Ruadhán Jones
Bishop Denis Nulty of Kildare and Leighlin in Naas After young people gathered for Youth 2000’s hybrid summer festival, the bishops praised the “great hope” their enthusiastic return brings.
The festival, which took place from August 13-15, was an occasion of “joy and energy”, said Bishop Fintan Gavin of Cork and Ross.
“The physical gathering, particularly the healing service on the Saturday night – there was just a beautiful atmosphere you can’t capture online,” he told The Irish Catholic.
He added that he heard many people “speaking of the new people they met and the connections they made at the festival”.
Hope
Bishop Gavin believes it is a sign of hope to see the next generation, which will carry the flame of faith forward, returning in this way.
“There’s great hope, energy and joy, and for me as a bishop, I want to give them my encouragement and support, so they can support each other,” he continued. “They are the ‘now’ of the Church.
“They witness their faith, and have the confidence to witness their faith – that comes from gathering together with other young people.
“It’s through good witness that other people come to know them. If you see people living with joy and enthusiasm, that’s how the faith becomes attractive to other people.”
Encouraging
The bishop finished, saying that he found it an “uplifting and encouraging” experience, to see “young people gathering with such energy”.
Meanwhile, Bishop Denis Nulty of Kildare and Leighlin, who celebrated Mass in Naas, said that “our young people have been starved of these gatherings, and they were delighted to be back”.
“It took place on the feast day of St Maximilian Kolbe, and I presented St Maximillian Kolbe to them as a model of sanctity, courage and trust in God,” he continued.
“I encouraged them to ask where can we find these models today? Where are the saints today?”