Rivier Youth Camp 2026: Answering the Call, Living the Mission

Rivier Youth Camp 2026 concluded on January 10 at Holy Cross of Mintal, Inc., gathering a total of 204 registered delegates, alongside 27 Presentation of Mary Sisters, 20 student volunteers, 19 lay volunteers, and six core organizers- the World Youth Day Missionaries 2023, for two days of faith-filled encounters, reflection, and mission. What began as a gathering of individuals from different places gradually became a shared journey rooted in prayer, service, and community.

The camp officially opened on January 9, 2026 as participants arrived early for registration, marking the start of the youth formation event. Delegates represented St. Peter’s College of Toril, Holy Cross College of Calinan, Holy Cross of Mintal, St. Michael’s School of Padada, Holy Cross of Malalag, Holy Cross of Sta. Maria, Holy Cross of Malita, Notre Dame of Mlang in Cotabato, and Presentation of Mary School of Clarin in Bohol. Despite their diverse backgrounds, participants shared a common purpose and that is to respond to what many described as God’s personal call.

Day 1 centered on building community and grounding the youth in faith. The morning began with an orientation, where organizers outlined the flow of activities and emphasized openness, respect, active participation to facilitate a deep encounter with God during the camp. A significant moment followed during the Procession and Mounting of the Youth Cross, leading into the celebration of the Holy Mass and the Blessing of the Rivier Youth Cross and the image of St. Marie Rivier presided by Fr. Michael Ondras, Jr. The liturgical gathering served as the spiritual anchor of the day, inviting participants to reflect on their identity and mission as young members of the Church.

In the afternoon, the Welcome Program formally opened the camp. Sr. Charito Gorgonio, pm- the Provincial Superior of the Philippine Province gave a powerful impact on her talk about the theme: Dilexi Te (“I Have Loved You.” – Rev. 3:9) which was adopted from the Apostolic Exhortation of the Holy Father Leo XIV on the Love for the Poor. She emphasized three things from the exhortation: LOVE, CARE AND POOR as an expression of love to the God who loved us first “Dilexi Te”.

Flock’s Time later provided a more intimate space for sharing and reflection. Many participants shared that they joined the camp because they wanted to build a deeper relationship with God and felt personally called to attend. They expressed that Rivier Youth Camp 2026 was a response to God’s call and that they simply chose to answer it. Through these moments, friendships were formed despite the short period of time, creating memories they described as lasting and meaningful. The day continued with Moments with the Sisters, where various booths offered creative and interactive activities focused on storytelling, music, games, and self-expression. Participants enjoyed interacting with one another and expressed how much they appreciated the joyful and welcoming atmosphere of the camp. As evening approached, the mood shifted into prayer through the communal praying of the Rosary and Vespers, followed by Praise and Worship Night. Campers described the experience as uplifting, singing together in worship and embracing the joy of praising God as one community.

The highlight of the night came during the Taizé Prayer, Eucharistic Adoration, and Confession. In silence and reflection, participants encountered moments of reconciliation and renewal. Many shared that after the Taizé Prayer, they felt a sense of relief, as if the heaviness they carried had finally been released.

Day 2 began before dawn as participants gathered at the HCM Gym for Via Lucis, or the Way of Light. The reflective walk emphasized hope, renewal, and perseverance, setting the tone for a day focused on action and service. This was followed by the celebration of the Holy Mass-a foretaste of the life eternal and the summit of our Christian life.

Participants then departed for their Mission Experience across different venues. For many, this became the most eye-opening part of the camp. One participant shared that the mission helped widen their perspective and made them more aware of the realities of the world, allowing them to reflect deeply on compassion, service, and responsibility. Upon returning, participants gathered once more for Flock’s Time to share their experiences, challenges, and insights. Reflections highlighted personal growth, gratitude, and a renewed sense of purpose.

As the camp drew to a close, a synthesis session connected the experiences of both days, reminding participants that the lessons learned should be carried beyond the camp. Words of Thanks were shared to acknowledge the efforts of the organizers, facilitators, volunteers, and partner institutions. The RYCdos Recap Video revisited memorable moments from the two-day journey, evoking both laughter and tears.

The camp formally concluded with a Closing Ritual, symbolizing the sending forth of the youth back to their respective communities. Despite the heaviness of goodbyes, participants expressed gratitude for the memories formed and friendships gained. Many shared that although the camp lasted only two days, the experience was remarkable from beginning to end—fun, meaningful, and spiritually unforgettable. Rivier Youth Camp 2026 concluded leaving participants with renewed faith, healing, widened perspectives, and a commitment to carry forward the values and virtues they learned as Rivier Youths answering God’s call in their everyday lives. (Regine Vaneca Casildo)