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Jesus Youth: spiritual movement without borders

ucanews.com reporter, Kochi

ucanews.com reporter, Kochi

Updated: December 30, 2010 08:35 AM GMT
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Jesus Youth members carrying different national flags
Jesus Youth members carrying different national flags
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Baby Chacko, 62, leads a quiet life after retiring from the Indian Air Force four years ago. Josef Mor is 30 and works with an engineering firm in Cologne, Germany. The two are now in Kochi, the commercial capital of the southern Indian state of Kerala and what has brought the Indian and the German together is the Jesus Youth (JY), “a spiritual movement without borders,” as Chacko puts it. More than 20,000 people from 29 countries are celebrating the movement’s 25 years along with Church dignitaries, priests, nuns and other lay people. The five-day program ends on the New Year’s Day. Chacko said he came to JY because of his sister Alicekutty, one of the pioneers. She and some other members of the All India Catholic University Federation (AICUF), a Jesuit-managed students’ body, had experienced spiritual renewal after a charismatic retreat in 1976. Now a retired college professor, Alicekutty, 64, recounted that they wanted “the same to happen to our dear, near ones and our peer group” and organized small gatherings, talk sessions and prayer meetings especially for young people. “The rest is history. The Holy Spirit guided us and selected youth for his mission,” Alicekutty told ucanews.com Dec. 29. The group adopted the name Jesus Youth in 1985. “Now, JY is an international movement and new members are joining the fellowship with great enthusiasm.” The jubilee venue is swarming with people from various nations, speaking different languages. “They are singing out their joy together. Here no one is a stranger,” Alicekutty remarked. Edward Edezhath, another initial member, sees “a miracle” in JY’s growth. The movement shows “what Catholic youth can do when the Spirit energizes them and the Church and elders trust them,” he told ucanews.com. Chacko said he joined the group in 1982 and since then, “I have experienced God, encounter him everyday and the fellowship thrilling.” Mor, on the other hand, is new to the movement. Before joining JY four years ago, he did not care much for prayers, although he was born into a Catholic family and has a brother who is a priest. “The JY gives me more joy and orientation. Now I’m able to learn, understand and love Jesus better,” he told ucanews.com. JY started in Germany with 15 young people four years ago, it now has 50 members. Teema Marry Thomas, 24, a business analyst from the United States, says the movement has not only transformed her but made her a member of “a big family.” “Now I know what my life means. I’ve realized and experienced God. I’m not alone,” she said. Related reports Cardinal opens youth jubilee in India Catholic youths march for peace IA12662.1634

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