The YCS Movement entered into me in 1986 soon after I was appointed as the Regional Director of the Youth Commission of the M.P. Bishop’s Conference. Until that time, I had no association with any official Youth Movement. At that time, the CBCI Youth Commission did not exist.
The Youth ministry was part of the laity commission. CBCI constituted a separate commission for youth ministry to mark the International Youth Year. As M.P. Regional Youth Director, I was fortunate to be part of the formation of the present CBCI Youth Commission. At that time, Archbishop Abraham Viruthukulangara who was the chairman of MP Youth Commission also held the responsibility of CBCI Youth Commission. This gave me the opportunity to be part of many initial discussions and consultations regarding the formation of the National Youth Commission. Though I was not part of any official youth movement from the first year of priesthood, I was fully engaged with the parish youth. As a parish priest, my major activity was animation of youth. This passion for animation of youth led me to establish a youth center in Vidisha, the first of its kind in the whole of MP in 1986.Because of the uniqueness of the center and its multi religious nature, the Governor of MP himself came to inaugurate this center. Bishop Abraham was also present together with Bishop Clemens Thottungal of Sagar diocese and many dignitaries of the town.
Impressed by the work which was done in Vidisha and the establishment of the unique youth center Bishop Abraham, the chairman of the Youth Commission of MP Bishop’s Conference requested the Bishop of Sagar diocese to which I belonged, for my services as the regional youth director. Bishop Clemens Thottungal, knowing the importance of the youth ministry supported me to take up this important task together with the responsibilities of my parish at Vidisha.
Thus, the M. P. Regional Youth Commission got an office and Director in Vidisha. I started the work with a clean slate. Though there was another priest from Jabalpur who worked as a part time regional director, I got no records or furniture to start with. There was no office secretary or anyone to help. I myself did the typing of the letters and reports and sent them to different dioceses without getting any response initially. Commitment, hard work and perseverance brought more youth and animators and I was happy to hand over a full-fledged YCS/YSM and vibrant Youth Commission to Father Jose Arrechira of Khandwa Diocese after four years. The first consultation of CBCI Youth Commission took place in Bishop’s House, Khandwa. It was here that I met Father M .C Michael who was the national chaplain for the YCS/YSM for the first time. He had come for the consultation together with Father KK Mathew who was the YCS/YSM chaplain for the whole of north India.
I was initiated into the vision and spirituality of YCS by Father M.C. Michael during an informal discussion in Bishop’s house, Khandwa. I was fascinated by what he told me, “It is a Movement based on the spirit of the second Vatican Council. We teach children to ask questions, first to themselves on the principle of see, judge and act. They are helped to become aware of social realities and reflect on them and make action plans to respond to these realities,” said Father Michael. The most striking reflection during the conversation was its Christo centric methodology. He further explained, In YCS we look for solutions to every problem by asking, “What would Jesus do if he were here?” Gradually this method became a way of life for me. Later in moments of crisis, it was this way, which helped me to march ahead and find meaning in the most adverse situations. This was the beginning of the evolution of my personal spirituality and vision for life.
Since I was working as the regional youth director Father K.K. Mathew and Father M.C. Michael requested me to take up the additional charge of Regional chaplain of YCS/YSM for M.P. I was grateful to God that I got my first lessons of YCS/YSM Movement from two great pioneers of the Movement, Father M. C. Michael and Father K. K. Mathew. They were truly YCS animators who lived the vision and spirituality of the Movement in letter and in spirit. I had the opportunity to participate in a few training sessions with them in different places and see their works at closer range on various occasions. Since the youth ministry was a new apostolate, there were no full time youth directors in many dioceses of MP. Many dioceses did appoint a person as youth Director but he was busy with many other responsibilities. I had a big job of building up an organization from scratch both by animating youth groups and by persuading Bishops to appoint a person as in charge of the youth in the diocese.
Occasional training programs and meetings were organized to build the youth ministry in the region. We were able to organize a regional convention of over thousand youth leaders in the interior tribal region at Kunkuri. It was a great event both for its organisational success and also for education and inspiration for all who participated. It was a convention largely managed by young leaders. Despite having a parish to look after, I managed time to visit schools to introduce the YCS /YSM by conducting orientations for the students and teachers.
I travelled extensive to many dioceses in MP and Chattisgarh states. Within two years we had several YCS/YSM cells active in many schools. We were able to organize several meetings and training sessions for the YCS/YSM students and animators. I am happy that during this period we were able to train many dynamic youth leaders who later played very important roles at national level programs. Binu Varghese,Betty Kuriakose, Sandra, Everisto, Shobana Joseph, Callisto Gomes (now a SVD Priest), Cassandra , Susan John were some of the most dynamic youth leaders who still keep up the spirit of the Youth Movement and gather the old youth leaders despite their many responsibilities . All of them confess that the Youth movement and YCS/YSM shaped their vision of life and still guide them to face the challenges of life bravely.
