Well, it happened!
The Jubilee Year celebrated the Jubilee of Youth last weekend, and Palmerston North joined in with the Jubilee Youth Fest at the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit on 2 August. Our celebration coincided with young Catholics all around the world, and we marked it with a joyful Mass at the Cathedral, followed by a delicious pizza lunch.
The day included keynote speakers, games, workshops, praise and worship, adoration, and reconciliation—with friends old and new! The Young Church Ministers who organised the day were thrilled with the turnout: more than 90 people joined us for this first-ever festival, and it’s already looking likely to become an annual event.
Pope Francis, in Christus Vivit, reminds us that young people are not just the future of the Church—they are the now of the Church. And if the joy, energy, and faith on display last weekend are anything to go by, we are truly filled with hope!
Check out what a couple of participants had to say:
“On the 2nd of August, I had the blessed privilege of attending the very first Jubilee Youth Festival in Palmerston North alongside my family and family in Christ. When thinking about what to write and how to write this, I feel overwhelmed with gratefulness and joy.
Being surrounded by people who love Jesus made me feel welcomed, loved, and inspired to do more within the community — to embrace Jesus’s love boldly and to put all my trust in the Lord as a beacon of love and light.
The day began with a beautiful Mass celebrated by Bishop John Adams. At the start, I was nervous about how the day would go, but by the end of Mass, I felt genuinely happy and so grateful I had come. After Mass, we had lunch—amazing pizza!—and then played games filled with laughter.
During a game that helped us mix and mingle, I met beautiful people who shared similar interests with me. We even had a talent show where we performed ‘Waka Waka’—something completely out of my comfort zone, but the space felt so warm and safe, so full of the Holy Spirit, that I forgot all my worries.
We then had three sessions led by Rain, Louise, and Susilo — amazing youth coordinators! One thing that really stuck with me was the message that Jesus is our anchor, remaining with us through the toughest storms and calmest waves. His love is unwavering and steadfast.
This experience has opened a new door in my faith journey, and I am more than excited for what’s to come.”
Xellma
“The Jubilee Youth Fest was a really great experience. Mass with the Bishop was lovely, and spending the rest of the day with other Catholic youth from around the Diocese was really neat.
There were several great talks about what it means to be a Pilgrim of Hope, and I left feeling inspired and enthusiastic about God and His Church.”
Keren
Have a look at some of the photos below!
