Over 50 young Catholics from Pretoria recently took to the streets of Mbombela, also known as Nelspruit, to preach the Gospel on foot. This initiative was organised by the Neocatechumenal Way and formed part of October Mission Month 2026, which commemorates the 100th anniversary of World Mission Sunday. The event brought together young people from Pretoria who were willing to share their faith with others.
The young pilgrims were armed with guitars, testimonies, and songs as they engaged with locals in open-air encounters. Their mission was to share the core message of the Christian faith with passersby and residents of Mbombela. The group was joined by seminarians from the Redemptoris Mater Seminary in Cape Town and the Franciscan Missionary Sisters from St Peter’s School, highlighting the collaborative nature of the event.
The street pilgrimage was designed to mirror the biblical sending of the apostles in the Gospel of Luke. By leaving behind their everyday comforts, including bags, money, and walking staffs, the young Catholics aimed to emulate the apostles and focus on sharing their faith. This experience was seen as an opportunity for the youth to grow in their faith and prepare for future evangelisation efforts.
According to Fr Juan Andrés, a Guatemalan missionary who accompanied the youth, the pilgrimage served as a dress rehearsal for World Youth Day 2027 in Seoul, South Korea. The event aimed to teach the young people what it means to be sent and to proclaim their faith with conviction. By participating in this experience, the youth were able to learn valuable lessons about evangelisation and faith-sharing.
Throughout the weekend, the young pilgrims held spontaneous street meetings, sharing personal testimonies of faith with those they encountered. The visible joy and intentional simplicity of the youth prompted numerous residents to stop and ask about the source of their conviction. Organisers described the weekend as a success, noting that the event had a positive impact on both the participants and the locals they interacted with.
The outreach event was part of a larger effort to prepare young people for World Youth Day 2027. By participating in experiences like this pilgrimage, the youth are able to develop their skills and confidence in sharing their faith with others. This, in turn, will enable them to become more effective evangelisers and missionaries in their own communities.
The young people’s experience in Mbombela demonstrates the importance of intentional evangelisation efforts in South Africa. As the Catholic community continues to grow and evolve, events like this pilgrimage will play a crucial role in shaping the faith and practices of young Catholics. By engaging with their peers and sharing their faith, these young people are helping to spread the Gospel message in their communities.
Key points
- The pilgrimage was a dress rehearsal for World Youth Day 2027 in Seoul, South Korea.
- The event was part of October Mission Month 2026, which commemorates the 100th anniversary of World Mission Sunday.
- The young pilgrims were accompanied by seminarians and missionary sisters who supported their evangelisation efforts.
