Talking about transformation on this first day of school for millions of students means first emphasizing that there is no real education without transformation of the whole person, in all their dimensions. And it is good to emphasize this in this new beginning conducive to promises. In fact, what can we wish for students if not that they are "elevated", and as the magic formula of a famous summer show says, elevated "always further, always higher, always stronger!" Without a doubt, even more exciting than Fort Boyard is the adventure of "elevating" a young person. Always further in the exploration and acquisition of new knowledge Always higher in one's soul and the desire to do something beautiful in the world! Always stronger to fight in the trials, and to go through them with confidence, by letting oneself be transformed by Life! Because real education is not first and foremost a series of layers of learning in a thousand layers. Real education is transformation: it changes our way of seeing the world and of being in relation to it. This change is linked to the plasticity of the human being, to his capacity to adapt and to allow himself to be transformed in order, in turn, to transform the world and make it better.
Letting oneself be transformed and being transformed go hand in hand in all human realities, not only individual, but also collective, organizations, and also the Church in its relationship with young people and the world of this time. Transforming the Church, what does that mean? Pope Francis, on October 3, 2018, at the opening of the last synod dedicated to young people, spoke of "broadening horizons, expanding the heart and transforming those structures that today paralyze us, separate us and distance us from young people." This call followed another similar challenge addressed by the Pope to the People of God in August 2018: "It is necessary that every baptized person feels engaged in the ecclesial and social transformation that we so badly need." The Church is going through a great trial, the revelation of the sexual violence and abuse of power that have been committed shows a gaping wound. It is a profound transformation of the Church that is called for, in many points of its internal life and its relationship with the world. Michel Camdessus, former member of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, and ten other committed Catholics, echo this in a pamphlet published last July, Transforming the Catholic Church (available online). With the historical and theological insight of Father Hervé Legrand, a Dominican, they express three great convictions at this moment in the history of our Church. First, the duty of all the baptized to support the structural reforms of Pope Francis to combat and overcome clericalism. Then, the need for the Church to renew its discourse and its prescriptions concerning emotional life and sexuality. Finally, the desire to see the synodality desired by the Second Vatican Council fully implemented. The authors propose that "bishops and faithful come together to prepare the future of the Church through innovations and reforms based on its great Tradition and periodically evaluated." The call addressed to each is to "walk the path together," otherwise known as a "synod"; “I am the way, the truth and the life” says Jesus (Jn 14). Transformation here is continuous conversion and conversation.
For this new school year, let us hope for such transformations in our local Churches, in each of us and in the world; let us arm ourselves with courage for all the challenges to be faced as opportunities for growth.
By François Prouteau
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