To Jesus through Music: SJC Youth Band
The SJC Youth Band (St. John of the Cross Youth Band) began from humble roots in the parish of St. John of the Cross Church, run by the Redemptorists of the Vice Province of Majella in Goa, India. It started as a small church band and has since reached new heights.
Their music ministry began in their home parish, where they led live praise and worship during youth adoration and performed at a few cultural and social events. Their talent and dedication soon helped them grow, first playing at youth adorations in nearby parishes and later expanding even further.
A new Milestone
The St. John of the Cross Youth Band marked a significant milestone this past weekend, delivering a soulful performance at a special Gospel Concert organized by the RYVM (Redemptorist Youth and Vocation Ministry) province of Bangalore, to mark the celebration of Redemptorist Missionary Sunday on November 9, 2025.
The Concert in Bangalore
Now, the St. John of the Cross Youth Band has stepped onto a larger stage, sharing their ministry of live praise and worship in Bangalore. They led two programs of praise and worship. 9th November in Holy Redeemers Church in the morning and at the Redemptorist concert in Holy Ghost parish grounds along with other groups in the evening. Their powerful performance at the Gospel Concert is a testament to their dedication and musical growth.
Nine Youth travelled from Goa, to be part of the Redemptorist Concert in Bangalore. Plevan Vaz (vocals), Yardan Vaz (Keys), Cassie Vaiz (Drumms), Gavriella Vaiz (Bass) and Marcian Fernandes (Lead Guitar) as band members, Queency Lobo as logistics and manager, Macson Fernandes as Technical Support, Scully Fernandes and Dylan Fernandes as Media team. They were accompanied by Fr. Velson Fernandes, CSsR. and Fr. Joyan D Costa, CSsR.
This entire journey has been nurtured by the unwavering support, accompaniment, and encouragement of the Redemptorist priests from the vice-province of Majella, who have worked in the parish since 2000. The current redemptorists serving in the parish are Fr. Velson Fernandes, C.Ss.R., the parish priest, and Fr. Joyan D Costa, CSsR., the youth animator in the parish, and Fr. Lester Dsilva, CSsR., the Superior of the community, whose guidance has been instrumental in shaping the band’s ministry.
We pray that this milestone is a beginning of another beautiful chapter in their life.
Fr. Velson Fernandes, C.Ss.R.
Parish Priest, St. John of the Cross, Redemptorist Parish
Sanquelim, Goa, India
