By Julie Amos
NEGERI SEMBILAN – Pilgrimages are often thought of as journeys for adults, but this Jubilee Pilgrimage of Hope also opened its doors to the younger generation. Over several days in July and August, youth and children from different parishes came together at the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Port Dickson (CIC PD) for meaningful, creative and spiritually enriching activities. These moments reminded us that the journey of faith belongs to all ages and that our young pilgrims carry within them a vibrant spirit of hope and love.
One reflective activity, “The World We Hope For,” invited the youth from Good Shepherd Church to pause and express their dreams for the world. Each participant wrote their thoughts on a shared canvas, creating a visual prayer wall and a united vision of the world they long to see. It was a powerful reminder that hope does not disappoint, especially when rooted in faith and shared within a community.
Another highlight was the creative group activity “Brush of Hope.” Catechism students from the Church of St Francis of Assisi, Cheras took turns adding their creative touches to a single painting before passing it to the next participant. Together, they painted scenes ranging from the beauty of nature to helping hands and gentle acts of kindness. The artwork reflected on creation as God’s gift to us and reminded the young pilgrims of our call to show mercy not only to people but also to nature. This symbolic act of collaborative painting showed that nurturing a better world requires shared effort, care and unity.
The pilgrimage spirit continued as catechism students from the Church of St Paul the Hermit, Bestari Jaya, and the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus joined a creative session focused on Care for Creation. Their beautiful artwork carried a strong message, “Stop Plastic Pollution” especially on our beaches. Through vibrant colours and heartfelt expressions, their art became both a prayer and a call to action, urging everyone to cherish and protect God’s creation.
Apart from these creative activities, the youth and children also took part in a Rosary Walk around the special Rosary pathway. They later joined a paraliturgy, during which they offered a Hope Prayer Box containing all the prayers they had written. This sacred moment was accompanied by the carrying of five coloured candles, each colour symbolising a special meaning. The candles and the prayer box were then arranged on a specially prepared table, creating a beautiful focal point for the community’s shared prayers and hopes for a better world.
By walking together, young and old alike, this pilgrimage became a shared journey of transformation, woven with prayer, creativity and hope. It was not just a day of activities but a step towards forming hearts rooted in faith and ready to act with mercy towards the environment. For our youth and children, these pilgrimages became a locally flavoured Jubilee experience, blending the spirit of the Jubilee Year with the richness of our own culture, community and shared joy. – Herald Malaysia
