India: National RYVM Coordinators and Youth Representatives Meeting in Bangalore
January 28th to 30th, 2026 marked a historic moment for the Confederation of India as it hosted the first-ever National RYVM Coordinators and Youth Representatives Meeting at Navaspoorti Kendra, Bangalore on the theme “Journeying with the Young: RYVM Forward.” For the first time, the three units of the Confederation came together as a joint RYVM Secretariat, with around 35 participants in attendance. Notably, youth representatives were fully involved in the discussions and deliberations, allowing the authentic voices of young people to be heard within Redemptorist ministry gatherings. A few lay collaborators also participated, enriching the experience with their valuable perspectives.
Day 1 – Seeing the Reality
The program began with the Holy Mass celebrated by Rev. Fr. Edward Joseph, C.Ss.R., the Provincial Superior of the Bangalore Province and concelebrated by Fr. Poly and Fr. Henry Fernandez, Provincials of the Liguori Province and the Vice Province of Majella, respectively.
The three-day gathering followed a dynamic pastoral framework:
- Day 1 – See (Understanding Reality)
- Day 2 – Discern (Prayer and Vision)
- Day 3 – Act (Planning for Youth Ministry in the Units)
The first day featured Fr. Benedict Santhosh, SJ, a dynamic Jesuit priest who delivered the keynote address and facilitated the sharing of RYVM ministry experiences across the provinces. He encouraged participants to identify and respond to the “most abandoned” among the youth in their respective regions. His address inspired participants to courageously explore new and challenging paths in youth ministry, journeying together as fellow pilgrims.
