Douala, Cameroon. The Youth pastoral year in the Independent Delegation of Cameroun came to its end with the traditional camp, running from Thursday, 18th July to Sunday, 21st July 2024, at the Claret Youth Training Centre, Ndobo Bonaberi, Douala. It gathered over 200 young people from across the country who meditated together on the theme “Come to me as you are” (cf. Rm 13:13).

This theme, which animated the pastoral year, was the high point of Pope Francis’ message to the youth during the last World Youth Day in Portugal in 2023. The camp was daily animated by adoration and Eucharistic celebrations, during which the young people sought to draw closer to God, offering themselves as living sacrifices.

The youth also showcased their talents in an intellectual debate on “The spiritual aspect of the Church is largely demonstrated by young people”; an expression of their culture through traditional dance; and a choral competition with compositions based on number 9 of the constitution of our congregation and the general theme of the year. These activities concluded with various sporting events.

The closing Mass, celebrated by the Prefect of Youth and Vocations in Cameroon, was jointly animated by the youth. They were exhorted to be good shepherds in the little assignments they are given. The camp was indeed a great moment of spiritual fulfilment.