“The youth are the present of the Church”

The word of God says that young people should be treated “as brothers” (1 Tim 5:1), and warns parents not to “provoke your children, lest they become discouraged” (Col 3:21). Young people are not meant to become discouraged; they are meant to dream great things, to seek vast horizons, to aim higher, to take on the world, to accept challenges and to offer the best of themselves to the building of something better. (Christus Vivit 15)

After a brief look at the word of God, Pope Francis concluded, “we cannot just say that young people are the future of our world. They are its present; even now, they are helping to enrich it” (CV 64). That is why the Episcopal Commission on the Biblical Apostolate (ECBA) of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) headed by the Most Rev. Renato P. Mayugba, D.D., Chairman and Bishop of Laoag, coined the theme “Y.B.A. Kami Para Sa Tanan” for the 25th National Bible Workshop to be hosted by the Archdiocese of Davao on February 19-22, 2023.

“Youth Bible Apostles (Y.B.A.) Kami Para Sa Tanan” counts the youth in journeying together as Church in the Philippines with the Word of God that gives meaning to all its ministry. The 250 expected participants from all over 86 prelatures, arch/dioceses in the country expects more young participants to join in this historic event being first to be held in Mindanao.

Zyra O. Duller, a youth member of the working committee, said: “I felt grateful as a part of the working committee for the upcoming National Bible Workshop. It is with pride for me as part of the youth sector to be entrusted in handling tasks for such a big event.”

The Holy Eucharistic Celebration at San Pedro Cathedral to be presided by Most Rev. Mayugba on February 19 at 5:00 P.M. will open the event. February 20 and 21 will be days of listening, reflecting and participating together on the theme with the different speakers and sharers for the plenary and workshops.

Both days will be completed with prayers and contemplation before the Blessed Sacrament. This is to affirm Pope Francis’ observation that youth groups that gather to adore the Blessed Sacrament have increased, and he says: “We should never underestimate the ability of young people to be open to contemplative prayer. We need only find the right ways and means to help them embark on this precious experience” (CV 224).”

The culminating Eucharistic celebration in San Pedro Cathedral on February 22 at 9:30 A.M. which will be presided by Most Rev. Charles John Brown, D.D., will also be the launching of 75th Jubilee Anniversary celebration of the Archdiocese of Davao. With the faithful of Davao, Archbishop Valles hopes to journey together as stewards with the youth in the Basic Ecclesial Communities.

Indeed the youth are apostles of the Word of God. It is fitting that they be equipped with the Word of God to take on their responsibility. “Faith in Jesus leads to greater hope, to a certainty based not on our qualities and skills, but on the word of God, on the invitation that comes from him” (CV 141).

(ABAD | Archdiocesan Bible Apostolate of Davao)