Amb. Edith ISIDAHOMEN

 

The Catholic Youth Organization of Nigeria (CYON), Ibadan Archdiocese, successfully hosted the 2025 Advent Youth Festival (AYF) from Thursday, 18th to Sunday, 21st December 2025 at the SS Peter and Paul Major Seminary, Bodija, Ibadan. The four-day annual gathering brought together about 400 youths from parishes and deaneries across the Archdiocese for a rich blend of spiritual, intellectual, cultural and social engagements.

 

The Festival featured a wide range of activities including Eucharistic celebrations, life-impacting talks, theme sessions, business pitching competitions for grants, election of new Archdiocesan executives, praise concert, sports, cultural and drama competitions, and an awards night, all aimed at holistic youth formation in line with the Church’s mission.

Preaching at the Opening Mass, the Ibadan Archdiocesan Chancellor, Rev. Fr. Anthony Omolade, who represented the Archbishop, Most Rev. Gabriel ‘Leke Abegunrin, described the Festival as “a season of grace and preparation for the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.” He noted that the Church’s liturgical readings at this period focus on the birth of Christ and the call to readiness.

Rev. Fr. Omolade reminded the youths that God chooses people not necessarily because of their wisdom, but because of the qualities He has placed in them for His purpose.

 

“Each of you seated here is an asset to God. He has invested in you and expects a bountiful harvest. You are deposits of great potential, but not everyone is willing to ignite it,” he said.

He stressed the Catechetical teaching of knowing God, loving God and serving God, explaining that loving God involves knowing Him, while serving Him is expressed through service to fellow human beings. Drawing inspiration from heroes of faith, he challenged the youths to commit their entire lives to God with total submission and to remain practicing Catholics at all times, not only occasionally. He also encouraged regular Bible study as a means of deepening faith.

 

On behalf of the Archbishop, the Chancellor thanked the youths for their active participation, appreciated the priests and Chaplains who concelebrated the Mass, and commended the Catholic Men Organization (CMO) and Catholic Women Organization (CWO), Ibadan Archdiocese, for their continued support of youth apostolate. He also called for greater encouragement and support for the Archdiocesan Chaplain, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Eseola, and other Chaplains.

 

In his address, the President of CYON, Ibadan Archdiocese, Mr. Happy Innocent Ezem, thanked God for the success of the 2025 Congress and expressed deep appreciation to the Archbishop for his unwavering support for the youth. He described the Festival as “more than a gathering; a family reunion, a time of spiritual recharge and celebration of faith, purpose and youthful energy.”

 

Mr. Ezem encouraged participants to open their hearts to learning, genuine interaction and full participation in all activities, expressing hope that every youth would return home renewed, empowered and strengthened in faith.

“Go back to your deaneries and parishes as ambassadors of the youth apostolate, living examples of hope, discipline and service to God and humanity,” he urged.

 

Also speaking at the Opening Mass, a representative of the Serra Club, Dr. Mrs. Oyesiji, introduced the movement as an international Catholic lay association dedicated to the promotion of priestly and religious vocations and the support of priests in their ministry. She emphasized the importance of youth participation, dispelling the notion that the Serra Club is only for the elderly.

 

She explained that youths are exempted from financial commitments until they are ready to contribute voluntarily and clarified that the association is primarily a prayer and support group, not a social club. She invited interested youths to join the movement.

 

The Archdiocesan Chaplain, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Eseola, echoed the call for youth involvement in the Serra Club and reminded participants of Pope Leo's charge that youths are not just the future of the Church but also her present. He thanked the Archbishop’s representative, the priests and religious present, animators, volunteers, and expressed gratitude to Trove High School, Ibadan, for its sponsorship and support of the 2025 AYF.

 

At the Closing Mass, the homilist, Rev. Fr. Linus Nkemjinaka Onyenagbor, SDB, reflected on the readings of the day, emphasizing the assurance of God’s abiding presence and unfailing love.

“God is with us in all that we do and in every situation we go through in life, even in times of hardship,” he said.

 

He urged the youths to seek God not only in moments of difficulty but at all times, and cautioned against allowing the pursuit of wealth, fame or worldly struggles to take Christ away from their focus. He encouraged them to cultivate the habit of studying and sharing Scripture as a way of growing in awareness of God’s ever-present love.

 

Addressing the congregation, the IBCYON President-elect, Mr. Obinna Sylvester, thanked everyone on behalf of the newly elected executives and called for continued cooperation at all levels, while assuring members of dedicated and responsible leadership.

 

The Chairman of the Planning Committee, Barr. Victor, expressed gratitude to God for the success of the Festival and appreciated the Chaplains, Sponsors, and all contributors.

He specially thanked the Rector, Formators, Staff and Seminarians of SS Peter and Paul Major Seminary, Bodija, for granting access to the Seminary facilities, and commended members of the Planning Committee for their selfless service.

 

In his final remarks, the outgoing President, Mr. Happy Innocent Ezem, expressed joy over the smooth organization of the Festival and the successful election of new executives that includes: Obinna Sylvester - President (St. Martins de Porres);  Ayankoso Janet - Vice President (St. Cyprian Oke - Offa); Umezurika Esther - vice president 2 (St. Patrick Bashorun);  Adetunji Perpetual - General Secretary (St. Joseph Oke - Ado);  Ogundare Augustine - PRO (St. Mary Cathedral); Afolayan Maria - Welfare Officer (St. Thomas Agbowo);  Njoku Gift - Director of Social 1 (St. Lawrence Lasokun); and Ige Ayomide - Director of Social 2 (St. Mary Cathedral)

He appreciated the support of the Chaplains and the Salesians of Don Bosco throughout his tenure.

The Festival concluded with the presentation of awards to winners of various competitions and to individuals and organizations in recognition of their outstanding contributions to youth development within the Archdiocese.

The 2025 Advent Youth Festival once again affirmed the vibrancy of the Catholic youth in Ibadan Archdiocese and their vital role in the life and mission of the Church.