More than 220 young Catholics from the newly established Diocese of Joypurhat and the Diocese of Rajshahi gathered at Lokkikole Parish in northern Bangladesh from October 16 to 20 for a joint Diocesan Youth Day aimed at strengthening faith, unity, and Christian responsibility among young people.
Organized by the Youth Commission of the Diocese of Rajshahi, the gathering brought together young people from both dioceses for prayer, formation sessions, and activities focused on Christian values, leadership, and their responsibilities in the Church and society.
The program opened with the installation of the Youth Cross. Those present included Fr. Cherubim Bakla, chancellor of the Diocese of Joypurhat; Fr. Prashanta Aind, youth coordinator of the Rajshahi Diocesan Youth Commission; Fr. Shyamal Gomes; and Fr. Emil Ekka, SDB, parish priest of St. John Bosco Parish.
Bishop Gervas Rozario of Rajshahi and Bishop Paul Gomes of Joypurhat, along with priests and sisters from various parishes, also attended the gathering.
Addressing the young participants, Bishop Rozario emphasized the importance of youth formation in the life of the Church.
“Young people are the future of the Church. If young people are vibrant, the Church will be alive. However, it is essential to provide them with proper formation,” he said.
Bishop Gomes expressed gratitude to the Diocese of Rajshahi for organizing the joint celebration, saying he hoped the gathering would help young people grow in moral and spiritual maturity.
“This year, the dioceses of Rajshahi and Joypurhat have come together to celebrate Youth Day,” he said. “I firmly believe and hope that, through this Youth Day, young people will receive moral and spiritual formation and be able to contribute meaningfully to their families, society, and the Church.”
Formation sessions and thematic sharing activities addressed the participants’ faith, outlook on life, sense of responsibility, leadership, and Christian values. The activities encouraged them to share their faith experiences and consider how to live out Christian values in their daily lives.
The gathering also gave young Catholics from the two dioceses an opportunity to build relationships, exchange experiences, and strengthen their sense of fellowship through shared prayer and participation.
The five-day gathering concluded with prayer, sharing, and formation activities, reinforcing the commitment of young Catholics from both dioceses to grow in faith and contribute to the Church and wider society.
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