As we talk about Mini World Youth Day good memories of Durban come back. Once more the Catholic Church gives young people an opportunity to reflect upon their identity and role in the world of today.

As a young person in South Africa, Botswana, Swaziland and other neighboring countries, grab this experiential opportunity of joining other young people. These are the days of grace for you to attain that hope and courage of going beyond what is obvious and see the beauty of life.

Gauteng you are the hosts. Show the world that you are the power of Africa and South Africa. We are expecting much more from you than anybody else. Catholic Church has given you this opportunity and you are bound to use it well.

See below for more detail

Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference
DEPARTMENT OF LAITY – YOUTH OFFICE
129 Main Street PO Box 941
Waterkloof Pretoria
0181 0001
Tel: 012 323 6458 Fax: 012 326 6218
Email: tmdlamini@sacbc.org.za

28th January 2020
Dear Nuncio, Cardinal, Archbishops, Bishops, Administrators and Religious Superiors, Diocesan Youth Chaplains, Coordinators, Mentors, Youth Leaders and Committees, Parish Priests, Diocesan Pastoral Councils, Parish Pastoral Councils, Councils for Priests, Youth, Young Adults, Associations / Sodalities / Movements of Young People, the faithful

Re: Mini World Youth Day 2020
The Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC) last hosted the Mini World Youth Day (MWYD) in Durban in December 2017. This pilgrimage of Young People was attended by the Youth and Young Adults from our Conference area (South Africa, Botswana and ESwatini) and those from Mozambique and Zimbabwe. The Days before the MWYD were called Days in Parishes (DIP) and were hosted in the Diocese of Mariannhill and Eshowe. Over a 1000 young people attended and were hosted in Families, parish houses, convents and monasteries / religious houses. Our Young people were so appreciative of the hospitality and love they received during those days.

The bishops at the Plenary 2020 on the 25th January approved in principle the proposal by the Department for Formation, Life and Apostolate of the Laity – Youth Office to have another Mini World Youth Day.

Days in Parishes (DIP): 05 – 09 December 2020
Host Dioceses: Archdiocese of Johannesburg
Diocese of Witbank
Diocese of Bethlehem
Other Dioceses will still be confirmed

Mini World Youth Day (MWYD) 09 – 13 December 2020
Host Diocese: Archdiocese of Pretoria

We are grateful to the Bishops of the SACBC for granting another chance for this Pilgrimage to take place. We are mandated to start direct preparations and we will follow the requirements as in the resolutions of the January Plenary 2020 and report on the progress. We are also thankful to the above mentioned dioceses for their willingness to host the Pilgrimage and its preliminary activities. This is an opportunity for us to come and put into practice the words of Jesus when he commanded us to “Love one another”. We invite all Youth and Young Adults of our Conference area and beyond, together with the Bishops, Clergy, Religious, Mentors and Coordinators to join this Pilgrimage.

It is important to note the following as GOALS for the Mini World Youth Day.
a. It is an expression of the universal Church – All Catholics are to play a role.
b. It is an instrument of evangelization in the world of youth.
c. It is an ‘epiphany’ of a youthful church – a dynamic energy.
d. It is an effective sign of ecclesial communion – brings all Cultures and Races together.
e. It is a faith pilgrimage – in spiritual and practical aspect
We would like to encourage all communities to send Young people in numbers to this Pilgrimage.

Registration procedures
The registration details will be issued at the beginning of March with registration packages. Start fundraising to attend. We request all dioceses to set up Diocesan Coordination teams and send us their names and contact details.

Sincerely Yours,

+Stanislaw Jan Dziuba, OSPPE, Bishop of Umzimkhulu Diocese
Fr. Mthembeni Dlamini, CMM, SACBC Liaison Bishop for Youth SACBC Youth Chaplain