Udupi: The Year of Youth was inaugurated in the diocese of Udupi on 31 December at the New Year Eve
mass. The year of Youth will run from 1 Jan 2019 to 31 December 2019.
The Bishop of Udupi, Most Rev Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo inaugurated the Year of Youth in Milagres
Cathedral, Kallianpur. Meanwhile, the Year of youth was inaugurated in all the 52 parishes of the
diocese on the same eve. The young people with the parish priest of their parish launched the year
of youth with great enthusiasm. The inauguration was done by unveiling the Year of Youth 2019
Logo.
Inaugurating the year of youth 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 with 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 when 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 responding to the Synod of Bishops on Young people which were held from 3-28 October 2018,
the diocese has announced the year of youth.
To celebrate the year of youth meaningfully, 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. For every
month, the individual theme is chosen to correspond to the annual theme. A short glimpse 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 & 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 every month and at the end of the year of youth,
best 5 units will be awarded the Trophy of YoYo2k19.
