Formed in 2015 by Rev. Fr. Jose Kokandathill, the Syro Malabar Youth Movement (SMYM) of Our Lady of Sorrows (OLS) unit remains an active and integral part of the church. The youth members contribute significantly through various initiatives — from cleaning the church to organizing events and community programs.
SMYM is the official youth movement of the Syro Malabar Catholic Church, representing over 1.6 million Catholic youth worldwide. It was officially inaugurated on August 30, 2014, following years of coordination efforts led by the Laity Commission since 2011.
Working under the Syro Malabar Youth Commission, constituted in 2015, SMYM now flourishes across 29 dioceses and 4 mission centers in India and abroad.
The movement’s mission is to nurture faith, leadership, and social responsibility among youth while upholding the traditions of the Syro Malabar Church. Its key initiatives include:
Family and community outreach in slum and railway areas
Leadership and faith formation programs
Social media evangelization
Professional development and cultural exchange programs
Campus initiatives against substance abuse
Through these efforts, SMYM aims at the holistic and spiritual development of youth, empowering them to serve both the Church and society.
The youth committee was officially elected this month, followed by an introductory meeting to outline responsibilities, vision, and plans for the year.
Elected members:
President – Amnon | Vice President – Joshmi Mathew | Secretary – Jonathan Binny | Joint Secretary – Mareena Tom | Treasurer – Sujan Thomas | Counsellors – Sharath Tom & Asha | Media Head – Manu KM | Sports & Cultural – Roshan Anthony.
Key Highlights of July:
Active Participation: Youth members showed strong commitment, managing a stall and preparing intensively for Vachanolsavam, SMYM’s cultural fest. Multiple meetings and rehearsals ensured organized and enthusiastic participation.
Community Outreach: Members joined Achan for house blessings, fostering deeper spiritual and community connections. This initiative led to a noticeable increase in youth membership.
Social Responsibility: In response to the Wayanad landslides, the youth organized a special prayer gathering, entirely led by the members — reflecting unity, compassion, and growing spiritual maturity.
The month of August was centered around preparations for Vachanolsavam, SMYM’s annual cultural fest. From the start of the month, youth members engaged in regular practice sessions, building both individual skills and a strong spirit of teamwork.
On August 19th, their hard work culminated in vibrant performances across individual and group events, earning widespread appreciation from the parish community for their creativity, discipline, and dedication.
Alongside cultural participation, the youth also organized a fundraising stall to support ongoing initiatives. This not only helped raise funds but also enhanced fellowship and visibility within the parish, strengthening community engagement.
September was a lively and eventful month marked by celebration, service, and youth participation.
The youth played a key role in the Parish Perunnal celebrations, assisting with decorations, seating, and logistics, ensuring the smooth flow of events and adding to the festive spirit. A vibrant group dance performance by the youth became one of the celebration’s highlights, earning enthusiastic appreciation from the parish community.
As part of the Perunnal and ongoing outreach, the youth also organized and managed stalls on the second Sunday and during the festive days, fostering engagement and fellowship.
In preparation, members held regular dance practices marked by dedication and teamwork. Additionally, the youth actively participated in the Alpho Cup football tournament on September 1st, fielding two teams that displayed strong sportsmanship and unity.
The month of September was filled with celebration and community engagement. A highlight was the Onam celebration, which brought the parish together in joyful unity. The youth performed a lively flashmob that energized the crowd and also won the traditional tug of war competition, showcasing their enthusiasm, teamwork, and leadership. The event strengthened parish bonds and was widely appreciated.
October focused on preparation and organization for the upcoming youth football tournament – Turnover 4.0. Two meetings were held to structure the event, with specific teams assigned for logistics, registration, hospitality, media, and on-field coordination. This systematic planning reflected the youth’s dedication and excitement, setting a strong foundation for a successful and memorable tournament.
November highlighted impactful initiatives, led by the successful Turnover 4.0 Basketball Tournament, fully organized by the youth. The event showcased strong teamwork, leadership, and community spirit, strengthening the youth’s role in the parish. Alongside, regular activities such as a fundraising stall and planning meetings continued. A memorable outreach initiative was the Lalbagh trip for elderly women from the SD Convent, organized with the Vincent de Paul Society, reflecting compassion and service.
December focused on festive celebrations, with the youth leading Christmas decorations, setting up the crib and tree, managing a fundraising stall, and participating in Christmas carols and New Year events. Their creativity and teamwork brought joy to the parish, marking the season with unity and enthusiasm.
