“Recollect, Reconnect, Rejoice” are the keywords marking the three-day Silver Jubilee Celebrations of the "Jesus Youth Movement" in the United Arab Emirates which was celebrated at St. Anthony’s Church, Ras Al Khaimah from Saturday, November 30 to Monday, December 2, 2019. Around 3,500 young people and their families, all members of the movement have gathered at the premises to celebrate 25 years of the presence and work of the movement in the United Arab Emirates.

Joining the celebrations was the Apostolic Vicars of the Southern and Northern Vicariates, Bishops Paul Hinder and Camillo Ballin together with the Apostolic Nuncio to the countries of the Arabian Peninsula, Archbishop Francisco Padilla. Also present to join the celebrations were the leaders and founding members of the movement from India, Fr. Abraham Pallivathukal SJ, Baby Chacko, Manoj Sunny, Edward Edezhath and C C Joseph.

The "Jesus Youth Movement", which describes itself as a “a missionary movement within the heart of the Church” began in Kerala, South India in 1985 and focuses on evangelising young people and nurturing their missionary initiatives. The movement evolved as an active part of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal of the state in the late 1970s and gradually spread to different parts of India and to several other countries around the world. The movement is currently recognised as an international private association of the faithful of all states of life. The movement sowed its seeds in the United Arab Emirates when it started a fellowship in Dubai in 1994 and presently has a strong presence in all the parishes of the United Arab Emirates.

The theme chosen for the conference is “Do whatever He tells you” (John 2:5), the words of the Blessed Virgin Mary to the servants at the Wedding at Cana. Each day of the conference is dedicated to reflecting on a particular aspect of the theme. Day-One is centered on “You”, while Days Two and Three are centered on the words “He” and “Do”.

Several international resource-persons which include Bishops and lay people will help animate the different streams, organised for Kids, Pre-Teens, Teens, Youth and Family in both English and Malayalam. The programme for each stream includes talks, breakout sessions, music animations, presentations, panel sharings and testimonies. Eucharistic adoration, Holy Mass and opportunities for the Sacrament of Reconciliation are also made available to help the members of the movement “recollect, reconnect and rejoice” as part of the jubilee.

Master Plan UAE, the internationally acclaimed music band of the Jesus Youth UAE will lead the youth in praise and worship.

The Holy Mass of the opening of the Jubilee was presided by the Nuncio Archbishop Padilla. Referring to the Liturgy of the Day, the Feast of the Apostle Andrew, the Archbishop highlighted that, like St. Andrew, the life of the members of the Association and their mission is to experience the joy, vitality and fullness of union with the life of Christ and to bring the same to others so that they may be led to Christ.

At the close of the opening Holy Mass, Bishop Paul Hinder announced the special plenary indulgence granted by the Holy Father for all those who take part in the celebrations and participate in the Holy Eucharist with the usual conditions accompanying a plenary indulgence, which include the sacramental confession in the coming days and prayer for the intentions of the Holy Father.

“Recollect, Reconnect and Rejoice” - the members of this movement are full of vibrant enthusiasm as they spend these three days in grateful thanksgiving for the last twenty five years of their journey in the United Arab Emirates.