As part of the Annual Novena Procession celebrations, this year’s Novena Youth Rally 2025 was held on the evening of 5th September with the theme The Chapter: Foreword, in commemoration of the 75th Anniversary of St Alphonsus Church (Novena Church), Singapore. The theme captured the essence of faith being passed on from one generation to the next — a living story that continues to unfold.
The church we gather in today was built by the prayers, sacrifices, and choices of those who came before us. Because of their faith, we now stand on their legacy, with a story of our own to tell and share.
Pre-Event Workshops
Ahead of the rally, youths participated in creative and prayerful workshops that prepared their hearts for the celebration:
- Wax Seal: Letters to Mary — writing heartfelt letters of devotion.
- Bookmark Making: Lectio — crafting prayer reminders through Scripture reflection.
- Zine Workshop — reflecting on the story of their own lives and how God has been present in it.
A Celebration of Faith
The evening began with Holy Mass, celebrated by Fr Ivel Mendanha, C.Ss.R., who reminded everyone of the gift of faith, gratitude, and hope. He preached of a God who is faithful to His promises — the very reason we can hold onto hope and rejoice with grateful hearts.
The Rally Experience
After Mass, the rally opened with a moving dance expression by the Redemptorist Youth Ministry, set to Future by River Valley Worship. It was a reminder that God is with us as we write the next chapter forward together.
This flowed into a time of praise and worship, welcoming the Blessed Sacrament into the church. The youths then entered a moment of reflection:
- What is a victory story or a lesson learned in your life?
- How can you pass on a message of faith, hope, or encouragement to someone else?
Each participant wrote a prayer, testimony, or message of hope on a postcard, creating a tangible gift to exchange with one another.
A Night of Stories and Celebration
The rally concluded with a joyful time of praise, celebration, and the exchanging of postcards — a symbolic act of sharing faith stories, just as generations before having handed their faith to us.
In total, the rally gathered around 400 youths along with 100 Redemptorist Fathers and Brothers, uniting in thanksgiving for the past, rejoicing in the present, and looking forward with hope to the future.
Novena Church
Explore other anniversary events:
• Theological and Missiological Symposium – A Journey of Faith and Mission
