Author: Simy Paul

Responding to Jesus’ command to “Pray without ceasing”, Jesus Youth UK was inspired in 2009 to begin “Awakening” – a 100-day Eucharistic Adoration initiative commencing each year on Ash Wednesday until Pentecost Sunday. This year, Awakening was inaugurated by Bishop Ralph Heskett of Hallam Diocese with Solemn Eucharistic celebration at Jesus Youth Centre for Prayer and Mission on March 1. Right from its inception, Awakening has been about a dream and a hope – to reintroduce the power and centrality of prayer in the life of individuals, families and communities, through silence and intercession before the Blessed Sacrament. Awakening 2017 was organised at 100 different parishes across UK and Europe (including Ireland, Germany, Austria, Italy and Netherlands) for 12 hour slots each day and saw overwhelming response from parishioners. The conclusion on 11^th June was attended by over 100 people at JY Centre. Over the years, the support of Bishops and priests to this prayer initiative has been truly phenomenal. Awakening 2017 was also blessed to receive immense support from communities like ‘Night Fever’ and ‘Catholic Society of Loughborough University’. Some of the specific intentions for this year’s Awakening included ‘revival of faith in Europe’, ‘vocations to priesthood & religious life’ and for ‘persecuted Christians’.

A dream come true- Pilgrimage to Holy Land

Author: Joseph

Dreams came true for the 41 people who travelled to the Holy Land on a pilgrimage, organized by Kairos under the spiritual leadership of Fr Abraham Pallivathukkal, from May 9 to May 20 2017. Walking along the shores where Jesus would have walked, taught and healed during his ministry 2000 years ago was an experience beyond words for most of the people who journeyed on this pilgrimage. Starting at Amman, Jordan – retracing the final journey in the life of Moses, the pilgrimage proceeded to Israel – visiting Cana, Capernaum, Jerusalem, Gethsemane, and Golgotha, to name a few places. Renewing their baptismal promises at the banks of river Jordan, where our Lord Himself was baptized by St John, proved a life-transforming experience for many. It was hugely emotional as well as sublime to visit places like Calvary, the Church of Holy Sepulchre – where Jesus is believed to have been laid to rest, and the Sea of Galilee – where the presence of God could be felt in a tangible way. The final destination of the pilgrimage was Egypt, where the pilgrims prayed at Sinai, visited the Pyramids and took a cruise of River Nile.