Youth Activities

From 12th to 14th of December, the Christmas camp of St James Vicariate was held at the Deir Rafat Monastery for boys and girls aged 13+.

Last weekend (01-02.12) marked a significant and uplifting event for the vibrant community of young adults (aged 25-35) at the heart of our Catholic congregation. The gathering, filled with moments of prayer, fellowship, and spiritual reflection, brought together individuals eager to deepen their faith and forge lasting connections with like-minded peers.

Last weekend (September 22-23) the group of Young Adults had its spiritual retreat in the Monastery of John the Baptist in Ein Karem. Fr. Piotr guided the meeting. The group gathers the people in the age of 25-35 who are not married.

As the sun set on the final day of the extended holiday season, and with the imminent return to school just around the corner, the Jerusalem community orchestrated a memorable evening - an End of Summer Party. The event was a warm invitation extended to all students, a gathering that would not only resonate as a special Mass but also as an occasion to celebrate being together.

A group of twenty young Catholics from St. James Vicariate participated in the World Youth Day in Lisbon. They were accompanied by fr. Apolinary and Fr. Tiago. A visit paid also fr. Piotr. Their presence was seen by the Vatican News. We present the official article published by Vatican News in various languages.

The youth group of St. James that participated in the World Youth Day came back from Lisbon. We present the last part of their trip by Danielle.

The Youth-group Desert Flower continues its adventure in Portugal during World Youth Day. We present another event report by Danielle.

Our Youth Group - Desert Flower arrived in Portugal. Before the highpoint Mass with Pope Francis on Sunday morning they are meeting new people and visiting new places. Here is the first relation written by Danielle.

Deir Rafat Summer Youth Festival was noticed by a few Catholic News media channels. Vatican News, Christian Media Center, as well as German service: weltkirche.de published information about the Festival that took place in Deir Rafat on July 13th, 2023.

"What you are doing here is blessed" -said His Beatitude Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem during the Eucharist at Deir Rafat where he was a special guest of the Youth Festival.

Last weekend was full of meetings that included several different groups. The time was divided into three parts - continuation of the leadership program with the young guides, preparation for the Youth Festival to be held in the summer and preparation for World Youth Day in Portugal.

Last Friday (28.04) we continued the preparation process for the trip to Portugal together with the youth group that will fly this August to World Youth Day in Lisbon.

On March 11th a spiritual retreat for the Young Adults Group (25-35) took place in the Monastery of the Sisters of St. Clair in Jerusalem. Here is a short relation from Danielle.

On the evening of February 23rd, a time of prayer, confession and adoration was held at the house of St. Anne and Simeon in Jerusalem, marking the beginning of a journey that will lead some young people to participate in the upcoming World Youth Day in Portugal.

On February 24-25 a meeting called Birds Find Nests took place in Jesus Bruderschaft in Latrun. It was another stage of SJV's program of Youth Leadership.

Last weekend (27-28.01) the youth gathered for the first meeting to start the preparation for the flight to WYD - World Youth Day with the Pope that will be held this year in Portugal.

After a long break the youth group met again for a whole weekend together. The meeting took place in Ein Karem. 25 youth (ages 14-16) and 5 instructors. Danielle reports:

Jesuit Worldwide Learning provides youth at the margins with quality, higher education programs that are regionally accredited and certified, through a blended learning experience which includes online and onsite support. To enable and accompany students towards a journey of lifelong learning and the realization of their goals, St. James Vicariate became partner of JWL.

Leading up to the Local World Youth Day in Israel on 13th July 2023, Desert Flower Youth is organizing a series of meetings to prepare for the event.

‚Faith | Hope | Love’ (1 Cor 13)