Celebration of Faith, Community, and Service Marks the Jubilee Year

The Annual Catholic Schools Mass for Grade 11 learners in the Archdiocese of Johannesburg took place over two days, May 14 and 15, 2025, at the Cathedral of Christ the King, uniting hundreds of students from Catholic schools throughout the Archdiocese. This celebration was part of a long-standing tradition that spans over 30 years and was particularly significant this year as it coincided with the Church’s Jubilee Year, centered on the theme “Hope Does Not Disappoint.”

The Mass was presided over by Fr Thabo Mothiba, OMI, chaplain at St Benedict’s College, and was marked by energetic liturgical music, youth-led readings and prayers, and a spirit of unity. Students actively participated in all aspects of the celebration, reflecting the vitality of Catholic education and the importance of spiritual formation.

“It’s important for the children to know how valuable they are to the Church,” said Fr Mothiba OMI. “Them working together means that they also work with God. They make God’s plan a reality through being good, loving, and caring for one another. Hope never disappoints—and that’s the message every young person needs to hear today.”

A Living Expression of the Jubilee Theme

Beyond the liturgical celebration, students were encouraged to live out their faith through action. Each school brought food donations which were handed over to the Cathedral Soup Kitchen, an outreach ministry that feeds the homeless and hungry in downtown Johannesburg.

Cathedral Soup Kitchen volunteers said they were moved by the students’ generosity.

“We’re grateful to the Catholic schools, their parents and pupils for the donation they made this morning, this helps the people who live on the street and have nothing. We give them warm food every morning. Thank you for helping the poor—we cook for them every day,” they said

Formation and Identity

Rosa Calaca, from the Catholic Schools Office in the Archdiocese of Johannesburg, highlighted the deep formation and sense of Catholic identity that this annual gathering helps nurture.

“We are the working arm of the Catholic Board of Education, and our goal is to ensure that our schools uphold their Catholic ethos, identity, and governance,” she said. “This Mass brings learners together as a visible sign of our unity and faith.”

She also noted that the Mass serves as a pilgrimage—a significant spiritual experience for learners that is integrated into the broader religious education programme of Catholic schools.

“Each school is given a task to prepare. It’s not just a Mass—it’s a deeply enriching experience that brings hope and strengthens the sense of belonging to a global network of Catholic schools,” she added.

Learner Reflections

Several students also reflected on their personal experiences during the Mass:

A Grade 11 learner from St Benedict’s College said, “It was good to see everyone here and come together safely. I especially enjoyed the singing. It was a powerful experience—I’d come back anytime.”

The Annual Catholic Schools Mass is more than a yearly liturgical event—it is a spiritual milestone in the lives of young Catholics, a celebration of Catholic education, and a call to service and compassion.

As Fr Mothiba OMI reminded the young people, “You are part of God’s plan. Through your kindness and your presence, you bring Christ’s hope into the world.”