Vatican Grants Definitive Approval to Jesus Youth Movement’s Revised Statutes

ROME, October 23, 2026: The Vatican has granted definitive approval to the revised statutes of Jesus Youth, confirming its status as an international private association of the faithful with juridical personality under canon law.

The decision by the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life comes as the Catholic movement celebrates its 40th anniversary and marks a decade since receiving its initial recognition from the Holy See in May 2016.

The approval document was presented by Bishop Dario Gervasi, adjunct secretary of the dicastery, to Jesus Youth International Coordinator Dr. Midhun Paul during the movement’s international conference, “Go to the Ends of the Earth”, in Rome.

Fr. Giovanni Buontempo, coordinator of the dicastery’s office for Relations with Ecclesial Movements and Associations of the Faithful, attended the ceremony. Also present were Manoj Sunny, executive secretary of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences Office of Evangelisation and Jesus Youth International Director for Formation, and Bishop Alex Joseph Vadakumthala of Kannur, the movement’s ecclesiastical adviser.

Movement marks 40 years of mission

Founded in India in 1985, Jesus Youth is celebrating its Ruby Jubilee alongside the tenth anniversary of its initial recognition by the Vatican.

Welcoming the definitive approval, Dr. Midhun Paul described the occasion as a moment of gratitude and renewed commitment to the movement’s mission.

“It is a moment to stand in humble wonder at the faithfulness of our God,” he said.

He said Jesus Youth would continue its efforts to make Christ visible through its international presence, communion and missionary outreach as it entered a new phase in its journey.

The definitive approval formally confirms the movement’s statutes and ecclesial standing, providing a renewed foundation for its identity, charism and mission within the universal Church.

International conference focuses on evangelisation

The approval was announced during the international conference themed “Go to the Ends of the Earth”, inspired by Acts 1:8, which calls Christians to bear witness to Christ throughout the world.

The gathering brings together members of Jesus Youth from different countries for prayer, fellowship and reflection on the movement’s missionary commitment. The programme includes opportunities to strengthen unity across cultures, deepen its spiritual foundations and prepare for future challenges in evangelisation.

The conference, held in Rome, also includes a day at the Vatican, with participants hoping to attend a Papal Audience.

Preparing for future milestones

The conference builds on a synodal process of listening and discernment within the movement. Its objectives include strengthening leadership, fostering communion and equipping members to serve the Church with renewed missionary commitment.

Jesus Youth is also looking ahead to two significant milestones: the Great Jubilee of 2033, commemorating 2,000 years of the Paschal Mystery, and its own Golden Jubilee in 2035.

The definitive approval comes as the movement seeks to deepen its communion with the Catholic Church and extend its missionary outreach across national and cultural boundaries.

For Jesus Youth, the decision marks both a recognition of its four-decade journey and a renewed responsibility to accompany young people in faith and share the Gospel around the world.

Source: Shalom World News