Representatives of the RAYS from each place of the country attended the meeting that took place in Baguio City under the slogan “If you love Christ, follow him”. For several days they shared days of reflection and fraternity. Lueala Joy S. Fausto, from Tambo, tell us her experience
It is often said that “The youth is the hope of our future”, a very known quote from the Philippine National Hero Dr. Jose P. Rizal, and I definitely agree with him because the future is ours to inherit. A quite harder responsibility for our duty is to help bring up the community, church and our families onwards. Why did I say a quite harder responsibility? Because the youth nowadays live in an age when many of us are distracted, not focused and find following Jesus footsteps dull and boring, an important issue facing us today.
Last January 22-26, 2018 a once every 2 years notable event happened at Casisiaco Recoletos Seminary Baguio City, the 12th Recollect Augustinian Youth Summit with its theme “IF YOU LOVE CHRIST, FOLLOW HIM”, and at the same time a vocational experience for every recollect youth. Its general overview is to provide an opportunity for our young people to gather and become active participants in the church while part in a holistic learning experiences in the Recollect way of life. It also included in the letter sent to every communities, parishes and schools that we will be expecting to have fun, connect with other youth, create friendship and experience lots of positive energy, and I’m very proud to say that the expectations were all met.
For the first time the small but in a great progress community of Our Lady of Lourdes Quasi-Parish in Barangay Tambo, Ayungon, Negros Oriental was able to sent 4 delegates in the said event, with the chaperone Rev. Fr. Randy Castillo and overflowing support of the Our Lady of Lourdes Quasi-Parish community headed by the chaplain Rev. Fr. Jose Alden Alipin, Rev. Fr. Sir Michael Dineros and Bro. Theodolo Hayahay. And we’re glad to be part of the history of the 12th RAYS headed by Bro. Enrico V. Macaranas, Jr. the chairman of the 12th RAY Summit with the guidance of the National Vocation Director, Fray Gideon Antolin U. Lagrimas, OAR.
The sets of activities were really youthful but still with a touch of its theme. The delegates were entertained and felt the very warm welcome with the serenade of some of the semenarians and with the raising of colors. Every 6:30 in the morning all the delegates we’re gathered at the mini theater for the Lauds and Meditation. The first talk was like a talk show, the topic was all about vocation. During the talk there were guest speaker who were invited to represent the 3 Types of Human Vocation, the Married Life, Priesthood and Single Blessedness, and I quote that “A man knows he has found his vocation when he stops thinking about how to live, and begins to live”, Thomas Merton. On top of that the highlight of the day would probably be the Augustine Play by the batch Heraphs. St. Augustine’s former life of loose living, which included parties, entertainment and worldly ambitions. His complete conversion has been an inspiration to many who struggle with their faith to God. Not only that, before the Silentium Magnum on our second night, the delegates enjoyed each other’s company during the Acquaintance Night. The delegates finally met their Angels. The delegates were called Souls and the semenarian assigned to them were called Angels. The role of the angels are to guide and accompany their souls especially during prayer time.
The second talk was about climate change. The summit was really a great chance to educate the youth that the earth is totally affected of climate change, us in particular and around the world in general. Everybody knows that climate change exists but only a few really know exactly why and yet there are still who don’t believe. A big thanks to Mr. Deo Florence Onda a brother of one of the OAR priest for spending an ample of his time informing the young minds of the delegates that our Mother Earth is really affected of climate change. Another factor to consider was about DEATH, the 3rd talk. Death represents D for Divorce, E for Euthanasia, A for Abortion, T for Total Population Control and H for Health.
Furthermore, part of the activities was the Group Dynamics/Amazing Race that practically showed that if we solidly work together we can really achieve what we are aiming for. The whole experience wouldn’t be completed without the Lucenarium with Confession because when we confess our sins we proudly declare that God has forgiven us. The delegates also visited the Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto and for the delegates of Tambo it is indeed very markable because Our Lady of Lourdes is the Patron Saint of the Tamboanons and we are waving the flag of the Tamboanons. The participants wholeheartedly participated during the exposition of the Blessed Sacraments, the Station of the Cross, and above all celebrated the Holy Sacrifice of the Daily Mass at 6 PM. In addtion, the summit was also a great break to showcase the different talents of the youth during the Cultural Night.
The tour at the most known tourists’ spots in Baguio City completed the entire experience during the RAYS. But everything must come to an end, but it was a good and colorful ending with an elegant fireworks display.
The summit awaken the youth that we are agent of positive changes, it helps us empower tomorrow’s leaders to be more inspired to proclaim His Words. It builds friendship and deepens our relationship with God, it cultivates the hearts of the youth with God’s words and watered our thirsty spirits and lastly emphasizes celebrating Jesus all year round and constantly meet Him and receive Him at the Eucharistic celebration.
Every experience makes us grow. Being part of this activity is a great privilege and I’ll surely treasure this for the rest of my life. It’s not just about the summit nor the place but the intimacy with God that can’t be paid off by any amount of money. To sum up all my personal experience of the 12th RAY Summit, I was truly deeply moved and was enlightened that we all belongs to Christ, it is never too late to revive our relationship with God, with other people and with the world around us. God invites people to become one with himself in every aspect of life. The Recollect Augustinian Youth of this generation must be one in striving for a change, because if we love Christ by all means we must FOLLOW HIM! As the Scripture says, “It was not You who chose Me, but I who chose You.” (John 15:16)