SMYRNA—The 8,000 young people preparing to receive the sacrament of confirmation in the Archdiocese of Atlanta will soon receive a gift of encouragement.

The Office of Formation and Discipleship of the archdiocese will unveil The Mark—a magazine designed for confirmation candidates in the ninth and 10th grades.

Katherine Angulo, associate director of youth ministry for the archdiocese, said youth ministers received the magazines at parishes Oct. 19 for distribution.

More than 105 teens participated in a survey about the proposed publication. They selected the name for the magazine, reflecting their hope of making their mark on the world.

Angulo said the name ties into Pope Francis’ World Youth Day message, calling young people to leave their mark on history for Jesus.

The title also echoes the words of Galatians 6:17: “From now on, let no one make troubles for me; for I bear the marks of Jesus on my body.”

The 32-page magazine includes stories of young Catholics in the Atlanta Archdiocese, said Angulo.

Confirmation candidates will receive issues in the months of October and March during the two-year formation period.

“The goal is for them to receive this four times before confirmation,” said Angulo.

She said that one big challenge for youth is what to do after confirmation.

“They still see confirmation as graduation,” said Angulo.

The inaugural issue contains personal messages from Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory, Bishop David P. Talley and Bishop Luis R. Zarama.

Each bishop shared a photo from his teen years. Archbishop Gregory wrote about a friend from his youth who died, and whom he still misses. Bishop Talley’s message is about the difficulties he experienced communicating with his father as a young person. Bishop Zarama shared how he did not like school and the memories of being bullied.

“This is really a gift from our bishops,” said Angulo. “It’s beautiful, direct proof to know our bishops care.”

In the first issue of The Mark, one Atlanta youth shared his struggle of overcoming a pornography addiction.

“He talks about how little by little he started being active in his church,” said Angulo of the young man profiled.

Although he was receiving the sacrament of reconciliation, the teen would often go back to his regular routine, leading him to sin.

A change came through helping others.

“He started volunteering serving people,” explained Angulo. “He learned that his life was more than just his.”

He has now been free from the pornography addiction for three years.

One girl featured recalls how her father asked every morning, “How are you making the world better today?”

Her reflection on that question described real struggles, with the aim of helping other young people make connections. Another girl, who is an immigrant, gave a glimpse of her hardships in pursuing an education.

“It’s very much like a Seventeen magazine, only Catholic related,” said Angulo.

The young people featured are not perfect kids but have real problems and faith journeys, she noted. Teens discuss methods of prayer that work for them or spiritual practices that assist them.

Angulo said the magazine serves to help teens understand the universality of the church and Catholic identity.

The issues will be in English with eight pages of Spanish content. In addition to the print copies, interested teens and parents may view the issues online at www.atlyouth.org.