City parish hosts local World Youth Day celebration

St. Jude Thaddeus Parish of Concepcion Grande, Naga City hosted the local World Youth Day 2022 (LWYD 2022) on November 26 to 27 with the theme: “Mary arose and went with haste “ ( Lk. ‪1:39‬ )

Pope Francis, in his message for the 37th World Youth Day 2022-2023 said: “In these troubling times, Mary shows to all of us and especially to you, young people like herself, the path of proximity and encounter. Dear young people, now is the time to set out in haste towards concrete encounters, towards genuine acceptance of those different from ourselves. “

Youth leaders from the Central District of the Archdiocese of Caceres were present. They came from the 12 parishes which compose the district.

Fr. Glenn Ruiz , parish priest of St. Jude Parish welcomed the youth participants and Fr. Daniel Royo Vegas, the director of Caceres Youth Commission.

It was also an occasion for the youth to dispose themselves as Advent season begins in preparation for the celebration of the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ on Christmas.

Various families welcomed the youth leaders to their homes for the duration of the event. The St. Jude Youth Ministry requested parishioners to become host families of the participants.

Caceres Archbishop Rolando J Tria Tirona, OCD, DD, came to greet the youth and shared his thoughts with them. He was chair of the Episcopal Commission on Youth from 1995 to 2005.

The event, organized by the Caceres Youth Commission, aims to mentally, emotionally, and spiritually prepare the participants for the National Youth Day.

National Youth Day is an annual celebration every ‪December 16‬ in the Philippines. It recognizes the important role of the youth in the Church. It also reminds young people to participate in the mission of Christ in bringing the Good News and to reach out to those in need.

This annual gathering started when it was approved by the Catholic Bishop’s Conference (CBCP) in 1986. (By Myrna Bermudo with Sophia Dipon)