EDITORIAL

The Vision of the Today’s Youth

by Mark Anthony D. Leyson

The young people this year of Western Visayas and Romblon gathered as one family, disciples, and children of God. They celebrated the 6th Regional Youth Day 2009, held at Kabankalan Catholic College, Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental on April 21-24, 2009. They reflected on the theme "Through the Power of the Holy Spirit Who Lives In Us, Keep The Good Things That Have Been Entrusted To You."

Regional Youth Day is the gathering of the youth and youth ministers from the Archdioceses of Capiz and Jaro, Iloilo City and the Dioceses of Antique, Bacolod, Kabankalan, Kalibo, Romblon, and San Carlos City. Thousands of delegates from provinces of Western Visayas including Romblon attended the youth day.

This gathering is done every two years to enhance the spiritual life and growth of the young people in the diocese. The four days event was composed of much kinds of activities highlighted with prayers and masses officiated by the different bishops from the different archdioceses and dioceses of Western Visayas. A simultaneous skills and talents workshop were held like acting, singing, dancing, cooking, t-shirt printing, slogan and poster making, news writing, public speaking, bible study sharing, and many more. Animation or dancing of praises, fellowships, open forum, sharing of experiences as young disciples of God, and interaction among fellow young people from the different archdiocese and dioceses were done. The talks of the different speakers of different topics were most important.

Ombudsman Pelagio Apostol spoke on graft and corruption and the 2010 election with National PPCRV chairperson and former Ambassador of the Philippines to the Vatican, Hon. Henrietta de Villa. She said the theme will open the minds of the youth of today to be aware of what is happening in our society.

The Diocese of Kalibo sent 53 delegates. The Regional Youth Day was also the celebration of friendship, to experience oneness with all people, to make decision and personal commitments for the betterment of today’s society, to go forward despite discouragement, to see oneself as worthwhile, valuable and unique to see through conflicts, to comprehend reality and to grow in taw depth of individual cons-ciousness and to express life to our fellow youth.

Burning With Flame of the Spirit

The youth of today are potential agents to effect change in the society. Growing stronger in number, they comprise around 20 percent of the country’s total population. If misguided, they will be social problem due to lack of education, drug addiction, violence, unjust labor practice, un-employment, loosening morality and sense of sin, unhealthy relationship, migration, global warming, materialism, and consumerism.

Even with the multifaceted issues and concerns that hound us, the pressure to take on a more active role in the life of society is getting heavier. Our elders have given their share in making things better. The future is in the youth. But do they realize their potentials? Are they aware in the spirit and the power that lie in each one of them? Has it come to their senses that they have much to contribute in their community? nation?

Youth survey highlights their awareness of the various concerns around them. They know that something is happening. However, being knowledgeable of something is not enough. Knowledge must be accompanied with action back up by faith. It is sad, but true that more and more of the young people are being stricken with the infectious sickness called passivity, something that slowly creeps inside them before they know it. They lost the enthusiasm and wandered in distraction and dissipation. One good thing is that, it is never too late for them to make their move and claim the place they deserve in the world.

The regional gathering encouraged them to guard, nourish, develop and share the rich trust and gift that have been entrusted to them by the Holy Spirit who dwells among them. They head on to those who love and care them. They believe in themselves, and deepen their spiritual lives. They cannot just be the parish youth who prays, but who pray for charity and justice. They are at crucial point in the history of the Philippines.

With the national election next year and the pervasive graft and corruption in almost all strata of society, they cannot just sing praises and worship songs. They need to hone their God given abilities. They need to rekindle the flame God entrusted them. Let their light shine and burn where it is needed in homes, in parishes, in community, and in the nation!

With St. Paul, they can tell others thus: "Through the power of the Holy Spirit that lives in us, keep the good things that have been entrusted to you." (2 Timothy 1:14) this is what the Regional Youth Day 2009 in Kabankalan was all about: to welcome, celebrate and nourish the flame of the Holy Spirit in us; to burn with such flame and to bring it with us wherever we go, whatever we do, whoever we are with. /MP