MANILA, Dec. 10, 2012—The new Filipino Cardinal reminded young people to stay true to their calling as young missionaries of faith and always put God in the center of their lives despite busy schedule.
Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle at a gathering of young people in the archdiocese and nearby dioceses encouraged the young to keep their youthfulness, patriotism, courage, missionary spirit, humility, and to always remember God even in the midst of busy school life and schedule.
More than 1,200 young people from all over Metro Manila attended the gathering last December 4 at the Rizal Stadium in Malate to show their support to the new cardinal.
The event titled “KAibigan TOTOo (Katoto): Kardinal Chito”, was organized by young people from the Archdiocese of Manila and nearby dioceses to give their support to the Cardinal for his new responsibility as a Prince of the Church and the Primate of the Philippines.
Tagle during his talk emphasized that the youth are always energetic and the real source of it is the meaning and purpose of life.
“If you have significance in life, you have hope. And if you have the energy to struggle in your everyday life, you remain knowledgeable on the true purpose and meaning of your life,” Tagle said to the youth participants.
He also expressed that a young person can be a patriot by loving his race, by being Filipino and by loving the country and fellow Filipinos, because everyone must believe that there is hope for the country.
Tagle furthered that young Filipinos can be missionaries by being a witness of God to others, particularly in the family.
“Saint Pedro Calungsod was young when he was martyred. We must show to the world that we Filipinos can sacrifice our life for Christ and for other people. We need one like him who is sent to be a witness of Christ,” Tagle added.
Ana Ballonado, a student from the College of the Holy Spirit-Manila, said the event was a privilege for her to see the 2nd youngest cardinal in person.
“I am grateful to see him in person. His insight and ideas for the youth influenced me to be active in the youth ministry particularly as a member of the Student Catholic Action (SCA) in our school,” she said.
Mark Andurias, a teacher of Philippine Normal University, stated how meeting the Cardinal in person influenced him to learn more about the Catholic faith and to know what a real Catholic means.
“Cardinal Tagle made me who I am today. He is my inspiration to serve the youth especially in their spiritual needs and to help them enjoy and be excited in serving the Lord,” said Marvin Perez, a member of the campus ministry of the archdiocese of Manila. (Jandel Posion with reports from Mark Vertido and Esteve Mata)
