MANILA, Dec. 22, 2014 – University of Sto. Tomas (UST) rector Fr. Herminio V. Dagohoy, OP believes that the papal event in UST on January will be a moment for the youth to be “inspired to a renewed life offered to the service of the Lord and others” when Pope Francis meets young Filipinos during his special encounter with them on Jan. 18, 2015 at the UST grounds.
Despite being open to the public, the Holy Father's encounter with young people on Jan. 18, 2015 at the UST grounds will give special emphasis on the youth and their concerns.
“When Pope Francis interacts with the young people using the language of mercy and compassion, and with joy in spreading God’s love to them, the youth, in turn, with grateful hearts are inspired to a renewed life offered to the service of the Lord and others,” said Dagohoy in a press statement read by Giovanna Fontanilla of the UST Public Affairs Office of UST in a press briefing earlier today at the Media and Information General Headquarters in Intramuros, Manila.
“This momentous sojourn of Pope Francis is meaningful to the Filipino youth as they are constantly in search of someone worthy to look up and to emulate, someone who understands them and expresses authentic love,” he added.
According to Dagohoy, UST “feels extremely blessed and honored” that the encounter with the young people will be held at the university.
Young people from the different dioceses in the Philippines; the Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP); Association of the Catholic Universities of the Philippines (ACUP), and the youth participants of the 2nd Philippine Conference on New Evangelization (PCNE) will be represented during the papal youth encounter.
“The papal event at UST is open to [the] public at designated areas in the campus. However, the UST football field and grandstand are allotted for the youth representatives,” the statement read.
According to Fontanilla, at 6:30 a.m., there will be pre-program, which will prepare “young people to meet with Pope Francis.”
It will consist of “praying the rosary, practising the songs, cheers for the Holy Father” eventually leading to praise and worship.
At around 10:30 am, when the Holy Father arrives, there will be an enthronement of the Cross and the liturgy of the Word.
At this time, young people from different sectors will give their testimonies.
The Holy Father will then give his message to the young people and will lead the Angelus at 12 noon, after which, he will then depart for the Luneta Mass at 3 p.m. (Rainier Marquez/CBCPNews)
