Media Release

Udupi, Jan 3: The 'Year of Youth' was inaugurated in the diocese here on December 31 at the New Year Eve mass. The Year of Youth will run from 1 January 1 to December 31.

The Bishop of Udupi, Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo inaugurated the auspicious year at Milagres Cathedral, Kallianpur. Meanwhile, the Year of youth was inaugurated at all the 52 parishes of the diocese the same eve. The young people with the parish priest of their parish launched the 'Year of Youth' with great enthusiasm by unveiling the 'Year of Youth 2019' logo.

On inaugurating the Bishop said, “Dear young people, the time has come for the Church to pass on the cudgel of blessings to you. It is our desire to accompany you on your life journey to maturity so that, through a process of discernment, you may come to discover your plan for life and to realize it with joy. It is our wish that you may experience throughout this year and beyond, a deeper encounter of God and neighbour and to actively participate in the transformation of society and the church today.

However, the challenges of globalization, technological dominance, as well as economic and social hardships cannot be overlooked in the discovery of your vocation. The church wishes to listen to your voice, your sensitivities and your faith, even your doubts and criticism. It is only then that the Church can inspire and accompany you adequately on your life journey to maturity. May Mary, the mother of God, intercede for you.

'Accompaniment of the Church in the life journey of young people' is the theme for the entire year. In response to the Synod of Bishops on Young people which was held from October 3-28, the diocese announced the 'Year of Youth'.

To meaningfully the occasion, the youth commission of the diocese has already prepared an action plan with the help of youth and it has been sent to all the parishes. Every month an individual theme has been chosen corresponding to the annual theme. A short glimpse of the itinerary is as follows:

January – YOYO4Christ - to meet individual youth
February – MAD (Make a Difference) - awareness month
March - SWAG (Saved with amazing grace) – spiritual formation
April – Enter the journey – pilgrimage
May – EXPRO – life exposure programmes
June – Laudato Si – care for creation
July – Friction – Talents' Day
August – Amchi Samskrati – Heritage of Konkani language and culture
September – Amoris Laetitia – family and youth
October – Mission Possible – Youth in the mission of Christ
November – You too – youth and holiness
December – Encounter – concluding ceremony

Various activities and programmes are suggested for each month and at the end of the year, five of the best units will be awarded with the trophy of YoYo2k19.