Jesus Youth Approach to Faith Formation of Youth - 2012 (BJMM001)
[Presented on 10 Feb 2012 at the XVI Annual General
Body Meeting of Indian Catechetical Association held at NBCLC, Bangalore,
Presentation entitled “Role of Jesus Youth towards the Faith Formation of the
Youth in India. By Dr Edward A. Edezhath (edward.edezhath@gmail.com)]
One solid cause
of hope [for a new springtime of Christian life in Asia] is the increasing number of better trained,
enthusiastic and Spirit-filled lay people, who are more and more aware of their specific vocation within the ecclesial community. Pope John Paul II[1].
This description of contemporary lay missionaries very well suits
the active volunteers and leaders of Jesus Youth movement as well. The name
Jesus Youth brings to mind a number of vivid images of mission: zealous and
friendly catholic campus groups in the universities, engineering and medical
colleges and other educational institutions; young full-time volunteers who set
apart one year after graduation to work in missions; various initiatives for
online presence and groupings including those on the Facebook, other social
networking sites, YouTube, etc.; captivating kids and teens catechetical
approaches grouped as Teens Ministry and
Angels Army; vibrant media initiatives
like the Rex Band; a number of interesting formation approaches and modules;
youth initiated youth animation modules for priests, sisters and elders labeled
“Communion”; various exhibition and art-related initiatives; Nurses Meets,
professionals’ gatherings, young couples groups; and much more. These and many
other training and faith-related initiatives characterize Jesus Youth working
style, but it is quite interesting to ask, other than the organizational link
what are the core elements of these diverse programs and approaches. What are
the core vision and thrusts behind these?
I.
A
Quick Sketch of the Movement
The youth-to-youth approach or “the apostolate of the like towards
like” [2]
coupled with an emphasis on building a faith-centered lifestyle among the young
generation differentiates Jesus Youth from other youth support groups of
contemporary times. The world of youth
is a fast-changing reality and, furthermore, their trends are strikingly
distinct in different places and among varying age groups. Addressing these
dynamic realities closely is the primary challenge of Jesus youth movement,
which in turn make the movement quite relevant. That in the movement youth
themselves spontaneously respond to these changing realities with evident
Christian commitment becomes the point of departure for the Church in general, and
this in turn provides challenges for faith formators for honing the skills for
relevant youth catechesis.
For a quick intro to the movement: Jesus
Youth is an international Catholic Youth Movement with a charismatic
spirituality that originated in Kerala, the picturesque coastal state in the
southern tip of India, with its rich cultural backdrop and special Christian
tradition of three Catholic rites and numerous other churches.
In the 1970s the Catholic Charismatic Renewal (CCR) touched the lives of many and resulted in the formation of a number of youth groups. By the early 1980s,
these groups had already matured into a vibrant presence. In 1985, the
International Year of the Youth, these groups came together under a single
name, ‘Jesus Youth’, seeking a
clearer vision for themselves and looking for greater participation in the
Church and society. Stirred by the Spirit and impelled by their inner dynamism
these youth took the spirit of the movement to their life situations and also
to the places to which they moved for studies and jobs. From its small
beginnings in Kerala, Jesus Youth gradually spread across the length and
breadth of the country with an active presence in all the states of India. At the
turn of the millennium the movement had already spread to a number of countries
in different continents. While retaining its spontaneous nature, well thought
out formation programs, youthful evangelistic ministries and coordination teams
that evolved over the years ensured continuity and development of this network
of youth groups into a full-fledged international Catholic movement that shred
a number of characteristics of post-conciliar Catholic Ecclesial Movements. By
the time Jesus Youth movement celebrated the Silver Jubilee 2010 the movement
was already approved as Catholic movement by India Catholic Bishops (CBCI) and
a vibrant presence in more than 30 countries and all continents.
II.
Where
are our youth today
As the primary emphasis of the
movement is bringing contemporary youth to a Christ encounter and accompanying
them into rootedness in Christian life and community an ongoing reflection on
current youth orientations is extremely important for the movement as well as
for understanding certain of the dynamics of the movement.
Youth is a significant presence in Indian Society. In the 1.21
billion strong Indian population young people account for more than half, as
50% are below 25 years and more than 66% below 35 years of age [3].
With regard to the Church community, though firm statistics are not available,
somewhat similar patterns could be expected. But what is the active presence of
the young segment in Church life? They are moderately present at the
liturgy, but youth presence is scanty in the general church life. Some estimates put the youth participation in
Catholic organizations and Church leadership to somewhere around 5 to 10 percent [4].
