North East Catholic Convention in Kohima unites thousands in faith and culture
Kohima, June 28: A sea of young Catholic faithful from across the north east have descended on the Nagaland capital-Kohima on Friday for the much-anticipated 5th Regional Youth Convention 2025, a four-day programme filled with faith, fellowship and cultural exchanges.
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, who was a special invitee to the event, inaugurated the convention that is being hoisted at Kohima’s iconic Mary Help of Christians Cathedral in the presence of the Archbishops of Guwahati, Shillong and Imphal.
The convention, which runs from June 27 to 30, is being organized by the Nagaland Catholic Youth Movement (NCYM) in collaboration with the North Eastern Regional Youth Commission – Indian Catholic Youth Movement (NERYC-ICYM).
This year’s theme, “Pilgrims of Hope,” is a reflection of the Catholic Church’s mission to inspire young believers to strengthen their faith, embrace their roles as disciples of Christ, and foster unity across diverse cultures.
Excited to witness such a large turnout of young devotees, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma praised the assembly of “passionate young minds, vibrant cultures, and powerful voices.”
“Youth is our strength and it’s very encouraging to see them engage in meaningful programmes like these to build their faith, strengthen their sense of community and take pride in their roots,” said the Meghalaya Chief Minister during the Convention’s inauguration.
Sangma encouraged the youth to persevere and not give up, to learn from their failures and to push forward till they reach their goals. He urged them to contribute to their communities and keep the spirit of brotherhood and unity wherever they go, “Stay rooted in your culture and faith,” said Conrad Sangma emphasizing the importance of unity in Christ.
Known for his musical talent since his young days and with the audience eagerly expecting a performance from the chief minister, Conrad Sangma took the stage before a packed auditorium to deliver a heartfelt rendition of The Beatles song “Let It Be” captivating the gathered Catholic youth with his special musical tribute.
Earlier, the convention’s spiritual tone was set by Most Rev. Dr. Linus Neli, Chairman of NERYC and Archbishop of Imphal, who delivered a stirring sermon aligning with the event’s theme and led the faithful in offering Holy Mass.
This year’s convention has an added significance- it marks the Silver Jubilee of the Indian Catholic Youth Movement or ICYM, the official youth body under the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI) Youth Commission.
With a packed schedule of prayer sessions, workshops, cultural performances, and discussions, the convention expects to be a transformative experience for all participants in reinforcing their faith in Christ.
