26/04/2026
We began our youth day retreat with the powerful words of Jesus: “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” This really set the tone for the whole day. We took some time to reflect on how our Lent has been going so far, and we listened to Pope Leo’s Lenten message, which reminded us how important it is to place God back at the centre of our lives. It was a gentle but important reminder that when we don’t, it’s easy for our hearts to become overwhelmed by distractions and anxieties.
One of the most beautiful parts of the morning was when we shared with each other moments in our lives where we had experienced God at the centre. It was such a deep and moving time. Hearing each other’s stories really brought us closer together and helped us see how God is working in our lives in different ways.
Mother Caroline then led us in reflecting on a passage from Jeremiah, reminding us of just how personal God’s love is for each one of us. We were invited to really take in the truth that God knew us and loved us even before we were formed in the womb, that He has set each of us apart with a unique and beautiful plan. This wasn’t just a general message, but something deeply personal: He knows you. In our small groups, we shared what this meant to us, and it was clear that it left many of us feeling grateful and wanting to respond to God’s love more fully.
We ended the morning with Mass, celebrated by Fr Daniel Magnier. His words about our baptismal calling and allowing God to shape our lives really stayed with us. It was a chance to thank God for everything, and to be reminded of the gift of the Eucharist and the beauty of the priesthood.
In the second session, Mother Caroline led us in a really creative and prayerful experience inspired by Jeremiah 18, where God is the potter and we are the clay. We spent some quiet time in prayer using clay, with the song “Abba Father” playing in the background. It was a simple but powerful reminder that we don’t need to perform or create something perfect, we just need to be with God and let Him shape us. Many of us found ourselves praying, “Lord, here I am in your hands. Shape me according to your will.”
After being spiritually fed, we needed some actual food, so we enjoyed pizza, chips, and time together! It was great to relax, chat, and just enjoy each other’s company. Some of us also spent time visiting the care home residents, which was really special.
In the afternoon, we reflected on the mystery of faith, inspired by the Catechism (2558), which calls us to believe in it, celebrate it, and live it out. We then focused on prayer and devotions, especially the Stations of the Cross. Each of us (or in pairs) was given a station to reflect on, and we wrote our own short reflections.
After a little break, where some played games, others chatted, and some enjoyed tea and coffee with the Little Sisters, we came back together for a meaningful ending to the day. We processed to the chapel carrying a cross and prayed through the Stations of the Cross using the reflections written by the young people. It was such a powerful and special moment to hear everyone’s words and pray together in that way.
We finished with Evening Prayer with the sisters, and for those who could stay a little longer, we ended the day with some fresh banana cake!
Overall, it was such an awesome day. There was a real sense of joy for the 18 youth and 6 Little Sisters from many countries. At ST Anne’s we witnessed openness, and the spirit of prayer, we appreciated spending time together. We’re so grateful for everything God did in each of our hearts
