The Archdiocese of Seoul held a send-off event for over 1000 young Catholics traveling to Rome for the Jubilee of Youth. The event included celebration, socializing, and a Mass led by Bishop Paul Kyung-sang Lee. The young pilgrims will visit significant Catholic heritage sites in Italy before converging in Rome. The Jubilee of Youth will take place in Rome from July 28 to August 3.
11 days ago
Over 1,000 young Korean Catholics from the Archdiocese of Seoul are traveling to Rome to attend the Jubilee of Youth, scheduled from July 28 to August 3 1, 2. This initiative, known as "Project 1004" – a play on the Korean word "cheon-sa" meaning both "angel" and "1004" – aims to spiritually prepare these young people and cultivate future leaders for the upcoming World Youth Day in Seoul in 2027 1, 2. Similarly, approximately 160 young people from South Africa, Botswana, and Eswatini are also making the pilgrimage to Rome for the Jubilee 3.
The Archdiocese of Seoul held a send-off event on July 19 at Dongsung High School for its 1,078 pilgrims, featuring celebrations, socializing, and a Mass led by Bishop Paul Kyung-sang Lee 1, 2. During the Mass, the young Catholics pledged to love one another, strive for their best, and serve as witnesses of hope 1, 2. Bishop Lee emphasized that the pilgrimage's true purpose is to encounter the Lord's love 1. The Korean pilgrims will travel in 18 sub-groups, visiting significant Catholic sites in Assisi, Milan, and Turin before converging in Rome to participate in the main Jubilee events and walk through the Holy Doors 1, 2.
In Southern Africa, dioceses have organized numerous local activities to prepare youth for the Holy Year, including masses, rosaries, and spiritual events centered on "pilgrim symbols" 3. These preparations also involved discussions on the Jubilee theme, "pilgrims of hope," and serious issues like gender-based violence and femicide in South Africa 3. Young South Africans attending the Jubilee will carry a "hope cloth" inscribed with the dreams and aspirations of their peers who could not travel, intending to pray for them at a Mass with the Holy Father 3.
Despite the enthusiasm, young people from Southern Africa faced significant challenges in funding their pilgrimage due to high poverty rates and wealth inequality in the region 3. Some dioceses could not send any pilgrims due to financial limitations, and many individuals resorted to fundraising efforts like selling rosaries 3. Additionally, lengthy and backlogged visa application processes added stress for the South African group 3.
Despite these hurdles, the young pilgrims express deep excitement and hope for a renewed faith 3. Bishop Siphiwo Paul Vanqa of Queenstown, South Africa, anticipates that participants will return "rejuvenated and re-energised," inspiring others to engage with the Church 3. The South Korean delegation will gather for a special Mass on July 31 at the Basilica of San Crisogono in Rome, to be celebrated by Cardinal Andrew Yeom Soo-jung 1.
What is the Church's call to youth for evangelization?
The Catholic Church calls upon young people to be active participants in evangelization, recognizing their unique potential and enthusiasm for spreading the Gospel . This call is rooted in the understanding that youth are not merely recipients of evangelization but are themselves evangelizers, particularly to their peers .
Pope John Paul II emphasized the urgency of this mission, stating that the "liberating message of the Gospel of Life has been put into your hands" and that the "mission of proclaiming it to the ends of the earth is now passing to your generation" . He echoed Saint Paul's sentiment, "Woe to me if I do not evangelize" (1 Cor 9:16), and applied it to young people, saying, "Woe to you if you do not succeed in defending life" . The Church needs the "energies, enthusiasm, [and] youthful ideals" of young people to integrate the Gospel of Life into society, transforming hearts and structures to foster a civilization of justice and love .
Young people are encouraged to be "leading characters in evangelization and participants in the renewal of society" . This involves not being ashamed of the Gospel but rather preaching it "from the rooftops" (Matthew 10:27) and going "out into the byroads" (Matthew 22:9) to invite everyone to God's banquet . Their enthusiasm and energy should be harnessed for the good of humanity and the Church's mission .
The call to evangelization for youth is also a call to witness. Even before active ministry, mission means "witness and a way of life that shines out to others" . Young people, by responding to the grace of Baptism, can effectively demonstrate the beauty of a genuinely Christian life . Their enthusiasm for the future and their energy for helping others reflect Christ's example of service, which in turn attracts others to Him . Pope Benedict XVI noted that young people are called to be instruments of renewal, communicating the joy of knowing Christ and sharing the love poured into their hearts by the Spirit, so that others may also be filled with hope .
To fulfill this mission, young people are encouraged to pursue spiritual and doctrinal formation . This includes deepening their own faith and, in turn, helping others deepen theirs . The Church stresses the importance of presenting young people with "the fullness of the truth which God has enabled us to know about himself" . Catechetical programs, Catholic schools, and preaching ministries should present the "whole treasury of Church teaching serenely and convincingly – but without embarrassment or compromise" . This comprehensive formation in genuine Catholic spirituality and doctrine helps young people fully assume their roles and responsibilities in the Church .
Modern society presents challenges to youth, including concepts of freedom that can lead to slavery, relativism that robs them of truth, and materialism that can endanger their souls . Despite these dangers, young people possess "enormous resources of goodness and spiritual potential" . They often yearn for the beauty of the Gospel and seek solid, enduring values, a sense of direction, and purpose in their lives . The Church recognizes this deep yearning and seeks to guide their creative qualities and capacities towards the highest goals: the good of society, solidarity, and the spread of the evangelical ideal .
The missionary apostolate of young Catholics can be channeled through various means, such as parish groups, youth movements, and associations . These avenues provide opportunities for young people to share their experiences, reflect on the themes of World Youth Day, and engage in volunteer work, especially in serving the needy . World Youth Day itself serves as a significant event where young people from around the world gather for catechesis, spiritual renewal, and to experience the universality of the Church, preparing them to be "ardent witnesses of the Gospel of Christ" in their own countries .
In essence, the Church's call to youth for evangelization is a dynamic invitation to embrace their baptismal mission, to be courageous witnesses of Christ in the world, and to actively contribute to the transformation of society through the power of the Holy Spirit .