Up close with Pope Francis Cebuano youth told, “Never get tired”

CEBU, Philippines - For 11 consecutive years of serving in the Archdio- cese of Cebu Commission of Youth, 27-year-old Krishna Jacalan came to a point when she grew tired of her daily tasks and finally thought of giving up as a volunteer.

But she felt that God intentionally led her feet to South Korea not just to simply participate in the 6th Asian Youth Day but to get a close encounter with Pope Francis, who reminded her and the rest of the youth volunteers not to renounce their faith and quit serving the Lord through the young people.

Jacalan was among the five delegates in Cebu who were blessed to represent the province along with other 94 Filipinos to meet the Pope during the 6th AYD.

She was with Jessa Mae Carba, her fellow volunteer in COY; Pamela Abellana, an active parishioner and youth servant; and two Diocesan priests namely Fr. Reil Cantillas, who is now assigned in Catmon, and Fr. Rolan Angel Anthony “Tata” Torres now assigned in Gindarohan.

There were a total of 2000 participants from 23 countries who attended this year’s gathering of youth members from August 10 to 20.

WEAKEST POINT

In addition to her regular job in the finance department of a large real estate firm, Jacalan spends most of her spare time as a volunteer for COY.

Being one, she conducts leadership programs and encourages more youth to be part of the ministry. She also facilitates the activities of the youth coordinating councils in the parishes of Cebu.

After graduating in high school, Jacalan started singing for the church choir. It was when she was invited to be part of the COY.

Jacalan knew she was doing the right thing. She knew she was on the right track. However, deep inside her, she asked herself where she was headed to.

Lately before the AYD, her strong spirit of volunteerism became weaker with the duration of her service to the youth organization.

“Honestly, human as I am, gikapoy ko og serbisyo sa kataas na sa panahon. Nakahuna-huna ko nga sa akong tanang tinabang sa uban, naa pa ba nabilin para nako?” she said, referring to spending quality time for herself and for her family.

But when Pope Francis started his welcome message last August 15, Jacalan almost cried as the pope asked the AYD participants if they were already tired as young volunteers of the church.

“That was what he first spoke about. He asked us, ‘Are you tired?’” she narrated.

She felt that the Holy Pope was directly talking to her, reminding her that she is a blessed youth because she has God who never fails to guide her.

“And in return, I must do something for Him and that is to serve the youth,” she said.

Pope Francis, Jacalan said, made her and the other youth volunteers realize that though they may be physically exhausted, they should never get tired of serving God through their fellow young people.

UP CLOSE WITH POPE FRANCIS

Jacalan was also fortunate enough to be one of the 10 Filipinos to represent the country and take the closest seat to the Pope.

“It was a random and on-the-spot selection. We did not know where we were going only to find out we get to sit in front of the Pope. We were just like ten meters away from Him. I felt I was chosen. This was really for me,” she said.

Even up to now, Jacalan feels the same excitement when sharing her story of her close encounter with the Pope.

Months before the AYD, she was financially-challenged while processing the requirements in joining the event. She had to solicit for money from her family and friends to pay for the P14,000 registration fee.

“I prayed to Him nga if para gyud ni sa ako, give me the resources I need kay akong sweldo ato lesser ra than what I needed. I continued praying that if this is for me Lord, please give it to me,” she said.

Then, her prayer was answered. She was able to collect enough money for the activity.

“Nihatag man pud si Lord. Buotan pud kaayo siya. So I must make the most out of it gyud,” she said.

YOUTHFUL AND HUMBLE POPE

The Pope is a humble figure, Jacalan described.

While some of the youth servants raised their concerns for their countries, the Pope diligently took down notes by himself and listened, Jacalan further narrated.

“Makita nimo nga sincere gyud siya,” she said.

She added that it was also very humble for a pope to ask them to pray for him.

“Every time he ended his message, he always asked us to please pray for him since he cannot do it alone,” she said.

While Jacalan got to sit in front of the Pope, Carba was near the aisle along with other delegates. She said she was even lost for words and just cried when the Pope slowly passed through the aisle and greeted them.

