Around 230 young people from the Archdiocese of Yangon gathered on March 7 for a Lenten recollection and penance program at St. Augustine Catholic Church, seeking spiritual renewal during the season of repentance.

The day-long program began at 9:00 a.m. with a reflection by Fr. Mercian Thet Kyaw, the Archdiocesan Youth Director. He explained the meaning of repentance through the parable of the prodigal son.

He encouraged the young participants to approach the sacrament of reconciliation with sincere hearts during Lent.

At 10:00 a.m., Sr. Louise Marie from the Most Precious Blood Congregation read and explained Pope Leo XIV’s Lenten message. She helped the young people understand its spiritual significance.

The Pope’s Message: Listen and Fast

Pope Leo XIV’s Lenten message highlighted two key practices: listening and fasting.

On listening, the message emphasized that hearing the Word of God in the liturgy teaches believers to listen to the truth of reality. Amid many voices in personal and social life, Sacred Scripture helps people recognize and respond to the cries of those suffering.

The faithful are encouraged to allow God to teach them how to listen attentively.

On fasting, the Pope invited young people to practice a meaningful form of abstinence: refraining from words that offend and hurt others.

The message encouraged them to disarm their language. They should avoid harsh speech, rash judgments, slander, and speaking ill of others not present to defend themselves.

Instead, they should cultivate kindness and respect in families, among friends, at work, on social media, in political discussions, and within Christian communities.

Words of hatred can then give way to words that promote hope and peace.

Preparing for Reconciliation

In the afternoon, participants received the sacrament of reconciliation. Before individual confessions, Fr. Simon Tin Maung, head of the Missionaries of Mercy in the Yangon Archdiocese, delivered a reflection to help them examine their conscience.

Fr. Simon reminded the youths that Lent is a time to recall God’s mercy and compassion. He noted that many people grow up with fear when they commit sins, often imagining God only as one who punishes wrongdoing.

He reflected on the Gospel story of the tax collector and the Pharisee. The tax collector humbly acknowledged his sinfulness and asked for God’s mercy, while the Pharisee proudly considered himself righteous.

Fr. Simon encouraged the youths to imitate the tax collector’s humility and approach God with sincere repentance.

He reminded them that although humans may hide their sins from others, nothing is hidden from God. Yet God is always merciful and welcomes those who return to Him.

Recalling the parable of the prodigal son, Fr. Simon highlighted the boundless mercy of God the Father, who lovingly received the younger son seeking forgiveness.

“There should be no divisions based on race or religion before God,” he said. He encouraged the youths to love others as God loves them and to journey through life with hearts filled with mercy and compassion.

The gathering concluded with an Eucharistic celebration after the young participants received the sacrament of reconciliation, renewing their commitment to live the Lenten season in faith and repentance.

By RVA Sgaw Karen Service