QUEZON City, July 4, 2013—The Diocese of Cubao will celebrate a send-off Mass for its official delegation to the 2013 World Youth Day (WYD) celebration in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on July 14, the pilgrims’ departure date to the international gathering.
Bishop Honesto Ongtioco will preside the send-off mass for the 28 official pilgrims at 3:30 p.m. at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral.
The Cubao-Philippines official delegation is composed of 12 males, 16 females and 3 priests, representing the dioceses of Cubao, Pasig, Parañaque and Sorsogon, Miriam College and EDSA Shrine (Manila Archdiocese). They will leave Manila for Rio de Janeiro at 11:55 in the evening of the same day.
In his circular to the young people of the diocese, Ongtioco stressed that WYD has always been beneficial for many young people.
“It has helped many to discover the true faith in the loving God, to interact and learn from struggles and pains of other young people coming from the different parts of the world, especially those who are about to make big decisions in life. It is an opportunity to experience the joy of being a Christian, the joy of the faith and the joy of communion,” Ongtioco said.
Ongtioco mentioned that Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI said the coming WYD 2013 would be a big challenge for young people to make themselves enthusiastic witnesses of the new evangelization.
The group will hold their last preparatory session this coming Saturday, July 6, as a part of their last minute activities before leaving for Brazil.
They already had their team building last April and recollection last June. (Jandel Posion)