If they are not actively present in the Church community life, where are they
present today?
This leads us to a quick brainstorming on what draws youth:
Friendship and fellowship attract youth; youth need opportunities
for action; creative ways, innovative approaches stir up their heart; youth are
where things happen. Music, sports, media, education, professions and careers,
technology, are all areas that youth are concerned about. On the Net it was
once email and chatting, then there was the Orkut, especially for Indian youth,
now-a-days they are mostly on the Facebook with 31 million users in the country [5].
One large chunk of youth is there in the politics and in that a section at
least ends up in the grip of violence. Given a chance youth are eager to have
fun and adventure. Many of the city girls are thrilled about shopping and they
dream about a world of glitter and glamour. At least a small section is for art
and literature, and some of them find joy in good reading. A minuscule minority
of today’s youth look for some kind of radical commitment.
While the foregoing discussion points to certain micro-level
preferences, certain of the macro-level “new situations in human history which,
in recent decades have become the places to proclaim and witness to the Gospel”
have been indicated in the “Lineamenta” of the forthcoming XIII Ordinary General
Assembly of the Synod of Bishops. These new sectors [6]
are 1. Culture, 2. Migration, 3. The means of social communication, 4. Economic
concerns, 5. Area of scientific and technological research, and 6. Civic and
political life. While the document tries to point to the fast-changing face of
the society that requires urgent attention by the Church, the list also serves
as solid indicators of prime attention areas of the contemporary youth world. “The
new evangelization calls us to engage in dialogue with these sectors, not remaining
confined to our communities and our institutions, but accepting the challenge
to take part in these phenomena so as to speak and bear witness in these
sectors, from the inside” [7].
Jesus Youth being a youth initiated as well as youth-centered
movement the above youth-related concerns receive abundant focus and
addressing such a culture in the context of faith transmission becomes the very
raison d'etre for the movement. This focus has in turn given rise to a
distinct approach to faith formation as well as to all other aspects of life
and organization of the movement.
III.
Jesus
Youth Movement: A Pathway for Faith Nurturing
How does JY go about faith formation? Befriending a youth ‘out there’ in the ordinary
circumstances of life, leading them to an “Encounter”, providing a supportive
context and helpful tools for fostering this newfound treasure, forming them to
the maturity of Christ-centered community living, and finally preparing to send
them forth on their personal journey of mission, are the steps of this process
that help a person in their faith maturing. As the youth reality is so varied
and the movement is present in wide spectrum of youth situations, such as
different age groups, cultural situations, country backgrounds, etc., this
faith-nurturing approach takes innumerable forms and styles. Yet what keeps the
movement cohesive, enduring, and effective is a certain set of tools and
approaches that primarily promote faith-maturing and effective Christian life.
They are:
1. The Encounter: The Jesus Youth faith
journey begins informally, with a befriending or invitation of a Jesus Youth, which leads to a period of companionship leading to a more formal Christ
encounter or an adult renewal of baptism. In this process, the person receives
an initial rooting and sprouting in the Catholic faith, spiritual life, faith
community as well as Christian mission.
2.
Fellowships: The Encounter is a virtual doorway to some Jesus Youth fellowship.
These groups are mainly of four types: Cells, prayer groups, ministry groups, and informal fellowships. Cells are committed groups for sharing and mutual
support; prayer groups, more open groups of joyful fellowship; ministry groups,
come together with an emphasis on the mission; and there are a number of regular
and occasional gatherings, online and otherwise that gather for friendship and mutual support. What characterize all
these Jesus Youth fellowships are i) prayer, ii) faith upbuilding, and iii) warmth
of relationships. For prayer, these groups use informal prayer styles in line
with Charismatic spirituality as well as a more streamlined Jesus Youth Prayer
style. For faith up building Word of God, Catholic Catechism and active
participation in the liturgical cycle of the Church are made use of.
3.
