the youth sensitive to the problem of poverty are taken as points of departure. Conclusions are that young people can be effectively made sensitive to the problem by focussing in the full gathering of the congregation (worship service) on joint planning of the worship service, the ritual of coming together before the votum, the service of meeting, the service of humiliation and atonement, the service of the Word and the benediction at the end of the service. The planning of the worship service, the gathering of the congregation and the celebration of the Holy Communion are indicated as unique opportunities in this process. The final conclusion is that the liturgy can radically influence the attitude of a congregation towards the poor and can have a transforming effect amongst others on young people as regards poverty.