Not Just a Festival: My ACYF Reflection from Camille Mirasol (SFCA Vic)

When I attended the Australian Catholic Youth Festival (ACYF), I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect, aside from the excitement and anticipation leading up to it. Yet I had a sense that it would mark the beginning of something new and meaningful in my faith journey.

The first day felt surreal. Seeing so many (6,500 in fact) young people gathered on the cathedral grounds, filled to the brim with young people buzzing with anticipation for the days ahead, was unforgettable. Around 6,500 young people came together with a shared purpose, not only to celebrate their faith but to grow and strengthen it.

Praise and worship during the event was unlike anything I had experienced before. Witnessing so many people praising God created an atmosphere that was both powerful and reflective. Personally, praise and worship has not always been the space where I feel closest to God, as prayer has usually been where I encounter Him most deeply. Yet, over those three days, something within me shifted. My perspective began to change in ways I cannot fully explain, leaving a lasting impact on my faith. Ultimately, the experience reminded me that I am not alone in my journey, but part of a much larger community walking together toward God.

One of the speakers who stood out to me the most was Sister Mary Grace, from the Sisters of Life. During one plenary session, she spoke with such presence that she drew everyone in instantly. Later, I had the opportunity to attend her talk on How to Hear God’s Voice in Your Life, where she shared practical guidance on discerning God’s voice. She reminded us that in life, we hear from many sources: ourselves, the enemy, and God. To truly hear God, we must learn to shift the microphone toward the voice we choose to follow, which should be His. We sometimes forget that our goodness runs deeper than any dark thoughts we may have, and that God is not preoccupied with correcting us but is always lovingly caring for us. The enemy is powerless in the presence of our Saviour, and part of God’s work is not just to change our hearts but to liberate us from lies. We are invited to let the truth capture our attention and guide our lives.

God does not wait for us to come to Him; He comes to us. He meets us in our pain and suffering with mercy and love wherever we are. His love is so great that He desired to meet and know us as humans, and so He became human in the person of Jesus Christ. When we look to the cross, we are reminded that there is nothing we have gone through that Jesus has not walked through with us. The invitation remains: will you come before the God who meets us at the cross?