Thursday, November 16, 2006

Pope Welcomes India's "Jesus Youth"

Pope Welcomes "Jesus Youth" Members from India during General Audience

Jesus Youth International
Members of Jesus Youth International in Rome, Italy

November 16, 2006 (KC Blog): At the end of the general audience yesterday where he reflected on St. Paul's teaching on the Holy Spirit, the Holy Father greeted 55 members of 'Jesus Youth International' from India who were on a pilgrimage to Rome.

"I welcome all the English-speaking pilgrims here today, including members of the World Union of Catholic Women's Organizations and members of 'Jesus Youth International' from India," the Pope said.

Greeting the 15,000 people who had gathered in St. Peter's Square, Pope Benedict XVI blessed the pilgrims visit to Rome. "May your visit to Rome be a time of joyful spiritual enrichment. Upon all of you, I invoke God's abundant Blessings!"

"Jesus Youth," a Catholic youth movement of Charismatic spirituality, had its beginnings in South Indian state of Kerala from where its activites spread to a few other countries. Youth reaching out to youth, missionary commitment, fellowship, faith formation and ecumenism have been some its special charisms in answering the challenges of today's world in the power of the Spirit and putting itself at the service of the Church.

Being a network of small fellowship groups of young people, "Jesus Youth" is co-ordinated by service teams at various levels, the international team of which met from 5-11 November, 2006 at Rome in Italy. A retreat was also organized on 11th and 12th giving the members of the movement a chance to be present at this week's general audience.

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