The official image for the Year of Youth was unveiled at the Australian Catholic Youth Festival (ACYF) in Sydney which saw thousands of youth gathered from 7-9 December. Photo: Supplied.
The official image for the Year of Youth was last week unveiled at the Australian Catholic Youth Festival (ACYF) in Sydney which saw thousands of youth gathered from 7 to 9 December.
The Catholic Bishops Year of Youth was launched in local communities around Australia on the first Sunday of Advent, Sunday, December 3, 2017 and the national launch took place at the Australian Catholic Youth Festival in Sydney.
The Year of Youth image is titled Christ our Joy and was painted by artist, Amunda Gorey in Alice Springs.
The image, which will be central to the celebration and prayerful discernment of local Australian communities throughout the Year of Youth, was unveiled at the Youth Festival.
Director of the Australian Catholic Bishop Conference’s Office for Youth Malcolm Hart, said the image tells the story of young people in the current landscape of our Australian Church as they journey toward Christ.
Ms Gorey was identified by the Australian Catholic Youth Council for her use of vibrant colour which depicts youthfulness and the joy that is central to the spiritual focus of the Year of Youth. Her previous work has also shown a depth of spirituality that is authentic to our Australian tradition.
Christ our Joy is rich in symbolism, tradition and meaning. It depicts the diversity of young people through the use of varied colour, shaped and sized dots. Some are gathered in communities, others more isolated. Some are closer to God or the cross, others further away.
The central figures are Jesus and Mary against a cross. They point to the Resurrection as the source of our Joy. Jesus extends a hand toward his mother Mary, and with her to the Church; with his other hand he points them all to his Father-God.
“Everyone will see, feel and sense the painting differently. Each is valued as our stories and experiences are different,” Ms Gorey said.
Christ our Joy was available in the chapel throughout the Australian Catholic Youth Festival for personal prayer and reflection on how youth can open new horizons for spreading joy in this Year of Youth. It is hoped that all communities of faith will find inspiration in this image as they respond to the invitation to a Year of Youth.