Jesus Youth Life-Based Apostolates (BJMM049)

By

 

Jesus  Youth Life-Based Apostolates 

(JY India National Evaluation, Hyderabad - 10 June 2017 – Dr Edward Edezhath)

Jesus Youth strives to lead people, especially the youth, to a renewed life in Christ, assists them in their growth in holiness and prepares them for the apostolate in communion with the mission of the Church (JY Statutes, 5).

One very effective approach to evangelise people is through Life-Based Apostolates or Ministries (LBA). From its very inception, Jesus Youth helped young people in the educational institutions to have an encounter with the Lord and come together in fellowship. Over the years, groups of nurses, doctors, teachers, etc., sprouted in the movement. Children’s groups, teens’ networks, family groups, etc., are also strong in the movement.

“The apostolate in one’s social environment endeavours to infuse the Christian spirit into the mentality and behaviour, laws and structures of the community in which one lives. To such a degree is it the special work and responsibility of lay people, that no one else can ever properly supply for them. In this area laymen can conduct the apostolate of the like towards like. There the witness of their life is completed by the witness of their word. It is amid the surroundings of their work that they are best qualified to be of help to their brothers, in the surroundings of their profession, of their study, residence, leisure or local group.” (Vat. II. Decree on the Apostolate of the Laity, 13)

How & Where an LBA is formed?

Based on state of life, career or social activity such apostolate develops. “A Jesus Youth Apostolate begins as the initiative of an individual or a small group. It serves as a platform for individuals to grow together and share Christ using their talents and gifts in a specific context. It seeks to employ day-to-day life activities as a means of evangelisation and sanctification of the world.” (JY Statutes, 8)

What are some of the Life Based Apostolates that you already have in your area? What more are possible?

LBA offers a Road-Map for a person’s growth

Each of the LBAs, to be effective, has a road map for a person’s growth as a JY. What are its stages?

a. Invitation, b. Orientation, 3. Belonging to Community, 4. Life style formation (six pillars), 5. Leadership building, 6. Sending out

When one LBA begins, this will be in a crude form. But as it grows the leadership has to attend to thisgrowth dimension and from time to time evaluate and do the needful strengthen the growth process.

Groups and Programs

There are possible groups and activities in each of the LBAs. They are typically:

1. To welcome – What plans and programs to bring newcomers? 

2. Fellowship – What regular gathering? Cells, prayer groups, etc. 

3. Formation for growth, 

4. Sending forth – How members are prepared for leadership and mission?

To build up with clarity, it is important to ask

Which group (life situation, career, social state) this LBA is attending to? What are the typical programs? For welcome, integration, growth. What are the typical groups? Any categorisation indicating levels of growth? What specific habits you want them to cultivate? And how you train for that? What are some of the challenges specific to the group, and how you address? How you link them to wider JY movement and its network? How well they integrate with the Church and society?

Tips for building

Spiritual maturity is all about fine balancing. As an LBA grows there is need to attend to balancing between:

  • Spiritual depth and group-related (professional) competence
  • Specific group needs and JY spirituality with its dynamics
  • Personal attention and group building
  • Growth in holiness and mission
  • Community building and reaching out
  • Local presence and wider JY linking
  • Strong traditions with continuity and refreshing new initiatives

VAT. II. DECREE ON THE APOSTOLATE OF THE LAITY

The Church was founded for the purpose of spreading the kingdom of Christ throughout the earth for the glory of God the Father, to enable all men to share in His saving redemption, and that through them the whole world might enter into a relationship with Christ. All activity of the Mystical Body directed to the attainment of this goal is called the apostolate, which the Church carries on in various ways through all her members. For the Christian vocation by its very nature is also a vocation to the apostolate. (Vat. II. Decree on the Apostolate of the Laity, 2)

This plan for the spiritual life of the laity should take its particular character from their married or family state or their single or widowed state, from their state of health, and from their professional and social activity. They should not cease to develop earnestly the qualities and talents bestowed on them in accord with these conditions of life, and they should make use of the gifts which they have received from the Holy Spirit. (Vat. II. Decree on the Apostolate of the Laity, 4)

FROM JESUS YOUTH STATUTES

II. Purpose

5. Jesus Youth strives to lead people, especially the youth, to a renewed life in Christ, assists them in their growth in holiness and prepares them for the apostolate in communion with the mission of the Church.

