Mini World Youth Day registration is closing soon, with the target date for young people to book their spots being August 31. The Youth Day, a five-day gathering which will be held in Durban from December 6-10 at the Durban Exhibition Centre and surrounds, will bring together young people between the ages of 18 and 35 years from Southern Africa, to unite and celebrate their faith.
Registration has also been opened up to three additional countries outside the pastoral region of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference — Lesotho, Namibia and Malawi — by request of young people from those countries.
The SACBC region includes South Africa, Botswana and Swaziland.
Parents, Parishes, Priests
The SACBC Youth Office has embarked on a special campaign of mobilising young people from all the dioceses in the region to register.
Space is limited and not guaranteed. When the numbers are complete, registration will be finally closed.
The Youth Office has appealed to the region’s Catholic youth, their parents, parishes and priests to support this initiative.
Fr Paul Tatu, SACBC communication officer, noted that there have been reports from young people that they are not receiving support in some dioceses.
“As young people, they need the support of parents and leaders of the Church and parishes to make sure that they attend the event in great numbers to share this wonderful experience,” Fr Tatu said.
“We also appeal to people to ‘adopt’ a youngster who would like to attend but can’t afford it and help cover their costs.”
Mpilo Khumalo, youth coordinator of the archdiocese of Durban, emphasised that no young person attending will be “just a spectator”.
You Will Be Involved!
“They are going to be involved in everything that happens,” Ms Khumalo said. “We are asking young people to be witnesses in terms of their journey, their faith and different vocations.”
Catechetical sessions will be presented by bishops and experts in the various fields under discussion, she said.
On the December 8 feast of the Immaculate Conception, the patronal feast day of the archdiocese of Durban, Mini World Youth Day will be opened to the Catholic public to let them see what the 5000 youth and 29 bishops are doing, and celebrate with them.
Those who would like to join the youth at the Exhibition Centre that day are asked to liaise with their parish priests.
“There will also be a cultural festival where young people will be showcasing and teaching us about their different cultures, which will be a really colourful event,” said Ms Khumalo.
An Empowering Occasion
“We want to see young people’s talents, and we want the young people to show us what they’ve got. This is not just an event that is an expression of Catholic faith, but also an empowering occasion.”
Registration begins from R2000. This includes accommodation, meals, and shuttles to and from the venue, as well as your registration gift pack.
Transport to Durban is excluded from the amount as different parishes and dioceses are organising it for their delegates.
Accommodation for the young people has been confirmed in a number of 3-star hotels. The hotels are based within close proximity of the venue: in the city centre as well as on the Golden Mile, Marine Parade, South Beach and Umhlanga.
The safety and security of the youth are high on the list of priorities. Host “parents” will be apportioned to each hotel for the duration of the stay to assist the youths every day.
All information and registration details are at www.miniworldyouthday.co.za