More than 550 young Catholics gathered at St Albini in Ntshongweni, Durban, for an all-night pilgrimage of prayer, reflection and fellowship. The second Durban Cluster Youth Pilgrimage, held from 28-29 August under the theme “Take courage, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33), brought together 32 priests and three bishops for a night centred on healing, catechesis, prayer and the Eucharist.
The pilgrimage opened with a penitential service led by Father Phumlani Makhaye, chaplain of the Archdiocese of Durban. Reflecting on the temptation of Jesus in the desert in Matthew 4:1-11, Father Makhaye reminded young people that sin often begins with a dialogue with temptation. “A person falls into sin when they cannot resist temptation,” he said, encouraging the youth to confront temptation before it leads to sin. He stressed that young people should not attempt to overcome temptation through their own strength, but should rely on God’s grace through prayer and the sacramental life. “Attend Mass regularly and receive the Eucharist. Importantly, frequent the Sacrament of Reconciliation,” he urged.
Father Dzinisa Ngcongo followed with a healing service, reflecting on the encounter between Jesus and Zacchaeus in Luke 19. He drew a connection between Zacchaeus’ desire to see Jesus and the experiences of young people whose innocence, hopes and potential may have been wounded by life or by people who have stood in their way. The healing service invited the youth to bring these wounds before Christ and to trust in his power to restore them.
‘Our way to God begins and ends with Him’
Auxiliary Bishop Elias Kwenzakufani Zondi of Durban then led a catechesis entitled “Our way to God begins and ends with Him.” The bishop reminded young people that although sin separates humanity from God, God continually reaches out to his people. Referring to Jesus’ words, “I am the way, the truth and the life,” Bishop Zondi described Christ as the “roadmap to heaven”. He explained that God equips people for this journey through the theological virtues of faith, hope and love, which he described as supernatural gifts from God.
The bishop also highlighted the four cardinal virtues — prudence, fortitude, justice and temperance — as important qualities that help Christians on their journey towards God. Drawing on St Augustine’s well-known reflection on the human heart, Bishop Zondi reminded the youth that their deepest rest is found in God.
Finding God in the cross
The pilgrimage also invited the youth to reflect on suffering and the meaning of the cross. Reflecting on the First Letter to the Corinthians (1:17-25), the homily contrasted human wisdom with the power of God revealed through the cross.
Crucifixion was a humiliating and brutal form of execution, yet what appeared to be defeat became, through Christ, the instrument of salvation. The message was particularly relevant to young people experiencing unemployment, financial difficulties, illness, disappointment and other struggles. Suffering, the reflection emphasised, does not mean that God is absent. The cross instead reveals that God can transform what appears to be weakness and defeat into victory. It also challenges Christians to believe that “love is stronger than hatred; forgiveness is stronger than revenge and humility is stronger than pride”.
Keep your lamps burning
The Gospel reflection on the parable of the ten virgins in Matthew 25:1-13 placed particular emphasis on the need for both practical and spiritual preparation. This was highlighted by Archbishop Siegfried Mandlenkosi Jwara CMM, the Metropolitan Archbishop of Durban, in his homily during Mass. The five wise virgins were prepared for the bridegroom’s arrival because they had brought extra oil for their lamps. The foolish virgins, by contrast, were caught unprepared.
The message was clear: Christians do not know when Christ will return and therefore must remain spiritually ready. Young people were encouraged to prepare for their future by discovering who they were, recognising their gifts, taking education seriously, developing useful skills, choosing friends wisely, learning from failure and remaining disciplined. But preparation cannot stop at career and personal development. “Faith requires our ongoing preparation and perseverance,” the Archbishop stressed, reminding the youth that spiritual readiness cannot be borrowed from another person. Young people were challenged to keep their lamps burning through prayer, love, kindness, forgiveness and faithfulness.
‘Do not be afraid to dream’
The Metropolitan Archbishop of Durban encouraged the young people to recognise their dignity and potential. “You are deeply loved not only by your families and by the Church, but above all by God,” he told them. “Each one of you is precious in His eyes, and your life has a purpose.” He urged the youth not to allow failure, disappointment, fear or the opinions of others to convince them that they are incapable of achieving great things. As their metropolitan archbishop and spiritual father, he encouraged them to dream boldly: “angisho ukuphupha okubhedayo”, and to recognise that the Church and the world need young people who are prepared to stand for truth, defend what is right, serve vulnerable people and bring hope where there is discouragement.
He also reminded them to keep Christ at the centre of their lives, especially when the road becomes difficult. God, he said, can use even their struggles to form them into the people he has called them to become.
‘Carry your crosses and follow Jesus’
Father Sihle Manci unpacked the pilgrimage theme, challenging young people to reject a prosperity-centred understanding of Christianity.
He encouraged them instead to embrace the Gospel of Christ, including the reality of carrying their crosses. “As young people, we have to carry our crosses and follow Jesus, to acknowledge that life is seasonal and that we’ll come across challenges,” he said. He reminded them that both good and difficult experiences can ultimately lead people towards Christ, and that Christians cannot proclaim their faith while attempting to avoid the cross. The night continued with Eucharistic Adoration and Benediction led by Father Azola Mbeki, while Father Memela OFM reflected on the life and witness of St Francis of Assisi, whose 800th death anniversary is being commemorated by the Church.
From ‘what can the world give me?’ to ‘how can I be a gift?’
The pilgrimage concluded with Holy Mass celebrated by Bishop Stanislaw Jan Dziuba OSPPE of the Diocese of Umzimkulu. In his homily, Bishop Dziuba encouraged young people to draw inspiration from St Francis, particularly in his respect for human life and creation. He challenged them to look at suffering differently; not simply by asking what the world can give them, but by asking how they can become a gift to the world. “Which then, is the part of our lives that needs revival from Jesus?” he asked. Another highlight of the pilgrimage was one of the young pilgrims, Sanele Mtshali of St Anne’s Parish in the Diocese of Mariannhill, receiving a papal blessing for designing the Durban Cluster Youth logo.
After the closing Mass, Bishop Dziuba thanked the organisers, priests and young people of the Durban cluster for making the gathering possible. “Continue to follow Jesus because only He is our saviour, who has the power to solve our problems,” he said. Father Mlondolozi Buthelezi OSM, chaplain of the Durban Youth Cluster, described the pilgrimage as a vibrant gathering and welcomed the strong turnout. He also encouraged the youth to look ahead to World Youth Day in South Korea in 2027, describing it as an opportunity to encounter young Catholics from different cultures and to deepen their faith through that experience.
The date and details of the next annual youth pilgrimage will be announced at a later stage.
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