Year of the Youth 2026
Timeline of Activities
Saturday, January 31, 2026 — Sunday, January 31, 2027
Timeline Overview Major Events at a Glance
Listening Sessions
Zonal listening sessions at Berekum Zone and Sunyani Zone to appreciate the joys and hopes of young people, address their concerns, and gather data for policy direction.
Expected Outcome: 90% parish participation; comprehensive “State of the Youth” report to the Bishop.
Launching of the Year of the Youth
Official launching and commissioning of the youth at Diocesan, Parish, and Chaplaincy levels. Reading of the Episcopal Letter, unveiling of logo and paraphernalia, symbolic sending forth.
Expected Outcome: 100% of PYCs submit a launch report with photos.
St. Thomas Aquinas Day Celebrations
Inter-Secondary and Tertiary celebrations at St. James Seminary SHS and Catholic University of Ghana, Fiapre.
Expected Outcome: Not less than 50% increase of last year’s attendance.
Diocesan Youth Rally
Queen of Peace Grotto, Amanfoso-Nsoatre. Prayer, praise, catechesis, networking, and inauguration of Parish Year of the Youth Committees.
Expected Outcome: At least 3,000 participants from all Parishes and Missionary Stations.
Lenten Season / Gethsemane Experience
Lenten pilgrimages, retreats, recollections, Stations of the Cross, Sacrament of Reconciliation, and Gethsemane vigil night.
Expected Outcome: 100% of parishes report with minimum 60% participation.
Emmaus Walk (Easter Monday)
Youth-organized Emmaus walk featuring YOTY-themed sharing of the word, food, and games.
Expected Outcome: 100% of parishes submit reports; at least 50% congregation attendance.
RECOWA World Day Youth Week
Seven days of youth-led activities, Cross-reception ceremony, teachings, leadership, and community outreach. The Cross received from Goaso Diocese will be hosted across all deaneries.
Young Catholic Professionals Forum
Diocesan level forum at the Pastoral Centre to integrate faith with career excellence, networking, and mentorship.
Expected Outcome: Database of all Youth Professions in the Catholic Church.
Youth Skills & Startup Hub
Deanery-level entrepreneurship and job-readiness workshops. Partnership with vocational organizations.
Expected Outcome: 80% parish participation; minimum 50 youth per deanery certified.
Environmental Awareness Month
Parish-wide tree planting exercises, environmental awareness talks, and cleaning exercises.
Expected Outcome: 100% of parishes plant minimum 20 trees each.
Training & Commissioning of Holy Childhood Animators
Pastoral Centre, Sunyani. Training and commissioning of animators as spiritual mentors for the youngest members.
Expected Outcome: 100% animator attendance; four verified children’s programs per parish.
Feast of the Assumption Pilgrimage
Queen of Peace Grotto, Amanfoso-Nsoatre. Maria Walk, youth-led Rosary, and spiritual renewal session.
Expected Outcome: 100% parish representation; 80% youth attendance.
Students Summer Camp
St. James SHS / NODASS / Don Bosco / CUG. Vocation rallies, catechism, and leadership workshops for JHS and SHS students.
Expected Outcome: 100% parish representation; minimum 10 students per parish.
Diocesan Synod on the Youth
Diocesan Level at the Pastoral Centre. Structured dialogue for youth voices to shape Church policy.
Expected Outcome: Synodal Decrees and Diocesan Policy on Youth.
Diocesan World Youth Day Celebration
Parish level celebrations with youth-led liturgies, cultural displays, Festival of Faith concert, and testimonies.
Expected Outcome: 100% of parishes; 80% participation of registered youth.
Youth Achievement & Awards Night
Formal dinner to honor outstanding youth contributions in liturgy, evangelization, and community service.
Expected Outcome: 100% of parishes host recognition event.
Climax of YOTY & Thanksgiving Mass
Grand Thanksgiving Mass at Diocesan and Parish levels. Year in Review documentary, launching of Youth Policy.
Expected Outcome: Final Diocesan YOTY Impact Report.
