A South Korean archbishop has urged attendees of a Catholic youth festival in the national capital, Seoul, to respond with courage and faith to God’s call to religious life. Source: UCA News.
“The Church thrives and bears fruit when it gives rise to new vocations,” said Archbishop Peter Chung Soon-taick.
Archbishop Chung made his remarks during the concluding Mass, celebrated on Sunday, the last day of the three-day Youth Festival, the Seoul Archdiocese said in a media release on Monday.
“I earnestly hope that the [youth festival] will inspire more young people to open their hearts to the Lord’s call and respond with courage and faith,” he said.
“In many ways, the world is, perhaps unknowingly, yearning for ‘witnesses of hope’ – those who testify through their very lives that following Christ is the wellspring of true joy,” he added.
The Seoul Archdiocese, in collaboration with the Local Organising Committee for World Youth Day 2027, organised the three-day event.
Based on a theme inspired by the Korean characters for Light, Hope, and Joy, the festival drew more than 30,000 young participants, including 3500 at the concluding Mass presided by Archbishop Chung.
Seoul Auxiliary Bishops Job Koo Yobi and Paul Kyung Sang Lee, and other priests from the archdiocese, concelebrated the Holy Mass.
“This youth-led initiative was conceptualised, organised, and animated by young people themselves, who designed a vibrant, multi-zone experience,” the archdiocese said.
“True to its spirit of openness, the festival welcomed people of all ages, nationalities, and religious backgrounds, creating a space of shared joy and intercultural dialogue,” it added.
The event included talk shows, experiential booths, interactive workshops, live performances, and food markets.
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South Korean youth urged to become ‘witnesses of hope’ (UCA News)
