KOHIMA, June 28: The 5th Regional Catholic Youth Convention 2025, hosted in Kohima, Nagaland, has brought together thousands of young faithful from across the Northeast in a vibrant celebration of faith, culture, and purpose. Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, attending as a special invitee, delivered a series of powerful addresses urging the region’s youth to rise above barriers and become torchbearers of change.
Held at the Mary Help of Christians Cathedral, the four-day convention is 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,” reflects the Church’s mission to guide young Catholics toward a future rooted in Christ, community, and cultural pride.
Inaugurating the convention on Friday, CM Sangma praised the event’s youthful energy and unity, describing the gathering as “a convergence of passionate minds, vibrant cultures, and powerful voices.”
“Youth is our strength,” he said. “It’s very encouraging to see young people engaging in meaningful programmes like this to build their faith, strengthen their sense of community, and take pride in their roots.”
Sangma’s address struck a deeply motivational chord as he encouraged youth to overcome self-doubt and adopt a mindset of resilience. “Stay rooted in your culture and faith. Learn from your failures, keep pushing, and never give up until you reach your goals,” he said.
Striking a balance between faith and ambition, the Chief Minister also made a strong pitch for entrepreneurship and self-reliance.He called on Northeast youth to move beyond a dependency on reservations and challenge themselves to lead as innovators and job creators.
“The moment we say we are tribals and we can’t do it, we’ve already failed,” Sangma said. “We must shed this mindset and compete with the best. Why wait for others when we can build our own enterprises?”
Using Meghalaya’s demographics to highlight the potential, he stated, “Out of 38 lakh population, 18 lakh are below the age of 20. The youth can either be our greatest strength or our biggest challenge—it all depends on how we guide and empower them.”
He further reminded the audience that leadership begins with humility and purpose, encouraging the youth to aim high while staying grounded in values.
Sangma, known for his musical talent, also delighted the crowd with a surprise performance, singing The Beatles’ “Let It Be” to an enthusiastic audience blending music, message, and ministry in a memorable moment.
The spiritual momentum of the event was set by Archbishop of Imphal and NERYC Chairman, Most Rev. Dr. Linus Neli, who led the Holy Mass and delivered a sermon in line with the convention’s core theme.
This year’s event also marks the Silver Jubilee of the Indian Catholic Youth Movement (ICYM), the official youth wing under the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI).
With a packed schedule of workshops, prayer services, cultural showcases, and leadership talks, the convention promises to be a transformative platform for young people to renew their faith, celebrate their identity, and step boldly into the future.
The 5th Regional Youth Convention will continue through June 30.
