The 2026 Catholic Youth Leadership Camp of the Diocese of Surat Thani officially opened on May 5 at the Cathedral of Archangel Raphael, bringing together young participants from parishes across southern Thailand for a week of faith formation, leadership training, and community building.
The opening day unfolded in an atmosphere of excitement as teenagers arrived to a warm welcome from priests, religious sisters, teachers, and volunteer mentors.
Designed as a residential faith-based program, the camp combines traditional youth activities with daily prayer, the Eucharist, and fellowship, offering participants an environment to deepen their spiritual lives while building friendships within the diocesan community.
Father Dolttisak Chatbanyong, youth chaplain of the Diocese of Surat Thani, said the camp seeks to nurture both faith and personal growth among young people.
Photo credit: Media Office, Surat Thani Diocese
He said the program encourages independence, responsibility, and a deeper relationship with God while strengthening ties among Catholic youth across the diocese.
The first day featured an energetic yet reflective “Walk Rally” at a public park, where participants moved through four interactive stations inspired by themes from Church teachings and adapted for young audiences.
At the first station, titled “Heartbeat Sync,” participants worked together to assemble a heart-shaped jigsaw puzzle bearing the message Dilexit Nos (“He loved us”) while using only one hand each.
Organizers said the activity highlighted cooperation, trust, and reliance on God.
A mentor explained that the exercise symbolized how each person forms part of the Sacred Heart and is called to align one’s life with God’s love.
The second station, “The Compass of Love,” focused on discernment and trust.
In a “Blind Trust” exercise, one participant, blindfolded, was guided by teammates through obstacles to uncover a hidden message.
A priest later reflected that, amid the uncertainties often faced by young people, God’s voice, encountered through Scripture and others, serves as a guide toward the right path.
Themes of mercy and inner transformation shaped the third station, “Heart of Flesh.”
Participants removed stones labeled with negative traits such as hatred, bullying, and selfishness from a sand tray and replaced them with symbols of virtues including forgiveness, gentleness, and attentive listening.
One participant said the activity emphasized the importance of letting go of hardness of heart and practicing compassion in daily life.
The fourth station, “Influencer of Hope,” encouraged participants to engage creatively with digital media.
Using their smartphones, participants produced short videos or digital posters based on inspirational messages, encouraging them to become active witnesses of hope in the online world.
Photo credit: Media Office, Surat Thani Diocese
A religious sister reminded the group that young people are not merely consumers of content, but “missionaries” called to spread God’s love through both media and daily actions.
At the center of the gathering was an image of Carlo Acutis, presented as a model for living faith in the digital age.
Known for his deep devotion and technological skills, Acutis used his talents to create websites documenting Eucharistic miracles before his death from leukemia at the age of 15.
“He is a role model for young people, and for all of us, on how to use technology wisely without being controlled by it,” a sister told participants.
As the camp continues, organizers said they hope the experience will help form young leaders rooted in faith and committed to bringing hope, compassion, and Gospel values into their communities.
