A Call Beyond Cultures: Reflections from Italy, Poland, and Rome – Dr MithunPaul, JesusYouth International Coordinator

I am at the Rome airport now after the last few days of travel, and I thought I should share a few beautiful things I witnessed during this trip.

The first experience was in Ravenna, Italy, where we have a strong Italian prayer meeting. I had the privilege of attending one of their gatherings. Around 60 people were present — nearly 35–40 were Italians, and another 20 were people born and raised there from different backgrounds.

What touched me deeply was how this community began very simply — through a few people: Fr. Johns, Anoop, Alensio, and some friends. Through personal friendships and outreach, they slowly built a vibrant local community. Today, a few Italian families, local people, and priests are actively supporting and accompanying the mission there.

It was a beautiful assurance for me that the movement is alive and that it truly has the potential to become a response for different nations and cultures.

The second experience was in Poland. There I witnessed another reality — a multicultural English-speaking gathering where people from different nationalities come together as one community. Polish people, Sri Lankans, Indians, Africans — all gathered together in faith and fellowship.

This showed another important possibility for our movement: building communities that are relevant to multicultural realities. I could also clearly see the role and sacrifice of full-time missionaries who are working hard to sustain and grow these missions.

Thirdly, I had the privilege of attending the Dicastery meeting in the Vatican along with Anoop, and by God’s grace, we also had a Papal audience.

More than the meeting itself, what moved me deeply was seeing how well the Dicastery staff and many people there already know Jesus Youth. The warmth, relationships, and credibility built over the years — especially through the efforts of Manoj Sunny chettan — are bearing fruit today.

Yesterday, one of the Dicastery undersecretaries, Mrs. Linda, shared an experience with Fr. Johns in Assisi. They met for the first time in a religious centre where both had come independently for different purposes. When Linda saw Fr. Johns, the very first thing she asked was, “Are you a Jesus Youth?”

Fr. Johns was surprised and asked, “How did you know?”

She replied, “By seeing you, I felt you are a Jesus Youth.”

She went on to share how much they appreciate, love, and respect the initiatives and witness of Jesus Youth in different places. That reflects the depth of the relationships and networks the movement has built over the years.

Yesterday, I also had the privilege of making my recommitment together with the Italy team. I requested everyone’s support for the conference we are preparing for. Many have already agreed to help, volunteer, and support us in forming different teams and responsibilities here.

Dear friends and family, I truly feel that the movement is becoming more relevant in the coming years. The Church is expecting more from movements like ours. God is giving us a special grace to reach different nationalities and cultures.

We must respond faithfully to that call.