Emmanuel Nigel: "Encounter Redeemer Christ at the Splendacious National Youth Conference 2025 Hosted by Gulu Archdiocese."

By Emmanuel Nigel

Piemonte House

Date: Tuesday, September 2nd, 2025

Every year, the Uganda Episcopal Conference chooses one out of the nineteen Catholic Dioceses in Uganda to host the National Youth Conference where thousands of Youth and Young Catholics from across the country and beyond gather in the chosen Diocese to celebrate their faith, grow in Community, and deepen their relationship with Christ the Lord and Redeemer. The Catholic National Youth Conference is more than just a one-week event - it’s a spiritual encounter, a moment of transformation, and a bold witness to the vitality of the Church's Young People. This Year 2025, Gulu Archdiocese was chosen by the Uganda Episcopal Conference to host the National Youth Conference 2025. The theme for the National Youth Conference 2025 is "You Also Are My Witnesses, Because You Have Been With Me." (John 15:27). "Encounter Redeemer Christ at the Splendacious National Youth Conference 2025 Hosted by Gulu Archdiocese." Our Youth will have an incredible journey to the National Youth Conference 2025, which will be held in Gulu City, Northern Uganda at St. Joseph's Cathedral Gulu from Tuesday, December 9th, 2025 to Sunday, December 14th, 2025. The Conference will start after the Celebration of the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Monday, December 8th, 2025, the Solemnity celebrates the Blessed Virgin Mary as the Virgin who is full of grace, having been favoured by God, and chosen to be the Mother of Christ.

The National Youth Conference 2025: it will be a one-week Conference filled with faith, fun, and unforgettable memories. We will see the Conference surrounded by thousands of Catholic teens from around the nation and beyond Uganda, our Young people will encounter Christ in profound ways - through vibrant Liturgies and the Celebration of Holy Mass every morning presided by at least a Bishop I believe the Holy Mass in the first day will be celebrated by His Grace Raphael P'Mony Wokorach MCCJ, the Archbishop of Gulu Archdiocese, there will be Confession, Adoration of Blessed Sacrament, Christian Music, Christianized programs with powerful keynote speakers, dynamic worship, exquisite sharing, and moments of silent reflection, I have attended a National Youth Conference once and it was in Nebbi Catholic Diocese in 2018, the family of Christine and Comfort hosted 10 of us in their family, I had a lovely moment and nice experience in Nebbi the Conference offers an unforgettable journey into the heart of Young Catholic discipleship. Whether it’s Eucharistic Adoration with thousands of teens in silence or dancing to live the Christian Music at a Conference rally, I can exclaim that the National Youth Conference is a unique space where faith comes alive. To the Youth and Young People: "Come and learn to be a Faithful Christian. Come and be renewed. Come and be sent. Come and be the Church.

The Youth are challenged to live with faith boldly in everyday life. The Conference addresses real-life struggles and inspires hope as we also celebrate the Jubilee Year 2025 with the theme: "Pilgrims of Hope". It's the most powerful moments coming in silence hearing and reflecting on the Word of God adoring Christ, united in reverent awe. As the Youth and Young People, you have to reflect on the words of the Saints and Members of the Church like; "Preach the Gospel at all times. When necessary, use words" from St. Francis of Assisi, "Christ has no body now but yours" from St. Teresa of Avila, "Faith in action is love - and love in action is service" from St. Teresa of Calcutta, "Do not be afraid. Open wide the doors to Christ" from St. Pope John Paul II, "Young people, do not bury your talents! Dare to dream big!" from the Late Pope Francis.

I know and believe that our Youth and Young People who will come to the Conference will go back to their different home changed, energized, rooted in faith, and on fire for God ready to live in holiness. I request you all to please continue to pray for the Youth and Young People as they will carry the light after the National Youth Conference into their Schools, Families, and Communities mediating on the theme: "You Also Are My Witnesses, Because You Have Been With Me." (John 15:27). And pray that we should have Good Youth and Young People for the good of the Church and for the Good of the Country.