National Youth Day in Honduras: ‘Be witnesses of the love of Christ’

Attendance at 2024 National Youth Day in Honduras topped 30,000. / Credit: Youth Ministry of the Diocese of Danlí

ACI Prensa Staff, Jun 6, 2024 / 07:00 am (CNA).

More than 30,000 young people gathered June 1–2 in the city of Danlí, located in southeast Honduras, to participate in the Central American country’s National Youth Day (NYD).

Brayan Valladares, coordinator and adviser for NYD 2024, said that young people from throughout the country and a group of Nicaraguans came together to “have an encounter with the Lord, being called to be young witnesses of his love and to convey that joy to everyone who does not yet know him.”

Normally held every two years since 2010, this was the first time the event has been held in six years. Valladares shared with ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner, that on this occasion “there was no impediment to stop the excitement of these young people,” who were awaiting “this moment with enthusiasm.”

The activities began with a representation of the traditional Way of the Cross followed by cultural events. Mass was then celebrated by Danlí Bishop José Antonio Canales Motiño, who during the homily urged the young people to “bring the savor of Christ” to every aspect of life and thus, “little by little, show the treasures of our faith, without a doubt, the greatest of all being the body and blood of Christ.”

At midnight a time for Eucharistic adoration was held in which the young people were invited to place their hopes and fears in the hands of God.

The day was full of music and fellowship, culminating on June 2 at 6 a.m. local time with words of gratitude and the announcement of the location of the next NYD in 2026 in Yoro.

Valladares expressed his hope that the gathering has inspired young people to be “protagonists of God’s love, to not be afraid to face life and to be witnesses of his true love.”

This story was first published by ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA.