By Claudia L Francis
SELANGOR – More than 100 Catholic varsity students gathered for a three-day live-in program aimed at deepening their faith, strengthening fellowship and preparing them to be witnesses of Christ on their campuses.
Organised by the Catholic Varsity Students (CVS) of Church of the Divine Mercy, the program, titled CVS: United and Rooted in Faith (CU2026), was held from Jul 10 – 12 at the parish premises. The gathering was centred on Matthew 13:23: “The seed sown on rich soil is the one who hears the word and understands it.”
The program brought together 110 students from universities and colleges around Shah Alam and nearby areas, including UiTM campuses in Shah Alam, Puncak Alam and Puncak Perdana, as well as Xiamen University, CENTEXS, MSU, UOW, Lincoln and UNITAR.
Participants included Malaysian students as well as international students from Indonesia, Timor-Leste and Sudan who are currently studying in Malaysia.
Supported by parish priest, Fr George Harrison, parish pastoral coordinator, Joseph Asim and UiTM Senior Lecturer Dr Lovelyna Jipiu, CU2026 sought to help students strengthen their spiritual foundations, discover their role in the Church, and become confident witnesses of Christ in their academic communities.
The three-day program featured formation sessions, prayer, fellowship activities and creative expressions of faith. The opening evening included interactive ice-breakers, Praise and Worship, and a Taizé prayer with Christian meditation led by the Faith & Liturgy Bureau.
On Saturday, participants took part in a formation session by ASAYO KL titled Cultivating the Soil of My Heart, which reflected on the Parable of the Sower and encouraged students to examine how they receive and live out God’s Word.
Fellowship continued through Zumba and team-building activities organised by the Sports & Games Bureau, allowing students from different institutions to build friendships and a stronger sense of community.
The evening featured “Sketch the Word”, a Bible Month-inspired talent showcase where students creatively presented Scripture through drama, singing and dance. Stories such as Daniel in the Lions’ Den, David and Goliath, the Good Samaritan, the Parable of the Lost Son and Zacchaeus were brought to life, highlighting the relevance of the Gospel in everyday situations.
Bringing faith beyond the campus
The final day featured a session titled From the Newsroom to the Pews by veteran broadcast journalist Charles Mohan, who shared lessons from his 25-year media career and his ministry among Orang Asli children and the homeless.
Encouraging students to bring their faith beyond church walls, Charles reminded them that Christian witness is expressed through service, compassion and engagement with society. An interactive role-play also allowed participants to experience reporting from a news anchor’s perspective.
Before celebrating the 12 noon Mass, students gathered for a final sharing session and reflected on their experiences throughout the weekend. During Mass, they presented prayer intentions collected through the “Jesus Mail” initiative.
As the students prepared for their final semester examinations the following week, Fr George and Fr Philip offered a special blessing and encouragement. The program concluded with testimonies from participants, who shared how CU2026 strengthened their faith and sense of belonging.
The success of CU2026 was made possible through the commitment of the organising committee, formators, parish leaders and participants. Beyond connecting students from different universities, the program helped nurture a supportive Catholic campus community — one rooted in Christ and ready to face the challenges of university life together.
Testimonials
As a final-year student in my last semester, CU2026 was both my first and last CVS program, making the three days truly unforgettable. I met wonderful people and realised there was no reason to regret what I had missed when this experience itself was so special. During ASAYO KL’s session, I chose the Fear Leaf because fear often comes when I try something new. Like Peter stepping out of the boat, I learned to move forward despite my fears, placing them in the Lord’s hands like David. I feel relieved knowing that future juniors will be in good hands. I hope more students will have the courage to join CVS, nurture their soil, and let their seeds grow. Thank you for making my final CVS experience one I will always treasure. – Jacques Ronaldo Anak Jacky (UiTM Shah Alam)
It was an awesome event where we experienced our spiritual journey in different ways and met new people who shared the same journey. As a music lover, my favourite part was expressing my thoughts and feelings through music and seeing how each person experienced it differently. I also enjoyed the group sharing. Listening to different stories broadened my perspective and the moments of silence helped us reflect and support one another in our spiritual journeys, especially for me as a new convert. Overall, it was a beautiful event, especially when you need a safe and peaceful environment during difficult times. It reminded me that God will always send the best people to us at our lowest moments; all we have to do is respond. – Anna
It was a great pleasure to take part in CU2026, especially as an international student. I made new friends who quickly felt like family and found a place where I could openly share my thoughts and feelings about life’s ups and downs. CU2026 also helped me grow closer to God, deepen my faith, and build meaningful bonds within a community that supports one another spiritually, emotionally and relationally. I look forward to joining more activities like this in the future. – Caroline Rachel Maria Kaparang (Indonesian student from Xiamen University Malaysia)
Joining CU2026 was one of the most fulfilling decisions I have ever made. Throughout the program, I experienced warmth and peace among people who share the same faith. Praying, singing and spending time together reminded me that, despite our different backgrounds, we can always find a family in the Church. What I enjoyed most was the positive energy and hospitality shown by everyone throughout the program. Winning the Best Female Participant Award came as a complete surprise, but the award itself means less to me than the beautiful memories and friendships I will cherish forever. – Alice Amaral Pires da Silva (Timor Leste student from MSU Malaysia) – Herald Malaysia
