PANAJI
The Diocesan Youth Centre (DYC) organised the Young Leaders Meet and Youth United for Vibrant Apostolate (YUVA) training programme at St Joseph Vaz Spiritual Renewal Centre, Old Goa, on July 19, on the theme ‘Abide in Me’.
Around 300 youth leaders, with two representatives from each parish and chapel youth group, attended the programme to learn about the DYC’s statutes, guidelines and planner. The inaugural Mass, celebrated by Fr Alwin Joyan D’Costa cssr, concluded with the release of the Diocesan Youth Day 2026 logo and theme song, ‘Abide in Me’.
Fr Leslie Gomes spoke on ‘Magnifica Humanitas’, the encyclical of Pope Leo XIV, while DYC director Fr Blaise Lobo addressed the use of social media in parish youth ministry. He also conducted deanery team elections for all 19 deaneries and outlined preparations for the Pilgrim Cross and Mary’s Portrait journey from November to Diocesan Youth Day on December 13. Representatives of YU4C, MFC and Jesus Youth shared their ministry experiences. The Diocesan Youth Synodal Implementation Team discussed three priorities for synodal youth ministry.
Details of World Youth Day 2027 in Seoul were also shared. The programme ended with the distribution of YUVA certificates.