The six pillars: The movement strives to promote an active Catholic lifestyle
answering the modern-day challenges of a layperson by certain spiritual habits
in each person known as the six pillars of Jesus Youth lifestyle. They are: i)
Prayer: A daily quiet time with the
Lord leading to an experience of the companionship of Jesus enables one to have
a joyful attitude in daily life. ii) Word
of God: A regular time with the Holy Scripture helps shape one’s life
according to God’s will. In this way the person learns a lifestyle of seeking
God’s guidance through continuous consultation. iii) Sacraments: Frequent recourse to these channels of grace helps one
to lead a life of wholeness and strength. A Jesus Youth advances in holiness
and receives power to fulfill the mission
through active participation in the liturgical life of the Church. iv) Fellowship: Christian life is a call to
live the life of the Trinity in communion with one’s brothers and sisters in
Christ through mutual support, encouragement, and gentle correction. Informal
relationships and groups, cells, prayer groups, and various Service Teams are
the important forums of fellowship in Jesus Youth. v) Evangelization: The fruit of an active life with Jesus is a joyful
commitment to witnessing, and sharing the person and message of Jesus with others.
This commitment to evangelization is the touchstone of an effective Jesus Youth
lifestyle. vi) Option for the poor: A willingness to serve those in need
and a preferential option for the poor are the signs of a true disciple of
Jesus Christ. Following the footsteps of the Master, who brought the Good News
to the poor, Jesus Youth stretches out a helping hand to those burdened with
poverty and deprivation.
4.
Formation Programs: As faith-related and personal effectiveness formation is essential
for mature living there is much emphasis in the movement for formation. While
Grassroots training takes place in the context of JY fellowships, the Live-in
training takes place in centers. There are age and stage-specific formations as
well as talent and mission-related training in the movement. Yearlong
Full-timer Training, Discipleship Training, Master Builders, Professionals to
Mission, and the like are only a few of the varied formation programs in the
movement.
5. Ministries: Jesus Youth Ministries are
mission-oriented groups, some talent related missions like music, media,
literature, etc. while others relate to certain life situations or career-related initiatives like Campus Ministry, Teens Teams, etc.
6. The Network: As a movement, Jesus Youth
is a network of fellowships and active individuals. In the movement, there is a
coordinating network with Service Teams (ST) at the international level to the
local grassroots level. The movement is also characterized by a wide chain of
leadership net often dubbed as the “JY Family”. Despite the complexity
brought about by the multiplicity of countries, cultures and levels of
involvement, such a leadership rapport is maintained through certain movement
gatherings, leadership travel, and effective use of communication pathways. There
are also several informal leadership networks that function quite
effectively, some of them with the help of various online facilities.
IV.
Cornerstones of JY Faith Formation
Through the three decades of its evolution, Jesus Youth movement has
attempted a variety of faith transmission and youth accompaniment approaches. In
spite of the fact that the whole dynamics is in a state of flux as the object
of this process, the youth culture is in constant metamorphosis, certain
marked trends stand out amidst this jumble of Jesus Youth approaches to the spiritual up building of the young generation.
1)
Experienced and life-focused: A ‘personal encounter with Christ’ or
having a ‘God experience’ becomes a starting point of Jesus Youth lifestyle. In
an age of ‘infotainment’ such an experience-oriented spirituality and faith
transmission become quite relevant for the contemporary generation. In JY
programs this is achieved through the personal lived conviction of the
formators, their personal sharing, a preferential focus on informality, use of
the media, greater participant involvement and the like.
2)
Formation towards
relationships: For youth relationships are central
to their lives and so in JY formations this dimension receives great focus.
These formations may appear more like friendship building, engaging
wholehearted participation and resulting in spontaneous follow up. Even
spirituality and Trinitarian life are presented from the point of view of Father
– Son or fraternal relationships. Healing of hurts, forgiveness, building
relationships, etc. receive abundant focus in these training programs. And what
is the outcome? Jesus Youth faith formation programs, if it is effective, end
up forming right relationship with God and they in turn form loving fellowships.
3)
Formation for a culture and
lifestyle: Jesus Youth programs invite people to a
culture with Christian foundations and they result in instilling a lifestyle in
individuals and in fellowships. There are characteristic songs and styles, even
a kind of language. There is the goal of training people in the habits of the Six Pillars that result in a JY Lifestyle.
4)
Youthful language and
dynamics: Clichés and monotony are the greatest
roadblocks of spiritual intake for youth. Jesus Youth programs attracts youth,
because they use youthful language and dynamics. “Evangelization loses much of
its force and effectiveness if it does not take into consideration the actual
people to whom it is addressed, if it does not use their language, their signs
and symbols, if it does not answer the questions they ask, and if does not have
an impact on their concrete life” [8].
These dynamics have changed over the
years, but in the movement there is a natural and on-going reflection about
formation dynamics.
5)
Community Context: Jesus Youth formation programs take place in the context of a
local or wider community and they in turn become portals of entry into a
community. Every stage of preparation for a program is done by a close-knit group.
