A total of 882 young Catholics from 14 parishes across the Diocese of Miri gathered for Miri Youth Day 2026 from August 28–31, strengthening fellowship and faith through four days of prayer, formation and community activities.
Miri is a city in northern Sarawak, one of two Malaysian states on the island of Borneo. The Diocese of Miri serves Catholic communities across northern Sarawak.
Held under the theme “Take Courage, I Have Overcome the World” from John 16:33, the gathering encouraged young people to deepen their relationship with Christ, discern their vocation and grow in their commitment to the Church.
The four-day event opened with Mass on August 28. A highlight of the opening was the handover of the Miri Youth Day Cross from Lapok Parish, host of the previous gathering, to St. Dominic and the Rosary Parish, host of MYD 2026.
The 14 parish flags accompanied the handover, representing the participating parish communities and their unity as one diocesan Church.
The young people took part in formation sessions on August 29, beginning with Mass and a session titled “Into the Deep” led by Fr. Sylvester Ngau. He encouraged the participants to move beyond a superficial faith, trust Christ more deeply and remain open to God’s call.
The participants then joined breakout sessions on vocation, servant leadership and the Taizé prayer tradition.
Deacon Joel Rut led the vocation session, focusing particularly on priesthood and encouraging young men to prayerfully discern God’s call.
Sr. Delicia Klumai led the servant leadership session, emphasizing that Christian leadership was rooted in service rather than power, position or recognition.
Maria Amella KAYC led the Taizé session, introducing participants to the history, songs and purpose of the prayer tradition and preparing them for a Taizé prayer experience.
That evening, the young people gathered for Taizé prayer and Eucharistic adoration. The period of silence, prayer and chanting provided an opportunity for participants to reflect on their lives and present their hopes and struggles to God.
On August 30, the program began with “Love Letter to God,” a personal reflection activity in which participants wrote their thoughts, gratitude, hopes and prayers to God.
This was followed by Sunday Mass with Bishop Richard Ng, Bishop of Miri. After Mass, the bishop spent time with the young people in fellowship, giving them an opportunity for informal interaction with their shepherd.
Group-sharing sessions in the afternoon allowed participants to reflect on their experiences and share how the gathering had affected their faith.
The evening featured the Celebration of the Cross, or Pesta Salib. The Journey of the Cross was handed over from St. Joseph’s Cathedral to St. Dominic and the Rosary Parish, followed by a procession of the Cross and the 14 parish flags.
The procession highlighted the unity of the young people from different parish communities as they journeyed together under one Cross.
Pesta Salib continued with praise and worship and an altar call, inviting participants to pray and renew their commitment to Christ.
The gathering concluded on August 31 with Mass and the commissioning of the young people led by Bishop Richard Ng.
The closing also marked the beginning of preparations for the next diocesan youth gathering, with Holy Cross Parish in Sungai Asap announced as the host of Miri Youth Day 2028.
The four-day gathering brought together young Catholics from across the Diocese of Miri for prayer, formation, fellowship and reflection, while passing on the Cross and continuing the diocesan youth journey toward 2028.
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