The program for the Australian Catholic Youth Festival (ACYF) has now been released, and organisers say it features a dynamic mix of returning favourites and exciting new experiences. Pilgrims are being encouraged to ‘choose your own adventure’ with more 100 workshops, plenaries and prayer experiences on offer.
Opening festa and pilgrimage walk
On Sunday 30 November, pilgrims from across Australia will gather at Melbourne’s St Patrick’s Cathedral with the bishops of Australia, who will lead an official welcome and opening prayer. Pilgrims are invited to pray with the World Youth Day Cross and Icon, gifted to the youth of the world by Pope John Paul II, which will be on display inside the Cathedral, one of Melbourne’s official Pilgrim Places during this Jubilee of Hope.
Pilgrim activities will be offered throughout the Cathedral grounds, along with live music performances by local musicians. The crowd will then be led on a pilgrimage walk through Melbourne’s city streets towards the festival venue, the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC).
Upon arrival, pilgrims will have the opportunity to grab a meal and explore the expo and justice centre before the opening plenary, featuring a keynote by Archbishop Peter A Comensoli.
Choose your own adventure
ACYF has a long history of showcasing some of the country’s most inspiring speakers and musicians, and this festival will be no different. Keynote speakers include Sr Mary Grace SV, Fr Rob Galea, Katie Prejean McGrady, Cardinal Mykola Bychok CSsR, Bishop Mark Edwards OMI, Fr Chris Ryan MGL, Maggie Craig and Joshua Angrisano.
Throughout the festival, music will be led by a range of performers, including Fr Rob Galea and band, Alyssa Agius, Natasha Pinto, Louisa Daniels and the official house band.
Each day, plenary sessions will bring all pilgrims together for powerful moments of prayer, celebration and keynote input, and then pilgrims can choose their own adventure with a range of workshops, forums, social justice activities, games, prayer experiences and the interactive expo space.
Pilgrim group reflection is a key element of the ACYF experience and will be encouraged throughout the festival. Workshops will explore themes of prayer, vocation, music, social justice, evangelisation and more. Some of the featured workshops include:
- Surge of the Heart: How to Pray, with Katie Prejean McGrady
- Can Real Love Win? with Melinda Tankard Reist
- The Life-Changing Power of Real Friendship, with Tara Wall and Peter Munns
- Evangelisation at the Dawn of AI, with Joshua Angrisano
- Being Pilgrims of Hope for Refugees, with Kristen Lazarus
- How to Hear God’s Voice, with Sr Mary Grace SV
- How to Hope When the World Gets Dark, with Sam Clear
Expo and Justice Centre almost full
The ACYF 2025 Expo and Justice Activity Centre invites pilgrims to explore and discern personal vocations by engaging with Catholic organisations, service projects and meaningful dialogue. By offering hands-on experiences and representation from a diverse array of Catholic groups, the space aims to inspire young people to embody their discipleship through love, service and mission beyond the festival.
The expo space will include stalls, an open stage, a games hall, and a kiosk for lunch and dinner.
With more than 70 per cent of the stalls now booked, organisers are encouraging Catholic communities, groups, movements, businesses and organisations to complete an expression of interest form before they miss out.
Prayer and chapel spaces
Dedicated prayer and chapel spaces will be available throughout the festival venue for pilgrims to visit and spend time in quiet prayer and for eucharistic adoration. The sacrament of Reconciliation will also be available throughout the duration of the festival.
Organisers have said that Masses will be celebrated throughout Melbourne parishes on Sunday 30 November, the opening day of the festival, and a large commissioning Mass will take place on the last day of the festival (Tuesday 2 December). Pilgrim groups will have several options to attend a scheduled Mass in the festival chapel on Monday 1 December, with large groups of pilgrims encouraged to contact the festival team for specific requirements.
Volunteering opportunities
In order to bring ACYF to life, organisers are looking for volunteers to support various aspects of the festival, including logistics, hospitality, liturgy and pastoral care. Organisers are encouraging those interested to apply for the volunteer workforce by completing an online application.
For the full program and to register, visit www.acyf.org.au.
