2025 Southern Region Youth Gathering – Pilgrims of Hope: A Day of Celebration in the Jubilee Year

It was a real joy to accompany ten Year 10 and 11 students to the Youth Gathering at St Bede’s last Friday 29 August. There were 250+ students from 12 secondary schools in the southern region. Inspired by the theme of pilgrimage, students were invited to gather to reflect on their own journeys of faith, renewal and hope, while exploring the deeper meaning of the Jubilee year – a time of reconciliation, forgiveness and transformation.

The day was led by Gen Bryant and her team. Gen is an independent musician, composer, public speaker and team builder, who has been involved in school and parish ministry across Australia for over 18 years. Gen is passionate about spreading the Gospel messages of hope, love and justice to young people. She provides interactive and engaging sessions through music and shares her faith journey with people of all ages and walks of life.

Our young people joined all students in a pilgrimage walk from St Bede’s to St Brigid’s Church, Mordialloc, where Fr Andrew Jekot celebrated a lively and joyous Mass.

The Jubilee Prayer

Father in heaven,

may the faith you have given us

in your son, Jesus Christ, our brother,

and the flame of charity enkindled

in our hearts by the Holy Spirit,

reawaken in us the blessed hope

for the coming of your Kingdom.

May your grace transform us

into tireless cultivators of the seeds of the Gospel.

May those seeds transform from within both humanity and the whole cosmos

in the sure expectation

of a new heaven and a new earth,

when, with the powers of Evil vanquished,

your glory will shine eternally.

May the grace of the Jubilee

reawaken in us, Pilgrims of Hope,

a yearning for the treasures of heaven.

May that same grace spread

the joy and peace of our Redeemer

throughout the earth.

To you our God, eternally blessed,

be glory and praise for ever.

Amen

John Riddle

Director of Catholic Identity and Mission

Head of Counselling Services