Holy Land: Christian youth look back on a memorable summer

Palestinian youth group - image: LPJ

Source: Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem

The summer of 2026 offered Christian children and young people across the Holy Land numerous opportunities for prayer, formation, service, fellowship and recreation. Through camps and gatherings organised in Palestine, Galilee, Jordan and Cyprus, the different youth movements accompanied participants in their growth in faith, self-awareness and responsibility, while strengthening their sense of belonging to the Church and to one another.

Palestine

The summer program began with a 'Leadership and Skills' training day for members of the General Secretariat committees, held at the General Secretariat Centre in Ein Arik and led by Bishara Alawi. The participants reflected on mature leadership, personal development and the importance of connecting leadership with spiritual values and Scripture.

For working-age youth, the two-day 'Wake Up Call' camp combined spiritual and psychological formation with recreational activities. The program addressed fear and resilience, emotions, self-awareness and perseverance in faith, with moments of prayer, examination of conscience and Eucharistic Adoration.

For children, the 'Threads of the Story' camp, held from June 18-20, offered a joyful setting for discovering Mary's role in the history of salvation and reflecting on Jesus' childhood and their own journey of faith. The program included Mass, Eucharistic adoration, sports, games and water activities, together with formation for the leaders accompanying the children.

For young people of different age groups, the 'Rejoice with Me' initiative brought together youth in a series of sporting gatherings across the parishes. Beyond competition, the activities encouraged friendship, teamwork and a sense of belonging.

For secondary-school youth, the 'Stella Maris' camp invited participants to "put out into deep water" (Lk 5:4), exploring the depths of faith and personal life through spiritual, psychological and social sessions. The program included reflection on purity of heart, the theology of the body and the Immaculate Conception, with Jesus as the "captain" of the journey and Mary, Star of the Sea, as their companion.

The summer concluded with 'Polaris,' a camp for university students organized by Jesus' Homeland Youth. Centered on the question of the true treasure in life, the camp combined spiritual talks with discussions on relationships, mental health, productivity and digital challenges, helping participants discern what leads them toward God.

Galilee

In Galilee, the second edition of 'Faith on Fire' brought together young people and families at the General Secretariat's Youth Ministry office. The evening began with a reflection by Fr Ramez Twal and continued with hymns, karaoke and music, creating an atmosphere of faith, joy and communion.

For secondary-school youth, the program 'Do You Love Me?' held at Don Guanella School in Nazareth, reflected on the life of St. Peter and his journey from fear and weakness to witness and leadership. Through interactive activities and prayer, participants were invited to consider how love for Christ is expressed in everyday life. The day concluded with Mass.

For middle-school youth, the program 'I Have Loved You with an Everlasting Love' held in Haifa, combined spiritual reflection, games and interactive activities inspired by Gospel encounters such as the woman with the hemorrhage, Zacchaeus and the Good Samaritan. An Escape Room activity encouraged teamwork while conveying spiritual messages.

It concluded its summer activities with its first camp for university students and young working adults, entitled 'I Found You,' held at Beit Aram in Nazareth, with around 60 young men and women from different areas taking part. During the camp, participants embarked on a spiritual journey that began with questions close to their daily lives: Who am I? What am I searching for amid the pressures and challenges of life? This journey led them to discover the presence of Christ, who finds us and accompanies us along the way. Throughout the camp, they took part in Gospel reflections, prayer, interactive activities, and group initiatives, creating an atmosphere that brought young people together around faith, encounter, and participation.

Jordan

In Jordan, all the summer camps were held under the common theme of 'JEC City"' centred on readiness and preparedness: readiness of the heart, mind and actions, rooted in faith, self-awareness, responsibility and a willingness to serve.

For children, the camp was held from July 2-5 at Our Lady of Peace Centre. Through prayer, workshops, games and challenges, participants reflected on how readiness begins in the heart and is expressed in daily life.

For middle-school youth, explored emotions, the formation of thoughts, social media, artificial intelligence, discernment and decision-making. The participants were also introduced to the youth movement's 'See, Judge, Act' methodology.

For secondary-school students, focused on faith, Christian freedom, leadership, university choices, social media and goal-setting, alongside workshops on time management and priorities. Prayer, the Rosary, confession and an evening of hymns and praise complemented the formation.

For working-age youth, the final camp took the form of a journey through Wadi Rum and Aqaba, centered on readiness for service and the courage to say "yes" to God's call. Mass, spiritual reflection, a candlelit walk, night prayer and group activities accompanied the journey, which concluded with Mass at Stella Maris Church in Aqaba.

Cyprus

In Cyprus, eleven young people from the Latin Youth took part in the 'Franciscan Walk' organized by the Franciscans in Assisi, Italy, as part of the Jubilee marking the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis of Assisi. The approximately 50-kilometre pilgrimage from Spoleto to Assisi was marked by prayer, reflection, preaching and fraternal communion. The young people reflected on the human journey toward God, the burdens and difficulties we carry, and St Francis' invitation to recognise God's presence in creation.

They then participated in the 'GO Meeting' deepening their experience of Franciscan spirituality. The gathering concluded with Mass celebrated by Pope Leo XIV, who invited the young people to learn from St. Francis humility and hope and to go out into the world as witnesses capable of contributing to its transformation.

Alongside these wider gatherings, the Christian youth communities in Lefkosia continued their summer activities through visits, retreats and community celebrations. The youth of St Paul visited the tomb of St Barnabas on the feast of St Paul, June 29, while the St Elizabeth of Hungary community held a summer retreat for the French-speaking community at St Nicholas Parish. The St Barnabas community also marked its celebrations with a choir week and a visit to the ancient ruins of Famagusta, while the St Cyril community held gatherings throughout the summer.

A summer of growth and communion

Across the Holy Land, the forms and themes varied, but the purpose remained the same: to accompany children and young people in their human and spiritual growth.

Through prayer and formation, sport and recreation, service and fellowship, the summer camps offered young people spaces to discover their talents, deepen their relationship with God and the Church, and grow in a faith increasingly open to responsibility and service.