Pilgrims of Hope: Pauline Family and Loyola College at ACYF 2025

As we look back on the Australian Catholic Youth Festival 2025, held in Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre from November 30 to December 2, our hearts are filled with gratitude. Over three days, thousands of young people walked together as Pilgrims of Hope, celebrating faith, friendship, and the joy of being part of the wider Church.

Walking together from St Patrick’s Cathedral to the festival venue, they felt the weight of tradition in the World Youth Day Cross and Icon, yet also the lightness of joy in being surrounded by thousands of peers who shared the same hope. The pilgrimage wasn’t just a physical walk; it was a symbol of their own path toward God and community.

Inside, the festival unfolded like a tapestry of experiences. Workshops buzzed with conversations about justice, mission, and the challenges of living faith in modern Australia. The music and concerts gave them space to celebrate, to dance, and to express their faith in ways that felt authentic to their generation. In moments of prayer and adoration, many experienced a quiet stillness, realizing that faith is not only about noise and energy but also about silence and presence.

The surprise message from Pope Leo XIV was a highlight. For young people, hearing the Pope speak directly to them was a reminder that they are part of something vast and universal. His encouragement to seek God in prayer and sacraments resonated deeply, especially for students navigating the challenges of modern life.

It was a great joy to be part of the Australian Catholic Youth Festival 2025 and to share the charism of the Pauline Family with thousands of young people. Over the three days, our vocation display became more than just a booth — it was a place of encounter, conversation, and inspiration.

Students and young pilgrims stopped by, curious to learn about the different branches of the Pauline Family: the Society of St Paul, the Daughters of St Paul, the Sister Disciples of the Divine Master, and the Sisters of Jesus Good Shepherd “Pastorelle”. Each encounter was a chance to witness how our founder, Blessed James Alberione, envisioned a family united in proclaiming the Gospel through modern means of communication and service.

Loyola College Watsonia was fortunate to be represented by outstanding students whose enthusiasm and dedication truly illuminated ACYF 2025. Their active involvement in workshops, prayer, and service showcased not only their personal commitment but also the vibrant spirit of our community. It filled us with pride to witness them connect with peers from all over Australia, as they joyfully and authentically carried the values of our college into the broader Church.

The joy of the weekend was not only in presenting brochures or answering questions, but in seeing young people’s eyes light up when they realized that their gifts — whether in media, pastoral care, prayer, or service — could find a home in the Pauline mission. Many shared their own stories of searching for purpose, and we were humbled to walk with them in that journey.

The festival atmosphere — filled with music, prayer, and fellowship — provided the perfect backdrop for promoting vocations. Surrounded by the energy of thousands of youths, our display became a small beacon of hope, reminding everyone that God still calls, and that the Pauline Family continues to respond with creativity and love.

As the weekend came to a close, we carried with us gratitude: for the organizers who made space for vocation displays, for the young people who engaged with us, and for the joy of being able to witness to our charism. Truly, ACYF 2025 was a blessing, and promoting the vocation of the Pauline Family there was a gift we will cherish.

By the closing Mass, the youth carried a renewed sense of identity. They had laughed, sung, prayed, and reflected together. They left Melbourne not just with memories, but with friendships, strengthened faith, and a conviction that they are indeed the future of the Church.

Sr Nelia Llanto, sjbp