※ What’s Asian Youth Day?

Asian Youth Day (AYD) is the coming together of Catholic youths from different Asian countries. This weeklong life experience enables young people to gather and plan their spiritual lives for the future. At the same time, the gathering aims to provide an opportunity for Catholic youths to explore and renew their faith, so that they can share the Gospel with others through the work of justice and peace. AYD also includes the sharing of faith with other religious groups.

※ How did the AYD come about?

In 1991, during the World Youth Day in Czestochowa (Poland), representatives from over 30 Asian countries attended the Third International Youth Forum. At the forum, they expressed their hopes of establishing different channels and networks for various kinds of exchanges, and organizing activities especially designed for Catholic youths in Asia. The Youth sent their hopes to the believers of the Federation of Asian Bishops’Conferences (FABC) and Office of Laity and Family (OLF).
In 1993, a youth consultation conference was held in Bangkok, Thailand, where the youth representatives from Asian countries suggested that a youth working group be formed. The Federation of Asian Bishops' Conference (FABC) agreed with this suggestion and actively cooperated in communicating with the representatives, and helping efforts to establish the organization.
In 1994, the Youth Desk was officially established as an affiliate of OLF in FABC. The Youth Desk has successfully organized a series of activities for Asian youths and youth leaders, including the Asian Youth Gathering during World Youth Day, the Asian Youth Ministers’Meeting and Asian Youth Day. With the efforts of the Youth Desk, the first official Asian Youth Day was held in Hua Hin, Thailand.

The 1st Day Aug 13(Wed.)

“Come and see” (Jn 1:39)   The opening mass takes place in Solomoe Shrine, the birth place of the first Korean priest and martyr, St. Andrew Kim Dae-gon.

The 2nd Day Aug 14(Thu.)

“Let's discover the roots of our faith ”   On the 2nd day, we will observe where our faith is rooted and how it has been handed over to us, especially in Korea but also in the other Asian countries. Also it'll be a day to realize how many people sacrificed their lives so that we may receive our faith. Finally we'll be guided to realize that the true roots of our faith are in the Cross of Christ. - COUNTRY EXHIBITS(Roots of our faith) - TAIZE PRAYER

The 3rd Day Aug 15(Fri.)

“Youth, Knock !!!”   In the world of today, there are many anti-Christian values, and many young people living as disciples of Christ are threatened by them. This reality can be seen as a new form of persecution to the young people. How can the youth deal with this new kind of persecution? This is the time to knock in order to wake up the passion for the faith that lays down in the hearts of the young people. - WORKSHOP - KNOCKING NIGHT

The 4th Day Aug 16(Sat.)

“Let’s walk along with Jesus and the martyrs”   n the 4th day, we will learn the passion and courage embodied in the life of martyrs, with which the youths can stand strong. Also the youths will celebrate the land of martyrs by holding a festival. - PILGRIMAGE: Youth pilgrimage takes place following the footsteps of the Korean martyrs. - FINAL FESTIVAL

The 5th DAY Aug 17(Sun.)

“Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel” (Mk16,15)   Jesus grants us a mission to live as His Church with Him in the world. -CLOSING MASS