Reflections on Jesus Youth (BJRE***)

JY loves to travel. It is a sign of being a pilgrim people. (By Dr. Edward Edezhath. Published in Kairos Magazine in 2025) I was in my second year of college when my new responsibility came: traveling, connecting with young people, and building a network. My professors and colleagues knew my itinerant style well and were quite sympathetic. This pattern has continued ever since. I had an active community, and my travels felt like being sent out from it. Their encouragement and prayer support always backed me up. Of course, this life on the move helped me develop many new skills. Later, when I began my teaching career and wanted to pursue a PhD, people who knew me well said I’d never be able to complete such serious work with all my constant travels. I remember reading a lot on trains. In the end, some of those critics never completed their work, but surprisingly, I was able to, within a reasonable time. Interestingly, from the start of this movement, most JY leaders, though they are exc...

Be Sensitive to the Interior Journey of Young People (By Dr. Edward Edezhath - Published in Kairos Magazine in 2025) Last Sunday, I was at Holy Innocents’ Parish. It was the day after the first holy communion. The seventh graders animated the holy mass. I was so glad to see the liturgical celebration tailored to those groups of teenagers. The teachers and elders welcomed and sat with the teenagers. The celebrant was friendly and joyful. Without being boring or forcing them, the priest and the teachers ensured good participation from the youth. Even the homily included portions read by youngsters from their seats. This too was a sign of the priests’ sensitivity to the mindset of these adolescents. They would have been quite embarrassed to stand in the crowded church to read, so they were allowed to sit and do it. In many ways, everyone considered how the youngsters would feel about themselves and each other, ensuring participation without upsetting them. Such thoughtful youth accompanim...

The JY Charism of Spirit-filled Enthusiasm (By Dr. Edward Edezhath. Published in Kairos Magazine in 2025)   One of my fond memories from the formative days of Jesus Youth involves Johny, a member of our First Line group. The group began meeting monthly in 1982, with our initial gatherings taking place at Vidyaniketan, the institution where I lived and worked while teaching and caring for 17 teenagers. We would meet from the third Friday of the month until Sunday afternoon.  Johny was a businessman, so he naturally couldn't arrive early for our first meeting. He reached Vidyaniketan after midnight and rang the doorbell, waking the college director, a senior Jesuit priest. In the dead of night, we were all asleep when the elderly priest came down to open the door. With his characteristic exuberance, Johny greeted him with a loud “Praise the Lord,” only to receive a cold look and a stern, “Don’t wake up the whole neighborhood!” Johnny was one of the movement's early builders, emb...

Should we bring young people to Jesus or to Jesus Youth? (By Dr. Edward Edezhath. Published in Kairos Magazine in 2025)   It was a local gathering of JY leaders. During the discussion, Maria raised a question: "I am active in my parish. When I work with youth, bringing them to Jesus is essential. Should I also bring them to Jesus Youth? “ People remained quiet for a while, and another young person spoke up, saying, “That is true. In our work with the youngsters, should our goal be to bring them to the movement? “ I wondered where this question originated. Has she encountered some overzealous Jesus Youth who pressured people to join the movement, or is it stemming from some shame about being a Jesus Youth, belonging to this community, and her desire to conceal this aspect of her identity? Regardless of her motivation, it is essential to discuss her question. Firstly, is there a conflict between bringing people to Jesus and bringing them to the Jesus Youth? Secondly, what is the imp...

When Families Struggle, What Can Jesus Youth Do? (By Dr. Edward Edezhath. Published in Kairos Magazine in 2025)   The other day, while I was driving, my daughter started talking about her friends and their families. “Many of them are struggling,” she said. “Some young couples are already separated, and others don’t know where to turn for help. Do you know anyone who can support them?” I mentioned a few priests and counselors, but she hesitated. “They need someone to listen and guide them—someone who truly understands them. Yet, the moment they hear ‘priest’ or ‘counselor,’ they feel judged or disconnected. Can’t we involve ordinary people who empathize and are willing to help?” Her inquiry prompted reflection. Periods of Rapid Change In 1988, I visited Taizé, France, and was shocked by what I heard—divorce rates were skyrocketing in the West, and many families were disintegrating. When they inquired about the situation in India, I confidently replied, “I don’t know of a single divo...

Called to be Witnesses in a Whirlwind of Confusion (By Dr. Edward Edezhath. Published in Kairos Magazine in 2024) We began our New Year prayer meetings by studying the first part of St. Matthew’s Gospel. Our discussion focused on St. Joseph’s life. He was aware of God’s great plans and believed in them, yet everything around him was chaotic. What could his inner response have been to that constant change and confusion?  Later, someone discussed the condition of young people today: “With much prayer and preparation, we planned an engaging youth weekend. However, the youth response was disappointing, and the team felt very upset.” Another person recounted the story of a very active youth leader in the parish, who was well-supported but suddenly ended her life, driving many who heard about it into despair. More and more stories emerged, painting a troubling picture of youth culture. We are eager for a safe, well-ordered world. During stormy times when the sky darkens and the wind and ...

Do Our Prayer Styles Attract or Repel?  (By Dr. Edward Edezhath. Published in Kairos Magazine in 2024)   I knew about St. Augustine’s conversion, but had never heard of his three conversions. While reading Pope Benedict, I learned about them. Augustine’s first conversion involved turning from his sinful, worldly path to accepting Jesus and His teachings. He then joined the Christian community but became disappointed with it. Their prayer styles felt dull and unappealing, which led him to leave. Later, he encountered the congregation of St. Ambrose, which offered a beautiful, uplifting experience that brought him heavenly joy. Augustine fell in love with that Christian community and its practices. That was Augustine’s second conversion.  Many people come to appreciate Jesus and subsequently seek a Christian fellowship. However, the groups they encounter often dishearten them with their prayer practices. Nowadays, we need spaces and groups that facilitate a “second conversi...