Fr. Bartolucci's Youth School

Cagli, Italy is a town that takes pride in its culture and history, most of which historically stems from the Catholic Church. Religion has been one of the main ingredients in the success of Italian family life and community.

The people of Cagli are currently experiencing a change in one of their most sacred traditions. While 99 percent of Cagli is Catholic, only 25 percent actually attend Sunday mass and those who do go are mostly older. The youth in Cagli are leaving for the bigger cities and the birth rate is rapidly declining according to Fr. Nazzareno Bartolucci. At his parish in Cagli, Santa Maria Assunta (The Assumption of St. Mary) there were 50 baptisms and 50 funerals last year making the birth rate at his church zero.

Fr. Bartolucci has been a priest at the parish since 1986 and is noticing that young Caglieses simply don't attend mass like they used to. He believes that many distractions, such as "video games and discos, are pulling the youth away from the church." He is concerned that today's youth are "not content with life and being young." This is why he would like to create a place where young people can be a part of the Catholic community. Fr. Bartolucci will be starting a youth school at his parish this summer. His goal is to create "A healthy place where values are respected and young people can reflect upon Christianity."

The local Bishop and mayor Domenico Papi will be attending the grand opening of the school this August. The school will be located at Il Campetto on Via Tiranni Via Luzi. The building will have showers, locker rooms, and a soccer field with artificial turf and lights for night games. According to Fr. Bartolucci it will "be treated like a club." Each member will pay a small insurance fee and receive a membership card. Two hundred students ranging from the ages of 6 to 20 are expected to join. The activities will range from hanging out and watching TV to playing sports and games. There will be intramural leagues set up for basketball, soccer, and volleyball. Indoor games will include chess, cards and various board games. Unlike a typical American Sunday school, this youth school will be open from 10 a.m. tell 10 p.m. seven days a week. "The school is an ideal place for a young person to go in the summer time," claims Fr. Bartolucci.

To see a clip about the Youth School click here

The directors in charge of running the school will be Marco Bonifazi and Angelo Tagliatesta. Fr. Bartolucci expects them to run a moral school that keeps Catholic traditions. For example, there will be no swearing allowed in the club. The youth school project will be costing the church around 400,000 euros. Proving how dedicated the church and community are about bringing the youth back into the parish.

Antonio Mansi, a 17 year-old non-practicing Catholic Cagliese, sees the youth school as a great idea. Antonio learned about the club after seeing a miniature model in the church and observing the construction site. According to Antonio, the youth in Cagli are very anxious for the school to open. "A lot of people will want to be members because soccer is popular," according to Antonio, and soccer (calcio) enjoys extreme popularity in Italy.

Although Antonio does not play soccer, he is a typical young Cagliese that would like to have a positive, fun place in town to hang out. Antonio sees the youth school as being successful because, "It is going to be nice to have another place to meet people besides bars and discos." Young people like Antonio who don't often attend bars and discos will appreciate the club very much.

According to Antonio, it is true that much of the youth in Cagli do not attend mass. He believes they don't attend because, "It is an obligation for them and they don't see it as being important." Despite the school's ties to the church, he agrees with Fr. Bartolucci's estimation that around 200 people will join the club.

Unlike past generations, today's youth have the ability to play video games and communicate around the world with internet access. But, do these new technological advances make today's young people happier then past generations? Fr. Bartolucci feels that young people in Cagli "don't have a feeling of contentment." Perhaps they are never satisfied because there is always something to do alone. It's healthy for people to feel as if they are a part of a community and the youth school will be a welcoming place for young Cagliese to go. Fr. Bartolucci's plan appears to be an excellent way to bring the youth of Cagli back to their roots.