Jwala Youth Fest 2025 Draws 800 Catholic Youth to Srikakulam

Srikakulam, Telegana, December 14, 2025 — About 800 Catholic youth from dioceses across the Telugu-speaking States participated in Jwala Youth Fest 2025, organised by the Telugu Catholic Bishops’ Conference (TCBC) Commission for Youth from December 11 to 14 at the Mariagiri Shrine in the Diocese of Srikakulam.

The three-day regional event combined Youth Jubilee celebrations, the 67th Regional Youth Elections, and a Sports and Cultural Festival, aimed at promoting youth leadership and coordinated pastoral action within the Church. The fest was held under the leadership of Bishop Rayarala Vijaya Kumar, PIME, Chairman of the TCBC Commission for Youth.

Bishop Pilli Antony Das, Coadjutor Bishop of Nellore, and Dr. Anand Andrew, Professor at St. John’s Regional Seminary, Hyderabad, attended as special guests for the sports events, addressing participants on discipline, teamwork and leadership.

The Regional Youth Elections enabled representatives from various dioceses to elect new youth leaders through a democratic process, while the sports and cultural events provided structured platforms for participation and inter-diocesan interaction.

Youth Directors and volunteers coordinated the programme, and the TCBC Commission for Youth acknowledged the cooperation of the Bishops of the Telugu States in organising the gathering.

Jwala Youth Fest 2025 marked one of the largest recent regional youth gatherings of the Catholic Church in the Telugu region, reinforcing institutional coordination and youth participation at the regional level.

By Manisha Sharon

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