Cardinal William Goh addressed questions on faith struggles, digital temptations and vocation from Catholic students during a youth dialogue held last month at the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd in Singapore.
According to Catholic News SG, about 120 Catholic students aged 16 to 20 from secondary schools and tertiary institutions attended the “Heart-to-Heart” session themed “Life as a Student: Where does God fit in?”
During the dialogue, students raised questions on issues ranging from pornography and social media pressures to mental health, vocation discernment and doubts about faith.
Opening the session with prayer, Cardinal Goh shared how he sustains his spiritual life despite a demanding schedule leading the Archdiocese of Singapore.
“Physical and spiritual exercise,” he said, explaining that prayer helps him maintain his relationship with God and find direction in managing the archdiocese.
The cardinal also spoke about discipline in daily life.
“I’m 68 and still quite fit; I do 100 sit-ups every day,” he said, drawing murmurs of amazement from the students.
“At the end of the day, it’s about managing your timetable,” he added.
Several students asked how they could help friends who had grown distant from the Catholic faith. Cardinal Goh encouraged them to form supportive communities centered on prayer and friendship.
“The best thing you can do is to form a community,” he said, recalling how he organized a Rosary club while studying at Montfort Secondary School.
The group eventually drew about 80 boys who prayed during recess at the nearby Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
“You need friends who are excited about Jesus; excited about Mary,” the cardinal said. “When your friends see this community – so joyful and supportive – they will be inspired.”
At least 18 students raised questions during the discussion, with more continuing to signal their interest as the moderator tried to close the lively exchange.
Responding to concerns about peers who watch pornography or sexualize others on social media, the cardinal urged young Catholics to choose their friendships carefully.
“Birds of a feather flock together,” he said. “If you mix with good friends, you become good. But if you mix with friends who are lazy or like to drink, smoke, and use vulgar words, you will become like them.”
“Choose friends who help you become a better student and a more loving person,” he added.
Students also asked about the right time to begin discerning their vocation.
“I don’t think there is a best time,” Cardinal Goh said. “What is important is this: every day, you should be open to the voice of God.”
He noted that people may encounter different callings throughout their lives.
“But God will call us at different times in life to do different things,” he said.
Questions about faith crises also surfaced during the dialogue. One student asked how to support a friend losing faith because prayers seemed unanswered.
“The best way to win people who have lost faith is to love,” the cardinal said. “Show your kindness and patience.”
“This is not a time for intellectual debate on God’s existence, but a time to be empathetic,” he added.
For those struggling with feelings that God is distant, the cardinal said faith is often lived through ordinary experiences rather than extraordinary signs.
“Generally, most people don’t have visions, and I have never seen Jesus,” he said. “For me, a relationship with God is one of hearing Him speak to me through Scripture.”
“At the end of the day, it’s not about how many visions you see, but how much the Gospel has touched you and has changed your perspective in life,” he added.
Catholic Junior College student councillor John Kwok, who attended the event with members of his school’s Catholic community, said the cardinal’s example encouraged him to be more open about his faith.
“His example made me realise that I have been quite quiet in practising my faith out of fear of being judged by my peers,” Kwok said.
“Moving forward, I want to follow his example by being more passionate in how I practise my faith in school and having more conversations with my Catholic friends about our faith,” he added.
