Jesus Youth Singapore

About Jesus Youth

Jesus Youth is an International Catholic lay movement approved by the Holy See. Jesus Youth focuses on evangelising young people and nurturing their missionary initiatives. It had its beginnings in Kerala, India, and evolved as an active part of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal of the state in the late 1970s. In 1985, the International Year of Youth, a number of youth groups came together under a single name, Jesus Youth. Gradually, Jesus Youth spread to different parts of India and to a number of other countries. It is now active in more than thirty countries. In Singapore Jesus Youth had its beginning in the year 2000.

The strength of the movement is its special focus on a life centred on the Lord Jesus Christ: beginning with an experience of God nourished by prayer, the Word of God, the Sacraments and fellowship and sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ with others, especially the poor. Jesus Youth strives to cultivate in its members a life of missionary discipleship, urging them to become joyful witnesses of the Gospel in the contemporary world. Members seek to grow as faithful disciples of Christ, through the six pillars of the Jesus Youth movement, which include regular reading, reflection and study of the Word of God, a commitment to a personal time of prayer and regular participation in the Eucharist and Sacrament of Reconciliation. Community fellowship, service to the oppressed and underprivileged and focus on evangelisation are other key elements of the Jesus Youth lifestyle, fostering a genuine growth and deepening of faith.

The Six “Pillars of Spirituality”

A lifestyle that every Jesus Youth member follows

Personal Prayer

At the heart of the movement is a daily ‘quiet time’ with the Lord that leads to an experience of a loving friendship with Jesus and fosters a joyful attitude to life. A diverse series of reflections and contemporary prayer formats that have evolved from everyday life help spark off and sustain a life of prayer within the movement.

Word of God

A regular time for a meditative reading of the Sacred Scripture helps to shape one’s life according to God’s will. In this way the person acquires the ability to seek God’s guidance through the continuous study of the Word of God. Members should read and meditate on the scriptures i.e. the Bible.

Sacraments

There seven Sacraments in the Catholic Church. Frequent and active participation in the Sacraments of the Eucharist and Reconciliation contributes to a life of wholeness and strength, and aims at growth in holiness so as to fulfil the mission.

Fellowship

Christian life is a call to live the life of the Trinity in communion with one’s brothers and sisters in Christ through mutual support, encouragement and gentle correction. Cells, prayer groups, vocational groups and various Service Teams (ST), and friendship circles help to make Jesus Youth a family.

Evangelisation

Fruit of an active life with Jesus is a joyful commitment to witnessing, sharing the person and message of Jesus with others. This commitment to evangelisation is central to the life of every member of Jesus Youth.

Option for the Poor

Willingness to serve those in need and a preferential option for the poor are the signs of a true disciple of Jesus Christ. Jesus Youth stretches out a helping hand to those burdened with poverty and deprivation. he tells us to share, sacrifice and love each and everyone. service should be demandless.