JY has some magic formula that young people love (BJRE065)

 

JY has some magic formula that young people love.

(By Dr. Edward Edezhath. Published in Kairos Magazine in 2023) 

In a team meeting, we discussed the culture of the movement, and Seenu commented, “I am sure Jesus Youth have some special ingredient that makes it so effective for young people. Many others miss it. We’ve heard about some secret formula behind the unique taste of Coke- something like that. Whatever it may be, a typical Jesus Youth event is always a big hit with young people. They are attracted, brought to Jesus, and continue to grow, quickly taking up leadership. Isn’t it surprising that although many others have tried to imitate it, they haven’t been successful?”

Is there a particular ingredient that makes JY truly fascinating? If so, what might it be? One thing is certain: there is certainly an unusual charm to a genuinely JY event. However, I am unsure if we can name it.

The effort of so many hearts, minds, and hands.

Campus Meet 88 was a groundbreaking event in the history of the movement. The front yard of St. Teresa’s College in Ernakulam was tastefully decorated to welcome over a thousand college students from all parts of the state. I still remember the decorated fishing net and flower arrangement at the front of the pandal. To prepare for the big event, youth leaders from colleges and parishes joined hands with priests, sisters, and elders, working together for many months. They prayed, made detailed plans for each element, and worked diligently. There was no divide between leaders and workers; everyone was eagerly preparing. 

The conference was uniquely conceived. What was the content focus: Kerygma or deeper formation? Surely, it was difficult to distinguish; it was suitable for all levels. There were the usual components like music, skits, talks, the Holy Mass, Confession, group sessions, and so on. Additionally, sessions were led by Br. Ghislain of Taizé and two girls from the Focolare movement. However, many remarked that more than any input, the volunteers and the enthusiastic crowd made the biggest difference. Its impact? Hundreds of campuses were transformed when they returned after these four days.

It's not what you give but how you give it.

Sometimes, we mock those who focus excessively on packaging rather than on the present moment or food decoration. In this regard, Jesus had a revolutionary approach. He did not teach like other instructors; instead, he blended action, interaction, and creative dialogue. It's no surprise that he said, “New wine is for fresh wineskins. " I connect this to the famous phrase by Canadian writer Marshall McLuhan, “The medium is the message,” which suggests that beyond the content of our expressions, the manner of our communication significantly impacts the effectiveness of our message. Certainly, the JY magic ingredient pertains to this ‘how’ of events. 

In this, our patron saint Francis serves as our best guide: “Preach the Gospel at all times; use words if necessary.” I often ask parents what children hate most, and someone will answer, ‘advice. ' Sure, they dislike preaching and too many words. However, I often add that it is ‘boredom’ they detest the most. Many flee from Church and spiritual activities because it feels burdensome to sit through them. The difference in good JY training is that youth rarely notice that someone is teaching them; instead, they have a delightful time with fascinating people, during which they learn unforgettable lessons. As the saying goes, “Values are not taught, but caught.”

Last week, we went on an outreach to an outlying parish. Sindhu, while taking us, mentioned that all the high-school kids came from troubled homes. There were more than a dozen of us, and the children sat with expressionless faces as we were introduced. But soon, we moved on to have some snacks and then went outside for games. Geoff had planned lively group activities. In no time, we had become a lovely community filled with fun and togetherness. When we returned to the hall, Simi began discussing ‘Talking to a Loving Father. ' After each point, she called on one of the youth in our team to share how they prayed. Finally, I was also asked to share. Then, we moved to the church for a little quiet time before the Holy Mass. Everything went very well.

It was a beautiful experience for all of us, and the children loved it. The parish priest was amazed by their response. Now, they want to come and spend a weekend with us. With some follow-up, identifying leaders, and nurturing them, a Jesus Youth community will gradually take shape there. 

A community builds itself in creative ways.

Jesus Youth does not repeat any programs! For those who give, each event is a new challenge requiring fresh search and discovery. As a result, for the receiving crowd, the event becomes a transforming touch of the Holy Spirit. Thus, even a small program may have a new name, a fresh time schedule, newly invented dynamics, and so on. Of course, going to this unchartered land will demand a lot of prayer and mutual handholding. 

“Can we come and have a sit-down with you? We are planning a one-day session for our parish.” Some youth would call me. They would come with a draft plan, and then we would discuss and develop a detailed approach. But why all this trouble? The movement should have standardized plans. Should we reinvent the wheel? No, JY, don’t think that way! The preparation of any outreach or training is, for Jesus Youth, a personal and community growth experience. That, in turn, builds real community experiences in both giving and recipient groups. 

Jesus, the missionary, was sent by a community to create a loving fellowship around the world. Naturally, the culture of community is fundamental to Jesus Youth. More than anything else, this experience of intimacy and joy distinguishes everything in the movement. Therefore, embodying the true spirit of a joyful, informal family at any event makes Jesus Youth gatherings uniquely special. They are not just boring talks, ritual prayers, or forcing people into something. Instead, these joy-filled individuals bring the experience of a loving family, moments of sharing personal thoughts, gentle relationship building, enjoyable times in the presence of a loving Father, and, of course, plenty of fun, celebration, and good food. Those who attend undoubtedly experience the good news of Jesus.