NEWSWATCH | KAIROS GLOBAL | JUNE 2019

Crucis Singapura

Crucis Singapura – a prayerful Lenten barefoot walk, is an annual walk organized by Jesus Youth Singapore to partake in the sufferings of our Lord. 2019 marked the 9^th year for this event, and this year’s theme was "Behold, your Mother! – The Way of the Cross with Mother Mary.” On 13th April - the eve of Palm Sunday, around 60 participants started off from four parishes in different corners of the island, and walked barefoot, covering distances ranging from 7 to 14 km towards a central location. 

Under the scorching sun, over hot pavements, in spite of painful blisters on their naked feet, they walked; together with our Blessed Mother. Participants meditated upon the Stations of the Cross with guided reflections and a specially compiled prayer booklet. At each station, the participants reflected on the passion through sharing and activities, which encouraged each of them to respond and surrender their physical, emotional and spiritual sufferings at the cross and pray for others. “To draw close to the heart of Jesus is to draw close the heart of the Blessed Mother," said Fr Frederick Quek, the spiritual director of JY Singapore as he closed the gathering with a blessing, standing next to a poignant image of the Pieta.

Jason Ng, who walked 14km, exclaimed, "I was able to immerse myself more completely into what Jesus might have felt at the time He carried the cross." Tim Seet said, "I loved the part where I got to pray with my buddy along the roadside; such a blessing to be a witness to each other, by the road!"

Ordination of Deacon Thomas Pulickal

It was a joyous day for the Jesus Youth movement. The third candidate for JY priesthood,  Thomas Pulickal was ordained a Deacon on 12^th May 2019 at his home parish in McAllen by Mar Joy Alappat, the auxiliary Bishop of the Syro Malabar Diocese of Chicago. Timmy, as he is popularly known, has been active in the movement for the last 16 years. He was part of the International Council and served as the National Coordinator of Jesus Youth of America just before joining the seminary.