Youth Speak News

Has the symbol of the cross lost its relevance in today’s world?

Maria Pham has been going to summer camp with St. Thomas Thiện’s chapter of the Vietnamese Eucharistic Youth Movement for 11 years, but she couldn’t help feeling a little like a rookie this year.

When school let out in June, all my teachers could talk about was, “Don’t waste your summer” and “keep up with the world around you.” But the most notable thing I heard on the final day of class came from a friend. “It sucks, but the sucky things in life don’t stop just because we’re out (of school).” 

I sat down one night and watched the Jonas Brothers documentary entitled Chasing Happiness. I loved every second. My 15-year-old self was thrilled and I was honestly so impressed by how these three young men completely opened up in a way that was new to their audience (i.e. going from Disney Channel to truth-telling drinking games).

Summer is here which means the busyness of the school year is gone. It’s the perfect time to unplug from the real world and curl up with a good book. That’s why The Catholic Register and Youth Speak News have put together a list of faith-based youth titles that we think young book lovers will love.

When people find out that I’ve walked the Camino Portugués across Europe, I am often asked: What made you want to do it? When I take a moment to reflect, I cannot think of anything specific. 

“Take a risk, get involved, be committed!” Four years later and I finally understand the importance of my high school motto. 

Fresh from his ordination into the priesthood in 2017, Fr. Favin Alemão found himself at the centre of what seemed to be two different worlds: as associate pastor at Toronto’s St. Michael’s Cathedral Basilica and minister to the Ryerson University Catholic Students Association. 

This past March Break, I found myself as a pilgrim visiting amazing places like Barcelona, Assisi, Siena and the Vatican. It was part of a school trip that Chaminade College School organized for me and 16 of my fellow classmates and it was an amazing life experience. 

Madeline Dawson knew she could count on the Jesuits to throw a great party.