Ulongwe, Malawi – In anticipation of the Solemnity of Christ the King, which the Universal Church also celebrates as Youth Day, the young faithful of Sacred Heart – Ulongwe Parish gathered from Friday, 21st to Sunday, 23rd November 2025 for a Recollection and Youth Rally. A total of 265 youths from 15 out‑churches and three secondary schools, Namalomba C.D.S.S., Ulongwe C.D.S.S., and Lesperance Private Secondary School, answered the call to “let the little children come to me” (Mk 10:14).
The youth underwent spiritual and formative sessions, with James Moses and Hastings Howahowa, representatives of the parish youth council, setting the tone. The duo presented on Youth Leadership and Sharing. They recounted insights gained at the National Youth Conference in Mzuzu earlier in the year, urging their peers to “run with patience the race that is set before us” (Heb 12:1).
Mr and Mrs Soko, together with Fr. McDonald Chiwaya, explored the threefold call to Family Life, Priesthood, and the Consecrated Life (brotherhood and sisterhood), echoing Pope Francis’s reminder in Christus Vivit: “The vocation of the young is a gift of God, a call to be holy and to bring holiness to the world.” Taking his turn, Fr Lucius Picardo delivered a session on entrepreneurship and basic business skills, reminding the participants that “the hand of the diligent will rule” (Proverbs 12:24).
Considering the central role of the Holy Mass in the life of the Church, Fr. MacDonald Chiwaya explained the Eucharist as the source and summit of Christian life and encouraged frequent confession, citing the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 1422‑1423): “The sacrament of Reconciliation is a true encounter with Christ, the merciful Healer.”
The afternoon blossomed with games, fast‑eating and drinking contests, “Scorn on the String,” egg‑on‑a‑spoon relay, and bottle‑balancing challenges, designed to foster unity, teamwork, and holy joy, in keeping with the spirit of Gaudete et Exsultate: “Joy is the sign of a heart that has found Christ.”
Sunday’s Solemn Eucharist, presided over by Fr Daniel McDonald, Youth Chaplain of Ulongwe Parish, and Fr Christopher Sichinga, Diocesan Youth Chaplain, marked the spiritual apex of the rally. In his homily, Fr. McDonald exhorted the youths: “Become ‘kings’ and leaders in promoting peace, justice, hope, love, and humility, following the example of Christ the King.”
Fr Sichinga, Diocesan Youth Chaplain, recalled the diocesan strategic focus for 2024‑2026, Evangelisation and Catechesis, Capacity Building for Youth Animators, Environmental Stewardship, Mental Health Awareness, and Youth Skills Development, adding the three ministry pillars of peer‑to‑peer engagement, “fun and faith,” and self‑reliance (“help for self‑help”). He urged the young people never to resort to suicide when trials arise, but to place their trust in God: When darkness looms, remember that ‘the Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?’ (Ps 27:1).”
In his closing remarks, Fr McDonald thanked all participants for their enthusiastic response, saying: “The Church leans on its youth; rise, move forward, never backwards. I pledge my continued support as your chaplain.”
The gathering closed with a blessing, sending the youths forth as living witnesses of Christ the King’s universal reign.
The event highlighted the timeless truth that “the harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few” (Mt 9:37), urging a new generation to answer the call with courage and joy.
Communications Office – Diocese of Mangochi