Philippine National Youth Day
celebrations begin
 |
| The Philippines National Youth Day in Cebu |
At least 15,000 young Filipino Catholics gathered in Cebu on
Wednesday, at the start of the April 24-28 National Youth Day celebrations.
By Robin Gomes
The National Youth Day (NYD) celebrations of the Philippine
Catholic Church kicked off on Wednesday in the central Archdiocese of Cebu with
at least 15,000 young Catholics attending.
The opening event at the Cebu City Sports Complex ended with
Sinulog dances by different groups.
Archbishop Jose Palma of Cebu welcomed the
delegates on April 24 at the Cebu City Sports Complex, telling them that to
"trust in the memory of God and His memory is not the hard disk that saves
and archives all our data."
"God’s memory,” he said, “is a heart filled with tender
compassion, one that finds joy in deleting from us every trace of evil.”
“So, God deletes evils in our hearts. He deletes our sins," he told the
young people.
Archbishop Palma held out the figure of St. Pedro Calungsod,
a martyr from the Visayas, as a perfect example for the youth.
The various events and programmes will centre around the NYD
theme: “I am the servant of the Lord. May it be done to me according to Your
word.”
A highlight of the five-day gathering is the youth festival
of art, music and culture, which is being held in 9 locations across Metro
Cebu.
After the opening ceremony, the participants went in
procession to the grounds of the Basilica Minore del Santo Nino for the
inaugural Mass. The procession featured floats of St. Pedro Calungsod,
Our Lady of Guadalupe, St. Joseph, and the Santo Nino of Cebu.
5th centenary of Christ in the
Philippines
The National Youth Day that concludes on Sunday, is part of
the Catholic Church’s current Year of Youth which, in turn, is part of a 9-year
preparation for the 2021’s "grand celebration" of the 500th
anniversary of the arrival of Christianity in the Philippines.
The Archbishop of Cebu said, “In the next five days, we join
our hearts and voices in thanking the Lord for the gift of faith barely 500
years ago when Christianity came to our country."
The first Mass was said to have been celebrated in the
central Philippines upon the arrival of Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan
in March 1521.
Bishop Leopoldo Jaucian of Bangued, chairman of the
Episcopal Commission on Youth of the Catholic Bishops Confernce of the
Philippines (CBCP), wished that young people strengthen their faith in God in
order to be more active in serving others. He urged the delegates to learn how
to always stand for truth.
Security measures after Sri Lanka
In the wake of the terrible bombing attacks in Sri Lanka on
Easter Sunday, the Police Regional Office in Central Visayas is providing
security during the NYD celebrations.
At least 1,000 police and 500 soldiers were present during
the opening ceremonies in Cebu.
Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Gabriele Caccia of Italy, will
join the young pilgrims on Saturday in events that will include a Pilgrim Walk,
Eucharistic Adoration, Grand Festival Night Hudyaka, Youth Jam, and camp-out at
the Cebu City Sports Complex.
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