By Herald Malaysia
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN – Passionate Catholic youth from across Brunei Darussalam gathered to celebrate the second annual Vicariate Youth Day (VYD 2) at the Church of Our Lady of the Assumption (COLA) on Jul 7-8. The theme of the two-day celebration, Rejoicing in Hope, was inspired by Pope Francis’ message for the 38th World Youth Day.
COLA hosted this year’s event, accepting the VYD cross from St John’s Church (SJC), which held the inaugural VYD in July 2023. COLA welcomed youth from the Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception (COOL) in Seria, SJC in Kuala Belait, and St Peter’s Chapel (SPC) in Temburong, accommodating them with local foster families. The event saw an overwhelming response, with over 130 participants aged 11 to 24, including 88 from COLA, 14 from COOL, 28 from SJC, and 12 from SPC.
Fr Paul Shie, parish priest of SJC and head of the Youth Ministry, fully participated in the event and celebrated Mass on both days. The VYD 2 celebration featured diverse activities such as talks, Bible enthronement, parade of banners, dance, drama, musical performances, team-building exercises, Eucharistic adoration, and prayer stations, all emphasising the theme Rejoicing in Hope (Rom 12:12).
Speakers from COLA and COOL led talk sessions, encouraging youth to engage in discussions. Jackie Liew from COLA presented the first talk, Christ, Our Hope, for all participants. The second session, Virtue of Hope, was divided into age-specific groups and conducted in both Malay and English. Speakers included Eya Dollente and Alister Dousip from COLA and Jennifer Eliza Nyanggau from COOL.
One of the highlights was the “Amazing Grace” prayer stations, where participants wrote their prayer intentions and thanksgiving to Mother Mary. These intentions will be offered every Wednesday during the novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help at COLA. The celebration concluded with a Mass celebrated by Fr Paul. Following the Mass, the VYD cross was handed over from the youth representatives of COLA to the youth leaders of COOL, symbolising the turnover for the next Vicariate Youth Day in 2025, which will be hosted by COOL in Seria.
In his closing remarks, Fr Paul congratulated all participants and encouraged them to spread their positive experiences from VYD 2, with hopes of increasing participation in future VYD celebrations. – Herald Malaysia