The year began on a spiritually uplifting note, with the youth creating a “Pilgrim of Hope” decoration beside the altar—symbolizing the year’s theme of faith and service. This initiative set a positive tone for the months ahead. Regular engagement continued through a fundraising stall, while early planning for a visit to NEST, a home for underprivileged children, was initiated to promote outreach and compassion.
February focused on meaningful service and connection, highlighted by the visit to NEST, where youth members spent time with children through games and activities, spreading joy and kindness. The experience deepened the group’s commitment to community service. The month also included the regular fundraising stall and an initial meeting to plan “Smash”, ensuring early preparation and effective coordination for upcoming events.
March was a month of achievement, teamwork, and spiritual growth. The highlight was “Smash”, a badminton tournament organized entirely by the youth, which saw enthusiastic participation, smooth coordination, and great community engagement. The event reflected the youth’s leadership, teamwork, and organizational excellence while fostering fellowship through healthy competition.
As the month progressed, focus shifted to Holy Week preparations. Three planning meetings were held to ensure that the services were well-coordinated and spiritually meaningful. The youth contributed through liturgical roles, coordination, and volunteering, enriching the parish’s Holy Week experience. Regular involvement continued with the monthly fundraising stall, supporting ongoing church construction efforts.
April was a spiritually profound and engaging month for the youth group. The highlight was the youth’s active involvement during Holy Week and Easter, contributing meaningfully to the parish’s most sacred celebrations.
On Maundy Thursday, the youth presented a Tableau on the Last Supper, setting a reflective tone for the Triduum.
On Good Friday, a deeply moving Passion Play portrayed Christ’s suffering and crucifixion.
On Easter Sunday, a joyful Resurrection Skit captured the hope of new life.
These performances received widespread appreciation from parishioners and visitors, reflecting the devotion, creativity, and teamwork of the youth.
Another key contribution was the youth’s active role in the ordination ceremony of Fr. Asher, handling decorations, logistics, ushering, and coordination — serving with dedication and reverence during this milestone event.
As part of ongoing engagement, the youth also organized a creative clay pot and snack stall, which, though modest in response, reinforced the group’s consistent participation and fundraising efforts for church development.
The new Youth Committee was officially elected on 15th June, marking the start of a fresh term with renewed enthusiasm and vision. The introductory meeting outlined responsibilities and plans for the year.
Elected Members:
President – Jivin George | Vice President – Joshmi Mathew | Secretary – Alan Charley | Joint Secretary – Esther Rose | Treasurer – Dayas A Dixen | Councillors – Sujan Thomas & Asha Elizabeth | Sports & Cultural Head – Allen Robert | Media Head – Binosh Sibi
During June, the youth conducted several key activities:
18th June: Online core members’ meeting for coordination.
28th June: Rosary service followed by a planning meeting for the Harvest Festival and Vachanolsavam.
29th June: Successful food stall, well appreciated by the parish community.
July continued with proactive engagement:
15th July: CC meeting to plan for Vachanolsavam registrations and the vehicle blessing initiative, along with a rosary service led by Esther and a youth meeting to discuss upcoming events.
27th July: A grand vehicle blessing ceremony was organized in honor of St. Christopher, the patron saint of travellers. A total of 56 bikes and 116 cars were blessed, with an additional service conducted at Singasandra, extending the blessing to more families.
These months reflected strong leadership, community involvement, and spiritual dedication, setting a positive foundation for the year’s activities ahead.
August was a month filled with creativity, teamwork, and cultural expression.
On 3rd August, the Vachanolsavam Literary Events saw active youth participation, where members showcased their talents with enthusiasm and originality.
On 10th August, a food stall was organized, strengthening fellowship and teamwork among parishioners.
On 24th August, during the Vachanolsavam Stage Events, the youth took charge of stage decoration and coordination, earning appreciation for their effort and aesthetic contribution. Their performances reflected both cultural vibrancy and spiritual devotion.
On 31st August, the parish celebrated Onam, with the youth contributing through traditional performances that brought colour and joy to the occasion. The same day also marked the poster launch of Ignis Sports Fest, officially beginning preparations for the much-anticipated event.
September was highlighted by the Annual Church Feast celebrated from 11th to 14th September. The youth played a key role in church decorations and chariot making in honour of Our Lady of Sorrows, demonstrating creativity and teamwork. A vibrant dance performance during Kalasandhya added to the festive charm. The promo video launch of Ignis Sports Fest further built excitement within the parish.
Across these two months, the youth demonstrated unity, dedication, and leadership, contributing actively to both spiritual and cultural life of the parish.
