A Grace-filled Visit

By Anabel Britanico

This year of the Youth, the Diocese of Sorsogon was graced and indeed blessed with the visit of the National Youth Cross and the relic of St. John Paul II last July 19-23.

John Paul II is one of the most beloved saints of the young. He dedicated a lot of his time listening, exhorting and empowering young people to the point of establishing the biggest gathering of young Catholics in the world – the World Youth Day. Our local celebrations of National, Regional, and Diocesan Youth Day are all inspired by JPII’s initiative. He placed the youth in the core of his heart and continued to persuade the church to place their hope in them.

The National Youth Cross is the first cross made for the Philippine Catholic youth ministry, which mirrors the different realities that they are in and symbolizes the prayer and dedication of the church for them.

According to the CBCP Episcopal Commission on Youth, the pilgrimage of the National Youth Cross, accompanied by the relic of St. John Paul II around the country seeks to gather the community for a time of prayer, encountering Jesus through the presence of the National Youth Cross and experiencing ecclesial communion through the intercession of St. John Paul II; be an occasion to reflect on the theme of the 2019 Year of the Youth, and commit to live the spirit of this year, especially to those who are least, lost and last; and celebrate faith and communion, focusing on the gift of presence of the Filipino youth to the Church and society.

The icons arrived at the port of Pilar, Sorsogon escorted by youth ministers from the Diocese of Masbate, the first diocese in the Bicol region to receive them. They stayed overnight at the Our Lady of the Pillar Parish where they were warmly honoured by the particular vicariate. In the morning of July 20th they were transferred to the Our Lady of the Anunciation Parish, Bacon and stayed there for a few hours before transferring to the Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral, Sorsogon City where they were venerated overnight. The icons then made its way to the Our Lady of The Most Holy Rosary Parish, Casiguran and later to the Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Parish, Bulan. Hundreds of parishioners went to the streets to welcome them. It stayed in Bulan overnight, hopping to St. John Paul II Parish, Bulan and St. James the Greater Parish, Bulusan, before going to St. Anthony of Padua, Gubat for its last night in the Diocese. In the morning of July 23rd, the youth and parishioners gathered for a dawn procession followed by a send off mass for the icons held at St. Augustine Pairsh, Cogon, Gubat.

The visit of the National Youth Cross and the relic of St. John Paul II did not only inspire the diocese to pray and work more for the young, but to pray and work more with the young – our hope and our light. As John Paul II said to the youth, "Dear young people, let yourselves be taken over by the light of Christ, and spread that light wherever you are."