Bishop Iyad Twal, Patriarchal Vicar for Jordan, presided over the Mass of Our Lady, Mother of Youth, at Beit Al-Liqa Center in Madaba on Friday, September 25, 2026. He was accompanied by Fr. Khaled Qamouh, Secretary General of the Vicariate. The celebration carried a message of hope and encouragement, inviting young people to face life’s challenges with faith, wisdom, and perseverance.
In his homily, Bishop Twal addressed the challenges facing young people in a rapidly changing world, where countless ideas, trends, and influences, particularly through social media, shape their choices and aspirations. He emphasized the importance of listening to the voice of divine wisdom amid the many competing voices of modern society, noting that knowledge alone is not enough to build a meaningful life.
“Knowledge tells us what to do, but wisdom teaches us why we do it and how to live it with love and faith,” he said.
Reflecting on the popular social media phrase “Save yourself,” Bishop Twal invited young people to consider its deeper meaning and distinguish between distancing themselves from harmful situations and avoiding responsibilities or challenges that contribute to personal growth and maturity. He stressed that difficulties are not always obstacles to achieving one’s dreams but can also become opportunities to discover inner strength and deepen one’s trust in God.
“Do not seek the easiest path, but the path that leads you to life,” Bishop Twal urged, explaining that genuine faith does not mean living without trials but finding the strength to overcome them. He pointed to Christ, who did not flee from the Cross but embraced it with confidence and hope in the Resurrection and new life.
Bishop Twal also encouraged young people to distinguish between what they must avoid, such as sin, addiction, violence, and hatred, and the challenges they must confront, including fear, failure, discouragement, and laziness. He reminded them that meaningful dreams require patience, strong relationships demand maturity, and spiritual growth calls for perseverance.
Concluding his homily, Bishop Twal offered young people three practical invitations: to seek wisdom before making decisions, to remain courageous in the face of trials, and to persevere when confronted with difficulties. He encouraged them to discover their personal vocation and mission, emphasizing that God sees in each of them the potential to become a saint, a leader, and a light to others.
He concluded with a message of hope: “Blessed are those who walk with God’s wisdom, for today’s struggles will become tomorrow’s strength, the tears shed along the journey will one day turn into joy, and those who trust in the Lord will never be disappointed.”
