Kumbo celebrates 21st World Youth Day

Eucharia Tohtin

Close to 2500 young people of the Diocese of Kumbo flocked into St. Theresia’s Parish Sop for the celebration of the 21st World Youth Day. The ran from 8th to 9th April. Prior to the celebration parishes prepared the youths during the retreats held at various parishes on the World Youth Day message written by the Holy Father with the theme: “Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path”.

Participants started arriving at Sop as early as the evening of Friday 7 April.
By the evening of Saturday 8 April all the parishes were already present with 2499 registered youths. The number of unregistered youths could not be estimated.
After the visit they welcomed the Delegate of the Apostolic Administrator, Rev. Fr. Peter Watson, mhm. It should be noted that this was the very first celebration of this event in the Diocese of Kumbo without a Bishop.
In the evening the youths presented many activities reflecting the theme of the celebration. These activities ranged from a reflection of the Pope’s message, traditional dances, drama, and choral music.
On Sunday the Palms were blessed at St. Sylvester’s College, a procession was taken to the Church premises where the Holy Mass took place. The Passion of the Lord was the highlight of the day as this was the beginning of the Holy Week.
The World Youth Day is celebrated on Palm Sunday so that the youths can have a good reflection on the passion of Christ at their level.