The six-month Ember programme, running from October 2026 to April 2027, invites young adults aged 18–25, to deepen their faith and explore what it means to put Catholic social teaching into practice, alongside their existing commitments such as university, work and other responsibilities.
Ember is rooted in a conviction at the heart of Columban mission: that faith calls us to encounter the realities facing our world and respond with action. In Britain, the Columbans accompany and stand in solidarity with people seeking sanctuary, including through prayer, education and campaigning for a more welcoming approach to migrants and refugees. Around the world, Columbans accompany communities facing the impacts of poverty, climate change and environmental injustice. In Pakistan, Columban missionaries have supported communities affected by devastating floods and responded to the needs of people particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. In Fiji, Columban work includes supporting communities to care for the environment through initiatives such as tree planting and coastal clean-ups. Together, these examples show how Columban mission seeks to stand alongside people living on the margins and experiencing injustice, while responding to the interconnected challenges facing our common home.
Ember offers young adults an opportunity to do exactly this: to move beyond simply learning about justice to experiencing it, reflecting on it and finding ways to put their faith into action.
The programme will be led from the Columban side by James Trewby, Columban Justice, Peace and Ecology Coordinator. In his role, James works with young adults and educators to explore the relationship between faith, justice and action through experience and encounter.
“For me, Ember is about creating a space where young adults can bring together the different parts of their lives – their faith, their concerns about the world and their desire to make a difference. We want to journey with them as they discover that justice isn’t simply something we talk about; it is something we are called to live, together, through encounter, reflection and action,” explains James.
Ember meetings will alternate between Zoom discussions and in-person days of reflection and action, including a day of encounter with sanctuary seekers in the UK. A series of events, actions and experiences, drawn from the wider Catholic justice and peace network, will be provided each month, and participants can opt to join those that resonate with them most. Participants will also be paired with mentors who share their interests and have experience in those areas, offering personal accompaniment as they explore their own faith journey.
Financial support for attending events is also available, thanks to the generosity of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace, helping to make participation more accessible.
The programme reflects Pope Francis’ call for young adults to take an active role in shaping the world around them. In Christus Vivit, he reminds the Church that young adults are not simply the future, but “the now of God”, already making their contribution to the Church and society.
For the Columbans, this is an important part of our mission. Young adults bring energy, questions, creativity and new perspectives to the Church’s work for justice and peace. Ember seeks not simply to offer them a programme, but to create a community in which they can discern how their faith might shape the way they live and act in the world.
If you are ready to go beyond talking about justice and start living it with others who share your passions, we would love to hear from you! Applications are open until mid October 2026.
You can register your interest at https://tinyurl.com/Ember26 or contact TheEmberProgramme@gmail.com with any questions.
