ASIA/INDIA - Jubilee of Catholic students: building a just and peaceful nation

Bangalore (Agenzia Fides) To become "better people" as Christians, Hindus or Muslims, to be "agents of change that makes a difference", to build the common good in India, by committing to building a peaceful, just, open nation with a sustainable economy: this is the spirit and goal of the young Indians who are part of the Young Students Movement (YSM), a Catholic movement that celebrated its 50th anniversary in India (1970-2020) and - after a postponement due to the pandemic - celebrated its Golden Jubilee in Bangalore a few days ago.
As Fides learned, a Jubilee Eucharistic celebration was celebrated by Fr. Chetan Machado, National Chaplain, and several people now adults, formerly members of the movement, shared their experience, telling how being part of YSM has contributed to their life.
Those present at the ceremony were delegates that included animators, chaplains and students from six regions of India: one of the characteristics of reality is that of being an ecclesial association, but of being "open pores", ready to welcome members of other religions, which enrich the perspective of the common journey and of social and political commitment, in promoting dignity and human rights without any discrimination. For this reason, the Jubilee celebration ended with a significant inter-religious prayer.
The Movement, born as a social action for Christian students, opened to students of all faiths and in 1970 became affiliated with the IYCS (International Youth Catholic Students). It is officially recognized by the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India and currently has about 100,000 students enrolled in India, with over a thousand animators spread across 14 regions. The movement has formed active and dynamic leaders, social workers involved in the process of social, political and spiritual development of people across the country. (CM-PA) (Agenzia Fides, 30/11/2021)

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