Youth Sunday
Youth Sunday is an annual celebration which falls on the feast of Christ the King. On this day we celebrate all our Young People, so you will see many of them taking part in the Masses that weekend. This could include welcoming, reading, Altar serving, and being a part of the music ministry.
Flame
The Flame Congress is the largest Catholic gathering of young people in England and Wales. The theme this year is “Unstoppable”. We will join as part of a larger Diocesan group to go to the event which will take place in Wembley Arena on Saturday 15th March 2025.
Diocesan Lourdes Pilgrimage
Most UK diocese have a tradition of going on pilgrimage to Lourdes and Portsmouth is no exception. There are many elements to the Pilgrimage including Torchlight and Blessed Sacrament processions, International Mass, walking in the footsteps of St Bernadette, visits the Grotto, stations of the cross and responding to Our Lady’s call to bathe in the spring waters.
Furthermore, we take a trip into the mountains, taking in the Hautes-Pyrenees culture and for the brave, a mountain hike!
The Diocesan Pilgrimage is for everyone, but young people are especially invited to participate in the great tradition of service in Lourdes.
People of all ages travel to Lourdes to seek healing in the spring waters and spiritual renewal, and wouldn’t be able to participate in the pilgrimage if it wasn’t for teams of volunteers pushing wheelchairs, assisting them around town.
https://www.portsmouthdiocese.org.uk/discover-faith/support/pilgrimages/lourdes/
Big Church Festival (Big Church Day Out)
Big Church Festival (Big Church Day Out) is a Christian non-profit music festival based at Wiston House in Sussex. There are multiple stages with lots of different styles of Christian worship music. There are a variety of activities available across the site which are suitable for all ages! This is a camping festival, but there is the option for glamping for those who would prefer that option.
Big Church Festival is for anyone; we would specifically like to take a group of young people, but families and individuals are also welcome to come with our wider parish group!
Dates: August bank holiday (23-25th August 2025)
Fanning the Flame
Fanning The Flame Catholic Mission started in Southampton in 1995, and is an apostolate of Dominican Sisters of St Joseph. Its mission to evangelise and teach young people about the Catholic faith is based on the scripture 2 Timothy 1:6-7:
‘That is why I am reminding you now to fan into flame the gift that God gave you when I laid my hands on you. God’s gift was not a spirit of timidity but the Spirit of power and love and self control’.
FTFCM aims to enable people to encounter God in a safe and fun environment and to help them to be open to receive and use the gifts of the Holy Spirit.