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October 15, 2018 — Prevain Devendran, a student at Regis College, the Jesuit school of theology in Canada affiliated with the University of Toronto, was selected by Cardinal Baldisseri, the General Secretary of the Synod of Bishops, to be a collaborator at the 2018 Synod of Bishops on young people, faith and vocational discernment

Devendran is the operations manager at Salt and Light Catholic Media Foundation, where he has worked for the past two and a half years. “It was my work in Catholic media that allowed me to be considered for the position to work for the Vatican in this capacity,” Devendran explained.



Prevain Devendran meeting Pope Francis at the synod.

In conjunction with Vatican Radio, Devendran’s main responsibility while working for the Vatican is to communicate a positive message from the synod. Devendran hopes that he can effectively relay a message of “hope and mercy — to offer young people a small glimpse of the work of the Synod of Bishops. In particular, our team is mindful of Pope Francis’ wish to reach those who are at the peripheries, including the digital peripheries where the youth consume their information.” 

Fr. Thomas Worcester, SJ, president of Regis College, said he is “very pleased to see our students reaching out and making such a difference both in the church and in the world.” Regis College aims to equip its students with the practical, spiritual and intellectual tools necessary to participate in the life of the church more deeply, as well as to live out their faith in society with authenticity and integrity.

Devendran says that it is inspiring to witness the voting members of the synod take seriously the voiced problems and concerns that young people are facing today. “It is edifying!” he said. “It gives me much consolation to see the different faces of our church trying to find commonality among such cultural and traditional differences.”

Recalling Pope Francis’ message in his letter to the youth, Devendran encourages fellow Catholics with the following: “When you allow yourself to be led by the Spirit, those bold choices are the ones that bring true joy and consolation. When you allow yourself to be influenced by Christ, your response will be that of generosity and gratitude because it truly is a privilege to act in accordance with God’s will.” [Source: Regis College]

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