Beauty, Art, and Jesus Youth (BJMM054)

Beauty, Art, and Jesus Youth

(By Dr. Edward Edezhath, for the CorUS booklet, prepared on 20 Nov 2025)

The year was 1982. We were having our first leaders’ training, and about a hundred leaders from all parts of the state were expected. One suggestion was that every group come prepared with some faith-oriented artistic presentation. Those of us from Cochin got together and prepared a Light and Sound show presenting God’s call. Others came with a skit, a poem presentation, an artwork, a dance, and so on. The four-day training itself was on self-awareness and leadership, but that simple preparation changed the whole tone and orientation. An excellent rapport was built within the group; the talent focus and group exercise, in a sense, toned down an overly spiritualized and self-focused approach. This became, in retrospect, one of the best early foundations for building the different talent ministries in the Jesus Youth movement.

From the very early days, Jesus Youth has intentionally used different forms of beauty and art. While preparing the historic Jesus Youth ’85 conference, one question we asked was whether we could limit the number of long talks and make use of innovative and youth-friendly dynamics. We explored all modes of content transmission. Naturally, a variety of group activities and the use of art and creativity came in. That year, all of us used a custom-made Jesus Youth ’85 Christmas card. Those were the days of letter communication, and even the letter papers were specially designed. The program itself was rich with thematic stage decorations, altar designs, exhibitions, music presentations, dances, skits, and more.

This early focus on creativity has continued as the movement spread to different countries and life situations. Even when profession-based groups or university groups gather, there is always a conscious thought about how to use art and beauty in preparation as well as during events and gatherings.

Why art and beauty?

Pope Benedict XVI put it beautifully: “The encounter with the beautiful can become the wound of the arrow that strikes the heart and, in this way, opens our eyes, so that later, from this experience, we take the criteria for judgment and can correctly evaluate the arguments.” In the movement, these art- and media-focused initiatives have naturally increased the overall appeal of events and groups, especially among the younger generation. This is evident in attractive program announcements on social media, the tasteful preparation of venues, the joyful and lively music groups that animate gatherings, thematic skits, song dramatizations, and a variety of other elements.

Many Jesus Youth groups also engage in social outreach. While visiting care homes, correctional facilities, marginalized communities, and various other groups, the use of creative expressions can significantly enhance the evangelizing dimension. I have heard many young people speak of their sense of fulfillment in this. “I always had a passion for something creative. In Jesus Youth, I found like-minded young people who came together to do creative initiatives. There I found a place to use and grow in my talent, and in that process, I also rediscovered a meaningful spirituality.”

CorUS was yet another milestone in bringing beauty and art to the fore—helping young people come alive, find community along this luminous path, and explore ways of sharing joy and the Good News with others. Surely its ripples will reach different regions, inspiring many to lead and helping others discover and use the precious talents the Lord has gifted them with.