CEBU, Philippines — A Catholic Church leader has reminded the Filipino youth of the importance of being “thankful for the gift of faith.”
Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma said the Church’s observance of 2019 as the Year of the Youth in preparation for the 500th year of Christianity in the country in 2021 is an opportune time for the faithful, the youth in particular, to be thankful for the countless blessings such as the gift of faith.
The 69-year-old prelate, in his welcome remarks at the Cebu City Sports Complex (CCSC) yesterday, said the National Youth Day (NYD) is an evident manifestation of the flourishing faith and devotion of the people.
"As we come together, our celebrations will make us dream and hope and pray for a better tomorrow. Despite our many concerns, we know we have Jesus with us, we have Mama Mary, we have (Visayan young martyr) San Pedro (Calungsod) and with many saints. We invoke the intercession of young saints like you. We know we have companions in the journey," he said.
The propagation of Christian faith was believed to have sprung from Cebu, thus, its name the cradle or birthplace of Christianity in the Far East, he said.
After the opening, thousands of delegates from across the country processed towards the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño in a solemn and prayerful walk. The Basilica was chosen as the opening Mass venue being the home and sanctuary of the country's oldest religious relic, the highly revered image of the Santo Niño.
The local Catholic Church clergy has assured that the NYD delegates will get to experience Cebu’s spirit of festivity and devotion.
Bishop Leopoldo Jaocian, who chairs the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines – Episcopal Commission on Youth (CBCP-ECY), said at a press conference Tuesday that the Cebu archdiocese, this year’s host, showed its great hospitality to the delegates.
“To the delegates, make Cebu your home,” he said, addressing to the more than 12,000 pilgrims who are now in Cebu for the week-long event and the country’s biggest gathering among young Catholics.
He hoped that the weeklong event will be an occasion for the young Filipino people to have a close encounter with Jesus by participating with the different religious activities, such as the solemn processions and Masses.
“This is my prayer that this will be a grace-filled event and a wonderful manifestation of our Easter faith,” he said.
Father Conegundo Garganta, CBCP-ECY executive secretary, witnessed the arrival of the pilgrims on April 23 and saw an “expression of joy and festivity.”
“This experience of joy and festivity, from this day until the closing, we continue to ask and seek help from the faithful and in also in their prayers to help the stay of the pilgrims become truly fruitful and meaningful. May people continue to manifest their love for the young people as an expression for their love of the church and of God,” he said.
Father Mark Barneso, NYD 2019 steering team leader, said the delegates can expect more surprises and also sacrifices especially in the participation of some religious activities like foot procession.
He hoped that the pilgrims will learn some good things here, gain experiences and bring some great memories once they return home.
Quake Contingency Plans
Meanwhile, authorities and NYD organizers are readying measures for earthquake contingency plans especially in areas of convergence.
The first day of the weeklong event on April 23 was marked with shocking news when another powerful earthquake hit Samar province that caused ground shaking effects in Cebu.
Father Joselito Gutierrez, Festival Sites over-all chairman, said he checked immediately with the different facilitators of the nine festival sites to check if the delegates are safe and if the event might have caused panic.
Fortunately, the majority of the visiting pilgrims were busy to notice the ground movement, he said.
Gutierrez, though, admitted that the only hitch was the delayed arrival of delegates due to cancelled and rescheduled flights and sea trips. Some travels were suspended after the strong earthquake occurred.
Prior to the 6.5 magnitude earthquake in eastern Samar Tuesday, a 6.1 magnitude earthquake struck central Luzon Monday affecting Zambales and Pampanga.
Organizers said the NYD delegates from these areas have arrived safely here despite the delays.
Barneso assured that the organizers have already put in place safety measures, particularly on risk reduction, for the weeklong event. — KBQ (FREEMAN)