Exciting preparations underway for MCYD

Feb 28, 2025

KOTA KINABALU: The 2025 Malaysian Catholic Youth Day (MCYD), co-hosted by the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart and several neighbouring parishes, is set to welcome approximately 1,500 delegates from nine arch/ dioceses. The event will take place from March 31 to April 6 and serves as part of the preparations for the 2026 Malaysian Pastoral Convention, which will be held at MAJODI Centre in Johor Bahru.

Sr Terry Loukang FSIC shared that the preparations for MCYD are progressing smoothly, with the local organising team (LOT) working in close collaboration with the main organising team (MOT) to ensure that delegates experience God’s love throughout the event.

Regarding the programme details, Sr Terry explained, “The first three days of the MCYD will take place across five parish centres, where delegates will be grouped according to their age. Participants will also stay with host families during the event.” The five parish centres include the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Church of the Holy Nativity (Terawi), Church of Stella Maris (TG Aru), Church of Mary of the Immaculate, and Church of St Michael (Penampang).

Sr Terry continued, “The opening Mass will be celebrated on the first day of MCYD, followed by a reception organised by the local teams in each of the five parishes.”

A significant feature of the event will be the “Conversation in the Spirit,” centred around the four key themes of the 2026 Malaysia Pastoral Convention: Church, Family, Society, and Ecology. This session aims to provide an opportunity to listen to and understand the contemporary issues affecting young people in Malaysia.

The second phase of MCYD will include the Youth Festival, where all delegates will gather at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart. Sr. Terry also mentioned that the event will feature mini sports, spiritual walks with the monks, and a vocation information counter.

MCYD
The Malaysian Catholic Youth Day (MCYD) is the first national assembly of young Malaysian Catholics, conceived to listen to the voice of young people and to discover their needs as the NOW of God. This gathering is also designed to foster spiritual growth, dialogue, and community among young Catholics.



Through the assembly, our young people seek to walk in communion with the larger Malaysian Catholic Church in its journey towards the Malaysia Pastoral Convention (MPC) 2026.

Primary Objectives:
• To invite young people to respond to the results of the synodal process in the Malaysian Church. 
• To identify and update the needs and realities of young people in both urban and rural environments, particularly to young people on the fringes of the church.

Secondary Objectives:
• To re-equip our youth ministers/leaders with the holistic skills necessary to accompany our young people in response to their needs in today’s environment and realities. 
• To promote effective and enduring national cooperation between the youth ministers of MCYMC as a Malaysian Team

Spiritual Preparation
The Local Organising Team (LOT) MCYD-25 gathered at the Catholic Archdiocese Centre for a day of spiritual renewal, preparing themselves for the journey ahead with strength — body, mind, and soul, on February 14.



Fr Terans Thadeus led the session with an inspiring message, reminding everyone that their service in MCYD is more than just an obligation — it’s a calling toward holiness. But as he wisely pointed out, the path to holiness isn’t always easy. It demands perseverance, an open heart, and the courage to face challenges. He encouraged each member of the LOT to approach every obstacle with unwavering faith, trusting that God would guide them.

Reflecting on the Gospel of Mark 7:31-37, Fr Terans shared the story of Jesus healing a deaf and mute man, urging everyone to open their hearts, just as the man did, so that God’s transformative power could work within them. Only then, he explained, can our service truly bear fruit in love and faithfulness to God.