The development of organised Catholic youth ministry in the Telugu region arose from the Church's desire to respond more effectively to the spiritual, social and personal needs of young people.

The establishment of the Andhra Pradesh Catholic Youth Movement in 1966 created a regional platform where young Catholics could be brought together beyond individual parish and diocesan boundaries.

The movement gradually developed structures and programmes that encouraged Christian formation, Bible reading, sacramental life, leadership, social responsibility, vocational awareness and participation in the mission of the Church.

The Telugu Catholic Youth Movement (TCYM) functions under the TCBC Commission for Youth as the regional expression of Catholic youth ministry in the Telugu-speaking dioceses.

TCYM seeks to bring young Catholics together beyond the boundaries of individual parishes and dioceses, creating a common platform where young people can grow spiritually, socially and personally.

The movement promotes Catholic faith and spirituality, Christian leadership, fellowship, social responsibility, service, evangelisation and missionary discipleship.

It also strengthens communication and cooperation between diocesan youth commissions, youth directors, regional leaders and Catholic youth movements.

One of the central purposes of the Commission has been to act as a link between local diocesan youth ministry and the wider regional Church.

Each diocese carries out youth ministry according to its own pastoral circumstances, while the regional Commission creates opportunities for young people and youth leaders from different dioceses to meet, pray, learn and work together.

This regional approach has helped young Catholics experience the Church beyond their own parish or diocese and develop a deeper sense of Catholic identity, fraternity and mission.

Over the years, programmes have included youth retreats, regional gatherings, student leadership programmes, executive meetings, youth animator training, life orientation programmes, exposure visits, media and journalism seminars, skill-development initiatives, career guidance and programmes promoting social and inter-religious understanding.

Regional youth ministry in the Telugu region forms part of the wider youth apostolate of the Catholic Church in India.

At the national level, the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI) Commission for Youth works in collaboration with regional youth commissions and Catholic youth movements throughout the country.

The national Commission focuses on faith formation, Christian vocation, holistic development, leadership and active participation of Catholic youth in the Church and society.

The TCBC Commission for Youth therefore forms part of a larger network of Catholic youth accompaniment extending from the parish and diocese to the regional and national levels.

The TCBC Commission for Youth works alongside Catholic youth movements and organisations that respond to different realities and pastoral needs of young people.

One of the major expressions of the Telugu Catholic Youth Movement has been the organisation of Regional Youth Conventions.

These gatherings bring together Catholic young people from different dioceses for several days of prayer, Eucharistic celebration, formation, fellowship, cultural expression, leadership training and reflection.

The conventions provide young people with an opportunity to experience the universality of the Church and to recognise themselves as members of one regional Catholic youth family.

RISE'25 – 10th Regional Youth Convention

The 10th Regional Youth Convention, RISE'25, was held from 11–14 January 2025 at St. Theresa's Girls High School, Sanathnagar, Hyderabad.

More than one thousand young people participated in the convention, which focused on hope in the Lord and addressed the spiritual, social, emotional, psychological and personal dimensions of young people's lives.

The convention brought together bishops, priests, religious, diocesan youth leaders, regional leaders, volunteers and young participants from across the region.

In recent years, the Commission has continued to renew its pastoral approach to young people.

Regional gatherings of diocesan youth directors, youth leaders, representatives of Catholic movements, religious and pastoral collaborators have emphasised unity, collaboration and a renewed commitment to accompanying young people in faith and hope.

Youth ministry is increasingly understood not merely as the organisation of programmes and events, but as a ministry of presence, accompaniment, formation, leadership and mission.

The Commission therefore seeks to create spaces where young people are listened to, encouraged, formed and entrusted with genuine responsibility in the life of the Church.

The Commission works through a regional youth leadership structure known as the Regional Executive Council — REXCO.

REXCO provides young leaders from different dioceses with responsibility for representing, coordinating and animating youth ministry at the regional level.

Through formation programmes, planning meetings, spiritual activities and regional gatherings, REXCO members are encouraged to grow not only as organisers but also as Christian leaders committed to service.

In March 2026, REXCO members from different dioceses gathered in Hyderabad for a two-day live-in formation programme organised by TCYM under the TCBC Commission for Youth.

The programme combined prayer, Eucharistic adoration, diocesan presentations, leadership formation, fellowship and regional planning.

The Commission's mission has also extended to those who accompany young people.

Formation initiatives have been organised for diocesan youth directors, priests, religious, youth animators, pastoral workers and others involved in youth ministry.

This reflects the understanding that effective youth ministry requires not only the formation of young people, but also the formation of those who walk with them.

Programmes focusing on Christ-centred leadership, Gospel values, service, wisdom, pastoral accompaniment and youth animation help strengthen the wider network supporting young Catholics.

A significant recent development was the preparation of the Regional Youth Action Plan for 2026–2027.

Regional planning brought together diocesan youth directors, Catholic youth movement representatives, religious and young leaders to identify priorities for youth ministry in the Telugu region.

The discussions emphasised greater youth participation in Church life, spiritual formation, social responsibility, leadership development and stronger collaboration between dioceses and movements.

The action plan reflects the continuing commitment of the Commission to respond to the changing realities, aspirations and challenges experienced by young people.

As part of the continuing tradition of regional youth gatherings, the Commission announced JWALA 2027, a major regional youth convention to be held in Guntur.

JWALA represents the continuation of the regional convention tradition while also expressing a renewed vision for the next generation of Telugu Catholic youth.

The gathering is envisioned as a space for prayer, Eucharistic celebration, formation, fellowship, cultural expression, leadership development and missionary inspiration.

Through such gatherings, young Catholics are encouraged to rediscover their faith, build friendships across diocesan boundaries and return to their communities with renewed commitment to Christ and His mission.

From the establishment of the Andhra Pradesh Catholic Youth Movement in 1966 to the present-day Telugu Catholic Youth Movement, the history of the TCBC Commission for Youth is ultimately a history of accompaniment.

Structures, programmes and methods have evolved over the decades, but the central purpose remains constant: to help young people encounter Christ, understand their Christian vocation, develop their gifts and participate actively in the mission of the Church.

Today, TCYM continues this journey by connecting dioceses, youth directors, regional leaders, advisors and Catholic youth movements across the Telugu region.

Rooted in the Gospel and strengthened through prayer, formation, fellowship and service, the movement seeks to form young Catholics who can courageously witness to Christ in the Church and society.