Youth of Agra in UP Holds Regional Convention

Agra, October 25, 2025: The Agra Regional Youth Commission hosted its 16th Regional Youth Convention, “Symponia: Walking in Compassion,” at St. Peter’s College, Agra, bringing together around 550 young people from all eleven dioceses of the Agra Region for a four-day celebration of faith, unity, and leadership rooted in compassion.

Organised by the Archdiocese of Agra, the convention was inaugurated by Bishop Ignatius D’Souza, Bishop of Bareilly and Chairman of both the CCBI Commission for Youth and the Agra Regional Youth Commission. In his opening address, Bishop D’Souza urged participants to “walk in compassion by walking in Christ,” calling on them to be the merciful and hopeful face of the Church in today’s world. The ceremony was presided over by Bishop Raphy Manjaly, Archbishop of Agra, with Dr Babita Singh Chauhan, Chairperson of the Uttar Pradesh Commission for Women, serving as chief guest.

Marking a dual milestone—the 25th Anniversary of the Indian Catholic Youth Movement (ICYM) and the Universal Church’s Jubilee Year of Hope 2025—Symponia 2025 celebrated the youth’s pivotal role in building a compassionate and synodal Church. The gathering echoed Pope Francis’s call for young people to be “pilgrims of hope and builders of peace.”

Daily Eucharistic celebrations invited the youth into deeper reflection and renewed mission, presided over by Bishop Raphy Manjaly, Bishop Albert D’Souza, Bishop Gerald John Mathias, and Bishop Louis Mascarenhas. Liturgy and choirs were coordinated by various dioceses across the region.

Input sessions by Mr Tarun Sharma, Prof. Sumin Sybol, and Mr Rakshit Tandon addressed moral formation, technology, and digital responsibility. Fourteen parallel workshops explored themes of faith, leadership, relationships, vocation, health, and social transformation. Inspiring plenary sessions by Dr Denzil John Godin and Fr Chetan Machado, along with a lively panel featuring Fr M.A. Johnson, Ms Shirley Coutinho, Mrs Punam Rajiv, and Mr Mevin Bonny, encouraged participants to become agents of peace and harmony.

Evenings were filled with prayer and cultural vibrancy through Taizé prayer, artistic performances, and the Youth Jubilee Celebration, where young people expressed their faith through creativity, music, and dance. The Gospel Rock Band Crossway, led by Mr Rubal Prakash, led an energetic session of worship that reminded participants that “faith can be sung, celebrated, and lived.”

Two youth representatives—a male and a female—were recognised for their outstanding service and dedication to the Youth Commission at various levels.

In his closing remarks, Fr Joel Fernandes, Regional Youth Director, extended heartfelt thanks to all dioceses and volunteers, and expressed deep appreciation to the Archdiocese of Agra for its support and hospitality.

“Symponia 2025 reminded us that compassion is contagious—and it begins with us,” shared one young delegate, capturing the spirit of the event.

Youth of Agra in UP Holds Regional Convention

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