Very often good number of senior Jesus Youth are present during any such
training. As a result of this the formation becomes a process of getting added
to the wider JY community.
6)
Teaming up of Charisms: A Formation Team is a prerequisite for any JY formation. This in
effect becomes a collaborative effort of committed Christians with
complementing spiritual gifts. Teaching, music, personal encouragement,
service, media talents, insightful guidance skills, prayer animation, groups
dynamics, general team and program coordination, etc. are Chrisms that come to
take clear contributory role in most Jesus Youth programs. That these roles are
undertaken by youth themselves adds to the efficacy of these formations.
7)
Supported by prayer: Every Jesus Youth program is seen as a spiritual campaign, especially
leading a person to salvation experience and missionary maturity. As a result,
prayer support for the trainees and for the whole effort by the Formation Team
and by the wider community becomes a crucial ingredient of the formation.
8)
Part of an inspiring vision: There is an underlying effort in the movement to keep the vision
of the movement and wider Church alive, and also to communicate the same
through every faith formation module. A firm foundation of this vision comes
from a conscious effort to learn from and integrate with the vision of the
Church.
9)
Challenge to mission: There is gradual progression of themes in a Jesus Youth Faith
Formation program: i) Context, ii) Confession of faith, iii) Commitment, and
iv) Call to mission. The end part mostly comprises of the Great Commission,
models and examples, specific planning and commissioning ceremony. The vibrancy
and relevance of the movement is primarily due to this emphasis on mission.
10) Taught by living models: In the
tradition of the Israel as well as the Church saints play a vital role of faith
transmission. Case study of saints, short hagiography clips, mission examples,
personal testimonies, interviews, panel sharing, select group animators are all
different modes of transmission of examples of ‘faith made flesh’ in an
everyday Jesus Youth program.
11) The Conviction Factor: The clarity of
conviction of leaders and trainers as well as the ministry groups add a special
quality and fascination to Jesus Youth programs. The Great Teacher taught ‘with authority’ and
that made the difference between His approach and that of the teachers of the
day.
12) Continuity and on-going career and life context: What makes Jesus Youth different from other similar movements is
the dynamics that ensure continuity and follow up, including its relevance to
life and family.
V.
Stages
of Jesus Youth formation
i.
Seeker (Introductory) Phase - Jn
1:35 – 39
Entry: Jesus Youth movement, in a number of ways, invites general youth to
come to Jesus and follow it up. Personally, and as JY group some contact is
made, through personal witness, exposure programs, out-reaches, etc. & in a
number of ways this interest is sustained.
Description – A Seeker is often characterized by serious personal confusions
and doubts regarding faith; not a very active prayer life; a desire to know the
Lord and be committed.
Accompaniment – JY has to be present where youth are. Friendship and fellowship,
cultural events, social concern events all geared to lead them to Christ and
Church will be effective. Help is needed to overcome serious areas of sinful
habits and deep hurts. Personal guidance, faith-animated friendship and
invitation to Christ encounter will help them to the next phase.
ii.
Believer (Encounter) Phase – Ro.
10: 9 – 11
Entry: Life in the Spirit Seminars
or LSS, ‘Meets’ and Initiation Retreats help the Seeker to take a personal
commitment to the Lord.
Description: A Believer has had an ‘encounter’ with Jesus and a closer walk
with a Christian community. The Seeker, after going through proper Gospel
instruction, makes an adult decision and has accepted Jesus as Lord. A Baptism
in the Holy Spirit (BHS) experience has launched them seriously on a life of
personal friendship with the Lord. Many of them experience the joy and hope of
Christ centered life.
Accompaniment: The person begins a serious walk with the Lord and needs
fellowship and faith catechesis. Regular attendance in a JY prayer group, JY
Fellowship often provides this. Self-awareness, personal acceptance and
awareness of personal call are important. The person needs devoted peers as
well as concerned elders to guide them. Instruction of different aspects of
walk with Christ and help to develop a life of priorities and commitment should
lead to the next phase.
iii.
Disciple (Commitment) Phase – Mk. 8: 34 – 36
Entry: The Believer after a period of growth in their walk with the Lord
and attendance in the Jesus Youth fellowship decides to attend a 10
session-long ‘Yuvajyothi’ at the end of which takes a ‘provisional commitment’
to undergo a 6-month long Discipleship Formation concluded by a solemn
Commitment or Pledge of Discipleship. One has to be 18 years for this.