“I was so happy and blessed.  Duol ra kaayo siya sa amo. Makab-ot ra gud namo siya. You can really feel he is right next to God. He is holy,” she said.

She further described the Pope as a charismatic servant and a youthful representation of the Lord. All throughout the event, Pope Francis never failed to smile at them, she added.

“He was still outside when all of us started shouting for joy. We were crying. His face is very friendly and smiling. All of your worries and problems will vanish,” she said.

She was also amazed with the simplicity of the Pope and it motivated her to manage a simple life too like him.

On the other hand, 23-year-old Carba works as a customer service representative for a business process outsourcing company. She was invited by Jacalan to be part of the COY in 2006. She began as an animator and a collaborator during the events in her parish and of the organization.

Both claimed that they did not come from religious families. They were even the ones who encouraged their loved ones to also serve in their respective parishes in Mandaue City. They also shared that their families were proud of their close encounter with the Pope.

QUOTING THE POPE

The second encounter of the Cebu delegates with the Pope was on the 17th of August when he celebrated the concluding mass of the AYD.

Carba admitted she was struck by the Pope’s homily that talked about never being afraid to answer God’s call.

“Believe that God’s plans are for your own good. All you have to do is to accept the challenge and do everything selflessly,” she said.

She added that the Pope also reminded them to serve unconditionally without expecting anything in return.

“Serve because it is your will and you love serving. In everything you do, make sure it comes from your heart. The blessings will just arrive like what we had in our AYD experience. We never expected this,” she said.

From the words of the Pope, Jacalan also encouraged the youth to always trust in God and communicate with Him.

“With God, you will never go astray,” she stated.

She said that the Pope advised the youth to stay childlike and possess innocence, energy and fun to enjoy life.

“Being childlike you get to be contented and happy of what you have at present. When you dream, you dream,” she said.

She also said that the Pope further advised the Catholic youths to pray for others especially for peace in some Asian countries.

Carba further reminded her fellow young people who get engrossed with the modern technology such as social media and online gaming not to forget to take control of their lives and strike a balance in everything they do.

She added that even if there are youth who are not as active as they are in serving God, they should never get tired in believing in Him.

“Do not forget to pray and just have faith in God,” she said.

CLOSE ENOUGH

Although they were not able to take a selfie with the Pope, they already considered themselves as the lucky few to meet the Father of the Catholic Church. They felt it was already more than enough to see him and listen to him speak of God’s words.

“Somehow, there was a part of us wanting to touch him or have a selfie with him but we thought we were already too blessed. Just seeing him will make you contented and grateful,” Carba said.

According to her, almost all delegates were able to take a photo and video of the Pope who was so accommodating and interactive with the AYD participants.

While the Pope did not mention about the Philippines, the Filipino delegation was well-represented along with other countries.

Asked if she had the chance to converse with the Pope, Jacalan said she would take pride of the Philippines as a Catholic country. Either that or she might run out of words and just hug him, she said.

A SOUVENIR FOR THE POPE

Carba shared that the Filipino delegation was highlighted by two delegates from Luzon who brought Pedrito with them and eventually handed him to the Pope.

Carba also gave a gift to the Holy Pope  — a small pouch with a Sto. Niño de Cebu accessory and a petition letter asking him to pray for the Cebuano youth and wishing he could also visit Cebu during the International Eucharistic Congress in 2016.

For now, Jacalan and Carba had no instructions yet if there will be a Cebu delegation to Leyte, but both of them are excited for the Filipinos who will be able to see the Pope next year and enjoy the same rare opportunity like them.

The two youth servants committed to share their AYD experience to others especially to the young Cebuanos.

The AYD is the Asian version of the World Youth Day festival that was inaugurated by St. John Paul II. The 7th AYD is set to be held in Indonesia in 2017. Last year, the annual gathering was conducted in Imus, Cavite.

During the ten-day event, the participants were divided into groups for the Days in the Diocese in which they got to tour in the respective dioceses in Korea and be fostered by Korean families. — /NSA (FREEMAN)