MANILA, March 12, 2013—Hundreds of young people from the Archdiocese of Cebu will gather for the celebration of the 28th Local World Youth Day to be held in Liloan City, Cebu on March 21-24.
The local gathering is a continuing journey of the young people of Cebu after the Canonization and National Thanksgiving of the 2nd Filipino teen Saint Pedro Calungsod last 2012.
Hosted by the San Fernando El Rey Parish and the District 7 Youth Coordinating Council, the event is not just a gathering of young people from the archdiocese but also open to youth from dioceses under the Central and Eastern Visayas Region.
The Archdiocese’s Commission on Youth wanted not only to reflect on the yearly international gathering which is the World Youth Day, but also to continue the thrust of St. Pedro Calungsod.
Aside from the local WYD gathering, organizers will also hold the 6th Archdiocesan Youth Congress on March 23 at the Panphil Frasco Gymnasium.The youth congress is a response to Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma’s challenge to the young people to continue to uphold Calungsod in a youthful way.
Young leaders will implement resolutions on how to continue promote and exercise Calungsod’s virtues to the young people.
Archbishop Palma will give the keynote speech and Msgr. Arthur Navales, PC, chairman of the Cebu Diocesan Youth Coordinating Council will give the welcome message.
Other speakers are Fr. Dondon Aquino, on the topic “Go and Make Disciples of All Nations” and Msgr. Dennis Villarojo, PC, on San Pedro Calungsod and the New Evangelization.
The congress will be highlighted by a dialogue between Archbishop Palma and the young people on different issues of the day.
Palma will celebrate the culmination Mass on Palm Sunday at 4:30 in the morning.
Other activities of the three-day gathering include catechesis, Via Crucis, Taize prayer w/ confession, talks, workshops, pilgrim walk, holy hour and youth jam.
Organizers believe the two local gatherings will be an effective way in articulating the role of the young in the Church, while enhancing the camaraderie and friendships among the youth with their slogan “Basta Batan-on! We Are One!”. (Jandel Posion)
