National Youth Sunday is a unique opportunity to celebrate the role and significance of young people in the Catholic Church in England and Wales today.
Celebrated on the Feast of Christ the King, National Youth Sunday is an opportunity to recognise young people as a gift in the Church, enable the youth ministry and parish community to celebrate young people and affirm the contribution of young people in the Church and those who work with them. NYS takes place on Sunday 22 November 2020.
This year the theme is Together. The COVID-19 pandemic has affected every part of life. The way we live, work, study, play and pray has all changed. The most significant change has been that we have not been able to do many of those things together. This year’s theme recognises what it means to be ‘together’; with ourselves, with others and with God.
To come out of this crisis better than before, we have to do so together; together, not alone. Together. Alone no, because it cannot be done. Either it is done together, or it is not done. We must do it together, all of us, in solidarity.
Pope Francis, September 2020
As we learn to live together again alongside the COVID-19 virus, the world isn’t quite the same as it was. But there is still much to make us hopeful.
There is something special about being together – being a part of a community – it is our togetherness which tells us who we are. It heals us and makes us complete.
Let’s celebrate National Youth Sunday together!
In the spirit of being together, we’ve planned lots of lives streams in the lead up to National Youth Sunday. Tune in to Instagram on Fridays at 4pm @NationalYouthSunday from Friday 16th October. We’ll be featuring a special guest each Friday.
National Youth Sunday is always celebrated on the Solemnity of Christ the King. On this feast, we celebrate Christ’s kingship of our hearts and especially the hearts of our young people. Join us for a 9-day Novena to prepare for this special feast day. Start on Friday 13th November, young people from Mission Teams and Residential Retreat Centres across the country will lead our Novena. You can join us live on Instagram or use the text to pray the Novena at a time that suits you.
We may have felt an increasing distance between ourselves and God. However, in the midst of all these trials and hardships, God calls us to new opportunities and a life of hope. We look forward to a time where we can freely get together with family and friends.
But in the meantime, why not get together virtually?! We’re inviting schools from across the country to join us online for National Youth Funday on Friday 20 November!
NYFD will be live-streamed all day on YouTube! It’s a day of prayer, fun, games and inspiration. You can register your school using the form below.
