From the 23rd to 25th of May 2024, members of the Christian Youth from Jordan and Palestine participated in the International Congress on Youth Ministry under the theme “For a Synodal Youth Ministry: New Styles and Leadership Strategies”, which was organized by the Dicastery for Laity, Family, and Life in the Vatican City – Rome.
The congress witnessed the attendance of approximately 300 individuals from 110 countries. On behalf of the youth of Palestine, Fr. Louis Salman, the chaplain of the Palestinian youth “Homeland of Jesus” and Faten Asaeed, head of the preparatory committee, attended, and from the youth of Jordan, Neveen Andrawes and Leen Al-Dabain.
The conference included lectures and discussion sessions on several key topics essential to youth pastoral care, led by experts in the field. These sessions were based on the Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation issued in 2018, “Christus Vivit”, by H.H. Pope Francis to the youth. There was also a review of the preparations for the World Youth Day to be held in South Korea in 2027.
Faten, from Palestine, shared a testimony from her participation, saying: “One of the most prominent discussions was a lecture on synodal leadership and its role in enhancing youth participation in the life of the Church. This creates a space for the youth to express their ideas and interests. It also highlighted the necessity of developing the youth’s potential and allowing for their collaboration with the clergy: A call to promote a collective spirit to achieve common goals.”
Nevin, from Jordan, also pointed out that this opportunity helps connect Christian youth from all around the world and creates new pathways for action and development: “We are part of a large unit of Christian youth, united by the same goal: to provide Christian care to the largest number of young people in our surroundings. One of the lectures emphasized the importance of hope in our Christian faith to help us face the difficulties that may arise amidst our service.” She also expressed her gratitude for meeting His Holiness Pope Francis and his sincere interest in the youth.
The participation of the Holy Land youth in such spaces holds great importance in raising awareness about the challenges faced by the youth who live there and the necessity of having a community of brothers and sisters who help overcome those difficulties to spread the light of the Gospel.
