Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20)
‘The Church needs the energy and enthusiasm of young people to live the Gospel message in today’s world and to take it to the coming generations’ – St. John Paul II.
What is it?
Sliha daMsiha (Apostle of Christ) is the mission project initiative of the Youth Apostolate of the Syro-Malabar Eparchy of St Thomas the Apostle, Melbourne. It is an invitation for young people to respond to the missionary call and daringly live and witness Christ. Sliha daMsiha also helps them to share Jesus and His message to others of their generation. Moreover, it allows them to uphold the Catholic faith and cherish the treasures of Syrian Catholicism.
What’s Happening?
In Silha daMsiha, young people take a year/month’s break from their studies or work and commit that year to the Lord and His Church. They will undergo a rigorous formation that helps them root themselves in love for Christ and His bride and body on earth, ‘The Church’. Apart from that, the formation helps them understand the treasures of eastern spirituality, particularly Syriac spirituality. The young people will be rooted in their faith, identity in Christ and traditions, and be ready to share it with others through the formation process.
After the month of formation, the team of young missionaries will be ready to hit the road, visiting various parishes, missions and communities in the eparchy addressing young people and teenagers there. The team will be equipped to conduct retreats and other programs that will help them to witness our Lord to their fellow boys and girls, thereby enabling them to
- Encounter Isho Mishiha (Jesus Christ) as their Maaran and Aalaaha (Lord and God).
- Understand Church, the body and bride of Christ, and he/she is a part of it.
- Live Christ in their families, parish communities, schools, universities and workplaces.
- Uphold their faith and identity bravely as Mar Thoma Sleeha (St Thomas the Apostle)
- Courageously witness Isho Mishiha in front of others to the ends of the world.
Meet our First Missionary
Sliha daMsiha was started in 2021 with Ann Katticaran from St Mary’s Syro-Malabar Parish, Melbourne West parish, bravely signed up as the first missionary.
"Youth is for taking risks, good risks, risks full of hope. It is meant to be staked on great things. Youth is meant to be given away, to help others to know the Lord. Don't keep your youth to yourselves: get out there!"
Apart from the one-year mission, youth apostolate offers young people an option to take one month/month’s mission depending on their situations. Those who take one month mission will be going through a five-day rigorous training, after which they will be placed as a support team to Sliha daMsiha team in undertaking their mission.
“Christ is alive and he wants you to be alive!”. “Keep running, the Church needs your momentum” Pope Francis, Christus Vivit.
Indeed, Sliha daMsiha is an answer to this appeal, helping young people identify and uphold their faith and support them in witnessing courageously in front of others. Moreover, the mission year empowers them in making serious discernments about their call-in life too.
Why Wait! Respond to the Call!
