Children and Youth in the Lectorium Rosicrucianum

 

Each person is born into this world with a certain inner purpose. The goal of the Youth Work, which is affiliated with the Lectorium Rosicrucianum (LRC), is to keep the hearts of children open to their purpose, so that they will one day recognize it, and as adults, choose their own way of life independently, in personal self-responsibility.

 

The events of the Youth Work in the Lectorium Rosicrucianum are mainly attended by children and young people whose parents are members or pupils of the LRC. Participation is voluntary and not obligatory.

 

Activities for Children and Young People

 

As part of the Youth Work, there are not only contemplative meetings (youth services) in the temples of the LRC, but also music, games and fun activities appropriate to each age group. During summer holidays, the children and young people are invited to take part in international summer camps.

 

All these activities help to keep the hearts of the children sensitive and open to their life purpose, so they will be able to make decisions independently and responsibly when they attain full age. Youth Work ends at 18 or 19 years of age. The young person then decides whether, and to what extent, he or she wants to stay connected to the LRC. The greatest value is given to absolute freedom of every young person in this respect.

 

The activities of the Youth Work are performed by pupil volunteers of the Lectorium Rosicrucianum. The youth leaders look after the children and young people. They seek to emphasize the significance of an inner purpose of life in the light of the universal wisdom. They teach in a format suitable for children and young people and contribute what is essential to enrich and support a child’s development.

 

The Purpose of the Youth Work

 

For a Rosicrucian, the inner purpose of life results from an understanding that man is a dual being. His material manifestation is mortal and subjected to the laws of the natural world we know, with its duality of good and evil, love and hate, war and peace. But at the same time, he carries in his heart the seed of an eternal being.

 

That seed can blossom as a new, immortal soul, the “Rose” of the Rosicrucians, which communicates with man’s consciousness in a very special way and operates like an inner compass. The purpose of human life is to enable this rose to bloom, so that man can once again experience the true spirit of God within himself, which leads him to a completely renewed state of life and a way back to the “lost paradise” of mankind, the home of the spirit-souls.

 

The voice of the rose is very delicate, and children possess a great sensitivity to its impressions. This voice speaks to them spontaneously through impressions of love, as a silent call of conscience and as a desire for inner fulfilment.

 

The Symbol of the LRC Youth Work

 

This concept is depicted by the symbol of the LRC Youth Work. It shows a heart with a small flower in its center. The flower is surrounded by a five-pointed star. This means that in the heart, man’s purpose is hidden as a small, sleeping rose bud. From there, it can grow and become a beautiful divine flower. The five-pointed star, the pentagram, is a symbol of the perfect man, whose life is guided by soul and spirit.