The Youth Eucharist (EKM) held by PERSINK KAJ, Kanisius College, and the regional Catholic high schools

The Youth Eucharist (EKM) is a unique Mass designed for Catholic Youth (OMK) to celebrate faith, brotherhood, and service. Run entirely by young people—from the altar servers and lectors to the praise band—the event blends contemporary music with sacred traditions to create a warm space for spiritual growth. EKM is a proud annual collaboration among PERSINK KAJ (non-catholic schools student association of Jakarta Archdiocese), Kanisius College, and regional private Catholic high schools, uniting students from both public and private backgrounds.

This year’s EKM brought 175 participants to Kanisius College on May 16, 2026. The event brought together PERSINK KAJ and four partner schools: SMA Kolese Kanisius, SMA/K Tarakanita, SMA Santa Theresia, and SMA Santa Ursula. Under the banner of “Connect and Ignite,” the theme highlighted the youth’s desire to connect deeply with God and each other, while igniting a burning passion for service, leadership, and Christian discipleship in daily life.

The success of EKM 2026 was rooted in two months of preparation, starting on March 16, 2026. Specialized student teams managed everything from logistics and security to design and liturgy. The youth organizers introduced creative enhancements to the Mass to maximize engagement without losing the solemnity of the Eucharist. Following a dress rehearsal on May 15, the team was equipped to deliver a flawless experience. This journey allowed the young committee members to bond deeply and mature together in their faith.

On game day, the committee set up starting at 1:00 PM and welcomed a packed crowd of students into the Kanisius College sports hall by 3:30 PM. A high-energy worship set kicked off the afternoon, followed by an eye-opening video presentation featuring honest interviews with youth about faith and modern social pressures—setting a perfect, reflective tone for a powerful Mass.

The EKM Mass kicked off at 4:00 PM, led by Father Alexander Koko Siswijayanto, S.J., and Father Albertus Buddy Haryadi, S.J. A magnificent student orchestra and choir filled the hall with energy far grander than that of a standard weekly Mass, while a unique penitential monologue set a deeply reflective, prayerful tone.

The highlight of the afternoon was a pre-homily drama about a student committee finding the strength to carry on their mission through Christ. Building on this theme, Father Koko Siswijayanto, S.J., delivered an homily urging the youth to reconnect with God and let their actions—not just their words—bring Christ’s perfect love to the world through daily respect and care for others.

The event left a lasting impact through several meaningful and creative touches:

• A Moving Monologue: Backed by beautiful organ music, the phrase “I come home because I long for You“ served as a heartfelt invitation to silent personal reflection and repentance.
• The Lantern Procession: Youth ministers carried glowing lanterns during the prayers and placed them behind the altar, beautifully symbolizing the “igniting” of their faith.
• A Call to Action: The vibrant music and communal prayer reminded students that while life, school, and friendships will bring difficulties, they can conquer them together.

Ultimately, Eucharist Youth 2026 proved to our young Catholics that being a disciple of Christ means turning faith into action, stepping up to care for others, and bringing light into the dark corners of the world.

Contributor: Christian Alfonso Liyanto, Klara Nadia Paulina, Stella Celina Swarnady – PERSINK KAJ