Gearing up for CHARIS Peninsular Malaysia Youth Day

Feb 02, 2024

By Felicia Samuel and Christopher Felix
The CHARIS Peninsular Malaysia Youth Day is set to take place from May 30 to June 1 at the Minor Basilica of St. Anne in Bukit Mertajam. Anticipated to attract a vibrant assembly of 3,000 spirited youths and parents, this transformative event is poised to strengthen the Church’s mission and evangelisation efforts.

Through the initiative of CHARIS Peninsular Malaysia Service of Communion (CPMSC), several young adult ministries throughout Peninsular Malaysia and the Catholic Charismatic Renewal came together recently to plan for the upcoming event.

This dynamic collaboration unveiled a profound commitment to the spiritual growth and empowerment of the youth.

Present at the meeting to offer encouragement and support was Cardinal Sebastian Francis, the episcopal advisor to CHARIS Peninsular Malaysia.

Cardinal Sebastian echoed the significance of enlarging one’s tent, symbolising the universality of our Church, a divine revelation on Pentecost. The image painted is clear – the youth at the centre of the narrative, a key interpretation that resonates with the broader themes of Pope Francis’ papacy: inclusivity, mercy, and unity.

In this dynamic one day working meeting, Cardinal Sebastian’s involvement added a new dimension to the mission of the Church. His call for collaboration between the young and the old, fostering an inclusive approach, echoes the spirit of the upcoming CHARIS Peninsular Malaysia Youth Day.

The cardinal emphasised that the objective of CHARIS and CPMSC is service and communion, not control. This aligns with Pope Francis’ vision of an inclusive, respectful dialogue within the Church, where every voice is valued.

Reflecting on the theme for the youth day, ARISE Together in Christ, the cardinal highlighted that it draws inspiration from Luke 7:14, which is in line with Pope Francis’ writings in Christus Vivit, Christ is Alive, where the Holy Father encourages the young people, “Christ is alive! He is our hope, and in a wonderful way He brings youth to our world, and everything He touches becomes young, new, full of life. The very first words, then, that I would like to say to every young Christian are these: Christ is alive, and He wants you to be alive,” said Cardinal Sebastian.

“He is in you, He is with you and He never abandons you. However far you may wander, He is always there, the Risen One. He calls you and He waits for you to return to Him and start over again. When you feel you are growing old out of sorrow, resentment or fear, doubt, or failure, He will always be there to restore your strength and your hope.

“With great affection, Pope Francis addresses this Apostolic Exhortation to all Christian young people. It is meant to remind you of certain convictions born of our faith, and at the same time to encourage you to grow in holiness and in commitment to your personal vocation. But since it is also part of a synodal process, I am also addressing this message to the entire People of God, pastors and faithful alike, since all of us are challenged and urged to reflect both on the young and for the young. Consequently, I will speak to young people directly in some places, while in others I will propose some more general considerations for the Church’s discernment,” said the prelate.

Cardinal Sebastian then concluded by reminding all present that the Word of God says that young people should be treated “as brothers” (1 Tim 5:1), and warns parents not to “provoke your children, lest they become discouraged” (Col 3:21).

“Young people are not meant to become discouraged; they are meant to dream great things, to seek vast horizons, to aim higher, to take on the world, to accept challenges and to offer the best of themselves to the building of something better. That is why I constantly urge young people not to let themselves be robbed of hope; to each of them I repeat:

“Let no one despise your youth” (1 Tim 4:12),” he added.

Creating an inclusive inspiring platform
Simon Matthew, the CPMSC chairman, was instrumental in bringing together representatives from the various young adult ministries within Peninsular Malaysia to gather, listen and exchange ideas, share perspectives, and develop a comprehensive programme that would resonate with the vibrant and diverse youth renewal ministries in the Catholic Church of Peninsular Malaysia.

The one day working meeting began with an atmosphere of enthusiasm with Paul Julianose, from CHARIS Malaysia and SEEDS ministry, leading a praise and worship session.

Simon then announced that John Paul Felix is appointed as the chairperson to head the working team. The objective for the Youth Day is for the youth to grow in communion and spirituality and develop a closer relationship with Christ. The team aims to create an inclusive and inspiring platform where young people can express themselves, learn from each other, and harness their potential to grow in missionary discipleship, personally and collectively.

The main speaker, Fr Rob Galea, brings a unique dimension to the Youth Day programme with his background as a singer and songwriter. Recognising the power of music, the team aims to foster a deeper spiritual connection with the Holy Spirit through Fr Rob’s inspiring musical contributions.

Understanding the tech-savvy nature of the youth, the planning team explores innovative ways to integrate technology and social media to promote the event. Social media platforms will amplify the reach and impact of the CHARIS Peninsular Malaysia Youth Day, making it accessible to a broader audience and enhancing the overall participant experience.

In this journey towards renewal and spiritual awakening, CHARIS Peninsular Malaysia is unwavering in its commitment to empowering and inclusivity, recognising the youth as the driving force behind positive change and as future witnesses and ambassadors for Jesus in the world. As we anticipate the ARISE Together in Christ Youth Day, let us embrace the spirit-filled journey of faith, unity, and empowerment. The Holy Spirit will not fail the Church, and together, we shall arise in Christ.