Celebration of faith and peace at children’s festival in Belarus

The Catholic Church in Belarus is highly involved in pastoral work with children and young people. Every week, hundreds of children attend catechesis, and every year, many children receive their first Holy Communion. During the Soviet period, the practice of religion was severely restricted, but thanks to the faith that was passed on by grandparents, the Church still has deep roots. 

Children’s Festival Day is a special event for the Catholic Church in Belarus and takes place with the support of Aid to the Church in Need’s donors.  Children’s Festival Day has proven to be a great success over the last three to four years. It started with 100 participants, but this year, about 2,000 children from various dioceses were present. The day combines play and prayer, and brings the children closer to God while strengthening the community within the Church. 

A moving moment from this year’s festival was the release of doves to represent peace and the Holy Spirit. This act was a reminder of how important it is to pray for peace today – peace in our hearts, in our families, in society, and in the world. The children also learned the dove’s spiritual meaning as a symbol of the Holy Spirit, who gives us His gifts. Releasing the doves meant joy. And the most beautiful thing is when a child is cheerful and happy.  

“We are extremely grateful to Aid to the Church in Need for their great help in organizing this event. Thanks to this help, we were able to organize a real festival of faith for the young Church of the Diocese of Grodno, which wants to build its life on God and with God,” says a message from Grodno.  

Let us also pray for Belarus, a country with considerable challenges, so that prayer will strengthen the faith of our brothers and sisters in these difficult times!