Delegates to the 8thCentral Luzon Youth Pilgrimage held Oct. 27 to 29 at the University of the Assumption in San Fernando, Pampanga (Photo: Rigette Ramos)
SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga, Nov. 7, 2016 – The 8thCentral Luzon Youth Pilgrimage held October 27 to 29 at the University of the Assumption in this city carried the twin themes of mercy and family.
Hosted by the Archdiocesan Commission on Youth Ministry of the Archdiocese of San Fernando with the guidance of the Central Luzon Regional Youth Ministry, the “Mercy Received In the Eucharist, Shared through the Family” pilgrimage was inspired by John 13:34, “Love one another as I have loved you.”
At the opening Mass held at the Metropolitan Cathedral of San Fernando on October 27, San Fernando Bishop Florentino G. Lavarias, D.D. challenged the attendees to find deeper meaning in the experience, which could easily turn into a simple sight-seeing trip.
More than pasalubong
“After the 8thCLYP, the delegates will be returning to their respective families. It is good to ask, ‘What does God want me to bring to my family when I go back home? The pasalubong that I will be receiving from my newfound friends and foster parents in Pampanga?’ I believe, more important than these are the experiences of Christ and His Father’s mercy during your pilgrimage,” said the prelate.
Lavarias added: “I pray that your experiences and many graces that the Father will pour upon you during the 8th CLYP will make you more merciful and forgiving persons, able to inspire your families to become merciful like the Father.”
The Archdiocesan Commission on Youth Ministry of Pampanga designed the CLYP to be an occasion for the young people of the Central Luzon Region to rediscover the beauty of the Eucharist and the important role of the family in sharing in the life and mission of the Church.
Immersion, Taizé prayer
The organizers also envisioned the CLYP 2016 to be a venue where the delegates will be able to:
- rediscover the Eucharist as the source and summit of Christian life;
- celebrate God’s mercy in the sacraments and share it through works of charity and;
- renew the commitment of the family as sharers of the life and mission of the Church
The CLYP delegates were hosted for three days in chosen foster families in Pampanga. The event activities included the Sacrament of Reconciliation, Taizé prayer, talks, and catechetical inputs focusing on the family and lastly, immersion in the communities of the host archdiocese.
To conclude the event, Archbishop Emeritus Paciano B. Aniceto, D.D. together with some priests from Central Luzon presided over a concelebrated Mass. (Michael Quilala / CBCPNews)
