JESUS YOUTH CORAL JUBILEE GATHERING | KAIROS GLOBAL | MARCH 2021

On 13th February, 2021 at 6:00 PM IST, thousands of Jesus Youth came together to celebrate the Jesus Youth Coral Jubilee. The programme was live streamed on the Jesus Youth International YouTube channel and Facebook page. Hosted from two different venues, the programme brought viewers from over thirty-five countries, together as one family in Christ, to celebrate thirty-five years of Jesus Youth. 

The programme began with Rev. Dr. Joseph Ezhumayil of the Kothamangalam¹ diocese and Jesus Youth International Chaplain delivering the welcome address. To celebrate the fraternal bond of Jesus Youth, the welcome also included greetings from the JY International Council members, the country coordinators across the globe and watch groups, who had come together to witness this jubilee gathering. This was followed by a video collage of nimble-footed groups from various parts of the world, who danced to the Jubilee song in response to the dance challenge based on it. 

To remember those dearly departed JYs who left for their heavenly abode this past decade, a few moments were spent praying for them and revisiting their faces and fond memories. 

As with all JY gatherings, the Rex Band praise and worship session that came next was filled with joyful praise and soul-stirring music. Rev. Fr. Thomas Tharayil, JY’s priest in-charge of clergy and seminarians in the movement spoke on the journey of vocations within the movement. Visuals of the priestly ordination of JY priests, Fr. Ditto Devassy, Fr. Vignan Das and Fr. Thomas Pulickal were shown along with their jubilee greetings. 

The formation journey in the movement and its highlights came next. A look at the various courses of the formation module – Philip course, Paul course, Emmaus course, Stewardship course and Missionary Discipleship course, as well as a timeline from its inception to rollout was shown. Experiences of those who fully/partly completed the formation module were also shared. The next to address the gathering were His Excellency, Mar Raphael Thattil,

Ecclesiastical Advisor of the JY International, from India and His Grace, Archbishop Christopher Prowse, International Patron of the movement and Archbishop of Canberra and Goulburn, from Australia.

Milestones of the JY journey into the heart of the church were celebrated with a feature about the Pontifical recognition of the movement, presence at the four WYDs, JY representation at the two bishops’ synod at the Vatican and the bishops’ consultation meetings. The next address was by Most Rev. Dr. Alex Vadakumthala, bishop of Kannur² diocese and the Ecclesiastical advisor of JY India, appointed by the CBCI. Looking back at the important facets that have been blessings for the movement, one of the pioneers, Dr. Edward Edezhath spoke on his perspectives on changes that have occurred during the last decade. 

The programme then listed the unique highlights of the last ten years: initiation of Households in 2012, Youth consultation meeting at Rome and the Youth Synod, both in 2018 and the six JY jubilee conferences. The formation of Kairos Media, branching out of the Kairos magazines with the English-language, Kairos Global in 2017 and the children’s magazine, Kairos Buds in 2021; along with the publication of Kairos Buds Diary, Coral Jubilee Supplement and the various books authored by leaders and mentors were also highlighted. On this occasion, the official launch of Kairos Buds and the Coral Jubilee Supplement were unveiled by International Coordinator, Shoy Thomas and Rev. Dr. Joseph Ezhumayil in the presence of the respective Chief Editors, Dr. Chackochan Njavallil and Adv. Johnson Jose.

Over the past decade, Jesus Youth-focus on its sixth pillar, Option for the Poor has been very evident from the initiatives that have arisen, in response to the need and the calamities befallen. Hundreds and thousands of recipients have benefitted from the Outreach Child Support, Nalla Ayalkkaran, Dress Collection Mission and Households – building homes that have sprung up to their aid. The next part of the event was hosted by Manoj Sunny, current Formation Director, who reflected on what the next decade holds and asks of us. With the theme, ‘there is more,’ he enumerated five areas of focus for the movement in the coming years. 

The vibrant, reflective, joyous, grace-filled and memorable Coral Jubilee Gathering came to a fitting close with the Eucharistic Adoration led by Toms Michael, member of the International Formation Team and Rev. Fr. Anand Mannalil. Finally, the vote of thanks was delivered by Shoy Thomas. 

The Coral Jubilee Gathering can be viewed on the Jesus Youth International YouTube Channel.

^{1, 2} Kothamangalam and Kannur are places in Kerala, the southern state of India.