The national gathering of the Catholic Students Associations (CSA), in which students from various tertiary institutions across Papua New Guinea took part and reflected on the theme: “Together Towards Tomorrow: Tertiary Students as Hopeful Ambassadors Through Dedication,” had a grand closing ceremony on June 29, 2025.
The celebration was held at St. Augustine Parish, University of Technology (Unitech), Lae, the country’s second-largest city and a major port on the northeastern coast.
Catholic students from Divine Word University (DWU), University of Goroka (UOG), Goroka Technical College, National Polytechnic Institute of Lae (Polytech), and the host institution, Unitech, were all represented at this spiritually charged event.
The gathering, rich with liturgy, reflection, cultural performance, and fellowship, was seen as a timely and meaningful convergence of young Catholic leaders united in faith and hope for the future of the Church and the nation.
The highlight of the final day was the celebration of Holy Mass, led by Fr. Vincent Agbeyome-Akpah, SVD, the Chaplain of Divine Word University. Fr. Vincent’s homily centered on the apostolic mission of Saints Peter and Paul, using their lives as an inspiration and challenge to the young students.
Drawing from the scripture readings, Peter’s miraculous escape from prison and Paul’s reflection on the “crown of righteousness”, he invited the students to embrace the call to apostleship in today’s world.
“If you run away from sacrifice, then you are not ready to be apostles. This is the season of training. Sacrifice is the way forward, sacrifice in prayer, in reading the Word of God, and in sitting with the Lord. These things are not public shows but quiet commitments between you and God,” Fr. Vincent said.
He emphasized that every challenge students face is unique, and it is only through personal dedication and perseverance that they can grow strong in faith and character.
“Rewards come if we are prepared and train ourselves. Hard training brings fruit in abundance when the favor and grace of God come,” he added.
The message resonated deeply with the student congregation, many of whom had travelled long distances to participate in the event despite the demands of academic life.
Dr. Wilson Kobal, Head of the Mining Engineering Department at Unitech and guardian to the CSA, left the students with a heartfelt and simple message:
“What you see is what you get. Thank you for humbling yourselves and coming to Unitech, despite your busy schedules. You have left a blessing behind.”
This Catholic Students gathering is not the first, but it is certainly among the most memorable. As PNG continues to face social, economic, and spiritual challenges, such gatherings play an increasingly vital role in shaping leaders grounded in faith, values, and commitment to service.
The theme, “Together Towards Tomorrow,” emphasized unity and forward-thinking, while “Tertiary Students as Hopeful Ambassadors Through Dedication” challenged students to live out their faith with purpose and to become agents of change in their communities and institutions.
The energy, creativity, and faith witnessed throughout the weekend painted a hopeful picture of what the Church in Papua New Guinea will look like in years to come: youthful, united, and full of purpose.
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
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