By: Matters India Reporter

Secunderabad, June 7, 2019: The Indian Catholic Youth Movement [ICYM] of the National Youth Commission of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI) will hold a national youth conference at Secunderabad, October 13 – 17.

 

“Purpose is two ways—to give young people a chance to talk, share and express their thoughts and concerns and the church listens to. Secondly, it is to educate and impart knowledge to young people about faith and important matters in life, such as media, leadership, politics, history of Christian faith, vocation and many other topics in the form of workshops. It is a more dialogue-based programme. No sessions and talks,” Percival Holt, national youth president of ICYM, told Matters India, June 5.

 

“The importance of the conference is to dialogue and talk in a synodal way, just as Pope Francis asks of the church—‘Let us help and handle things together. Not just one way but all together,” Holt said.

 

“I am the Servant of the Lord; May it be done to me according to your word” (Lk 1:38) is chosen as its theme. It invites youth to understand their call in life and re-affirm their commitment to God and His will, in response to all the concerns and matters discussed in the synod, just as the young Virgin Mary did.

 

“The theme this year is chosen and the programme is being planned in a way to help young people understand the post synod perspective of a joyful, youthful life and an attempt towards the implementation of the synod to grassroots youth. It will be based on the final document of the 2018 synod and Christus Vivit (Christ is alive),” said Holt.

 

Published on April 2, 2019, Christus Vivit is a post-synodal apostolic exhortation of Pope Francis, written in response to the Fifteenth Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, on “Young people, faith and vocational discernment”, held from 3 to 28 October 2018. It is addressed “to young people and to the entire people of God.”

 

“At the end of the youth conference in Secunderabad, we will come out with a document that records the voice of youth and it will be shared with all the bishops of India. This would help them understand and use it while drawing their pastoral plan for the youth ahead,” Holt said.

 

More than 500 youth including invitees and guests are expected to attend this national youth event.

 

The event will take place at CHAI Training Center, Secunderabad