When faith gets its pulse back

As youth animators, we too need to be continually nourished and formed in our faith if we are to live as authentic Christians in our daily lives. We cannot give to others what we have not first received ourselves. For this reason, a one-day retreat is organised each year for all youth animators in Gozo. This retreat has always aimed to provide space for spiritual renewal and personal formation.

The timing of the retreat, just before Holy Week, is intentional, helping us prepare our hearts for this central moment in the Church’s liturgical year.

The retreat will be led by Rev. Dr Marcello Ghirlando OFM on March 28th at the Franciscan Friars Centre in Għajnsielem. It will begin at 9:00am and conclude at 4:00pm, with a lunch break in between.

During the retreat, Rev. Marcello will reflect on a passage from the Gospel of Luke in which Jesus restores a dead young man to life. Through this Gospel scene, participants will be invited to contemplate how a procession of death, a funeral, can be transformed into a celebration of life through the presence and action of Jesus.

Building on this passage, Rev. Marcello will guide us on a journey of reflection, helping us understand how placing Jesus at the centre of our pastoral ministry can transform fear, discouragement, and lack of faith into renewed hope. This encounter invites us to persevere with greater courage and joy in our mission of serving young people.

A €5 donation per person will be collected on the day of the event. Those who will be staying for lunch are kindly asked to contribute an additional €10. The lunch menu will consist of a platter of cold cuts and cheeses, followed by pasta as the main course.

All youth animators are encouraged to register below.