Pilgrims of Hope OLL Youth Rally

Mar 07, 2025

By Clarissa Maria Fernandez
The Church of Our Lady of Lourdes, hosted the annual OLL Youth Rally 2025 from February 7-9, bringing together young Catholics from various dioceses and parishes, under the theme Pilgrims of Hope. The event aimed to provide guidance on faith, resilience, and hope in contemporary society.

This year, the youth rally was in collaboration with ASAYO, the office of the Single Adult and Youth of the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur.

The event featured two speakers, Fr Desmond Jansen and Fr Stanley Antoni from the Diocese of Penang, who delivered impactful sessions and addressed various aspects of faith and perseverance. Their sessions were tailored in a way that made it easy to keep youths engaged. Some sessions even commenced with short games to lighten the atmosphere. These sessions provided insights into navigating spiritual challenges and strengthening personal commitment to faith.

The weekend was filled with dynamic activities, including praise and worship sessions, games, skits, and group reflections. These included team-building activities like icebreakers and games by ASAYO that encouraged cooperation and interaction among participants. These activities were designed not only for entertainment but also to foster teamwork, creativity, and personal reflection. Participants engaged in reflections and interactive sessions aimed at fostering dialogue and encouraging personal spiritual growth. The skits, performed by the youth, while funny, to keep participants engaged, also depicted real life struggles and triumphs in faith, making the lessons relatable and impactful.

A Religious Dialogue was conducted by Sr Mary Antoinette from the Little Sisters of the Poor, focusing on religious life and the role of service within the faith community. Attendees had the opportunity to ask questions and discuss the significance of religious vocations in modern times. Sr Mary Antoinette shared her personal journey, providing valuable insights into the sacrifices and rewards of dedicating one’s life to religious service. This session encouraged young Catholics to reflect on their own calling and the various ways they could contribute to their faith communities.

Participants were also given a chance to buy T-shirts designed by the youth themselves to reflect the theme “Pilgrims of Hope,” featuring an inspiring logo and vibrant colours that symbolised faith and unity. Wearing these T-shirts fostered a sense of belonging among attendees, serving as a lasting reminder of the rally’s message.

As the weekend ended, participants gathered for a deeply moving Adoration led by Fr Desmond Jansen. This was followed by the Novena and 6.00pm evening Mass, celebrated by parish priest, Fr Gregory Chan, and assistant parish priest, Fr Gana Selvam Berentis, along with Fr Desmond. The Eucharistic celebration served as a fitting conclusion, filling hearts with gratitude and a renewed sense of purpose.

As the rally came to an end, many attendees expressed their gratitude for the experience, highlighting the friendships formed, the knowledge gained, and the inspiration received. Plans for future youth events were already being discussed, ensuring that the momentum of faith and fellowship continues beyond the rally weekend.

The OLL Youth Rally 2025 proved to be a transformative experience, empowering young Catholics to live out their Faith courageously and to continue their journey as true Pilgrims of Hope. As the echoes of praise and joy faded, one message remained clear. – Hope is alive, and shines brightly in the hearts of the youth.

Participating in the OLL youth rally this year was an amazing experience. The whole flow of the event was great. I made a lot of new friends from different parishes too. The games organised by Asayo were super fun. The emcees from the rally did an amazing job interacting with all the participants. At the same time, I felt my relationship with God grow closer through the CT confession and adoration on the last day of the rally. Truly a fun filled event. Thank you OLLYM and Asayokl. --Cris Jonathan

The Youth Rally 2025 was an unforgettable and memorable event. The praise and worship touched my heart. The speakers and youth delivered spiritual and meaningful messages to the audience. I really enjoyed the games. Overall, the rally created a positive spirituality that truly empowered the youth. --Velvina Victor

Attending the youth rally was an incredibly uplifting and transformative experience. I felt a deep sense of spiritual renewal, surrounded by like-minded individuals who shared the same faith and passion. The atmosphere was filled with joy, worship, and unity, reminding me of the beauty of fellowship in Christ. Each message and testimony encouraged me to grow deeper in my faith and trust in God's plan. I was especially grateful to be part of the committee, which allowed me to serve meaningfully and witness the impact of our efforts. A highlight of the event was Asayo, who entertained us with fun games and delivered powerful spiritual talks about God. Their presence brought excitement and encouragement to everyone.

I was also thankful to participate in one of the skits. It was an amazing experience to share meaningful messages through drama and see the audience engaged. Beyond that, I enjoyed all the performances, especially praise and worship, which deeply moved me and strengthened my connection with God.

Overall, the youth rally was a blessing. I left feeling renewed, motivated, and grateful for the experience, the people, and the opportunity to serve and grow in faith. --Andrea Pinto