The Catholic Church in Bangladesh celebrated the 40th National Youth Day of Jubilee Year (NYD) at Don Bosco School and College, Birisiri, in the diocese of Mymensingh, from February 26 to March 2.
The Episcopal Commission for Youth (ECY) and the Diocese of Mymensingh jointly organized the National Youth Day of Jubilee.
This year’s theme was "Youth are Pilgrims of Hope," which emphasized the role of young people as the guiding light for the future of the Church and society.
The event witnessed the participation of more than 517 youths from all eight dioceses of Bangladesh, along with priests, brothers, nuns, and youth coordinators.
The opening ceremony was filled with cultural vibrancy as the youth from Mymensingh Diocese welcomed attendees with traditional dance performances and floral greetings.
Archbishop Kevin S. Randall, the Apostolic Nuncio of the Holy See to Bangladesh, graced the occasion along with Bishop Ponen Paul Kubi of Mymensingh Diocese.
Other distinguished guests included Archbishop Bejoy N. D’Cruze of Dhaka, Bishop Subrata B. Gomes, chairman of the Episcopal Commission for Youth, Bishop Gervas Rozario of Rajshahi, and National Youth Coordinator Holy Cross Father Bikash James Rebeiro, among other religious leaders and dignitaries.
During the event, Archbishop D’Cruze emphasized the significance of hope and integrity in youth, stating, "As pilgrims of hope, you must be honest and trustworthy. Youth are the present and future light of the Church."
A key highlight of the event was an insightful session by Dr. Sister Gloria Rozario MPDA, who spoke about love, hope, and maintaining a positive outlook on life.
She encouraged young people to nurture a mindset of optimism and resilience.
Father Manuel Hembrom also addressed the youth on "The Importance of the Bible in the Life of the Youth," urging them to build a strong foundation of unity, faith, and love.
Several participants shared their transformative experiences. Avrit Areng expressed, "I have no regrets even if I cannot go on pilgrimage to Rome; this event has profoundly impacted my self-purification and life philosophy."
One of the participants, Joseph Murmu, said, "I am enlightened by the teachings of NYD and feel inspired to carry Christ’s light into my daily life."
Kalpona Richil, an indigenous Mandi girl from Mymensingh Diocese, said, "I feel fortunate to be part of this event."
"It has provided a wonderful opportunity to connect with Christian youth across Bangladesh," she added.
The celebration concluded with a heartfelt vote of thanks from Holy Cross Father Bikash James Rebeiro, followed by a vibrant cultural performance.
As a final pledge, the Catholic youth from all dioceses committed themselves to shaping their lives according to the teachings of Jesus Christ.
The event honored the legacy of Saint Pope John Paul II, who initiated World Youth Day to foster young faith communities. The continuation of his vision remains evident as young Catholics in Bangladesh come together in faith, unity, and hope for the future.
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
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