The Malolos youth contemplate and pray during Taizé prayer. (Photo: Myraine Policarpio)
GUIGUINTO, Bulacan, Aug. 3, 2016 – At a gathering held in unity with the young people at the World Youth Day (WYD) in Krakow, a prelate called on the youth to continue developing all aspects of their being with enthusiasm.
“I urge you to maintain the passion and dynamism in attaining intellectual and spiritual development,” said Malolos Bishop Jose Oliveros via recorded video message at the two-day local celebration of the World Youth Day held in the Diocese of Malolos on Sunday, July 31.
According to DCY Youth Coordinator Barry Antonio, the DCY, headed by its chairman, Fr. Gener Garcia, “is giving more efforts in formation activities to further nurture our youth with the knowledge and wisdom on how to serve the Church and develop their spirituality with their fellow youth.”
Sharing learnings
Hand in hand with this message of self-realization was the prelate’s call to young people to live out mercy. “In this local celebration of the WYD, you may experience God’s mercy, and after the event, I call upon you to share to others, especially to your fellow youth, what you have learned,” said Oliveros, who was unable to be physically present at the event.
Aside from conducting Youth Encounter Seminars, the youth commission also created a module, “Youth Empowerment Seminar or YES“, which aims to orient the youth down to the parish level about their important roles in the Church. The said event also acts as a team-building activity which intends to mobilize inactive parish or vicarial youth.
Fr. Sonny de Armas and Fr. Oscar Christian Duran, Vice Chairman of the Diocesan Commission on Youth, celebrated a Holy Mass to conclude the activity.
‘Heavenly things’
During his homily, de Armas explained that everyone must focus his attention on “heavenly things” because earthly possessions may fade. “Joining the WYD celebration that is being held in Poland, through this simultaneous local gathering, shows our little way of focusing our attention [on] those things that can bring us to holiness,” he said.
he priest also reminded the young participants to heed Pope Francis’ call to practice the “Corporal Acts of Mercy” and the “Spiritual Acts of Mercy”.
He emphasized two spiritual works the youth can practice daily: Instruct the ignorant and counsel the doubtful. The priest laid down some concrete instances and experiences wherein we can exercise these acts. (Myraine Policarpio / CBCPNews)
