Young Adults Urged to Deepen Prayer at Young Adults’ Mass in JHB

by Kati Dijane · February 10, 2026

Young Adults Mass in Johannesburg. At the conclusion of the Mass, Cardinal Brislin blessed eight trees that were meant to be planted on the church grounds, symbolising the eight deaneries of the Archdiocese of Johannesburg.

By Kati Dijane – More than 100 young adults from across the Archdiocese of Johannesburg gathered for the second annual opening Young Adults’ Mass, held on February 7 at St Angela’s Catholic Church in Soweto.

The celebration marked the formal beginning of the young adults’ pastoral programme for the year and reflected the growing vitality of youth ministry within the archdiocese. Young people from eight deaneries came together to pray, reflect and renew their commitment to serving the Church and society at a pivotal stage of their lives.

The Mass was presided over by Cardinal Stephen Brislin, Archbishop of Johannesburg, and concelebrated by youth chaplains and clergy serving across the archdiocese. Among the clergy present were Fathers Bonginkosi Nhleko SDB, Nkosinathi Mhlambi, Gabriel Martin SDB, Limpho Maoela, Monwabisi Ntshudu, Mark Muhuro, Ziphozakhe Ngwenya, Vusi Nhlapho and Odise Lazri SDB, as well as Deacons Thabo Mashokwe and Sechaba Liphoko, who will be ordained priests on Saturday, 14 February 2026, at Christ the King Cathedral.

A milestone in the life of the archdiocese

Addressing the congregation at the start of his homily, Cardinal Brislin expressed his joy at being with the young adults once again, recalling the inaugural gathering the previous year when the young adults’ ministry of the archdiocese was formally launched.

The cardinal acknowledged that young adulthood was often a time of transition, where one moved from dependence to responsibility, from being formed by parents and families to taking ownership of one’s own values, choices and faith journey.

Learning from the wisdom of Solomon

Drawing on the day’s first reading, Cardinal Brislin reflected on the story of King Solomon, who ascended to the throne of Israel at a young age following the death of his father, King David. He described Solomon as a young leader who felt overwhelmed by the immense responsibility placed upon him.

“Solomon prayed, ‘Lord, I am very young and unskilled in leadership,’” the cardinal said. “He found himself in the midst of a people so great they could not be counted. He felt overwhelmed by what was expected of him.”

Rather than asking God for wealth, power or victory over enemies, Solomon asked for a discerning heart, the ability to distinguish between good and evil so that he could govern God’s people wisely.

“It was a very unselfish request,” Cardinal Brislin noted. “He wasn’t asking for himself, but for the good of the people. If only we had more leaders like that today.”

Turning his attention to the young adults, the cardinal said many of them might recognise themselves in Solomon’s experience.

“As young adults, you face a world that can be daunting and overwhelming. You face many choices and many anxieties. You have dreams, but you also experience limitations,” he said.

Building a firm foundation through prayer

Central to the cardinal’s message was the call for young adults to build a strong spiritual foundation, one rooted in an authentic and deep relationship with God. He stressed that while intellectual, social and professional development were important, spiritual growth must not be neglected.

“One of the psalms asks, ‘How can a young person lead a good life?’” he said. “The answer is by seeking God with all one’s heart. That is where a strong foundation begins.”

Cardinal Brislin highlighted prayer as the primary way in which young adults could seek God, grow in discernment and find peace amid life’s challenges.

“Prayer is a way of speaking to God, of conversing with God,” he said. “But it is also about listening to what God is saying to us through the Holy Spirit.”

Through prayer, he explained, believers learn to discern what is good and what is evil, what choices to make and which paths to avoid. Prayer does not remove life’s difficulties, but it gives inner strength and peace to face them.

“Even if our hearts are anxious before we pray, we often find that after prayer our hearts are more at peace,” he said. “We find rest in our souls.”

The discipline of prayer in a noisy world

The cardinal was frank in acknowledging that prayer was not always easy, particularly in a fast-paced and distracted world. He emphasised that prayer required discipline, a conscious decision to make time for God, even when one did not feel like praying.

“Prayer needs discipline,” he said. “Sometimes, you don’t feel like praying, but you still need to make the time. Setting aside even five or ten minutes a day to be quiet and to be with God can make a profound difference.”

He encouraged young adults to step away from constant noise, social media and superficial distractions, not to reject modern life, but to create space for silence and interior listening.

“To be quiet in the presence of God is to make ourselves conscious of God’s presence,” he said. “We try to discern God not outside of us, but within us.”

The cardinal also spoke about different forms of prayer, including meditation, contemplation, lectio divina and Eucharistic adoration, reminding the congregation that the Eucharist remained the centre of Christian life and prayer.

Prayer and service: two sides of one life

While emphasising the importance of prayer, Cardinal Brislin reminded young adults that prayer must always lead to action. Reflecting on the Gospel, he recalled how Jesus invited his apostles to come away and rest, yet still responded with compassion to the needs of the people.

“Prayer and reaching out to help those in need go together,” he said. “That is what the whole Christian life depends on: prayer and service to those who are suffering or in need.”

He urged young adults to allow their prayer life to shape how they live, serve and respond to the challenges of their communities.

A symbol of growth and hope

At the conclusion of the Mass, Cardinal Brislin blessed eight trees that were meant to be planted on the church grounds, symbolising the eight deaneries of the Archdiocese of Johannesburg. The gesture served as a visible sign of growth, rootedness and hope for the future of the young adults’ ministry.

Also present in support of the young adults were Mr Nhlanhla Madinane from the Department of Justice and Peace and Mr Teboho Mashoeng, chairperson of the Archdiocesan Pastoral Council.

Following the liturgy, young adults engaged in discussions on the youth policy manual of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference, reflecting on how both the conference and the archdiocese can better respond to the pastoral, spiritual and economic needs of young adults.

Tiiso Mosoeu, the head of department in the youth ministry, said he was happy with the turn out of the young and also expressed gratitude to the priests and archdiocesan leaders who attended the Mass. “There were interesting ideas that were shared, which clearly shows young adults are visionaries in helping this diocese move forward and grow,” he concluded.