Jesus Youth 85 – A dream come true and seed for the future (BJRE035)

Jesus Youth 85 – A dream come true and seed for the future

(By Dr. Edward Edezhath - Published in Kairos Magazine in 2020)

Last month, the leaders of different talent initiatives in Kerala met together, and they wanted to hear my thoughts on how to move forward. These core team members of young artists, musicians, media enthusiasts, and theatre-related initiatives have been coming together for many months, but now they were asking, ‘What next?’. Over the years, I have seen the same thing happening in many such groups. For a time, they go forth with much creative enthusiasm, bearing abundant fruits, and then suddenly find themselves out of steam, wondering which direction to take. 

I started sharing with them my old memories of that late evening meeting at Vimala College, Trichur, in early 1985. I joined the Program Committee of the forthcoming conference to finalize details. There were six of us: Jos Jacob, the coordinator of the program team; its members Fr Jose Palatty, Sr Cleopatra, and Alicekutty; I was there as the Convener of the Conference, and Sr Chrisologa to see to our needs. We had many suggestions for the ‘First Line Group’ for the big gathering to conclude the International Year of Youth - suggestions on themes, its name, dynamics, preparations, etc.  Firstly, we took up the suggestions for its name. And Fr Palatty blurted out, “Why don’t we call it ‘Jesus Youth 85’ and with a rhythm ‘tantrara-tantrara’ it will be a marching slogan for youth”. “Wow, Great!” Everyone agreed. Quickly, I jotted down on my notepad and then shared with the group, “Then, the first day we will have the theme ‘Youth World 85’, the second day ‘Jesus World 85’ and the third day ‘Jesus Youth 85’; first looking around, then reflecting on the Lord’s plan and finally talking on our call today”. With the Talent Coordination group, I shared how this became the plan for the 85 conferences and the core elements of the vision of all that we have been doing in the Jesus Youth movement. Sure enough, the group had a zealous and well-oriented discussion, concluding with clear plans for the future. 

The culmination of a long journey

‘Jesus Youth 85’ was, for many of us who worked behind it, a culmination of a long journey that started in 1976. Our initial localized youth evangelization efforts and social outreach initiatives became well-networked in June 1978. The first big youth gathering that year concluded many retreats, training, and planning meetings. By 1981, we all felt the need for an envisioned and well-coordinated youth network. In that year, a coordinating team was formed again, and 14 zones came into existence. Preparing a plan and vision document through many consultations was the first step, followed by a few leadership trainings.   

Two important characteristics of these ‘foundational years’ were a sense of being guided by the Lord in small and big ways and then the feeling of being part of a committed friendship network. One example of the first was an oft-quoted prophecy. The context was the 175-strong youth gathering on 11 Oct 1981 at Vidyaniketan Auditorium in Ernakulam. This was part of a series of youth gatherings searching for clear directions for the future. Through two moving visionary messages, the Lord seemed to tell the group that there is a bright future for the fast-growing network. The future path will be ridden with challenges, but the Lord will guide it step by step to be a light in the Church.

Another big step was on 25 July 1982. At SH College, Thevara. The training for about 200 leaders was concluding on that day. In consultation with Alicekutty, a list was drawn up of 18 very active leaders who had long been involved in youth ministry with incredible dedication and perseverance. Both of us sat in a corner room and called each of them to ask if they wanted to commit themselves to gathering and growing together through the coming years. Without exception, everyone said a big ‘yes’, and on that day ‘the First Liners’ group came into existence. Years of ‘third-weekend meetings’ of this group resulted in the building up a wide network of youth leaders and initiatives, and in all the glorious dreams that culminated in that big event called ‘Jesus Youth 85’.

In the pathways of Vatican Two and JP Two

Many of us were enthusiastically equipping ourselves through the many national trainings of the Renewal. The Second Vatican Council and its path-breaking renewal efforts were the recurring themes there. The catchphrases were ‘openness to the spirit,’ ‘new vision of the Church,’ ‘mission of the laity’, and ‘evangelization.’ Then, in 1978, even as we were hammering out a network and getting ready for a big coming together, the young and energetic JP2 appeared on the horizon. In all our ensuing discussions, there was this ‘charismatic Pope who loved youth’ and his vibrant vision. His writings and great example were our First Line group's main input for discussion. Then, when he announced 1985 as a year dedicated to youth, we got a clear plan of action that consolidated everything we had been dreaming of for years. 

