Celebration Marks 30 Years of Jesus Youth in Telugu Region

Hyderabad, September 14, 2025 – The Jesus Youth movement in the Telugu region celebrated a significant milestone with Veduka, marking 30 years of its presence. The two-day celebration took place on 13 and 14 September at St. Francis Girls’ High School, Secunderabad, within the Archdiocese of Hyderabad.

The celebration began with an inaugural Mass presided over by His Eminence Cardinal Poola Anthony, Archbishop of Hyderabad, together with Mallavarapu Prakash, Emeritus Archbishop of Visakhapatnam, and Rayarala Vijay Kumar PIME, Bishop of Srikakulam. Several priests also joined in the solemn liturgy.

Jesus Youth is an international Catholic lay movement that inspires young people to live a meaningful, creative, and fulfilling Christian life. Its spirituality rests on six pillars: Personal Prayer, the Word of God, Sacraments, Fellowship, Evangelisation, and Option for the Poor.

The movement took root in the Telugu-speaking states in 1995, when two full-timers from Kerala, with the approval of Marrampudi Joji, then Bishop of Vijayawada, began their mission in Vijayawada, then part of united Andhra Pradesh. At that time, charismatic prayer was just starting to spread in the region.

Since then, the movement has flourished. In 2016, Jesus Youth received Pontifical approval from the Holy See, becoming officially recognised as an international Catholic lay movement. From 2020 to 2025, the focus remained on personal formation and mission, shaping young people to become committed missionaries.

Over the past three decades, countless young people have encountered Christ through the movement, with many choosing higher vocations as priests and religious. Throughout this journey, bishops, regional and diocesan youth directors, priests, and religious have offered consistent support and guidance, helping the movement bring many closer to God and into active service.

As part of the celebrations, Cardinal Poola Anthony unveiled the poster for Jago Conference 2025, a monumental gathering of Catholic youth centred on spirituality and joy, scheduled to take place from 28 to 31 December 2025. The Cardinal formally handed over the poster to other dignitaries present on the dais.

The Veduka celebration drew nearly 300 participants from 13 Catholic dioceses across the Telugu-speaking states of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, underscoring the vibrancy and reach of the Jesus Youth mission in the region.

With three decades of dynamic presence behind it, the movement continues to inspire the younger generation to embrace Christ and live out their faith with creativity, fellowship, and service.

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