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

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 gatherings and trainings, a conference was held at the end of that year. Later, the state was divided into many zones with a leadership structure. In 1982, a community of leaders named ‘First Line Group’ met regularly to envision building a growing youth network. When Pope John Paul II announced 1985 as the International Year of Youth, the First Line wanted to celebrate it with all color and enthusiasm and end it with a memorable gathering. 

The ’85 conference was planned to mark the conclusion of Youth Year, and the First Line planned many initiatives in connection with it. But, of course, we wanted a good name. Our monthly meetings used to be held at a fascinating place called Snehanilayam, just outside the city of Ernakulam, and there, we spent many hours discussing, among other details of the conference, a suitable name for it. 

In our youthful enthusiasm and eagerness to create something beautiful and unique, we all used to have wild dreams about how the conference should be and every aspect of it. We didn’t want it to be like the usual boring ‘churchy and preachy’ gatherings. So, among other aspects, we discussed the name extensively. So, we agreed upon some of the aspects of the name:

1. It should mention ‘Jesus’, as we were talking a lot about the significance of Jesus's person and message in our lives.

2. Our central mission was to reach out to young people, so we decided that the name should mention ‘Youth.’

3. ‘Interpreting the signs of the times’ was a constant refrain in our general discussions, and so the name has to do with ‘today’ or the ‘present time,’ and finally,

4. Focusing on the inspirations of the Holy Spirit, we used to talk of the importance of the Spirit's ‘dynamism’ or creativity, and so the name should represent that dynamism. 

In those days, one of our key members, Ms Alicekutty, returned from the USA to attend some conferences. As we listed options for the names, her contribution was significant. Although we had a sense of direction regarding the name, we were unsatisfied with any of the suggestions. Finally, the most acceptable proposal came not from the First Line meetings but from a small gathering of the Program Committee at Trichur.

Six of us gathered at Vimala College, Thrissur, to finalize the program details of the highly anticipated Youth Year Conference. Sr Cleopatra and Sr Chrisologa were professors at that College, so we chose to gather there for an overnight planning meeting. Fr. Jose Palatty, Ms Alicekutty, Mr Jose Jacob, and I were the rest of the team. We presented the various suggestions from the First Line group about the conference, and then further discussions continued.

I informed the others about the proposals for the name, and then we had a brief pause for reflection. After a bit of while, Fr Jose Palatty said, “Why don’t we call it ‘Jesus Youth ‘85’? Youth would surely like to chant it like a slogan.” And then, raising his right hand, he chanted the name in a singsong. “Je-Sus-Youth-Ei-Ty-Five.” We laughed out loud, watching him do that. But, of course, we all liked the name he proposed.

We all agreed that it was quite a suitable name for the conference. I quickly scanned the papers with the other proposals for the program and suggested that we should have three themes for the three days of the conference: the first day, ‘Youth ‘85’, highlighting contemporary issues; the second day, ‘Jesus ‘85’, the Lord’s plans for our times; and on the last day, ‘Jesus Youth ‘85’, talking about what we are called to do.

With the conference name finalized, Jose Jacob and his team started working on various merchandise. First, he created a logo, which we still use today. That was the age of letter writing, and we printed and gave letter papers to everyone with that name and logo at the bottom. That year, we all used Jesus Youth Christmas cards that one of our active members designed. And the enthusiasm spread. 

At the beginning of the conference, our big mentor, Fr. Gino Henriques, gave the keynote speech. “You have chosen a very special name for this historic conference; it is beautiful and meaningful,” he began. “But this shouldn’t just be the name of the conference, but ‘Jesus Youth’ should be your name.” Then he made everyone place their right hand on their chest and repeat, “I am a Jesus Youth.” The thousand-strong crowd shouted out, “I am a Jesus Youth”. He continued, “Turn to your neighbor and say, ‘You are a Jesus Youth.’” They did so. Finally, he said, “Let us all hold hands and say, 'We are Jesus Youth.’. It was such an overwhelming sight to see the whole community holding hands aloft and chanting enthusiastically, “We are Jesus Youth.”

That sealed it! Our network was christened then and there. From then on, people started using ‘Jesus Youth’ to refer to persons and groups. Gradually, the whole movement came to be known by that beautiful name. 

 = Pointers for Reflection =
1. In your opinion, what are some of the distinguishing marks of the JY movement?
2. What do you like about the Jesus Youth movement? What can you improve?
3. In what way has the movement changed from 1985?
4. What are your predictions about the movement for the next 10 years?