The anticipation had been building as I counted down the days until the Australian Catholic Youth Festival 2025 in Melbourne (30 November - 2 December). It was going to be my first ACYF.

As a proud member of the St Vincent de Paul Society’s Spirit of Youth Committee, I felt a mix of excitement and curiosity about what would await me there. I had been looking forward to meeting other young people who shared my faith, my energy, and my passion for service, and I hoped the festival would be an opportunity to grow deeper in both my faith and compassion, a reminder of why being part of the Society means so much to me.

In the lead-up to the festival, I often reflected on my involvement with the Spirit of Youth Committee. Being part of SOY had already encouraged me to step into leadership, to listen, and to advocate for young people within our mission of compassion and justice. As ACYF approached, I hoped the experience would broaden my perspective and help me understand how young Catholics across Australia lived out their faith in meaningful and practical ways.

Since this was going to be my first time attending ACYF, everything felt new and unknown in the best way. I had not attended any previous festivals, so I approached it with open expectations and a willingness to learn. I could imagine the energy, the music, the speakers, and the shared moments of prayer, and I felt excited by the thought of being surrounded by thousands of young people who believed in building a more compassionate world.

From the festival, I hoped to gain a stronger sense of purpose in my faith, in my personal journey, and in my work with Vinnies. I wanted to gather new ideas, deepen my understanding of service, and connect with others who were just as passionate about creating positive change.

Even before the festival began, ACYF already felt like a defining moment in my journey. I looked forward to the inspiration, the connection, and the encouragement I believed it would bring, and I felt grateful for the opportunity to attend as a Member of the Society.