I feel grateful to hundreds of young students who shaped my life and spirituality. As a tribute to the youth who helped me to grow, I dedicated my first book Encounter to them in 1991.As I worked as an animator, many dreams related to the youth ministry and YCS/YSM emerged in my mind. My visit to Taize and meetings with youth in Europe broadened my own vision. The small dream of animating an exclusive youth group in the church campus transformed into a lasting and inclusive vision to embrace the youth of all castes, creeds and cultures. I wanted to establish a community of youth belonging to all faiths, to take up the youth ministry with a lasting vision for the church and for the country. When I developed a new way of missionary work due to the influence of YCS spirituality and methodology, it creates to conflicts and confrontation with my new Bishop. Bishop Clemens who was a great visionary and lover of youth had retired and passed away two years earlier. The result was my transfer from the official youth ministry and banishment to an interior village. I was cut off from the regional youth activities. I who was responsible to build up the youth movement and YCS/YSM in MP and Chattisgarh was distanced from the official youth meetings and activities both at the regional and national level.
Though I was cut off from the official youth ministry of the church the spirit of YCS / YSM was very much alive and grew in me. At every crisis and conflicts, it became my habit to ask the question, “If Christ were here, what would he do?” Then I would search for the answers from the life and teachings of Christ. The methodology of the movement-awareness, reflection and action- became my way of life. This gradually revived the prophetic dimension of the priesthood in me. The YSC methodology also helped me to read the word of God in a different perspective. I started finding a new meaning in the life and teachings of Christ. As I had taught young students to ask questions, I myself started asking questions about my own life and actions.
Having looked into my own life honestly I started asking questions about the attitudes and values within the church structure. (My reflections on the teachings of Christ were later presented in 10 volumes of God in Flesh and Blood and other books. Thanks to YCS!) It is the YCS /YSM spirituality, which helped me to face crises in priesthood positively. When I received six transfers in two years and thought of quitting the priesthood three different times it was the YCS way of thinking and analysing that helped me to stay and fight the lonely battle. Moved by faith in Christ, I opted to build a society of love, peace and justice in my own capacity and in the available space. I responded to different issues and people always asking the question which I learned in YCS “If Christ were here what would he do?”
While living and working in Pratapgarh, a remote village mission in Raisen District of Sagar Diocese the worst man-made tragedy in India took place; Demolition of the Babri Masjid at Ayodhya on 6th December 1992 which was followed by nationwide communal riots and bloodshed which paralyzed the whole nation.
Hundreds of innocent women, children and men were killed and burnt alive all over the country. Hatred and violence spread like wild fire. I was keen to know the response of the church leaders. My mind was working with my YCS background and the prophetic role that church should play at such a critical moment. I was clear that Jesus wanted his disciples to respond in a proactive way. His message was loud and clear, “Blessed are the peace makers, for they will be called children of God.” With anger and frustration, I asked myself, why doesn’t the CBCI issue at least a statement to condemn the violence? Why does not the CRI speak up? Why don’t the Bishops issue a pastoral letter asking Christians to work for peace n their own localities? In my moments of prayer I could hear an inner voice speaking to me, Who is the church? What is the church? The answer was clear as crystal: I am the church. When I act the church acts. Why don’t I do something in my capacity instead of waiting for bishops and superiors? It was a very enlightening voice.
I immediately discussed this with Father Jacob who was working in the same region and contacted our district collector offering to go for relief work with a medical team and ambulance to Bhopal city where hundreds were killed. Mr. N. P. Singh, the district collector told us that the situation was under control and relief work was going on. However, he asked us to collect some food and blankets because more than 2000 houses were burnt and it was winter and the month of December. We discussed with the local leaders and shopkeepers and the response was over whelming. Within two hours, we could collect 20 kg wheat and 25 thousand rupees.
This was a great experience and I started reflecting again about the future course of action. Once again, my activities and life with young students came to my mind. My old dream of working with youth of all faiths for national integration and experimenting a community life consisting of people from all castes, creeds and colour as a new wineskin to contain the new wine of challenges came to my mind. I proposed my dream project to my Bishop, which was out rightly rejected. Then I asked him to give me permission to experiment it elsewhere outside my diocese for which he reluctantly agreed.
I discussed my dream with John Sachidanand whom I came to know two years earlier and was impressed because of his inter religious way of working. He was also looking for a partner to launch his mission.
