Agra: The 16th Regional Youth Convention, “Symponia: Walking in Compassion”, convened by the Agra Regional Youth Commission, brought together around 550 young Catholics from all eleven dioceses of the Agra Region for four days of spiritual formation, fellowship, and empowerment at St. Peter’s College, Agra. Anchored in the theme of compassion, the convention aimed to nurture faith, foster leadership, and cultivate a sense of mission among the youth.
The event was inaugurated by Bishop Ignatius D’Souza, Bishop of Bareilly and Chairman of both the CCBI Commission for Youth and the Agra Regional Youth Commission, who exhorted the participants to “walk in compassion by walking in Christ,” encouraging them to embody mercy and hope in contemporary society. The opening ceremony was presided over by Archbishop Raphy Manjaly of Agra, with Dr. Babita Singh Chauhan, Chairperson of the Uttar Pradesh Commission for Women, serving as the chief guest.
Symponia 2025 marked dual milestones: the 25th Anniversary of the Indian Catholic Youth Movement (ICYM) and the Universal Church’s Jubilee Year of Hope 2025. The convention highlighted the youth’s vital role in fostering a compassionate and synodal Church, resonating with Pope Francis’s call for young people to be “pilgrims of hope and builders of peace.”
Each day began with Eucharistic celebrations, presided over by Bishops Raphy Manjaly, Albert D’Souza, Gerald John Mathias, and Louis Mascarenhas. Coordinated by various dioceses, these liturgies and choir presentations offered moments of reflection, prayer, and renewed mission.
Participants engaged in input sessions by Mr. Tarun Sharma, Prof. Sumin Sybol, and Mr. Rakshit Tandon, exploring moral formation, technology, and digital responsibility. Fourteen parallel workshops addressed key topics including faith, leadership, relationships, vocation, health, and social transformation. Inspiring plenary talks by Dr. Denzil John Godin and Fr. Chetan Machado, along with a panel discussion featuring Fr. M.A. Johnson, Ms. Shirley Coutinho, Mrs. Punam Rajiv, and Mr. Mevin Bonny, challenged the youth to embrace their calling as agents of peace, harmony, and social change.
Evenings radiated energy and devotion through Taizé prayer, artistic performances, and the Youth Jubilee Celebration, where participants expressed their faith through creativity, music, and dance. The Gospel Rock Band Crossway, led by Mr. Rubal Prakash, energized the crowd with a lively session of worship, reinforcing the message that “faith can be sung, celebrated, and lived.”
Two youth representatives, one male and one female, were honoured for their exceptional service and dedication to the Youth Commission at diocesan and regional levels. In his closing remarks, Fr. Joel Fernandes, Regional Youth Director, thanked all dioceses, volunteers, and the Archdiocese of Agra for their support and hospitality, highlighting the collective effort that made Symponia 2025 a resounding success.
Capturing the essence of the gathering, one young delegate shared: “Symponia 2025 reminded us that compassion is contagious and it begins with us.” The convention left participants inspired, united, and committed to walking in Christ’s footsteps, spreading faith, hope, and love within their families, parishes, and communities.