By Jyotsna D’Souza
Vasai, March 30, 2020: To be elected the national president of the Indian Catholic Youth Movement and National Youth Commission was not something I have ever dreamed.
But I do believe I am here for a reason. God has a purpose for me. He has a vision that He wants me to fulfill.
Initially, I was overwhelmed with the election. I asked myself whether I was capable of undertaking such a huge responsibility but then the words of Billy Graham came to my mind, “The will of God won’t take you where the grace of God cannot sustain you.”
So here I am, on a journey that God has set for me!
In the earlier days in the youth ministry, I was excited about the different opportunities and platforms that it provided.
I joined the parish youth (Infant Jesus Church, Evershine City, Vasai diocese) when I was 17. The same year, I was sent as the parish representative to the diocesan youth body, known as ‘Yuvadarshan’ (youth vision).
Its activities and discussion were more than what I had experienced.
Before joining ‘Yuvadarshan’ I was filled energy and enthusiasm to do something for the Church – the people of God. ‘Yuvadarshan’ helped my potential to bloom.
Later the diocese nominated me (November 2019) as the girl representative to the Western region of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India. The Western Region Catholic Youth Ministry unanimously elected me to represent it at the national level. The rest is history.
People ask me how it feels to be the national youth president at the age of 20 and to devote two years to this ministry.
All I can say is that what I am today is due to the formation I received from the Church: Catechism and confirmation classes, parish choir, Society of St Vincent de Paul, Youth Group and various other organizations. Members of these organizations and several priests I have met at various times have greatly impacted me. I am giving back what I have received.
God had chosen David, the youngest and the most inexperienced, to be the king of his people. Similarly, God chooses you to fulfill his will no matter who you are, where you come from or whatever your limitations. You are chosen for a purpose and God knows that you have it in you
The youth ministry has given me invaluable opportunities and everlasting memories. I will be ever grateful to God for them and I promise to keep contributing to this ministry for as long as I can.
(Jyotsna D’Souza is the national president of the Indian Catholic Youth Movement, National Youth Commission of the Conference of Catholic Bishops’ of India.)