CAINTA, RIZAL, Jan. 1, 2015 –Hundreds of youth from the Diocese of Antipolo ended the year with a blast at the Our Lady of Light Parish, reflecting on the 16th Diocesan Youth Day theme “Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven” and sub-theme “Mercy and Compassion.”
“Learn this poverty of spirit, while young!”, said Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, who presided over the opening Mass on Dec. 27.
The young people of the Diocese of Antipolo hold on to the Cross after the synthesis of the 16th Diocesan Youth Day on Dec. 29, 2014 at the Cainta Catholic College Auditorium. (Photo: KaDA)
The prelate emphasized dependence on God’s graces and how the faithful should learn to empty themselves, allowing God to fill every inch of their being.
According to Tagle, “Blessedness comes from God. Blessedness is the action of God, and only God can give it, it is what God does in you and for you!”
He also encouraged the young people, who came from every vicariate of the Diocese of Antipolo, to practice being poor in Spirit, telling them not to build their own kingdom but instead, to find true happiness in the kingdom of heaven.
The top shepherd of the Archdiocese of Manila commended groups and organizations for having activities reflecting on pastoral themes, while acknowledging the challenges that need to be faced.
The delegates experienced the ‘Station Walk’ on Dec. 28, the second day of the event, to meditate further on the real meaning of being poor.
The first station focused on being poor in Spirit, while the second encouraged the delegates to make poverty in Spirit a way of life. The third station was about converting the way the poor are seen and the last station was about learning from the poor.
The delegates got a chance to apply every bit of learning they acquired on Dec. 29 when they had an immersion with some Hapag-Asa Kids.
They carried out a module, gave gifts to the kids and spent time talking to them.
To synthesize the entire 16th DYD experience, everyone, including delegates, volunteers, even the auditorium staff and custodians came together in prayer with hands touched to the Diocesan Pilgrims’ Cross. (Chrixy Paguirigan/CBCPNews)
