Unforgettable spiritual journey: 3 days at Australian Catholic Youth Festival

Thanks to the cooperation with the organisation “Future Ukraine”, youth from our parishes also had the opportunity to take part in the Festival. The program of the festival included prayer, the Holy Liturgy, catecheses, talks, workshops, musical performances, evening events, and a pilgrimage procession through the central part of Melbourne. For our young people, this was a unique opportunity for new spiritual experience and growth.

Perhaps the best testimony to the importance of this event for our youth comes from the participants themselves. Here is what Maria Zarifeh, a parishioner from Sydney and the coordinator of our youth group, shared about the festival.

“It was a privilege to be a group coordinator, together with our spiritual leader Fr. Andriy Mykytyuk for the youth of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Saints Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church in Australia, New Zealand and Oceania — representing our Ukrainian parishes from Melbourne, Sydney, Perth and Brisbane.

From 30 November to 2 December 2025, thousands of young Catholics from across Australia gathered in Melbourne for the Australian Catholic Youth Festival — a national event created by the Australian Catholic Bishops to help young people connect, deepen their relationship with Jesus, and be empowered to live their faith in the world.

At the opening session, His Eminence Cardinal Mykola Bychok delivered a deeply moving address. Sharing memories from his childhood in a persecuted Church under Soviet rule, he reminded us that the world may try to silence our faith, but it can never silence our prayer. His words encouraged each young person to stand firm in prayer even when it is difficult, to let prayer become their strength, their freedom, and their hope. Lifting a rosary made by Ukrainian prisoners of war, he called everyone to pray for peace — especially for Ukraine — and invited the entire festival community to unite in faith, compassion and solidarity.”

Six thousand young people united in prayer for peace in Ukraine. One of the most powerful moments of solidarity and shared compassion with our brothers and sisters in Ukraine occurred when, as Cardinal Mykola prayed while standing on the stage, our young people in the audience also stood and prayed, holding the Ukrainian flag unfurled before them.

“I’m sure that our young people did not come home the same. They returned to their parishes carrying a renewed fire for prayer and a deeper longing to encounter Christ in the sacraments. They came back with new friendships that remind them they are never alone in their faith, fresh inspiration and ideas to strengthen youth ministry, a deeper appreciation of their Ukrainian Catholic identity within the wider Australian Church, and a sincere desire to serve their parishes.

I am deeply grateful to everyone who supported and prayed for our pilgrims on this journey. The fruits of these days will continue to grow in our parishes”, Maria Zarifeh shared.

The presence of our youth at this festival was particularly important, as it brought together representatives of all Catholic dioceses and Churches across the country. For the Ukrainian Catholic Church, it was a meaningful opportunity to be visibly present among the many Catholic communities on a national level and to witness to our active role in the spiritual and public life of the Catholic Church in Australia.

We express our sincere gratitude to “Future Ukraine” for their financial support, as well as to all those who made this participation possible.

See also

January 27 Cardinal Mykola Bychok Participated in Annual Red Mass in Melbourne January 27 Homily by His Eminence Mykola Cardinal Bychok for the Red Mass — Opening of the Legal Year 2026 December 29 The Jubilee Year of Hope Solemnly Concluded in Melbourne