Youth 2000 is an international spiritual initiative established to draw young people to a deep and lasting union with Jesus Christ, placing the Eucharist “the source and summit of the Christian life” at the centre of its mission. It was founded in 1990, by a young English man named Ernest Williams who was inspired by John Paul II’s call to young people at World Youth Day in 1989 at Santiago de Compostela:
“The new discovery of Christ - when it is authentic - always directly results in the desire to bring Him to others, that is, in a commitment to the apostolate. … It is not enough to discover Christ - you must bring Him to others! Аnd so, today’s world needs many apostles - especially apostles who are young and courageous. You young people have in a special way the task of witnessing today to the faith; the commitment to bring the Gospel of Christ - the Way, the Truth and the Life - into the third Christian Millennium, to build a new civilization - a civilization of love, of justice and of peace.”
Youth 2000’s charism is also rooted in a prophetic dream of St John Bosco, who is the Patron Saint of Young People and Youth 2000’s patron. At the centre of its mission is an initiation and deepening of young people’s love for the Eucharist through Mass and Adoration and inspiring devotion to Mary, especially through the Rosary. Young people are also introduced to the life transforming love and power of the Holy Spirit and the heart of their loving Father. As well as encouraging young people to benefit from the Sacrament of Reconciliation, Youth 2000 also inspires individuals to develop their love and knowledge of the Scriptures and the teachings of the Church.
What is also central to the ministry of Youth 2000 is that its events are “run by young people for young people” and this method of peer to peer ministry, where young people bear witness to and serve their own age group, both in word and action, lies at the heart of its success. At the same time there is a significant and growing body of older supporters who offer their experience and expertise to support the younger team.
The success of this model of ministry is manifest when we consider the international as well as the national picture. Since its founding and its first International Youth Festival in Medjugorje in 1990, attended by 15,000 young people, many individuals have since embraced this call by taking part in the mission of Youth 2000 and proved courageous apostles amongst their peers, within and beyond the UK. In particular, not only has Youth 2000 been established in the USA, Germany, Ireland and France but it has also hosted events in over 40 countries across the world and with a strong presence at World Youth Days.
Many young people, both in the UK and beyond, attribute an encounter with Jesus and the Church at Youth 2000 as a major factor in their discernment of a vocation to the priesthood, religious life or married life. Many priests and religious come from all over the UK to take up their vital role in Youth 2000’s mission, some of whom tell us that Youth 2000 re-invigorated their vocation. For so many young people the friends they make at Youth 2000 are critical to sustaining their life of faith on an everyday basis.
We give great thanks and praise to God for this and celebrate the fruitfulness of the mission and the generosity of countless people, which has made this possible over the past 30 years.