Alphonsian Youth Pilgrimage 2016

Roger Buot’s story

I was fostered in the loving home of Langatong family. Nanay Elena, my foster mother, is a mother of four children, who are all married, and a faithful wife to tatay Felix. Two of their children are working abroad and the other two are living in Cebu, all of them are living with their own families and attending to their respective careers. It was a blessing in disguise when I first arrived at their home and was astounded of what I had witnessed when I entered their loving home as soon as my foster brother Jonel opened the door. I witnessed pure love at its best as nanay Elena was feeding tatay Felix. My foster father is a stroke survivor. His mobility and muscle coordination were greatly affected to the point that he can hardly even feed himself. Despite tatay’s condition, they remain happy and hopeful. Their present condition is never a hindrance for the family to take part in Christ’s mission. Nanay Elena, in spite of the demands of tatay’s needs, is still serving the Lord as a Basic Ecclesial Community (BEC) leader. One proof of her dedication was witnessed by me on one Thursday morning, when nanay Elena was busy decorating the Church for it was their mass sponsorship on that day.

Out of deep respect, I never asked nanay about the hardship that they are going through. However, her smile, every time she takes care of tatay, tells me that it was not hard at all for her. Instead, she even flourished in the midst of their dire situation. She is like a lotus blooming in the midst of murky water. All of these dawned on me as if God is telling me that genuine happiness is only experienced once we are open and willing to embrace our own crosses. Her passion to serve God as a BEC leader, in spite of her situation, shows that nothing can stop us to be in communion with one another as one body of Christ. Nanay Elena reminds me of Mama Mary for she did not mind her own situation; instead she extends her hands to help others in her own simple ways.

Truly my AYP 2016 experience is a life-changing journey. It actually nourished my Catholic faith as a youth leader and challenged me to persevere more as I imitate Christ the Redeemer through my own way of observing the Alphonsian spirituality. My greatest hope is in God’s hand and may my encounter with Him during my entire AYP journey will help me grow in spirit. As I and the rest of the AYP pilgrims strive to up hold the Alphonsian spirituality, may we be able to make Mary and Jesus more known throughout the world.

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Thank you Roger A. Buot for sharing and recounting your AYP 2016 faith encounter. May you be continually blessed by Mary, the Mother of Perpetual Help who is – Jesus. ‘Til next kwentuhan higala. Tune in to DJ Angelize daily via KNOT, DXGN 89.9 Spirit FM, 1pm.