Year of Youth

A story is told that a gypsy came upon a well with his son and rested beside it after a long journey. He felt very thirsty and quenched his thirst from the water of the well. After sometime, he examined the well and wanted to see how deep it was so he looked deep down. Meanwhile his son got curious and asked: “Dad, what do you see?”

“I see God inside the well!” the father confirmed.

In excitement, the son cried out: “I want to see God!”

The big, strong gypsy helped his son look deep down the well. But his son only saw his reflection and mumbled: “But that’s me!” And his Dad quipped: “Now you know where to find God.”

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) launched last December 16 the “Year of Youth” dedicating 2011 to promoting Youth Ministry. In spearheading this move the Episcopal Commission on Youth (ECY) Chairman and Legaspi Bishop Joel Baylon gave this encouragement: “Let us work together to intensify awareness about the youth and their importance to the life and activity of the Church. By our own witness, let us help the young in our midst to find God in their lives and generously answer His call to service and love.” Thus this year is an opportune moment to let young people realize what Jesus said in scripture: “the kingdom of God is within you” (Lk 17:21).

Incidentally, this coincides with the International Year of Youth declared by the United Nations with the theme: Dialogue and Mutual Understanding. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called on the world “to harness the talents, energy of the world of young people to promote better understanding and dialogue between different generations, cultures and religions.” The UN estimates 1.2 billion people worldwide between 15-24 years old. Hence the world’s youth account for about 18 percent of the world’s population most of which are found in developing countries.

The first International Year of Youth proclaimed by the United Nations was 25 years ago in 1985. In response to it, John Paul II invited youths all over the world to come to Rome on 31 March 1985,  Palm Sunday. An enthusiastic crowd of about 250,000 youths flooded St. Peter’s Square. On that occasion the Pope delivered the Apostolic Letter “Dilecti Amici” which became the founding document of World Youth Day. Here the still young and energetic John Paul II described the youth as “a special treasure of both Church and society.”

Cardinal Paul Josef Cordes, then president of the Pontifical Council Cor Unum recalled that on Easter Sunday, during a televised broadcast of the Liturgy in St. Peter’s Square, Pope John Paul II said in his homily: “I met last Sunday with hundreds of thousands of young people, and I have imprinted on my soul the festive image of their enthusiasm. I am hoping that this wonderful experience might be repeated in future years, giving origin to the World Youth Day on Palm Sunday.” So began the celebration of World Youth Day which celebrated the importance and appreciation of the gift of young people.

Young people are indeed a “special treasure.” For this reason, it is of great need that they “stand firm in faith.” Like the episode of the crippled beggar in Acts 3:1-10 whom Peter healed., the young man’s feet and ankle became firm. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Such is an icon of an effective Youth Ministry: young people able to stand on their own in whatever situations they will find themselves – personally, in the family, in their career, in politics even in making a difference in society.

It is my ardent prayer and wish that young people in the Philippines, in this Year of Youth, grow up in these 3 areas of their lives:  passionate faith, use of freedom and concern for the future.

I pray that our young people will acquire a passionate faith. Such faith can make them move mountains, change hearts, transform society and bring progress and prosperity for our country.

I pray that they learn to use their freedom for the greater good instead of just using it for their own selfish ends. Such right use of freedom will help them love God generously.

I pray that our young people may have a strong concern for the future. Such concern will lead them to take initiatives in building a better world and rouse them to be competent steward of the environment.

This prayer also includes our new Archbishop of Cebu, Jose Palma who will lead us to minister to our young people so that they too can participate in the life and mission of the Church.

St. John Bosco's Relic

One of the priceless gifts I received is a painter’s palette. It was given by Joey Velasco sometime last year before he died. It’s a valuable souvenir from a great artist! I also have his signature and a short, handwritten dedication on his book I bought when he came to Cebu. We are fond of souvenirs and mementos. They come in different forms and are valued with sentimentalism depending on whom we have received them. A wristwatch  from one’s great-grand father would really be a treasure. No wonder people pay so much for a painting by Van Gogh,  shoes worn by Manilyn Monroe or a faint original music piece from the Beatles.  These things remind us of people we admire or even love.

The Catholic Church calls as relics the remains of the saints after their death. Relics can either be the entire body or just a part of it. They are considered first class relics; something they own are considered second class. Christians, since the beginning, venerated the relics of the saints by giving them honor and reverence. Such veneration has basis from scriptures. In Exodus 13:19 we read “Moses took the bones of Joseph with him because Joseph had made the sons of Israel swear an oath. He had said, “God will surely come to your aid, and then you must carry my bones up with you from this place.” In the New Testament we read this account from Acts 19:11-12 “God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them.”

The Fathers of the Church continued this tradition of holding relics in veneration. St. Augustine (354-430 AD) wrote in City of God, “If a father’s coat or ring, or anything else of that kind, is so much more cherished by his children, as love for one’s parents is greater, in no way are the bodies themselves to be despised, which are much more intimately and closely united to us than any garment; for they belong to man’s very nature.” St. Jerome (340-420 AD) clarified this Catholic belief in his Ad Riparium when he wrote: “We do not adore, I will not say the relics of the martyrs, but either the sun or the moon or even the angels – that is to say, with the worship of  ‘latria’ … But we honor the martyrs’ relics, so that thereby we give honor to Him Whose witness they are: we honor the servants, that the honor shown them may reflect on their Master… Consequently, by honoring the martyrs’ relics we do not fall into  the error of the Gentiles, who gave the worship of ‘latria’ to dead men.”

One of the great saints of modern times is St. John Bosco. In preparation for the August 16, 2015 celebration of the 200^th anniversary of his birth, his relic will go on a World Tour in 130 countries. In the Philippines, the pilgrimage will start in Bacolod on December 5; then it will head to Mambucal, Victorias, Kabankalan and Dumaguete. And from December 12-23, the relic and the pilgrimage will stay in Cebu. By December 23, it will head up north to Metro Manila. The arrival of the relic is part of its word tour that kicked off from Valdocco, Italy on April 25, 2009.

The relic consists of St. John Bosco’s right hand carefully preserved inside a sealed case and inserted at the chest of lifelike wax replica of the saint. This is transported in a light truck specifically made for the occasion driven by Italian chauffeurs for the duration of its worldwide journey. Fr. Pascual Chavez, the Rector Major of the Salesians of Don Bosco had directed the worldwide pilgrimage “to renew the desire to know and love the Father and Teacher of Youth and reignite the passion and mission for the young.”

Don Bosco, as he was fondly called, was an Italian Catholic priest, educator and writer of the 19^th century who dedicated his life to the betterment and education of poor youngsters and employing teaching methods based on love rather than punishment. Following the spirituality and philosophy of St. Francis of Sales, he founded the Salesian Congregation to help the young become upright citizens and good Christians. When he was younger, he would put on shows of his skills as a juggler, magician and acrobat. He gained a reputation early on of being a saint and miracle worker. When he died on January 31, 1888 his funeral was attended by thousands. He was canonized on Easter Sunday of 1934 and was given the title “Father and Teacher of Youth.” He is also the patron saint of editors, youths, school children, students, magicians, apprentices and young workers.

It was St. John Bosco’s desire to reach out to as many young people in his lifetime. Such was his unique mission that God had inspired him. Today, his mission continues. He prays for young people;  he wants to bless them and encourage them to follow the Perfect Man, Jesus Christ.