More than 120 young adults gathered at St. Mellitus Catholic Church in Tollington Park, Finsbury, on Saturday, September 21, 2024, for the first-ever Spiritan Young Adult Concert. Drawn from over 15 Spiritan parishes across London, the event marked the official launch of the Spiritan Young Adult Ministry (SYM), aimed at empowering young people to grow in faith and community.
The day began with a jubilant Holy Mass, concelebrated by 18 priests from across the Spiritan Province, and led by the Provincial Superior, Fr. Ugo Ikwuka, CSSp. In his homily, Fr. Ugo reflected on the day’s scripture readings, where Solomon asks for wisdom, and Jesus compares the Kingdom of God to a hidden treasure. He encouraged the young adults to prioritize their spiritual journeys, assuring them that “everything else will fall into place.”
The Mass was filled with vibrant music, songs, and choreography, with the young attendees dancing joyfully alongside Fr. Ugo and the Spiritan priests, creating a spirit of enthusiasm that would carry throughout the day.
Following the Mass, the young people were introduced to the Spiritan charism and mission, delivered by Fr. Leo Illah, CSSp, and Fr. Joel Yeboah-Marfo, CSSp, lead chaplain for the Just Youth Ministry in the UK. They emphasized the Spiritan legacy of youth ministry, tracing the congregation’s origins back to its 1703 founding in France by Claude François Poulart Des Places, who was a young man himself when he followed the call of the Holy Spirit. The attendees were invited to consider vocations to priesthood, religious life, or even as lay Spiritans.
Fr. Moses Enehizena, CSSp, lead organizer of the event and parish priest of St. Gabriel and St. Mellitus, offered a reflection on the day’s theme, “I Am a Child of God.” He reminded the young people of their identity as beloved sons and daughters of God, echoing the words spoken by God at Jesus’ baptism, “This is my beloved Son.” Fr. Moses urged the attendees to embrace this identity and deepen their relationship with God.
The event featured lively presentations from various parishes, including St. Gabriel Archway, Our Lady of Gillingham, St. Michael’s Parish Chatham, St. Michael and Martin Hounslow, St. Joseph’s Greenwich, and many others. Each group showcased their energy and creativity, uniting in praise and worship.
A highlight of the day was a performance by the professional praise and worship band Dove’s Eye, led by Ela Kalicka. Their high-energy worship songs filled the church, with young people singing and dancing in a joyful expression of their faith. The atmosphere was electric as the Spiritans created a space for young adults to connect with God and with each other.
Fr. Ugo expressed gratitude to all those who helped make the event a success, especially the priests and volunteers from London parishes. He emphasized the importance of supporting young adults in the Church, reflecting on how they were central to the Spiritan Congregation’s founding vision. “Together, let us think of the future with the young adults, the very age group gathered around our Founder at the birth of the Congregation,” he said.
The Spiritan Young Adult Concert was not only a celebration of faith but also a launching point for a new chapter in Spiritan youth ministry. The young attendees left inspired, energized, and ready to take their place in the future of the Church.
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