Description: The Believer has taken a decision to follow a path of disciplined
formation and has taken solemn ‘pledge’ in the movement for a committed
growth. A Disciple is i) regular in a
formative group (cell), ii) regular and committed to ‘6 pillars’ including JY
Prayer and iii) has a personal guide. In its strict sense a committed disciple
is a Jesus Youth who will also be personally accountable to the Service Team
(ST) and only such a person comes to a JY Team.
Accompaniment: As one enters this phase, he or she is a regular “member” of the
movement, and the Service Teams have to provide support for their growth. The
Team follows up the person through ‘Committed Groups’ or cells, keeping track
of the regularity and growth of cells. Discovery of one’s personal mission and
individual charisms is important. Every year on the Pentecost Day the ST
arranges a Recommitment ceremony. The Committed Member after a certain time can
‘confirm’ the commitment. For this the Service Team of the Region arranges the
accompaniment and formation.
iv.
Missionary (Sent forth) phase – Mk.
3:13; Lk 6:13
Entry: Those Confirmed Members, after a period of regular growth in the
movement and desirous of a missionary commitment are invited by the STs attend
a ‘Missionary Orientation’ weekend and is attached to a Mentor. Those who
decide to attend the Missionary Formation lasting one year, have a personal
Mentor and attends four in-put modules of ‘Missionary Formation’: i) Faith of
the Fathers, ii) Evangelization, iii) Jesus Youth Leadership and iv)
Communication. On the successful completion of the formation, they take a solemn
‘Missionary Commitment’.
Description: Every Christian is called to be a missionary and every Jesus Youth
is committed to be one. This awareness, coupled with the zeal for it
characterizes a JY. The person in the Missionary Phase is equipped to instruct
and accompany another in faith and has clarity on the Catechism of the Catholic
Church. The person has achieved a certain degree of integrated growth of
personality and emotional balance. A Missionary works in a variety of socio-cultural fields transforming them with the message of the Kingdom of God.
Accompaniment: Those in Missionary Phase supported and guided to be available and
take leadership in the movement, in the Church and society to be witnesses and
evangelizers. They have personal guides, are part of committed groups and are
monitored in their mission. They have clarity on their Christian mission and
helped to use their ministries inside and outside the movement effectively.
v.
Mentor (Resource) Phase – Gal.
4:19
Entry: Committed ‘Missionaries’ after a period of faithful service are
invited by the National Team to receive formation and take commitment as
Movement Mentor/Senior Resource Person.
Description: A Mentor is a source of mature vision and formation in the
movement. They have gone through various formation stages of the movement and
continue to be enriched by wider resources of the Church and its spiritual
depths. They are available to the various levels of leadership in the movement
as resource persons and they take initiative to build the movement and
integrate it with the Church and society.
Accompaniment: The movement arranges fellowship and network of Mentors for
updating, deepening and guidance. This mutually animating network of Jesus
Youth Resource Persons will be a forum for on-going support for mentors. A
yearly national/continental gathering of Mentors and trainings and exposures to
the wider resources of the Catholic Church and other areas of formation will
help them. A Mentor is given accompaniment through the guidance of a mature
priest in the movement.
On
the move
Formation for and mission by youth or formation for a Catholic
mission among and by the young generation could be considered as the core
competency of Jesus Youth movement. The initiative of youth, a fine mixing of
the orthodoxy with contemporary phraseology, a mixing of generations, and care
for continuity render Jesus Youth faith formation efforts quite effective.
While a high level of self-motivation and missionary dynamism are its strong
points, standardization and easy duplication sometimes prove difficult due to an emphasis on informality and youthful dynamics. Presently Jesus Youth movement
is in the process of streamlining its faith formation approaches. As the Lord
himself phrased it, this judicious mixing of “what is new and what is old” [9]
will only ensure the continuity and maturity of this youth catechesis of
contemporary times.
[1] John Paul II. Ecclesia
in Asia, 9.
[2] Vatican Council II, Lay People, 13
[3] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_India
[4] Youth Policy
discussions, KRLCC, 13 November 2011.
[5] Internet World Stats - Asia. http://www.internetworldstats.com/asia.htm
[6] The Sectors Calling
for the New Evangelization, Lineamenta, Synod of Bishops: XIII Ordinary General
Assembly, 6.
[7] Ibid.
[8] Pope Paul VI, Evangelii Nuntiandi, 63
[9] Mt. 13:52
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