Celebrated nationally, the Easter youth pilgrimage, Light to the Nations (LTTN) will be held at Chevalier College Bowral in the Southern Highlands of NSW. Running from Holy Thursday to Easter Sunday (13-16 April, 2017) the pilgrimage draws more than 1000 young people from across Australia and the Asia Pacific. For three days, pilgrims delve into the mystery of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus for which they have prepared through the season of Lent. Whilst the pilgrimage includes the usual liturgies celebrated in parishes across the world, it adds another dimension through worship ministry, drama, formation, and personal sharing.
Light to the Nations is hosted by the Disciples of Jesus Covenant Community, a Catholic community of both lay and consecrated members who live the graces of the Charismatic Renewal. The community aims to immerse young people into the heart of Jesus and experience his salvation through being filled with the Holy Spirit. The disciples include priests and consecrated men and women called Missionaries of God’s Love. Throughout the Easter Triduum, many priests, brothers and sisters take up the task of bringing the sacraments and liturgy to life.
The pilgrimage involves participants camping onsite, with the main events located in a number of large marquee tents. The atmosphere is simple, with a deeply communal feel, perhaps due to the pilgrimage being fully co-ordinated and self-catered by members who have a particular focus on evangelisation with deep roots in living their faith together.
Testimonials on the LTTN website describe it as an experience of the ‘richness of the Church’ as many young people who attend come to a realisation that the Church is very much alive and relevant to today’s world.
For more information on the event, and to register, visit the website, follow LTTN on Instagram (instagram.com/lighttothenations) or Facebook (facebook.com/light.to.the.nations.pilgrimage).