MANILA, Nov. 9, 2012—Several dioceses are now preparing for the upcoming World Youth Day celebration that will be held July 23 to 28, 2013 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
In Novaliches, the official delegation of the diocese started its formation program last September 2 at the Good Shepherd Cathedral with the celebration of the Holy Mass followed by an afternoon of orientation.
The formation program aims at preparing the delegates holistically for the said event, but with greater emphasis on the spiritual aspect.
“In line with this, the delegates will meet twice a month for formation activities that will feature talks and workshops by members of the clergy of the diocese on various topics such as the Holy Mass, the Sacraments, the Christian virtues, Sacred Scriptures, Vocation, Apostolate, etc.,” said Joel Arzaga, the diocesan delegation head.
He added that the formation program also endeavors to strengthen the knowledge of the delegates on the matters of Faith, in order that they may be formed as Disciples of Christ and may effectively heed his call of ‘making disciples of all nations’.
“It is also opportune that we are making these preparations at the time when the Church is making efforts to re-discover the truths revealed to the Church by Jesus Christ through the celebration of the year of faith,” Arzaga furthered.
Part of the formation program of the diocese includes going to confession, recollections, and lessons in Portuguese, team-building and fund-raising activities. There will also be a mentoring program in which each delegate will be closely monitored by ‘mentor’ as regards his/her spiritual preparation for World Youth Day and their external preparations.
In the diocese of Antipolo, a diocesan screening for WYD hopeful pilgrims was held last August 11, 18 and 19. Results were released with 59 youth pilgrims from 25 parishes.
Diocesan youth coordinator Dani Villanueva said applicants will undergo series of formation programs on the duration of the preparation process.
“Calendar of activities was released during the 1st orientation where everybody also received a WYD hopeful pilgrim’s kit. Documents are also being prepared by the delegates and deadlines set are earlier than what ECY sets,” Villanueva said.
Meanwhile, the diocese of Parañaque had the diocesan launch for the WYD delegates last October 27, during the diocesan youth day.
“It’s was a simple launch that was integrated in our DYD. We presented the video of WYD 2013, the diocesan procedure on application and the schedule of screening in the parish, vicariate, and diocesan level, as well as the schedule of formation for accepted diocesan participants,” said Peter Pardo, diocesan youth coordinator of Parañaque.
Meanwhile, respective youth coordinators of the dioceses of Cabanatuan and Pasig said, they are just starting to prepare for the international event. (Jandel Posion)
