India: Jesuit Youth Ministry of South Asia holds Youth Animation Training Program in Bihar
The Jesuit Youth Ministry of South Asia, in collaboration with the Patna Jesuit Youth Commission, has a five-day Youth Animation Training Program from May 4-9, 2025, at Atmadarshan, Patna, capital of the eastern Indian state of Bihar.
This joint initiative brought together participants from the Jesuit Conference of South Asia (JCSA) North and Central zones to foster leadership and collaboration among Jesuit scholastics and youth animators.
As many as 22 participants took part in the training, including 12 Jesuit scholastics, two Jesuit priests, and eight youth animators.
The program was inaugurated on the evening of May 4 with a warm welcome and dynamic ice-breaking sessions facilitated by members of the Bihar All India Catholic University Federation (AICUF) unit, a student movement.
Jesuit Father Vernard Antony, JCSA youth coordinator, delivered the keynote address on the first day, urging participants to focus their youth ministry on unorganized youth, who often lack opportunities for empowerment and responsibility in society.
He encouraged the participants to equip themselves well and actively accompany young people, guiding them toward the right direction in life.
The first segment of the training, held on May 5–6, was led by Jesuit Father Alwyn Vaz, focusing on the theme “Transformational Ignatian Leadership for Today.”
Participants explored the richness of Ignatian spirituality, particularly the concept of “Ignatian pearls,” and how these can be applied to youth leadership with a strong emphasis on self-awareness.
From May 7–9, the second segment stressed skills in youth engagement and program organization. This portion was animated by Ms. Delphina George and Jesuit Scholastic Reuell Paul and featured various interactive activities aimed at equipping participants with tools for effective youth ministry.
One of the highlights of the program was the meaningful interaction between Jesuit scholastics and youth, representing a valuable blend of tradition and contemporary perspectives.
The program not only fostered leadership development but also deepened mutual understanding across generations and regions. The Youth Animation Training Program ended on a hopeful note, with participants energized and inspired to take their learning back to their respective communities. - with input from A. Prakash
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
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