Across Melbourne’s streets, churches, and festival spaces, young pilgrims from the Diocese of Parramatta have brought energy, faith and joy to this year’s Australian Catholic Youth Festival (ACYF). Among some 6,000 young people gathered from across Australia, 150 from Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains are showing their leadership, creativity and heartfelt commitment to living their faith.
Youth pilgrims carry the World Youth Day Cross through Melbourne’s streets. Image: supplied/Catholic Youth Parramatta.
The Diocese’s youth have been visible in every corner at ACYF, leading music in prayer spaces, guiding workshops, and sharing their stories.
Chris Solo and other Diocesan musicians lifted hearts in the WYD Cross and Icon chapel, while MET facilitators Donnie Velasco, Claudine Bautista, and Rachael Kama invited young Catholics into deeper prayer and community in their workshop, ‘Becoming Voice and Vessel: Echoes of Praise’.
Rachael also explored the Augustinian charism of unity and friendship in a second workshop, showing pilgrims how faith and fellowship walk hand in hand.
The spirit of leadership extended beyond workshops. Sebastian Duhau from Catholic Youth Parramatta ran interactive Bishop’s XChanges panel sessions, creating a safe space for young people to ask questions about faith, identity, and discernment. Meanwhile, youth leaders including Deacon Adrian Gomez, Burt Tukala, Vaimoso Teo, Joey Mafi, Siena Mafi, Monica Vave, Fololina Mafi, Malia Lolesio, Henry Mafi, and Angeline Sang Yum enlivened prayer spaces and activities, sharing their creative gifts with fellow pilgrims.
Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv, Bishop of Parramatta, celebrated a special Mass at All Saints Parish, Fitzroy, assisted by Fr Andrew Rooney.
Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv. Image: supplied/CYP.
During the Mass, Bishop Vincent encouraged young people to anchor their hope in Christ and in community.
Mass celebrated by Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv, Bishop of Parramatta. Image: supplied/CYP.
Later in the evening, two young pilgrims, Oscar and Angelina, represented the Diocese at the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference’s Bishop and Young People’s Dinner, sharing insights and challenges from their generation with bishops from across Australia.
Oscar, a youth pilgrim, with Cardinal Bychok. Image: supplied/CYP.
A community of faith
From singing, prayer and worship in the presence of the World Youth Day Cross and Icon, to joining in creative moments of reflection and music at the Opening Plenary, youth from Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains are embodying the joy, courage and openness at the heart of the pilgrimage.
Bishop Vincent with youth pilgrims in Melbourne. Image: supplied/CYP.
As our youth pilgrims complete their final day of pilgrimage today, we pray for them on their faith journey – now and in the future – hoping the stories they hear and voices shared will inspire them to continue living the mission and values of Jesus.
ACYF aligns with the Diocesan Pastoral Plan priorities of Community and Formation, and the objectives to be an inclusive and welcoming Church, a Church that walks together, and a Church renewed in spirit and prayer. Visit Synodality to learn more.
View the photos from Day 2 on Flickr (Courtesy of ACYF/Archdiocese of Melbourne).
