YOUTH JUBILEE IN ROME: THE PROVINCIAL PREFECT OF YOUTH AND VOCATIONS MINISTRY, EAST NIGERIA PROVINCE SHARES HIS EXPERIENCE
by cmf
On 27th July 2025, seven youth in the company of ANADU Hilary CMF left for Rome via Enugu International Airport, Nigeria. We arrived in Rome on the morning of 28th July 2025 and received a warm and fraternal welcome from Fr. Joseph Iwobu, CMF the secretary of the general prefectures of the congregation. Quickly, we had our showers, took our breakfast and then joined the rest of the pilgrims for orientation and familiarization tagged “Bingo: Match of Hope”. The youth had an ample time to dance and socialize and after which groups were shared according to their lingua franca and topics for group discussions. CYVM, East Nigeria Province joined the English group. Some of the questions for discussions were: what challenges do the young people face today? Answers: modernism, postmodernism, idolatry, poor mentorship et cetera. Secondly, what answer can we) offer to the world? “Hope” was noted as the answer by the group. Furthermore, what response does the church offer to these realities? Response: The Church has to give hope to the young by listening to them and accompanying them. On the other hand, what does the church ask of you)? Response: Making ourselves available for catechesis and faith formation. In the evening, lectio divina on Luke 24: 13-35 was conducted, after which a prayer walks On the Road to Emmaus” was undertaken by the various groups. Finally, the pilgrims had celebrated vespers and Holy Mass to close the day. It was spirit filled and enriching.
On 29th July 2025, the pilgrims set out to St Peter’s Basilica in order to pass through the jubilee door, a symbolic gesture to mark the pilgrimage. The procession by the Claret youth worldwide was solemn, meditatively and spirit elevating. We concluded the entering or passing through the jubilee door with 3 “Hail Marys” and “the confiteo”. This was anchored by the committee in-charge of Claret-Way Worldwide. The Eucharistic celebration which began at 7pm was presided by the pro Prefect of the Archbishop Rino Fisichella, Pro-Prefect of Dicastery for Evangelization. Archbishop Fisichella began by welcoming all the youth from different parts of the world especially those coming from the war-torn countries like Ukraine, Palestine and others. He acknowledges the sacrifices made by people from different parts of the world for this jubilee of Hope. He asked the participants to use the opportunity to discover Christ and also make new friendships and thanked them for responding to the papal invitation, noting that God would not fail them he noted. For the Liturgy of the Word: the 1st reading was taken from 1st letter of John 4,7-19 (God’s Love). Responsorial Psalm 33 was taken in various languages which clearly brought out unity in diversity or universality of the Church. The Gospel reading came from John 11,19-27. The Prayer of the Faithful too was taken in several languages. It was beautiful and touching. Some young persons presented the “Oblata”. Indeed, every aspect of the liturgy was observed with keenness. It’s good or worthwhile to observe that during the consecration, a good number of priests and extra-ordinary ministers were seen holding ciboria for consecration at different strategic positions. It was orderly and highly co-ordinated. The reception of holy communion by the priests presents the lay persons was indeed orderly and angelic despite the number involved therein. There was a heavenly order amongst the earthly creatures. Surprisingly, there was no single offertory collection during the eucharistic celebration which left some reflecting and wondering if was omitted on purpose since it considered to be a part of the mass in familiar climes. Towards the closing of the eucharistic celebration, the Holy Father, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV came out and greeted the pilgrims. In a fraternal and fatherly exhortation, reminding the pilgrims of their place and role in evangelising the world, he said to them: “You are the light of the world”.
On the 30th July 2025, CYVM of East Nigeria Province visited some historic sites and institutions such as Angelicum , Colosseo, Biblicum , Gregoriana and other important sites thus reminding, an experience that joggled the participants minds on the history of the rise of universities in the middle ages and also what, where and how the early Christians were slaughtered and made mockery of during the reign of some emperors in history. My simple priestly faith of block rosary like Tertulian was enhanced and my pastoral zeal was rekindled, renewed and sustained.
On the 31st of July 2025, the Claret Way Pilgrims had sublime adoration and confession. On this, while inviting all to the prayer, one of the organisers quoting Pope Francis remarked: “this evening we will come together, not only to allow ourselves to be looked upon by Him, but to pray together, to give thanks for this time of grace, and to be able to bring Christ to others”. The mode or modality of the adoration was gazing at Jesus in the Eucharist. It was solemn, calm, spirit filled and highly inspiring devoid of frequent sowing of seeds of any kind during adoration. Two special hymns were sung: “Ubi Caritas” and “Bless the Lord my Soul”.
On the 1st of August 2025, CYVN of East Nigeria Province celebrated a requiem Mass for the repose of Late Mrs. Veronica Aluta Oluchi, the mother of one of the participants by name Anointing Egemonu. Fr ANADU Hilary CMF presided over the Mass and Fr Joseph Iwobi CMF of the West Delegation concelebrated after wish visits to the holy sites continued.
On the 2nd of August 2025, the pilgrims had vigil and adoration together with the penitential service with the Holy Father Leo XIV. Pope Leo XIV responded to three questions from different young people in Spanish, English, and Italian during the Jubilee of Youth. Each question reflected on one of the themes of the Vigil: friendship, courage, and spirituality. Here, he responded to a question from a pilgrim from the US, who asked him how to “truly encounter Jesus, and be sure of his presence “even in the midst of trials and uncertainties” His Holiness Pope Leo XIV began by saying that “Jesus is a friend who accompanies us”. we are meant to “listen to his voice’, “bear witness to the good”, “be united with Jesus Christ and adore Christ in the eucharist”. Continuing, “we are meant to form a community, and not just a community but community of believers”. His Holiness ended by praying for the young participants, asking that you may persevere in faith.
On the 3rd of August 2025, the closing Mass of the jubilee of the youth held at Tor Vergata in Rome, was presided over by the Holy Father Pope Leo XIV at 9:00am and concelebrated by hundreds of Bishops and thousands of priests. Fr ANADU Hilary, CMF the Prefect of Youth and Vocations Ministry, East Nigeria Province also concelebrated, each wearing a customized chasuble reflection the Jubilee of Hope. The Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, encouraged young people to place their hope in Jesus. He emphasized that this hope could inspire them to lead meaningful lives. The Holy Father also pointed out that it is Christ who awakens or ignites in the hearts of the youth a deep desire for personal growth, service to society, and the commitment to build a more humane and united world. The Pope ended the Holy Mass with Angelus sharing his love and blessings as well as prayerful wishes from growth and wellbeing of all the participants. The day’s activities were wrapped up with gala night and presentation of certificates to all participants at our Genral Curia of the Claretian Missionaries. Indeed, Jesus Is Our Hope.
Finally, the artistic works of the ancient, images, icons, and various statues and images found in various holy sites, establishments and institutions stirred my mind to reflecting on the importance of artiststic works in our spirituality and worship of God. I encourage various parish priests to always get good artists and sculptors to help in designing our churches and chapels especially with good icons, images and statues that would enable lay people and the clergy in meditation and contemplation during worship.
Thanks to our brothers Frs. Iwobi Joseph, Matthew Mmuo, Ogaraku Stanley, Ebel and Joel for their hospitality and accommodating spirit. They really sacrificed their comfort to make us feel good. We boarded flight back to Nigeria on 5th August 2025 to our beloved Fatherland Nigeria.
Fr. ANADU Hilary Ifeakandu, CMF
Provincial Prefect of Youth and Vocations Ministry,
East Nigeria Province.
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