ERNAKULAM, KERALA, Dec. 28: An aura of festivity and immense joy hung over the entire Rajagiri campus as finally the day of the Jesus Youth jubilee celebrations began.
Participants’ from different countries sauntered around in their traditional attires. And all were headed in one direction. After long hours of prayer and months of preparations, the biggest celebration was on – the Jesus Youth Jubilee conference!
The main venue resembled a global village with the presence of over 21,000 participants from various countries far and wide. It was a moment of joy and pride for all present as delegates from 29 countries carried their national flags and Jubilee crosses in a colorful Inaugural procession.
Towards the end of the procession, the Holy Bible and the statues of Mother Mary and St. Francis of Assisi were brought in by the stalwarts of the movement.
The excitement in the venue visibly increased as Archbishop Abraham Viruthakulanganra, the Ecclesiastical Advisor of Jesus Youth India read out the message from Our Holy Father exhorting the movement to create a greater awareness among young people of the missionary dimension of being Christian.
Stars shone down on stage as His Eminence Cardinal Ivan Dias, Prefect of the Pontifical Congregation for Propagation of Faith inaugurated the conference by lighting the main lamp followed by the Bishops present.
The solemn Holy Mass with Ivan cardinal Dias as the main celebrant followed thereafter. Cardinal Dias urged young Catholics to follow Jesus through doctrine, discipline and devotion. Also he urged the youth to witness Christ “with our sweat, with our word and, if God wills, with our blood.”
At the beginning of the Mass, Archbishop Abraham read out the Degree of Indulgence.
One could realize that words were not enough to thank everyone as Manoj Sunny, the General Convener of the Jesus Youth Jubilee 2010 expressed his gratitude on behalf of the whole movement. He especially thanked His Eminence and all the Bishops present for their continual support. The evening was made complete with a keynote address by George Devassy, the Jesus Youth International Coordinator.
What followed was a gala of festivities as our very own Rex Band enthralled the audience with their mesmerizing music. As the curtains came down for the evening, it was just a glimpse of the Spirit – filled days ahead. Looks like the words of George Devassy seem to be true, “the sun never sets in the Jesus Youth”
More than 20,000 JY members from 29 countries are attending the five-day program. Participants have come from Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Germany, Malaysia, Persian Gulf countries, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Thailand, the United Kingdom and the United States.
The Shrine of Bellary Arogya Mathe was blessed and dedicated on 8th September 2000 on the feast of the Nativity of our Blessed Mother Mary in memory of the great jubilee 2000 and the Golden Jubilee of the Diocese of Bellary