The Diocese of Gwalior in central India strengthened its pastoral engagement with young Catholics through a one-day faith formation program for members of the Young Catholic Students (YCS) and Young Students Movement (YSM) of Shivpuri Deanery.
Held August 26 at Jeevan Jyoti Church in Benedictine Parish, the program brought together about 50 young people from different parishes. The gathering aimed to deepen their Christian faith and encourage them to translate Gospel values into concrete choices and actions in daily life.
Ankita Tigga, a member of the national team of the Indian Catholic Youth Movement (ICYM), served as the resource person. Through interactive activities, action songs and group discussions, she introduced participants to the “See, Judge, Act” method, encouraging them to examine their experiences, reflect on them in the light of faith and respond through practical action.
The program also included Holy Mass, presided over by Fr. Nabor, OSB. Fr. R. Lourdu Nathan, director for YCS/YSM, delivered the homily and encouraged the youth to deepen their relationship with Christ and express their faith through unconditional love, daily decisions, relationships and service to others.
Sr. Anjali Nayak of the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Therese (CSST), a former teacher at Carmel Convent English Medium School in Bhopal, emphasized the need for youth formation to address contemporary realities.
“In the Indian context, faith formation among young Catholics must go beyond teaching prayers and doctrines; it must help young people discover Christ in the realities of their daily lives,” she said.
She noted that young people are growing up amid rapid social change, religious diversity, digital influence and competing values. The Church, she said, has a responsibility to form young Catholics who are spiritually grounded, socially responsible and courageous enough to live the Gospel with compassion and integrity.
“The future of the Church depends not only on preserving faith, but on empowering young people to become witnesses of hope, peace and service in society,” Sister Nayak added.
The initiative reflects a broader pastoral challenge facing the Church across India and Asia, where young Catholics navigate technological change, cultural diversity, social pressures and evolving forms of communication. Faith formation programs seek to help them connect their Christian identity with family, education, work, community life and service.
The gathering offered opportunities for spiritual renewal, reflection, fellowship and mutual learning while encouraging greater youth participation in the life and mission of the Church.
Wilson, diocesan ICYM spokesperson, and Avita Lakra, former diocesan ICYM vice president, supported the program along with several Benedictine brothers.
The program concluded with a renewed emphasis on active faith, responsible Christian witness and meaningful youth participation in the Church’s mission.
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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