Jesus Youth
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-1970s. 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
- Personal Prayer - Begins with an experience of God through prayer
- Word of God - Reading the Bible
- Sacraments - Taking part in the sacraments of the Catholic Church
- Fellowship - Being part of a Catholic youth fellowship
- Evangelisation - Sharing the experience of God they receive with others
- Option for the poor - Making an option for the poor
History
The Jesus Youth Movement has its origin in Kerala,a state in the southern part of India. In 1985, the International Youth Year, 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'.[1] Five years after the movement started, in the 1990s, 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.[2] 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.
Spirituality [3] - Six Pillars Of Jesus Youth
Jesus Youth movement is based on six pillars of Spirituality which helps the JY members to grow as faithful disciples of Christ.
Personal Prayer
The members are required to spend a "time of Praise and Worship" with the Lord Jesus Christ everyday, to have a joyful approach to life along with the companionship of Jesus.
Word of God
Members should read and meditate on the Sacred Scripture i.e. The Bible to shape their life according to God’s will with His guidance.
Sacraments
There are seven Sacraments in the Catholic Church. 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.
- Audio Visual Ministry
- Media Ministry
- Campus Ministry
- Teens Ministry
- Nurses Ministry
- Angels' Army
- Doctors Ministry
- Prolife Ministry
- Professional Ministry
- Parish Ministry
- Intercession Ministry
- Outreach Ministry
- Medical Engineering Students Ministry
- Music Ministry
Full Time volunteers
A year-long formation program for graduates with 40 days training and one year full-time missionary commitment to work in different parts of the world
References
- ↑ "The Movement of Jesus Youth". ROME REPORTS. 2010-04-21. Retrieved 2010-09-16.
- ↑ "CBCI Circulars published on December 10, 2009". CBCI. 2010-12-10. Retrieved 2011-07-19.
- ↑ "Spirituality". Retrieved 29 January 2012.
External links
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