‘The Chosen Encounter’ marked a major highlight of the JAAGO National Conference held at Christ University, bringing together over 12,000 youth from dioceses across India. The large-scale gathering stood out as one of the most significant national youth events of the year, with participants engaging in faith-centred reflection and collective worship. The encounter was based on the television series ‘The Chosen’.

Led by Ajin Joseph, Catholic Engagement Manager of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI), the encounter used selected scenes and testimonies from The Chosen to invite young participants to reflect on the life of Christ, prompting many to describe the experience as deeply personal and spiritually enriching.

During the session, organisers announced the theatrical release of The Chosen: The Crucifixion, scheduled for February 2027. Youth were encouraged to support the release by watching the film in theatres and promoting it within their local communities. Several participants expressed their commitment to attend the screening and to invite others, viewing the initiative as an opportunity to witness to their faith. The encounter included moments of prayer and reflection, during which many youth shared testimonies of renewed faith and inspiration emerging from the session.

A 37-year-old man from Kerala is on an all-India cycle journey with a unique mission: to build India’s first housing enclave for persons with disabilities by collecting just one rupee from people he meets. Raneesh Thattaruparambil, a mobile shop owner, began his “Mission One Rupee” in January 2021 with a schoolteacher friend. After a six-month break in 2025 due to personal reasons, he resumed the journey on January 7, this time accompanied by his wife Rajini and their fourth-grade son, Rio. Kerala Transport Minister Ganesh Kumar flagged off the second phase at the Pathanamthitta bus stand.

Raneesh said the idea was born from a desire to “leave a mark on the world” by helping the most vulnerable. The project aims to build houses for five physically disabled families who have neither land nor homes. Funds collected during the first phase were used to purchase land and lay foundation stones for five houses at Ambalavayal in Wayanad.

The family travels in a custom-built cycle caravan, a compact mobile home equipped with basic amenities powered by solar energy. Along the way, they request just one rupee from individuals, though many choose to give more. Raneesh said the public response has been largely supportive, despite occasional hesitation due to concerns over charity misuse. Once completed, the project is expected to become India’s first residential colony dedicated to families with disabilities.

Church leaders, educationists and representatives of Catholic institutions gathered at CHRIST (Deemed to be University) for an interaction titled “Listening with the Heart: A Shared Journey in Education and Culture,” featuring Archbishop Carlo Maria Polvani, Secretary of the Dicastery for Culture and Education.

Jointly organised by the CBCI Office for Education and Culture, the Karnataka Regional Commission for Education and CHRIST University, the programme addressed contemporary questions related to Catholic education and cultural engagement in India.

In his address, Archbishop Polvani highlighted India’s rich cultural heritage as a valuable resource for the Church’s mission in education and society. Referring to rapid advances in artificial intelligence, genetics and biotechnology, he spoke of the emergence of the “digital human” and warned that these developments would reshape humanity at an anthropological level. He stressed the need to ensure that technology serves the common good rather than directing human destiny. He also pointed to India’s lived experience of religious and cultural diversity, describing it as a model of “disarmed peace” that offers insights into coexistence in complex societies.

Bishop Elias Gonsalves, Chairman of the CBCI Education Apostolate, underlined the importance of collective reflection and collaboration in responding to changing educational realities. A session on “Challenges and Opportunities” featured contributions from Fr Charles Maria, Secretary of CBCI Education, and Fr Jose C., Vice Chancellor of CHRIST University. Perspectives from school and college education were shared by Dr Sr Deepti, Dr Sr Louiza and Sr Jessy Pereira. An interactive session allowed participants to engage Archbishop Polvani on education, culture and the Church’s pastoral mission, moderated by Dr Fr Francis Assisi Almeida.

A major ecumenical summit held in Chennai has resolved to strengthen the Christian community’s socio-economic and political empowerment while safeguarding its constitutional rights.

Nearly 6,000 representatives from different Christian denominations across India participated in “Tabor 2025,” organised at the St. Thomas Mount National Shrine Basilica. The event was conducted simultaneously at four venues for youth, children, religious and lay participants.

The summit marked the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, where the Nicene Creed was adopted as a foundational expression of Christian faith. Organisers said the initiative will continue until 2033, when Christians commemorate the 2,000th anniversary of the death and resurrection of Christ.

Held at the traditional site of the martyrdom of St Thomas the Apostle, the gathering took place against the backdrop of increasing attacks on Christians in several parts of the country. Under the theme “Christianity: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow,” speakers reflected on the Church’s responsibilities amid social challenges and religious intolerance.

Participants highlighted the Church’s contributions to education, healthcare, social justice and development, while expressing concern over the suffering faced by Christian communities. Calls were made for unity, prayer and collective action against injustice and discrimination. Speakers also urged Christians to overcome social evils such as caste discrimination, dowry and corruption.

The summit emphasised the constitutional values of equality, liberty and fraternity, urging believers to defend these principles. Concluding resolutions stressed active participation in nation-building, ethical use of media, and the need to strengthen Christian identity rooted in love, peace and reconciliation.

Martyr Saint Devasahayam is set to be formally declared the Patron Saint of the Laity in India at a solemn ceremony on 14 January, to be held at the Devasahayam Mount Shrine in Aralvaimozhy, a historic site closely linked to the saint’s life and martyrdom. The declaration will be made during a Eucharistic celebration at the shrine, marking a significant moment for the Catholic community across the country. Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli, Apostolic Nuncio to India and Nepal, will formally proclaim the patronage, while Archbishop George Antonysammy of Madras–Mylapore will preside over the liturgy along with several senior church leaders. The celebration will bring together archbishops, bishops, priests, religious and lay representatives from different parts of India. The homily will be delivered by Archbishop Francis Kalist of Pondicherry–Cuddalore, with Archbishop Antonysamy Savarimuthu of Madurai and Bishop Eugene Joseph of Varanasi among the concelebrants. Bishop Eugene Joseph also serves as chairman of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India Commission for Laity.

A key highlight of the event will be the launch of the ‘Devasahayam Spirituality Movement’, aimed at encouraging lay people to draw inspiration from the life, faith and sacrifice of Saint Devasahayam in their daily lives. Church leaders have described the declaration as a moment of national significance, recognising Saint Devasahayam as a model of faith and courage for lay Christians in India. The saint is widely remembered for his unwavering commitment to his beliefs, summed up in his well-known words: “I have decided to follow Jesus, and no one can turn me back.”