‘Jesus Youth 85’ was an event of numerous dimensions and implications. Officially, the Kerala Service Team of the Charismatic Renewal was the organizer. In that capacity, the Chairman, Fr Abraham Pallivathukal, invited everyone, formally dialogued with the bishops, and headed all major coordination activities. But behind the scenes, hundreds actively collaborated and took significant decisions in all 14 different zones, 14 major organizing committees, and many other creative initiatives. Many preparatory materials, merchandise, and other creative steps preceded the event. We wanted the traditional ways, including the prayer and input modes, to be replaced by Spirit-directed new ways. In brief, the year-end conference became a pathbreaking and memorable event for the participants and the wider community. 

Jesus Youth 85 and its impactful ripples continue to be felt even after three decades. The name, the logo, the songs, the vision behind it, its approach to gathering youth, its dynamics, and much more continue to have enduring influence and are being rediscovered with ever greater meaning and renewed implications. May this enkindling of the Spirit for the contemporary times and the dedicated efforts of the many who offered themselves for God’s Kingdom continue to bear fruits a hundred or even thousandfold.

= Pointers for Reflection =
1. Talk about the significance of 'Jesus Youth 85' in the journey of the movement.
2. What do you find fascinating about the preparation and conduct of the conference?
3. Can you think of something that should have been different in the program or its preparation? Make a wild suggestion.
4. In your opinion, what will be the highlight of the whole event after a long period of time in the future?

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Story of the Name ‘Jesus Youth’ (BJRE013)

Image
The Story of the Name ‘Jesus Youth’  (Published in Kairos Magazine in 2018) This movement, ‘Jesus Youth,’ has grown and spread. It is present in almost three dozen countries and on all continents. The movement has given rise to several fascinating and youth-friendly initiatives. For numerous people, ‘Jesus Youth’ is a label they proudly apply to themselves, saying, ‘I am a Jesus Youth!’ So naturally, people ask, ‘How did this name come about?’ or ‘Who gave the movement this name?’ I tell them, initially, the name was that of a conference, and we never thought of it as the name of a movement. However, after the 1985 conference, those who had participated in the gathering began identifying themselves as Jesus Youth, and gradually, other people associated with the network also adopted this name. To discuss its background, the steps to bring together the youth in the Charismatic Renewal in Kerala started in earnest in 1978. For this purpose, a team was formed, and after a few gathering...
Read more

What is Jesus Youth Mission? Building witnessing communities (BJRE071)

Image
  What is Jesus Youth Mission? Building witnessing communities (By Dr. Edward Edezhath. Published in Kairos Magazine in 2023)   These days, I regularly attend two weekly prayer groups. The Wednesday group is my old one, which now meets online. It goes very well.  The local group gathers on Sunday afternoons, but its attendance is not very consistent. Occasionally, they cancel the meeting because other commitments arise, and they often choose to skip it for study sessions or outside events. Participation in a community is a habit, and a good habit must be carefully nurtured. However, many people gradually disconnect from Jesus Youth as the group becomes inconsistent. Perhaps this was what the writer of the book of Hebrews observed: “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” (10:24,25) Even in the early Church...
Read more

Can Spirituality be so much fun - (BJRE001)

Image
Can spirituality be so much fun? (By Dr. Edward Edezhath - Published in Kairos Magazine in 2016) “I just wanted to discover why these people are so interested in Jesus Youth. Won’t they get bored with prayer and these talks on Spirituality?”  I was taking my 17-year-old son to the Joy Conference, which Jesus Youth Teens Ministry had organized. Earlier, some youth came home and mentioned the program to him, and to my surprise, he willingly gave his name. As we drove to the program, he told me he was going there out of curiosity. His idea is that anything to do with spirituality is so dull; if so, why are so many smart teenagers and youth so crazy about Jesus Youth? And he was going there to unravel the mystery. After four days, as I was taking him back home from the Joy Conference, I asked him how the whole thing had been. “Not bad,” he said. Knowing him, I heard it as ‘Excellent”. Little by little, he spoke to me about the friendly ones he had met there, how they had fun during the...
Read more