- 24 July, 2026
New Delhi, 24 July 2026: Amid growing concerns among young people over issues affecting their education, opportunities, dignity and future, and as students peacefully raise their voices seeking fairness, transparency and justice, the Youth Commission of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI) has called on dioceses, parishes, religious communities, youth movements and Catholic educational institutions across the country to observe Sunday, July 26, as a Day of Prayer and Solidarity with the Youth of Our Nation.
In a letter dated July 24, Bishop Ignatius D'Souza, Chairman of the CCBI Youth Commission, and Fr John Barman MSFS, Executive Secretary, said the Church is called to listen to young people, accompany them and stand with them in prayerful solidarity.
The Commission stressed that young people are "not merely the future" of the Church and the nation but "an integral part of our present", and that their hopes, aspirations and concerns deserve to be heard with respect, understanding and compassion.
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The Commission appealed to Catholic communities to offer special prayers for young people who are peacefully expressing their concerns and seeking fairness, transparency, justice and a secure future. It also prayed that their voices would be received with openness and sensitivity and that all those entrusted with responsibility would be guided by wisdom, courage and compassion.
As a visible expression of solidarity, dioceses and parishes have been encouraged, according to their local circumstances and pastoral prudence, to organise a Candlelight Prayer Vigil, Candlelight Walk, Eucharistic Adoration or a special Prayer Service. The Commission also called for special intentions for young people to be included during Sunday Eucharistic celebrations.
The letter made clear that the Church's solidarity is "neither political nor partisan", describing it instead as "the compassionate and prayerful response of a Church that loves her young people, shares their hopes and anxieties, and walks with them in their journey."
At the same time, the Commission encouraged young people to continue expressing themselves peacefully, respectfully and responsibly, guided by the Gospel values of truth, justice, compassion, human dignity and respect for every person.
"Let every candle we light become a symbol of hope. Let every prayer we offer reassure our young people that they are not alone," the letter said, adding that the Church listens to young people, walks with them, prays for them and believes in their dreams and their future.
The Commission said the moment should become an opportunity to deepen the Church's commitment to listening to young people, accompanying them with love and creating greater spaces for their participation in building a more just, compassionate, peaceful and hopeful India.
The letter called on the faithful to entrust all young people to the maternal care of Mary, Mother of Hope, asking her to accompany, protect and inspire every young person and to intercede for the nation so that it may always be guided along the paths of peace, justice, truth and harmony.
The Commission concluded by invoking Christ, the Eternal Youth of the Church, to bless and strengthen all young people with hope, courage and perseverance.
By Catholic Connect Reporter
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