Join us on 2-3 August for Emmaus Festival!
You Are Invited
The festival will feature exciting speakers, workshops, Eucharistic Adoration, campfires, praise and worship (led by One Hope Project), and camping.
This is going to be a vibrant celebration of what it means to be young and invited to a life of HOPE!
Why EMMAUS?
We believe that every person should be given the opportunity to encounter Christ.
Our logo represents the disciples on road to Emmaus – who were downcast, afraid, in despair… And yet encountering the Risen Christ transformed their whole existence, so that they became Pilgrims of Hope.
This very experience is what we hope to bring to all the young people and young adults from our diocese: A real and transformative encounter with Christ. Just like the disciples on the road to Emmaus, Christ is calling YOU to come and meet him!
Why launch during the Jubilee Year?
On the week on 28 July – 3 August, young people from all over the world will gather in Rome to celebrate the Jubilee of Youth. We, along with Cardinal Vincent, invite you to celebrate with us here at SPEC!
Come with your youth group, with your friends, with your family, or even on your own and make friends here!
Most importantly, come as you are and have a real, personal encounter with Christ.
Day 1
09:30 – Arrivals
11:00 – Opening Liturgy (with One Hope Project)
12:30 – Lunch
14:30 – Penitential Liturgy and Adoration (with One Hope Project)
16:45 – Workshop or Guided Adoration
18:30 – Dinner
20:00 – Workshop or Guided Adoration
21:30 – Praise and Worship Vigil
23:00 – Campfire and Night Prayer
Day 2
07:30 – Morning Prayer – Lauds
08:00 – Breakfast
08:30 – Day Arrivals
09:30 – Vocations Panel
10:30 – Guest Speaker
11:30 – Mass
12:30 – Conclusion
14:00 – Lunch
Key Information
How much is a ticket?
Tickets are £33 for the whole weekend. They are being heavily subsidised by the Diocese. Payment can be made when signing up. Click here to register.
Food and Drink
All meals will be included; that is, Saturday lunch and dinner, Sunday breakfast and lunch.
Feel free to bring snacks, but please note that the SPEC Retreat Centre is a nut-free environment.
Accommodation
In true World Youth Day style, we will be sleeping in sleeping bags! We will have four areas for sleeping, divided by gender and age.
Please bring a sleeping bag and roll-mat as we will all be sleeping on the ground… no glamping here!
Age range
The festival is for post-Confirmation aged youth, with an upper age limit of 25.
Young people will journey with others their age in the following age-groups:
14-16 will need to come as a group with a registered group leader.
17 year-olds will be able to come on their own provided they have a parental consent form, which can be downloaded here.
18-25 will be in a separate group throughout the festival.
Volunteering opportunities will be available for those aged 25+. If you are interested please contact the retreat centre by email spec@rcdow.org.uk
Safeguarding
Young people under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a responsible adult; this includes groups with young people under 18.
To see the SPEC Retreat Centre Safeguarding policy, please click here.
What to bring
A full kit list will be sent to you closer to the time, but most importantly, bring yourself, a friend, and an excited mindset!