Moral and spiritual formation program for youth held in Bangladesh

A Catholic diocese in west-central Bangladesh held a seminar for the Catholic youth on moral and spiritual formation on August 28.

Participants were from Dharmohata village under Good Shepherd Church, Rajshahi diocese.

The main theme of this program was the formation of the moral and spiritual lives of youth with a responsibility to participate in the mission of the Church. 

The Diocesan Family Rosary Ministry Team and World Vision Paba, Rajshahi jointly arranged this seminar. As many as 101 young students took part in the event, including three priests and four nuns. 

The main aim was to inspire young people to be aware of the spiritual and moral life of youth and to participate in the Church.

During the Mass, Father James Shyamol Gomes said, "The moral and spiritual formation of the youth helps them to become good and humble people."

"So every youth should try to improve their moral and spiritual lives to become missionaries in the Synodal Church," he added. 

In his speech, the Youth Coordinator of Rajshahi Diocese, Father Nabin Pius Costa, highlighted the need for moral and spiritual formation as important.

"The participation of youth is needed in the field service in the church," Costa said. 

"Youths are the life of the church. They have a lot to do in our church, forming moral and spiritual life with the responsibility to participate in missionary work," he added. 

In today's era, the spiritual and moral lives of the youth should be made more relevant to bring about change in family, society, and the church.

The responsibility and role of the youth in missionary work are much greater in the Church.

World Vision, Paba Officer David Hembrom said, "Today’s youth are tomorrow’s future of the nation. Every young life is precious, so we need to take care of them." 

Therefore, the physical, human, spiritual, and moral formation of youth is necessary. 

"The youth should move forward with the proper guidance of elders, church leaders, and self-responsibility," added Hembrom.

On behalf of the Family Rosary Ministry Team, Sister Claudia Kispotta said, regarding the prayer and spiritual life of the youth: "Prayer is a great force in our lives."

"We need to pray for the youth and intercede for them through Blessed Mother Mary," the nun said. "Mary is our shield against all dangers and our solace in our grief."

One of the participants, Andreas Tudu, said, "I am enriched to be in this formation program. I learned a lot through this seminar, which motivates me to participate in church activities and lead a good life."