6. The association helps people to have a personal relationship with Christ and experience the love of the Father and the fellowship and guidance of the Holy Spirit in their lives.

7. The association strives to cultivate in its members a life of missionary discipleship, urging them to become joyful witnesses of the Gospel in the contemporary world.

III. Means to Achieve the Purpose

8. Jesus Youth carries out the work of evangelisation by fostering individual apostolates, facilitating group apostolates, and engaging in formal missions and projects in various parts of the world. A Jesus Youth Apostolate begins as the initiative of an individual or a small group. It serves as a platform for individuals to grow together and share Christ using their talents and gifts in a specific context. It seeks to employ day-to-day life activities as a means of evangelisation and sanctification of the world.

63. Life situation based teams: Teams are formed to facilitate a deeper fellowship and apostolate in various life situations like students, working professionals, etc. There are also teams catering to the faith formation of children and teenagers. These teams are formed at the National or Regional or Zonal levels under the respective Councils.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

How to Kill a Jesus Youth Initiative - Nicely! (BJMM045)

By
Image
How to Kill a Jesus Youth Initiative —Nicely! (By Dr. Edward Edezhath - Shared in Jesus Youth group, Cochin on February 10, 2018, reworked for Nicole Samuel, USA on Oct.3, 2014) In every movement, especially in Jesus Youth (JY), new ministries often emerge from the passion and enthusiasm of one individual or a small group of like-minded people. These pioneers see a need, feel a calling, and take action. Before long, their spark of passion grows into a vibrant initiative—a living network of fruitfulness that impacts others and spreads like wildfire. But wait. Before grabbing your pom-poms and cheering for these visionaries, let’s talk about something important. Not everyone loves change. In fact, nothing unsettles the status quo more than fresh, creative ideas. While new initiatives bring life, energy, and vision, they also have a strange ability to upset the apple cart—especially for those who enjoy how things currently are. So, what do you do when you see such a movement rising? Well,...
Read more

Can a good Catholic join the Onam celebrations? (BJMM044)

By
Image
Can a good Catholic join the Onam celebrations? (Dr. Edward Edezhath) Sibi came to me with a serious doubt. “I hear different views on Onam. Isn't it something unchristian? They also say that our participation in such non-Christian practices is the reason for many of the curses and misfortunes in life.” I shared my experience and some thoughts with Sibi. I come from Kerala and have a very active Catholic faith background. Looking back to my childhood days, the cultural festivals of my place were occasions for everyone to gather to share love and fellowship. There were Christmas, Onam, Vishu, and other joyful festival days. Each had specific celebrations. Onam and Vishu were known for the good ‘Sadhya’ or nice vegetarian meal. For Christmas, there were stars and decorations and Carols.  In my village, where Hindus and Christians lived in harmony, everyone celebrated all these festivals. These were beautiful occasions of love and sharing.  These celebrations were not limited to ...
Read more

The Church's Vision for the Laity and Jesus Youth Movement (BJMM013)

By
Image
  The Vision of the Church for the Laity and Jesus Youth Movement - Quotes from Church Documents Dr. Edward A. Edezhath The post-conciliar phase of the Catholic Church has been characterized by a conscious dialogue with modernity. The growing importance of the laity in the life and reflection of the Church has become a natural need and outcome of this openness to the contemporary world and culture. Jesus Youth movement emerged in this context and, as a result, its distinct nature and style of functioning were shaped by these steadily growing trends in the Church. In the movement, there is an eagerness to come to an awareness and to conform to the vision of the Church regarding the call and mission of the laity in contemporary society. What are some of the favorite reference points for Jesus Youth vision? Dogmatic Constitution of the Church Lumen Gentium (LG) set out the parameters of the identity and the singular mission of laity in the Church and the world. The conciliar De...
Read more