Local News
Letter about Abbey Youth Fest
Published: February 16, 2012
This letter was sent to the Georgia Bulletin for the Catholic youth of the Archdiocese of Atlanta:
Peace be with you and greetings from St. Joseph Seminary College in St. Benedict, Louisiana! My name is Jack Knight; I am a seminarian from our diocese, and I would like to extend to you an invitation to Abbey Youth Fest, a youth rally coordinated by my seminary.
On March 10, St. Joseph Abbey Seminary College will host its 12th annual Abbey Youth Fest, which is a full day of contemporary Catholic music, inspiring keynote speakers, and the celebration of the Mass. As the sun sets, we unite with the Benedictines in vespers, the Evening Prayer of the Church, and we end the night with candlelight adoration of the Blessed Sacrament—all underneath the stars. Throughout the festival, you will have the opportunity for personal prayer in an outdoor chapel, confession with visiting priests, a tour of St. Joseph Abbey, and exposure to several religious orders and various ministries who set up information booths to share their charisms with the thousands of Catholic youth in attendance.
My first Abbey Youth Fest was in March 2010. It was such a blessing to witness over 2,000 teens come together to testify to the universal call to holiness. This teen event was a blessing to all who attended. This year, two youth groups from our archdiocese are already coming and I would love to extend an invite to you and your friends from the Archdiocese of Atlanta to join us at AYF. The event is an unforgettable and priceless experience you just don’t get in the city.
The theme is, “Restless,” which is taken from St. Augustine’s Confessions: “My heart is restless until it rests in you, O Lord.” The event will feature Mark Hart, vice-president of Life Teen and youth speaker. Catholic musicians L’Angelus and Ayleron, will provide a rockin’ good time! The event will provide reflections upon and an experience of the beauty of God. So ask your youth minister to get a group together and make the trip to South Louisiana. I hope that you will be able to join me, 80 other seminarians, the Benedictine monks of St. Joseph Abbey, several priests and religious from all over the country, and thousands of Catholic youth in worshipping our Lord and searching for the vocation to which He calls us.
For more information and pictures from previous festivals, check out our website at www.AbbeyYouthFest.com and find us on Facebook. You are in my prayers; may our hearts, like St. Augustine’s, find eternal rest in the heart of God.
Jack Knight
St. Benedict, La.
