ACYF

I’m Aliyah, and I’d like to share a bit about my experience at the Australian Catholic Youth Festival which I attended from November 30 to December 2, 2025, with 60 Nazareth students and 12 teachers. It was held at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre and attended by 6000 young people.

Going into ACYF, I honestly didn’t know exactly what to expect - I just knew there would be a lot of walking, a lot of people, and hopefully something interesting along the way. But right from the first day, I realised it was actually a really special experience.

One of the things that stood out the most for me was the sense of connection that formed, especially during the music. Whether it was the huge plenaries or the smaller performances around the Expo, there was something powerful about everyone singing and praying together. Seeing Fr. Rob Galea perform, who easily captivated the crowd was a highlight.

I also enjoyed exploring the different sessions and workshops. Some were fun, some were more reflective, and some were challenging in a good way. There was a testimony from Sister Mary Grace that really stuck with me because she spoke so openly about her vocation and trusting God, even when life doesn’t go the way you planned.

A really unique part of our trip was the stand-up dinner our school was selected for. I was one of 4 students selected to attend this dinner with bishops around Australia. I had the chance to speak with Archbishop Peter Comensoli and a number of other bishops, which isn’t something you experience every day. They were surprisingly easy to talk to and genuinely interested in hearing from us, giving us insights to take home.

Another highlight was seeing our own teacher, Mr Melhem, perform throughout the day, doing karaoke, singing at the Commissioning Mass and opening the music for the closing Mass, which ended our time at ACYF.

Performances from Pordijill, the Catholic rapper, showed how diverse and creative the Church can be when young people are part of it.

Overall, ACYF really helped me feel more connected to my faith, to our group, and to the wider Church. I’m really grateful I got to go, and I’d definitely encourage anyone to consider coming to the next festival in Sydney in 2028.

Aliyah Kasap - Year 12