ONCE A JY, ALWAYS A JY | KAIROS GLOBAL | DECEMBER 2020

Author: Dr. Kochurani Joseph

Intro: Dr. Kochurani Joseph, one of the pioneer JYs goes back to the Jesus Youth ’85 Conference and remembers the key elements of it.

My journey with Jesus Youth began in 1982 – almost four decades ago. It was a small gathering of few young people who met once a week as a prayer group and also on weekends for reflection and sharing the Word of God.  All of us had only one wish – to share his love with everyone and also to be committed to Jesus, his Church and society. Many of us had and still do, a radical commitment to society in doing social work, charity, etc. In one such gathering we were prompted to have a wider conference of youngsters. The name of that conference was Jesus Youth ’85; slowly the term ’85 faded and the movement got its name.  

I often come across the question, ‘how come you are a JY even now?’ Also I find some people saying, ‘I was once a JY’. It seems ridiculous to hear such statements. This is because JY is a lifestyle centred on Jesus and his Church. Youth and those who wish to take part in this youth ministry, or any person who takes the youth ministry seriously as a vocation is part of JY. There is neither the state of ‘Past JY’ nor ‘Present JY’. It may happen that at a particular period of time, many of us had been quite involved in JY but later could not do as much due to various reasons. That does not mean that they have ceased to be a JY anymore. Of course in the present scenario, a JY needs to go through various formation modules to become a ‘confirmed JY’.   

 In the 1985 conference, the lines that caught everyone’s mind and heart were the first two lines of the theme song. Translated, it goes: we are the youth of Jesus, following his footsteps, we go forward in youthful exuberance … (in Malayalam it is – Yesuvin Yuvakkal nam, Yesuvinte pathayil, neenghidum yuvathidambukal…) 

I was part of the Literature Ministry for the JY 85 Conference. During the conference, we were asked to choose one particular area for evangelisation. Some opted for teens, some for teaching, some for music, some for social work, etc., and thus many ministries were formed. I was always preparing some literature for the movement like leaflets and study materials which I continue even now in the form of Pope Talk in Kairos Global. 

In my association with JY, I was blessed to be part of the movement as animator of Kerala JY Council, animator of Kerala Professional Ministry and animator of National Professionals Ministry. Currently, as the secretary of Kerala Charismatic Service Team (Kerala Service of Communion KSC), I am in charge of Kerala JY Council and its activities in the Kerala region. So my journey with JY continues even now, though I am a retired professor and grandmother. It keeps me young throughout my life.  

 The key elements that I found in the JY 85 Conference are manifold, some of which are worth mentioning.

Focused Vision 

One of the important highlights of the JY ’85 Conference was that all participants had a single mind with focused vision. The vision was that of being united with Jesus and sharing the good news that he loves everyone, especially to the youth they meet. As pope Benedict XVI says there is no other happiness than knowing Jesus and sharing him with others. All the participants were zealous about this focused vision.

Joyful Spirituality

Something that was very noticeable among the JY who participated in the conference was the joyful spirituality at the individual and collective level. It underlines what the psalmist says, I rejoiced with those who said to me, "Let us go to the house of the LORD." (Ps. 122:1). Many are continuing this state of life of joyfulness which is essentially the fruit of the Holy Spirit who dwells among them. It radiated out of faith, grace, gratitude, hope, and love.

Different Journeys. One Home. 

The participants of the conference were from different walks of life. Most of them were students, few professionals like teachers, software employees, business men/women, etc. After the conference they wished to become witnesses of faith in their respective roles. They were sure about their journey of life and had a strong desire to become warriors of his mercy and love in order to reach the one eternal home. 

Radical Commitment to Church. 

One thing I noticed after the conference was the deep desire among the participants to be loyal to the Catholic Church. It was rooted in their sacramental lifestyle and commitment to Catechism teaching. Also many were interested in studying Church documents seriously in order to have a better ecclesial vision about the Christian way of life. 

Social Commitment 

Many participants were deeply convinced that love of God should be manifested in loving the neighbour. So many of them opted to carry out various social work projects in various slums, public hospitals, and among poor and abandoned children around. 

Thus the ’85 Conference not only paved the way for naming a movement but also carved a joyful lifestyle rooted in Catholic spirituality. Even now there are numerous living examples, spotlights in the movement proving that once a JY is always a JY. 

A former Professor of Economics and HOD at Bharat Mata College, Kochi, India, Dr. Kochurani Joseph is an active Church leader, author, orator and columnist. She is currently the official spokesperson of the Syro-Malabar Church and the secretary of the Kerala Catholic Charismatic Renewal Service Team.