The Role of the Youths in the Church

The Marist Province of Nigeria celebrated a one-day Youth Festival on 24th March 2019 at Our Lady of Mercy Parish, Iva Valley, Enugu, Nigeria.

The festival was organised by Marist Youth Committee, Province of Nigeria in collaboration with the Catholic Youth Organisation of Our Lady of Mercy parish, Iva Valley, Enugu. The event started with Eucharist celebration said by Rev. Fr. Wilifred Chiwetalu, CScR at 8:30 am.

Youth representatives at the event were drawn from the 50 parishes in Enugu Deanery of Catholic Diocese of Enugu.

The theme of the youth festival was: ‘’The Role of the Youths in the Church,’’ and was delivered by the guest speaker,  Sir Chris Ejiogu, the registrar of the Marist Polytechnic, Emene, Enugu, Nigeria. He stated that ‘’young people are vulnerable to numerous challenges. They should be assisted in making proper moral judgment through the knowledge of certain principles that guide our acts, motives and circumstances. Hence, active participation in liturgical activities and parish affairs draws the youth closer to the things of God, thus increases their quest for positive pursuit.’’

The objective of the youth festival was to reach out to young people outside Marist institution, thereby responding to the call of the 9th Provincial Chapter ‘’to intensify Marist Youth Ministry in the Province…’’ and also to respond to the XXII General Chapter’s invitation to be bridge-builders and to journey with children and young people living on the margins of life.’’

Highlights of the occasion included paper presentation, group discussion, match past, cultural dance, drama and much more.

The youth thanked the Marist Brothers for organizing the event and for giving them the opportunity to interact, share and enrich one another. The event was indeed a huge success.