Use Your Energy, Vibe to “re-energize church life”: Catholic Official to Youths in Southern Africa

Referring to Chapter II of the Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation of the Holy Father to young people and the entire people of God, Christus Vivit, the Chaplain of the Youth and Young Adults in the three countries of Botswana, Eswatini, and South Africa urges the youths to emulate the young Jesus and consecrate their lives to God.

Christus Vivit, the South African Catholic Priest says in his one-page message dated June 1, “affirms how youth can and, in many ways, bring new perspectives to their fellow youth, following the example of Christ who gave up his spirit on the Cross for a good cause.”

Marked on June 16, Youth Day in South Africa was celebrated under the theme; “Accelerating youth economic emancipation for a sustainable future”.

According to the country’s Department of sports, Art and Culture, the South African government has, under the Presidential Youth Employment Intervention, initiated various youth development and empowerment initiatives to support young people.

The initiatives reportedly “range from formal education and training; leadership and internships as well as support for youth entrepreneurship” and seek to “provide the necessary support for young people to take on their challenges and win.”

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In his message, Fr. Mahlako says that the month of June should spur youths in South Africa to redefine the purpose of their existence as young people.

“Different from 1976 youth challenges, we are faced with challenges in the families, communities, and the church which require youth formed and modeled by the Gospel values,” the SACBC’s Youth and Young Adults Chaplain says.

He adds, “Let us find renewed moral values. Let us take a moment to refine our thoughts towards attaining mindfulness in every manner of existence, to attain spiritual maturity that is accompanied by emotional intelligence.”

“Let this month reawaken within us the zeal for mission, and evangelizers of true gospel,” Fr. Mahlako says in his message released on June 14.

Silas Mwale Isenjia is a Kenyan journalist with a great zeal and interest for Catholic Church related communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Linguistics, Media and Communication from Moi University in Kenya. Silas has vast experience in the Media production industry. He currently works as a Journalist for ACI Africa.