For the first time in five years, Catholic young people gathered in great numbers to celebrate their faith at the Australian Catholic Youth Festival (ACYF). From 30 November to 2 December, more than 6,000 attendees, including 36 Australian bishops, gathered to learn about, pray and celebrate their Catholic faith.
Hosted and coordinated by the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne, the fifth Festival in 13 years hosted some of Australia's best Catholic leaders, speakers and artists. The Festival has become more than an event for young people, and is now a who's who of the Catholic Church leaders of evangelisation, education, business, religious orders and ministries, taking part in the largest national gathering of the Catholic Church in Australia.
ACYF began with a Mass and festive celebration at the St Patrick's Cathedral precinct. The enthusiasm of young people was not dampened as they filled the aisles and floors of St Patrick’s Cathedral, cramming in to be part of the opening celebration. Following the Mass, the WYD Cross and Icon, provided by and accompanied by WYD2027 Seoul organisers, were welcomed into the Cathedral, blessed and venerated before being carried to the front of a procession of 5,000 young people through Melbourne to the convention and exhibition centre.
At the heart of the ACYF was young people encountering Jesus. The lively plenary gatherings of more than 5,000 young people were vibrant and passionate as singing and cheering filled the hall. Australian bishops including Cardinal Mykola Bychok, Archbishop Peter Comensoli, Bishop Mark Edwards OMI and Bishop George Kolodziej SDS inspired young people as they spoke of Jesus’ love and mercy. A standout moment was when Pope Leo XIV appeared on screen with a personal message to Festival attendees. Young people and lay leaders also shared testimonies, experiences and invited young people to be bold in their love of Jesus and living their missions as young Catholics in the world. The inspiring talks and lively music were only outshone by the moments of silence and prayer, such as Cardinal Bychok leading a decade of the rosary for young people suffering from war around the world, or in the presence of the WYD Cross and Icon, or Eucharistic Adoration.
The joyful enthusiasm of many young people flowed into the diverse range of workshops, prayer experiences, and sacraments offered throughout the day, with many linings up to ensure they didn't miss out. The ACYF exhibition of more than 100 stalls with small service projects, live interviews and acoustic music, created a dynamic and electric atmosphere as young people explored the many ways they can live out their faith.
Beyond the success of numbers and the experience of young people, the ACYF achieved something critically important for the Church in Australia: simply getting people together. The COVID-19 pandemic, financial stresses, governance, insurance and risk management concerns have all made gatherings in large numbers an expensive and challenging task. These factors should never stop Catholics coming together in community – whether in small or large numbers – to celebrate and be inspired in their faith. They should be considered for what they are, essential elements to safety and accountability. These are foundational to successful evangelisation, and our mission is to evangelise. Congratulations and thanks to the Archdiocese of Melbourne for their bravery and commitment which has impacted the entire church of Australia.
We look with joy and excitement to future moments of encounter at WYD2027 in Seoul, and then in Sydney 2028 where young people will gather again as part of the International Eucharistic Congress.
Image: Archdiocese of Melbourne
Words: Malcolm Hart