YOUTH APOSTOLATE IN EUROPE
The Visitator noticed that, one of the most important and serious concerns, was the pastoral care for
the Youth of the Syro-Malabar Communities. Lack of Spiritual Formation to Youth
Addictions to different types of Situations viz alcoholism, and pornography, falling to different isms
(secularism, atheism, communism and consumerism), Cultural Crisis and Inadequate Faith
Formation all led to the need of the Formation of Youth Apostolate.
Taking into consideration the precarious situation, Fr. Binoj Mulavarickal was appointed director
of the Youth Apostolate for whole Europe in the year 2016. This Apostolate works in three areas.
SYRO-MALABAR YOUTH MOVEMENT
This movement is a formation movement in view of tomorrow’s church leaders in the ministries
of pastoral care as priests, religious and lay leaders. The main activities are centred on three things.
A. Spiritual, liturgical, catechetical and ecclesial formation B. Formation of Unit Executives,
Regional Team, National Team and European Team and Animators’ Team C. Group Building
Awake is both unit-wise and national-wise program meant for the selected members of the youth from the
unit/units gather for prayer, adoration, confession, reflection and Holy Qurbana, for a spiritual renewal and to
have a positive outlook towards the future life with clear Christian vision and a time to reflect their vocation
of being a true Christian and to be the part of the Church in is missionary enterprise.
Rejoice is the follow up of Awake Programme and the non-residential Youth Programme is also called Rejoice.
Grand Awake is a European level program, where selected youth from different countries gather once in a
year. This has been conducted in Rome, Switzerland and Ireland. Many interactive sessions, workshops
and seminars are held to know more about the teachings of the Catholic Church and specifically the rich
liturgical, theological, spiritual and disciplinary
patrimony of the Syro-Malabar Church. The Next Grand Awake will be held in Rome from 25
July to 28 July 2024.
Arise is a global combined mission endeavour of the SM youth. Youth from the eparchies of Melbourne,
Chicago, Mississauga, Great Britain and the Apostolic Visitation of Europe joined hands together to this
splendid gathering in Rome. This is called a combined mission because the challenges of the youth of the
migrant world are almost similar and their roots of origin are the same. Meeting Pope Francis for an hour
was the main highlight of thisevent. 5 bishops, 15 priests and 75 participants stayed together to reflect on
their ecclesialidentity rooted in prayer and reflection. The pilgrimage through the eternal city was an
amazing event.
Faith Hub began mainly during the Covid time as a Q& A online session. There were meaningful
discussions on topics like Holy Qurbana, Confession, Marriage, Homosexuality, Sacraments in general,
Moral Life, Theology of Body, Faith and Reason, Science and Religion, Theism and Atheism etc. This was a
monthly program which had 15 episodes.
Food for the Soul is a new venture done regularly on Sundays. It is a prayer evening of one hour, for
whole Europe meditating on the mysteries of the Most Holy Rosary. Usually there will be a 15 minutes
message by a priest. With praise and worship this gathering ends.
Scuola Fidei is a training programme for the youth personnel, meant for deepening in the church teachings
intended for the whole European Youth which would be starting in the endof this year.
Cenacle is a leadership training programme for youth which include themes and workshop sessions on
Christian leadership skills.
Promise is the second level leadership training programme for those who have attended Cenacle.
Companion is meant for the formation of youth animators. This was a six months module monthly
based which facilitated the animators with clear insights for their future mission. 6.3.2.2.11. Three
Months’ Counselling Courses for Youth Mentors meant to have a professional skill for the
eligible candidates (mainly women religious) to help the youth for spiritual sharing sessions. The
training is given by experts in psychology of formation and counselling. The first session commenced
on 8 November 2023.
Youth Mass (Eucharistia) is a spiritual nourishment programme strengthening the Youth to be
committed followers of Christ by worshipping Him and to be guided by Him. Confession, Music,
Reflections and Holy Qurbana and socialization all form part of this monthly programme in each mass
centre.
Youth Parents’ Meet is an excellent programme which helps the parents to have new way of looking
their young sons and daughters in a better manner. The input sessions were already conducted in different
parts of Europe.
Parish Ministries are done by the Director in order to conscientize the parishioners the seriousness and
the need of youth ministry. This is done mainly when the Youth Director visits the Mass Centres and the
respective parish committees.
Residential Retreats are done by the Director, when required at the request of each unit.
SOCIAL AND CHARITABLE WORK
Each unit works in different way especially during the season of Christmas, feast days and
Mission Sunday. They collect money through auction, lottery and other activities of fun. The
money is sent to the poorest locations (for caring the sick, for the marriage of a poor girl, for
the construction of a house of a needy, for the education of the financially unsound etc),
provided the request comes through proper channel.
