Festival to offer pilgrims workshops, plenaries and prayer experiences

Australian Catholic Youth Festival organisers say the event will features a mix of favourites and new elements for pilgrims. Source: Melbourne Catholic.

Last held in Perth in 2019, ACYF will be held in Melbourne from November 30-December 2, offering pilgrims more than 100 workshops, plenaries and prayer experiences to choose from.

On Sunday, November 30, pilgrims will gather at Melbourne’s St Patrick’s Cathedral with the bishops of Australia to lead an official welcome and opening prayer. 

Pilgrims are invited to pray with the World Youth Day Cross and Icon, gifted to the youth of the world by Pope John Paul II, which will be on display inside the cathedral.

Throughout the Cathedral grounds will be pilgrim activities as well as live music performances by local musicians. The crowd will then be led on a pilgrimage walk through Melbourne’s city streets towards the festival venue, the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.

There, pilgrims will have the opportunity to grab a meal and explore the expo and justice centre before the opening plenary featuring a keynote by Melbourne Archbishop Peter A Comensoli.

ACYF has a long history of showcasing some of the country’s most inspiring speakers and musicians, and this festival will be no different. Keynote speakers include Sr Mary Grace SV, Fr Rob Galea, Katie Prejean McGrady, Cardinal Mykola Bychok CSsR, Bishop Mark Edwards OMI, Fr Chris Ryan MGL, Maggie Craig and Joshua Angrisano.

Throughout the festival, music will be led by performers including Fr Rob Galea and band, Alyssa Agius, Natasha Pinto, Louisa Daniels and the official house band.

Each day, plenary sessions will bring all pilgrims together for moments of prayer, celebration and keynote input, and then pilgrims can choose their own activity with a range of workshops, forums, social justice activities, games, prayer experiences and the interactive expo space.

Pilgrim group reflection will be a key element to the ACYF experience. Workshops will explore themes of prayer, vocation, music, social justice and evangelisation. 

Organisers are calling for volunteers to support various aspects of the festival, including logistics, hospitality, liturgy and pastoral care.

For the full program and to register, visit www.acyf.org.au. To apply to volunteer, visit here.

FULL STORY

Choose your own adventure: ACYF program released (Melbourne Catholic)