Date: June 4–6, 2025
Venue: New Synod Hall, Vatican City
Theme: “Hope Lived and Proclaimed: The Gift of the Jubilee for Ecclesial Communities”

The International Young Catholic Students (IYCS-JECI) participated in the Annual Meeting of Moderators of Ecclesial Movements, Associations, and New Communities, held from June 4 to 6, 2025, at the New Synod Hall in Vatican City. Representing IYCS at this important event were Mr. Roshan Melwyn Lobo, Secretary General of IYCS, and Rev. Fr. Justo de la Fuente Fernández M.Id., the Incoming International Chaplain for the term 2024–2028. Organized by the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life, the meeting brought together nearly 250 participants, moderators, and representatives from 115 associations recognized by the Dicastery. The theme of this year’s meeting, “Hope Lived and Proclaimed: The Gift of the Jubilee for Ecclesial Communities,” focused on evangelization and formation in light of Christian hope, inspired by the scriptural verse “Hope does not disappoint” (Romans 5:5).

The gathering began with an address by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Prefect of the Dicastery, who encouraged all participants to live and proclaim hope to the people of our time, with particular attention to mission and formation. Professors Andrea Riccardi and Luigino Bruni jointly presented a keynote on “What Challenges for Movements Today?”, reflecting on contemporary cultural and ecclesial issues, and how movements can remain faithful to their identity while responding creatively to modern realities.

A penitential liturgy held in St. Peter’s Basilica marked a moment of spiritual reflection and renewal. The ceremony included acknowledgment of past failures and an invocation of the Holy Spirit for genuine conversion and deeper fidelity to the mission of the Church. On the second day, following a Eucharistic celebration led by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State of His Holiness, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle addressed the assembly on “Rethinking Mission in the Light of Hope.” Testimonies followed from lay couples and movement leaders from Chile, Spain, and India, sharing practical examples of how formation and mission rooted in hope are transforming communities.

Working group discussions throughout the event allowed participants to explore how the Jubilee Year can serve as a time of renewal and recommitment to being signs of hope for the Church and the world. The meeting concluded with a special audience with His Holiness, Pope Leo XIV, on June 6, in which all representatives, including IYCS, reaffirmed their dedication to the Church’s evangelizing mission and to walking with the young people of today in the spirit of Christian hope.

This event also marked a key moment for IYCS as it formally introduced its Incoming International Chaplain, Rev. Fr. Justo de la Fuente Fernández, to the global ecclesial community. IYCS expresses sincere gratitude to the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life for facilitating this enriching encounter and remains steadfast in its mission of forming young students to be prophetic voices of hope and transformation in society and the Church.

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