Sarawak youth unite and arise for the Eucharist

Dec 11, 2021

KUCHING: Youth from the three dioceses in Sarawak, namely the Archdiocese of Kuching, the Diocese of Miri, and the Diocese of Sibu participated in the Sarawak Youth Day Eucharistic celebration on November 20.

This was the first collaboration of the three dioceses to bring the diocesan youth together for a celebration. About 400 youths attended the event which was broadcast live through Kuching Archdiocesan Youth Commission YouTube and Zoom.

The theme of this World Youth Day celebration was inspired by Acts 26:16, a message from Jesus to St Paul during his experience of repentance in Damascus: “Arise! I commission you to testify to what you see.” or “Stand up. I appoint you as a witness of what you have seen” (cf. Acts 26:16).

Pope Francis, in his message for the 36th World Youth Day said, “I hope this message may help us prepare for new times and a new page in the history of humanity. Yet we cannot begin anew without you, dear young people. If our world is to arise, it needs your strength, your enthusiasm, your passion.

Due to technology and a willing spirit, the young people and youth ministers of the three dioceses believe that they can still celebrate the Eucharist together. Each diocese participated by singing, proclaiming the readings and praying the intentions, which were pre-recorded. Archbishop Simon Poh of Kuching, together with Fr Ramon Borja, chairman of the Kuching Archdiocesan Youth Commission (KAYC), celebrated the Mass.

Aside from the Eucharistic celebration, a video montage of the Catholic community in Sarawak, Pope Francis’ message to the young people and a video message by the Arch/Bishops of Malaysia with the Malaysian Catholic Youth Minister Committee were also shown.

We would like to thank all those who were directly or indirectly involved in making this Sarawak Youth Day a success.

Young people! Arise and bear witness!