Encounter Festival 2026

Encounter Festival 2026 is a weekend of prayer, reflection, community, and joy rooted in the Carmelite tradition.

What is Encounter Festival?

Encounter Festival is a weekend gathering created to help young adults step away from noise, pressure, and routine in order to encounter Christ more deeply. Through shared prayer, reflection, conversation, Eucharistic worship, silence, and friendship, the festival offers a space where faith can be renewed, courage can be strengthened, and hope can be rekindled. This is not simply an event to attend, but an experience of spiritual renewal. In the Carmelite spirit, we believe that silence is not emptiness, but a place of meeting. It is in attentive stillness that the Lord forms the heart.

In the silence courage is formed

This year’s theme grows from the words of Jesus: “Take courage; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) In a world marked by uncertainty, anxiety, distraction, and constant pressure, courage is often mistaken for confidence, noise, or control. But the Gospel reveals another kind of courage: one born from communion with Christ. This is the invitation of Pope Leo XIV to young people The Encounter Festival 2026 invites participants to discover that true courage is formed interiorly. It grows through prayer, silence, trust, and deeper awareness of God’s presence. This is the courage to face fear honestly, to remain rooted in hope, and to live faithfully in the ordinary realities of life.

Who is this for?

Encounter Festival 2026 is for young adults who desire:

Deeper prayer

Space for reflection

Authentic Christian community

Renewed courage in faith

Time away to listen to God

Whether you are confident in faith, searching more deeply, or simply in need of spiritual renewal, you are welcome.

For those unable to cover the full amount, we offer financial support. Please reach out to us on encounter@carmelites.org.uk if that is the case.

Agenda

05:00 PM - 06:00 PM

Friday 26th - Arrival

The Festival starts at 17:00 with a welcome to all arrivals and introductions to one another and the Carmelite fathers.

06:00 PM - 07:30 PM

Friday 26th - Dinner

Following our welcome, we will all sit down for dinner together to get the weekend started. Please let us know if you have any dietary requirements!

08:00 PM

Friday 26th - Devotion

Following dinner, we will enjoy a moment of shared devotion as we reflect on the courage that we can draw knowing that Christ is with us. Following prayers, everyone is invited to enjoy their free time and retire to their accommodations to get well rested for the day ahead.

07:45 AM

Saturday 27th - Morning Prayer

Our morning will start with shared prayers and a presentation on on fear and where it lives within us. Afterwards, there will be time to reflect and converse on the teachings.

02:00 PM

Saturday 27th - Free Time

After a big morning of spiritual reflection, the afternoon will be given over to free time. Attendants can use the time to rest and relax or join us for an Emmaus Walk.

08:00 PM

Saturday 27th - Workshops

The evening will host a number of workshops focused on our own relationship with God and awareness of His presence in our lives.

07:45 AM

Sunday 28th - Testimonies

On the morning of our last day, we will hear personal testimonies about finding courage and strength in our faith.

12:45 PM

Sunday 28th - Mass

Our last event of the weekend will be a Mass followed by some time to think about all the things we have experienced. After bidding each other a fond farewell, we will depart.