Australian Catholic

 Youth Festival

Australian Catholic Youth Festival (ACYF)

During Week 8, 13 students and 3 staff attended the Australian Catholic Youth Festival, the largest gathering of young Catholics in Australia. More than 6000 young people gathered in Melbourne. 

The festival provided young people with opportunities to deepen their relationship with Jesus and encounter and celebrate the vitality of the Church in Australia. Pilgrims participated in a range of prayer experiences, workshops and talks, as well as exploring live performances and an expo.

Below are some student reflections of their experience:

I will remember most from ACYF getting selfies with so many Bishops, as well as getting to have a chat with them and asking about where they are from and what they do. 

Jedd Cox

ACYF was a festival that not only had significant meaning regarding spirituality but was able to change my life in so many different ways. To be able to experience some incredible stories from powerful speakers based on true life experience has changed the way I perceive life and have given me strategies to use in the real world to allow me to create a better version of myself. 

As well as the exceptional speakers and workshops, the feeling of connection between the Mater Dei group and the rest of the pilgrims was inspiring and had allowed me to develop new friendships within our group, especially with those I hadn’t talked to before. Being able to feel included with everyone gave me a whole new view on the experience and gave me the ability to feel confident sharing answers to questions, ideas and my personal talents and skills. The ACYF was one of the best school experiences I have ever had and the experiences are ones I will never forget. 

Harrison Uphill

I will remember most from ACYF getting to know the other pilgrims within the diocese and the fun plenaries with many other Catholics. Although the food stall lines were always long and pricey, ACYF was still a very fun experience and it allowed me to explore my faith more and be closer with God. 

I definitely enjoyed the workshops and little stalls within the expo, especially with meaningful pin making and bracelets. And while the merch was pretty expensive, I managed to find little cute figurines of Saints on the last day and it’s now a cute little collection I'm considering expanding with buying more to collect. 

Lady Usares 

Mrs Rebecca Gill | Leader of Faith Formation and Mission