THEY came from parishes, youth groups and as individuals, young Catholics professing their faith.
More than 1000 young people and just as many others joined in a 90-minute eucharistic procession, which began at Brisbane’s City Hall and finished at St Stephen’s Cathedral on January 21.
The procession was a highlight of Adore 2006, a four-day celebration of faith, culture and life, of prayer, action, vibrant and uplifting music and liturgies led and organised by youth for youth.
Brisbane Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Oudeman opened the congress, which took place at Brisbane City Hall over four days.
Its aim was to create awareness and love for prayer among young people aged 13-30 through the power of the Eucharist and the Rosary, inspired and guided under the patronage of Our Lady Help of Christians.
Previous Adore congresses have been held in Sydney in 2005 and Melbourne in 2004.
Adore 2006 focused on a “back to basics” approach to encourage and deepen the faith of young people.
It focused on the Church’s teaching on the Body and Blood of Christ.
The four-day program consisted of morning prayer, using a mini version of the Liturgy of the Hours; daily Mass and the Rosary; whole day exposition of the Blessed Sacrament for personal meditation and reflection, and workshops to help young people understand Adore topics such as “Youth Dynamics”, “Interaction” and “Witnessing”.
Confession was also available at all times during the event.
More than 650 young people participated in the four-day eucharistic congress organised by the youth sector of the Alliance of the Holy Family International (AHFI) and Mary Help of Christians Crusade (MHCC).
Guest presenters included Sydney Auxiliary Bishop Julian Porteous, Bishop Geoffrey Jarrett of Lismore and a range of youth groups including the Australian Catholic Students Association.
Brendon Diente, from Runcorn on Brisbane’s southside, said Adore challenged all young people to follow Christ.
“For me, going to Adore for three consecutive years has helped me to realise God’s will for me to join the religious life,” he said.
Adore spiritual director Fr Edgardo Arellano said in his thanksgiving Mass homily that even the most pessimistic people who attended left the congress not wanting it to end.
“One young person said to me, ‘Father, can’t we have two more days …’. So many were touched and inspired, realising how important is the call to holiness, realising the importance of love for the Eucharist.”
