DOCAT – What to do? – Social Teaching for young people

To be a Christian means to act – and DOCAT shows you how

Imagine this: You’re sitting with your friends in a café. One is upset about political corruption, another shares his excitement about a local social project, and someone else says, “Honestly, I don’t think an individual can make any difference in the world.” And then they all look at you. “You’re a Christian – what does your Church say about that?”

Suddenly, there’s silence. You feel the weight of expectation. And you realize that now’s the time to say something – not just anything, but something that matters. But what?

You look at your friends. You take a deep breath. And then you say:
“My faith tells me: Talking isn’t enough – we have to act. Every contribution matters. You know, faith isn’t just an opinion. It’s an invitation to take responsibility.”

The DOCAT is a book from the YOUCAT series that presents Catholic Social Teaching in a way that’s accessible to young people. It’s an invitation to take responsibility—responsibility for your own life, for your community, and for the world.

Pope Leo XIV builds on the legacy of his predecessors. He builds upon the foundation of Catholic Social Teaching – as established by Pope Leo XIII in 1891 with the encyclical Rerum Novarum and recently brought back to awareness by Pope Francis.

DOCAT – A gift from Pope Francis to the world

The foreword to DOCAT was written by none other than Pope Francis. He began with these words: “My predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, put into your hands a Youth Catechism, YOUCAT. Today I would like to commend to you another book, DOCAT, which contains the social doctrine of the Church.”

The Pope called on young people to get active and shape the future:

“I wish I had a million young Christians or, even better, a whole generation who are for their contemporaries ‘walking, talking social doctrine’. Nothing else will change the world but people who with Jesus devote themselves to it, who with him go to the margins and right into the middle of the dirt. Go into politics, too, and fight for justice and human dignity, especially for the poorest of the poor. All of you are the Church. Make sure, then, that this Church is transformed, that she is alive, because she allows herself to be challenged by the cries of the dispossessed, by the pleading of the destitute, and by those for whom nobody cares.”

DOCAT is not just theory—it’s a mission

“Be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” (James 1:22)

DOCAT is a book that makes it clear how closely faith and social action belong together. It explains the Church’s social teaching in clear language – and above all, it shows what it has to do with your life.

It’s not just about knowing what’s right, but doing what’s right.
DOCAT helps you understand why the Church says what it says—not with complicated theories, but with real-life stories, quotes from saints, and a language you can relate to.

It explores key themes and gives answers to questions like:

• How can we take responsibility as Christians?
• Why does work have more to do with dignity than with money?
• What does “the common good” really mean?
• What is the Christian response to war, migration, environmental issues, or human rights?

From faith to action

This is the decisive question every Christian must ask: What does love require of me – here and now?

DOCAT is a call to action. After “What do we believe?” (YOUCAT) comes “What (is there) to do?” (DOCAT).
Whether you’re still in training or already in the middle of life: this blue book gives you the tools to face today’s challenges and take concrete steps – in a fresh style that shows DOCAT isn’t outdated, but full of power to act. No empty talk, just real guidance for your life – clear, honest, and visually striking.

You can change the world – and you’re not alone. In small groups, with friends, or in your youth group, you can start discussing the questions in the book. And you’ll see: what ‘we should do’ turns into ‘we’re doing it!’

Don’t be alone, become part of the movement

Since the World Youth Day 2016 in Krakow marked the launch of the DOCAT, the book has sparked a worldwide youth movement. In schools, parishes, and universities – but also in slums and refugee camps – young people are gathering to discuss the great issues of our time and to take action.

In his apostolic exhortation Christus vivit, Pope Francis urged young people to take an active role in the Church:

“Dear young people, make the most of these years of your youth. Don’t observe life from a balcony. Don’t confuse happiness with an armchair, or live your life behind a screen. Whatever you do, do not become the sorry sight of an abandoned vehicle! Don’t be parked cars, but dream freely and make good decisions. Take risks, even if it means making mistakes. Don’t go through life anaesthetized or approach the world like tourists. Make a ruckus! Cast out the fears that paralyze you, so that you don’t become young mummies. Live! Give yourselves over to the best of life! Open the door of the cage, go out and fly! Please, don’t take early retirement.” (CV, 143)

Read the DOCAT. Live the DOCAT. Share the DOCAT.

The Church holds centuries of wisdom – but it needs people who are willing to rise up today and say: “I’m in!”

You don’t have to wait until you understand everything. You don’t need a degree in politics or a big stage. Start with yourself. In your school, your neighborhood, your parish.
Open the blue book! You’ll find answers that aren’t just pious phrases but give you courage to put the Gospel into action.

With his foreword to the DOCAT, Pope Francis left a lasting legacy – words that still echo after his passing:

“Become active yourselves, also. When many do that together, then there will be improvements in this world and people will sense that the Spirit of God is working through you. And maybe then you will be like torches that make the path to God brighter for these people. And so I give you this magnificent little book, hoping that it might kindle a fire in you. I pray every day for you. Pray for me, too!”

 

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