Monthly Action Plan Detailed Activities
📅 January 2026
Listening Sessions – Zonal level at Berekum Zone and Sunyani Zone
- Gather data on youth challenges and identity
- Submit “State of the Youth” report to Bishop
- Meeting with Diocesan Pastoral Council
- St. John Bosco Feast Celebration
- Launching of YOTY (Jan 31)
📅 February 2026
St. Thomas Aquinas Day (Feb 8-14) at St. James Seminary and CUG
- Eucharistic Celebrations
- Catechesis for SHS and Tertiary Students
- Vocation awareness and quizzes
- Diocesan Youth Rally (Feb 27 – Mar 1)
📅 March 2026
Lenten Season & Gethsemane Experience
- Lenten Pilgrimages and Retreats
- Stations of the Cross
- Sacrament of Reconciliation
- Divine Mercy Prayers
- Lenten Almsgiving and Charitable Works
📅 April 2026
Emmaus Walk (Apr 6) and RECOWA World Day Youth Week (Apr 19-27)
- Youth-organized Emmaus walk
- Cross-reception ceremony
- Youth-led liturgies and teachings
- Community outreach
📅 May 2026
Young Catholic Professionals Forum (May 1-2)
- Networking and mentorship mapping
- Youth Skills & Startup Hub
- Entrepreneurship workshops
- Job-readiness training
📅 June 2026
Environmental Awareness Month
- Parish-wide tree planting
- Environmental awareness talks
- Major cleaning exercises
- Laudato Si’ reflection
📅 July 2026
Training & Commissioning of Holy Childhood Animators
- Training at Pastoral Centre, Sunyani
- Commissioning by the Bishop
- Children’s Bible studies and quizzes
- Excursions for children
📅 August 2026
Feast of the Assumption Pilgrimage
- Maria Walk to Queen of Peace Grotto
- Youth-led Rosary
- Spiritual renewal session
- Completion of Instrumentum Laboris
📅 September 2026
Students Summer Camp at St. James SHS, NODASS, Don Bosco, CUG
- Vocation rallies
- Catechism and leadership workshops
- Apologetics training
- Certificate of participation
📅 October 2026
Rosary Month & Diocesan Synod on the Youth
- Youth-led Rosary Crusade
- Synod gathering at Pastoral Centre
- Synodal Decrees formulation
- Preparation for Youth Policy
📅 November 2026
Diocesan World Youth Day Celebration
- Youth-led liturgies
- Cultural displays
- Festival of Faith concert
- Promotion of Synodal Acts
📅 December 2026
Youth Achievement & Awards Night
- Formal dinner honoring youth
- YOTY Excellence Awards
- Recognition of outstanding contributions
- Inter-Parish Games & Quiz
📅 January 2027
Climax of YOTY & Thanksgiving Mass
- Grand Thanksgiving Mass
- Year in Review documentary
- Launching of Youth Policy
- Final Diocesan YOTY Impact Report
Synod on the Youth Timeline
Distribution of Lineamenta to Deanery/Parish Level
Listening Sessions & Collection of Feedback
Analysis and Writing of Instrumentum Laboris
Completion of Instrumentum Laboris
Preparation for the Synod
Diocesan Synod Gathering at Pastoral Centre
Promotion of Synodal Acts & Youth Policy
Key Dates at a Glance
Prayer for the Year of the Youth
🙏 Prayer for the Year of the Youth 🙏
Heavenly Father, Fountain of life, and source of our joy for mission, we thank You for the gift of our youth — for hearts full of hope, hands ready to serve. We praise you for the gift of the Year of the Youth to bring all young people together to celebrate and reawaken our zeal for you.
Lord Jesus Christ, You call the young to walk with You, to listen to Your voice, and to become witnesses of Your Gospel. Make us youthful in faith, joyful in hope, and courageous in love, that our lives may reflect our vocation as youthful disciples.
Holy Spirit, gentle breeze of life and fire of renewal, empower us with Your grace and fire. Strengthen our gifts, awaken our purpose, and guide our steps as missionary disciples. Make us bold in proclaiming the Gospel, and faithful in serving the Church and the world.
Send us forth, O God, on mission, to bring light where there is darkness, hope where there is despair, and love where there is hatred. Make us agents of peace, love, and unity and renew our Church.
May Mary, Mother of the Youth and Missionaries, walk with us throughout this year of the Youth and beyond.
We make our prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen!