Jesus Youth
Encyclopedia
Jesus Youth is an International Youth Movement in the Catholic Church. The Movement evolved as an outcome of the Charismatic revival
that spread across India in the mid-seventies. The movement invites the Youth in the movement to follow a lifestyle based on the life of Jesus Christ.
The Lifestyle is based on 'six pillars' as it is called that
,a state in the southern part of India
. In 1985, the International Year of Youth
, many young people from different parts of the state came together for a 3 day Youth Conference titled 'Jesus Youth Conference'. After the conference, the youth who participated in this conference began to be identified as a 'Jesus Youth'. Five years after the movement started, in the Nineties, Jesus Youth began to spread to other parts of India. Gradually, many Jesus Youth who traveled abroad for employment opportunities, took with them this lifestyle they followed and spread the movement in many other Asian countries including South East Asia and in the Middle East
. It is also presently active in Australia, New Zealand, various parts of Europe such as United Kingdom, Italy, Germany, Ireland, etc., and in the North American Continent, namely United States and Canada.
On 29 October 2008, Jesus Youth received the approval from the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India
(CBCI) and His Grace Archbishop Abraham Viruthakulangara was appointed as the Ecclesiastical Advisor. The process of being recognised as an ‘International Private Association of Christian Faithful of Pontifical Right’ officially began on 24 August 2009 with the Pontifical Council for the Laity
.
Individual spiritual direction and various Jesus Youth Formation Programmes also contribute to a member’s faithful discipleship and growth in holiness.
Catholic Charismatic Renewal
The Catholic Charismatic Renewal is a movement within the Catholic Church. Worship is characterized by vibrant Masses, as well as prayer meetings featuring prophecy, healing and "praying in tongues." This movement is based on the belief that certain charismata , bestowed by the Holy Spirit, such as...
that spread across India in the mid-seventies. The movement invites the Youth in the movement to follow a lifestyle based on the life of Jesus Christ.
The Lifestyle is based on 'six pillars' as it is called that
- Begins with an experienceReligious experienceReligious experience is a subjective experience in which an individual reports contact with a transcendent reality, an encounter or union with the divine....
of God through prayer - Reading the BibleBibleThe Bible refers to any one of the collections of the primary religious texts of Judaism and Christianity. There is no common version of the Bible, as the individual books , their contents and their order vary among denominations...
- Taking part in the sacraments of the CatholicCatholicThe word catholic comes from the Greek phrase , meaning "on the whole," "according to the whole" or "in general", and is a combination of the Greek words meaning "about" and meaning "whole"...
Church - Being part of a Catholic youth fellowshipCommunion (Christian)The term communion is derived from Latin communio . The corresponding term in Greek is κοινωνία, which is often translated as "fellowship". In Christianity, the basic meaning of the term communion is an especially close relationship of Christians, as individuals or as a Church, with God and with...
- Sharing the experience of God they receive with others
- Making an option for the poorOption for the poorThe option for the poor or the preferential option for the poor is one of the basic principles of the Catholic Social Teaching tradition as articulated in the 20th century.-Theological significance:...
History
The Jesus Youth Movement has its origin in KeralaKerala
or Keralam is an Indian state located on the Malabar coast of south-west India. It was created on 1 November 1956 by the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam speaking regions....
,a state in the southern part of India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. In 1985, the International Year of Youth
International Year of Youth
-Background:In December 2009, the United Nations General Assembly adopted proclaiming the year commencing 12 August 2010 as the . The resolution calls upon governments, civil society, individuals and communities worldwide to support activities at local and international levels to mark the event...
, many young people from different parts of the state came together for a 3 day Youth Conference titled 'Jesus Youth Conference'. After the conference, the youth who participated in this conference began to be identified as a 'Jesus Youth'. Five years after the movement started, in the Nineties, Jesus Youth began to spread to other parts of India. Gradually, many Jesus Youth who traveled abroad for employment opportunities, took with them this lifestyle they followed and spread the movement in many other Asian countries including South East Asia and in the Middle East
Middle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
. It is also presently active in Australia, New Zealand, various parts of Europe such as United Kingdom, Italy, Germany, Ireland, etc., and in the North American Continent, namely United States and Canada.
On 29 October 2008, Jesus Youth received the approval from the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India
Catholic Bishops' Conference of India
The Catholic Bishops' Conference of India is the episcopal conference of the Catholic bishops of India. It was first convened in September 1944, in Madras . Currently the CBCI has 212 members and 38 honorary members, and is headquartered in New Delhi, the capital of India...
(CBCI) and His Grace Archbishop Abraham Viruthakulangara was appointed as the Ecclesiastical Advisor. The process of being recognised as an ‘International Private Association of Christian Faithful of Pontifical Right’ officially began on 24 August 2009 with the Pontifical Council for the Laity
Pontifical Council for the Laity
The Pontifical Council for the Laity has the responsibility of assisting the Pope in his dealings with the laity in lay ecclesial movements or individually, and their contributions to the Church. The Cardinal President of the Council is Cardinal Stanisław Ryłko. The Secretary is Bishop Josef...
.
Spirituality
Jesus Youth members seek to grow as faithful disciples of Christ, through the six pillars of the movement.Daily Prayer
A daily ‘quiet time’ with the Lord leading to an experience of the companionship of Jesus, enables one to have a joyful attitude in daily life.Word of God
A regular time for a meditative reading of the Sacred Scripture helps one to seek God’s guidance and shape his life according to God’s will.Sacraments
Frequent and active participation in the Sacraments of the Eucharist and Reconciliation contributes to a life of wholeness and strength and are integral to a person’s growth in holiness.Fellowship
Christian life, a call to live the life of the Trinity in communion with one’s brothers and sisters in Christ through mutual support, encouragement and gentle correction, is an important element in the movement. Cells, small groups, prayer groups, service teams and friendship circles help to make Jesus Youth a family.Evangelisation
Personal renewal in Jesus leads to a commitment to share the person and message of Jesus with others. This commitment to evangelisation is central to the life of every Jesus Youth.Service
Following the footsteps of the Master who brought the Good News to the poor, Jesus Youth stretches out a helping hand to those burdened with poverty and deprivation.Individual spiritual direction and various Jesus Youth Formation Programmes also contribute to a member’s faithful discipleship and growth in holiness.
Ministries
Jesus Youth ministries are founded on a firm spiritual basis and flourish in the context of growing fellowships. The formation teams that gather together to develop the ministry and engage in the apostolate provide mutual support and promote spiritual growth.- Campus Ministry
- Teens Ministry
- Nurses Ministry
- Angels' Army
- Doctors Ministry
- Prolife Ministry
- Professional Ministry
- Music Ministry