The National Youth Day was held at Don Bosco School and College, Utrail, Birishiri, Mymensingh Diocese, focusing on “Youths are Pilgrims in Hope.”. The inaugural ceremony of the Youth Day, held from February 26 to March 2, was attended by Archbishop Bijoy N D. Cruz, OMI, Vatican Ambassador to Bangladesh Archbishop Kevin Randall, Bishop Paul Ponnen Kubi, CSC, Bishop Subrata Boniface Gomez, Chairman of Episcopal Youth Commission, Fathers and Sisters, and five hundred youths from different dioceses. Forty-one young men and women, including fathers and sisters of the Chattogram Archdiocese, participated in the national youth day.
On the inaugural day, with the cool, gentle breeze of the morning, young men from all the dioceses started entering one by one. The youth of Mymensingh Diocese welcomed everyone in the light of their culture. Then the Youth Day activities began with the hoisting of the flag, an explanation of the National Youth Day logo, and the unveiling of the logo. Then the participants entered the main program stage through the opening of the Jubilee Door led by the youth of the Chattogram Archdiocese. Archbishop Bijoy N. D. Cruz gave a talk on the theme of “Pilgrims of Hope for Youth.”.
On the second day, Archbishop Bijoy N. D’Cruz, OMI, dedicated the Holy Mass. This was followed by a colourful youth rally and pigeon release, decorated in the respective cultures and traditions of the diocese. The various programs of the Youth Day included subject-based classes. Various sessions were conducted by individuals on Youth Counselling: Language of Love and Hope for Youth, Importance of Bible and Religious Education in Youth Life, Artificial Intelligence: Benefits, Challenges, and Moral Values, Formation of Youth Entrepreneurship, and Contribution of Dhaka Credit in Higher Education.
On behalf of the Chittagong Archdiocese, the participants presented a musical drama on the theme of “The Lord is my Shepherd” in animation. The cultural program featured a traditional ‘Gorai’ dance performance by the Tripura ethnic group of the hill region.
In addition, there was a heritage corner of the Chittagong Archdiocese on the National Youth Day. In that heritage corner, in addition to the identity of the Chittagong Archdiocese, there were this year’s pastoral theme and posters. There were traditional clothes, food, and pies of Chittagong.
Bishop Zervas Rosario declared the end of National Youth Day at the closing Mass. The Youth Cross was handed over to the Rajshahi Diocese as the Youth Day will be celebrated in the Rajshahi Diocese in 2026.