I met Bishop George Anathil of Indore diocese and discussed about my dream project. Since he knew me through my work as the regional youth director, he welcomed me wholeheartedly to launch the mission in Indore. Thus a Movement was born on 16 July1993 after six months of Ayodya violence. It was a YCS response to a serious national problem. The Movement was launched initially as Dharma Bharati Institute of Value Education and Peace, which was later renamed as Universal Solidarity Movement of Value Education for Peace. John Sachidanand collaborated from Hyderabad. Half a dozen friends from all religions constituted the support group in Indore. For all practical purpose, it was a one-man mission without funds, without personnel and without any sponsors. Indeed, it was God’s mission. I formulated separate animation programs for students and teachers based on the YCS spirituality and methodology. Slowly but gradually the mission took shape. Crisis is part of any mission, especially when we work with people of diverse backgrounds and faiths.
The major blow was differences, which cropped up between John Sachidanand and me. The differences were because of the YCS spirituality and methodology. I was very firm about keeping up the nature and mission of the Movement. The values of participation, evaluation, critical analysis, transparency, teamwork etc were practiced while I was leading the youth movement. As part of the Movement spirituality right from the beginning, I had started the practice of free and frank evaluation at all levels. The AGM of the Movement was open to anyone who was not an official member. Annual report and the audited statement of accounts were published and distributed to the public. Every member of the Movement knew about the income and expenditure of the Movement. The Movement way of life did not suit John Sachidanand who was more inclined to the ashram and guru model and he chose to leave us to carry out his own mission under big banner, with the support of VIPs, members of the church hierarchy, swamis and political leaders. I was firm to keep my originality and self-respect. No political leaders and religious fanatics were invited to any of our meetings only because they did not fit into our value system. I decided to run the Movement without projecting any big names and patrons. Slowly and gradually, we succeeded. Despite much negative publicity, often by those who do not know us, the Movement got great momentum. More and more animators and volunteers from all religions came forward.
Congregations and dioceses started recognizing our work and invited us to animate their members and guide their educational institutions. UN invited us for two of its international meetings one at the UN, Head Quarters and the other in Thailand. Organizations from abroad were impressed by our work and invited our animators to talk about our experiment of peace education to the youth and social workers there.
The modules and programs for various groups improved. One thing remained without change; the YCS spirituality and methodology of awareness, reflection and action. The mission was renamed as Universal Solidarity Movement of Value Education for Peace to keep the spirituality of the Movement. It was an option I made from the first day that we will function from a rented house. Since the last 18 years the national /international office / community functions from a rented house. It is an open community of young and old, men and women of all castes, tribes and faiths living and working together to establish a civilisation of love; a just and peaceful society as YCS visualized. As a person who benefited from the YCS spirituality, I can speak with conviction that USM is an extension of the YCS. We have reached out to 800 schools giving orientation in the YCS way. Over 700 student leaders of school cabinet from different states come to the USM community at Indore for a seven-day residential leadership training every year in different groups. Over 400 young students and teachers gather once a year at the national level for live-in together in the YCS way.
The difference is that it is not a convention and yuva mela but a very serious reflection of young students who will be creating the future. The difference is that all the training sessions and national level gatherings are self financed, i.e. the participants pay for the expenses of the event. Leaders and formators of many congregations - both men and women - come to the USM community for an exposure and training to learn how to re-design their community living. Again, it is the YCS spirituality and methodology, which is used in all these orientation and training sessions. I was fortunate to have the encouragement and service of many youth leaders and animators who worked in the YCS and youth commission.
Seeing the authenticity of the way USM worked, some members who had been active in official Movements of the church joined us as volunteers and full time animators. Lavina D’Souza who was the diocesan youth president of Mangalore diocese worked with us as a full time animator leaving her job in the school until she got married. Sister Elsa Muttatu who was the YCS co-ordinator worked with us for two years. Father Charles Menezes, the former YCS Chaplain of Mangalore visited Indore to join our meetings and integrated the personal transformation module into YCS. Ajish Pothen, the youth leader of Bhopal diocese was a regular participant of the USM programs. All of them saw that the USM had deepened the YCS spirituality and expanded to include youth and people of all faiths. Even the training program for priests and the spirituality and vision of Christ.
It is a pity that the youth movement in general and YCS/YSM in particular are reduced to routine conventions and regular picnics abroad. While organizing large conventions and publishing colourful magazines with big statements how much attention is paid to the transformation of youth and their animators? How much attention is paid to appointing priests and nuns as animators? What kind of training and orientation is given to these animators? These are my concerns because as I go around the country I do not see any YCS and YSM in our schools especially in the western and northern India. The youth movement in the parishes and dioceses are reduced to decorating the church for feasts, making the crib, singing carols and going for picnics.
Again inspired by the prophetic mission of the YCS spirituality I wrote a letter with many constructive proposals to the CBCI chairman of the Youth commission when I came to know that the CBCI was going to discuss about the youth meeting in its meeting at Guwahati, Assam. At last the outcome of the meeting was a routine statement with pious advice and theological expressions. Time is running out and the precious wealth of the nation and of the church is getting lost. Again, we need to ask the question: “What would Jesus do to animate the youth of today?”
- Fr. Varghese Alengaden, USM Indore