The Feminine Touch in Jesus Youth (BJRE069)

The Feminine Touch in Jesus Youth

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

“Jesus Youth is one of the few Catholic groups where women can find a supportive environment to grow as themselves.” 

Simi had a point. However, I believe this is true only to a certain extent. The movement still has a long way to go.

I could think of many excellent women who, in their own unique way, bring people into a new relationship with the Lord, hold communities together, ensure continuity, and help the movement serve the church and society.

I cited Theresa’s words as a sample: 

“When I came to Germany as a student, I had no contacts. On my first day, I received a call from Minna Chechi, who had been given my number. She called and said, ‘I am a Jesus Youth; do come home.’ Although I was aware of JY back in India, I had no plans to continue it in this new phase of my life. However, this call changed everything. The very next day, I went there. Her house became a home away from home, a place to meet many, and a setting for all-around formation for so many of us.” 

Born to attract and persuade, women can be incredibly charming. We men can only observe and marvel at this, especially when they use their charm to build the Lord’s Kingdom. I found many young men and women at Minna's house, primarily migrant students. She is a busy homemaker with five growing children and a hardworking husband. “Your house is filled with all these youth for you to cook for and guide! How do you manage?” And we call them the weaker sex! 

The Church was built around Mary.

A family is built around loving women or men with feminine hearts. Jesus, cooking and serving, was a perfect example of that. Mother Mary and the Prodigal Father were excellent mirror reflections. In JY, from the early days of its formation, the Holy Spirit inspired us to be sensitive to the feminine eagerness for community and their gift of intuition. 

I often revisit my first long conversation with Alicekutty at the Renewal Seminar in 1976. At that time, I was quite active in a college student group, but our chats and ongoing interactions helped me see new horizons. Two years later, when the first state-level youth team was formed, we began working together more formally, which taught me new dimensions of a collaborative journey. 

Often, women and men think and act very differently. A man would find the ways of women quite strange. If either side becomes rigid and controls the other, the community will suffer and become one-sided. The way out is to unlearn worldly power dynamics and learn the humble ways of unconditional mutual acceptance expressed in attentive listening, deep sharing, and dialogue. This leads to new ways of decision-making and acting together.

The styles of the Jesus Youth movement were refined over years of interaction and reflection within a close-knit fellowship known as the First Line group. One of our early decisions was to forgo talks and training during our monthly weekend meetings, choosing instead to focus on mutual sharing. In that environment, most of us learned to express ourselves and listen to one another. Perhaps only in such a setting do women truly come alive. Unfortunately, many men lack the patience to “sit through these empty discussions.” Men are eager for action and tend to jump into planning. Surprisingly, the First Line group introduced many to a more feminine approach to movement building. 

How can the Marian ways build Jesus Youth?

Mary was “blessed among women.” In her, we find some of the best ways women can build up people and communities. 

Keep persons in heart: “Mary kept all these things, pondering in her heart” (Lk 2:19). Women don’t forget, especially events and persons. Some use it for violent quarrels. But used well, this becomes the basis for firm faith and generous love.

Speak from the core: Mary asks the Angel, Jesus, and others questions. In groups, men become restless when women speak in seemingly irrelevant ways. Allow them to express themselves and truly listen. It is important to discern the ways of the Spirit together with them.

Visit others' homes: Women enjoy visiting others' homes, particularly those who are in need. This is an effective way to build relationships and foster community.

Keeping oneself at the lowest: Good feminine humility makes others feel important and fulfilled. If only leaders could ‘disappear’ like women! It is all about accepting different people as they are, being passionate about others' growth, and celebrating their achievements.

Eyes and hands to help: Noticing the little things and paying attention to details is a feminine trait. These eyes swiftly recognize when others feel ‘harassed and helpless’ (Mt. 9:36). This awareness becomes the foundation for a life dedicated to service, as well demonstrated at Cana.

Keep all ‘at home’: Community formation is about holding differences together, helping each belong to the family. This art is full of love and gentleness, which is so much in need today, everywhere.

At the Cross and beyond: Many women followed Jesus all the way to Calvary when most courageous men fled. The journey of life, both personal and communal, is bound to have unexpected changes. When ‘the form of the world is passing away,’ the courage of women becomes especially valuable.

Women and their skills need to come to the fore.

Men can travel far, but women go deep. Pope Benedict XVI, discussing Marian contemplation, writes, “In our activity-oriented, one-sidedly masculine, Western Christianity, contemplation is more and more undervalued. . . We have been trying to justify Christianity primarily on the basis of deeds.” 

Jesus Youth can also fall into the trap of merely engaging in external activities, prioritizing doing over being, and forgetting the importance of deep interiority and belonging to a loving community. This highlights the need for more women to step forward, refocus on their charism, and make the movement a more genuine place of love, service, and communion. The Holy Spirit has already shaped the movement along this feminine path, and it is essential for many of our groups to rediscover it once more. 

Topics

    Feminine path

    Mary - Marian approach

    Community building

    Men - Women