Balaka, 6–7 September 2025
More than three hundred young people from four parishes of the Archdiocese of Lilongwe and the Diocese of Mangochi gathered in Balaka for two days of celebration, prayer, and fraternity on the occasion of the Canossian Youth Jubilee.
This gathering marked an important step in a journey that had begun months earlier with pilgrimages to the cathedrals and the passage through the Holy Doors. Since then, the young participants have continued to grow in faith through prayer, the sacraments, and works of charity—discovering ever more the beauty of being true “pilgrims of hope.”
Two Days of Joy and Faith
The program was rich and vibrant, filled with sharing, games, songs, and testimonies. Each activity gave the young people the chance to experience God’s love and the joy of encountering one another. “Here I truly felt that God walks with us,”said one young participant at the end of the day.
During the evening adoration, the youth were invited to write down their most meaningful experiences from the Jubilee and the desires they carry in their hearts for the future. These notes, placed before the altar, became a simple yet powerful offering of their faith.
Putting God at the Center
At the heart of the event was the closing Eucharistic celebration. The homily encouraged the youth not to lose sight of what matters most: “Put God first, and everything else will fall into place.” These words deeply touched the participants, many of whom welcomed them as a personal commitment for their daily lives.
A Hope that Shines
The Canossian Youth Jubilee in Malawi revealed the strength and vitality of a generation determined to build its future on faith and fraternity. For years, Canossian centers have accompanied young people along this path, offering spaces of growth, hope, and encounter with the living Gospel.
Grateful to God for this gift, all participants left with a renewed certainty: the journey of these young pilgrims of hope is only beginning. From Balaka, a light has been lit—a light destined to reach far beyond.
