Panaghimamat: The Youth Visitation 2024, Journeying Together in Joyful Hope: Embracing Synodality

The message of synodality, that is, to journey together as the People of God, has been deeply engraved in the hearts of the Roman Catholic Church and more so in the hearts of those who serve the church. We are constantly reminded that journeying and working together to achieve our common mission is what God has been expecting us to do (Laudato Si’ Movement, n.d.). This message was manifested by the Immaculate Conception Parish of Mintal – Parish Youth Apostolate (ICPYA) through their “Panaghimamat: The Youth Visitation 2024,” with a theme of “Journeying together in joyful hope: Embracing synodality.”

The said visitation was attended by the different youths from zones 1 to 15, which were clustered into 3 groups: Pangkat Sibol, composed of youths from zones 1 to 4; Pangkat Sinag, composed of youths from zones 5 to 9; and Pangkat Simula, composed of youths from zones 10 to 15. The said activity was a succeeding visitation, held on succeeding dates, in which all of the clusters experienced a whole day activity with two main parts. On the morning, participants were able to experience a workshop that’s anchored in the message of synodality, through which they were able to meet new friends and people from the different zones whom they interacted with, connected with, and shared their life experiences with. Later on, participants attended the celebration of the holy eucharist. In the afternoon, participants went on mission trips, which enabled them to reach out to other sectors and aspects of our community.

The youth visitation journey started with Pangkat Sinag, which kicked off on June 16, 2024, in which they conducted the first part of the activity in GKK San Miguel, Campo – Zone 6. On the afternoon, the participants had their mission trip to the Care for the Elderly Foundation, Inc., a home for the elderly in Brgy. Biao Guianga, Tugbok District, Davao City. There, they shared laughter and smiles towards the nanays and tatays that were cared for in the haven of the said foundation. The participants performed different presentations, both song and dance numbers, that lit up some smiles on the faces of the elderlies. In turn, some of the nanays and tatays also showcased their talents, which delighted the youth participants.

Then, on June 22, 2024, the Pangkat Simula had their visitation. The first part of the activity took place at GKK Sr. Sto. Niño, Manambulan – Zone 13. Then, later on in the afternoon, they went on journeying to their mission trip at Lipadas River, Purok 5, Kawayan, Brgy. Manambulan, Tugbok Distruct, Davao City, wherein they did a clean-up drive activity. The said mission trip of Pangkat Simula enabled the youth to offer their time and resources in keeping our nature in a clean state and ensuring that the youths are able to see and appreciate the importance of preserving our natural resources. This is in line with Pope Francis’ Laudato Si’ (2015), which reminds us that we are constantly interrelated with nature, and we cannot separate ourselves from it. Thus, it is a must that we take part in taking care of our surroundings, as manifested by the Pangkat Simula’s mission trip.

The ICPYA’s youth visitation journey for this year culminated on June 23, 2024, which was attended by the youths of Pangkat Sibol. The first half of Pangkat Sibol’s visitation took place at GKK Sto. Rosario, Mintal – Zone 4. Later on, they had their mission trip at Sorelle Missionarie dell’Amore di Cristo, Inc. (SMAC, Inc.), an orphanage, or as they call it, a home of SMAC kids. The mission trip was filled with joy and excitement as the youth participants of Pangkat Sibol were able to mingle with the SMAC kids through action songs and interactive games. The participants also offered dance numbers to the SMAC kids, and in return, the SMAC kids also showcased some dance and song numbers that welcomed and touched the hearts of the participants.

The youth visitation lit up sparks within the young people to connect, to listen, and to reach out to one another. Personally, the message of synodality spoke to me in such a way that it made me realize that instead of journeying alone, we should be urged to look for people, to reach out to others, and to connect with one another so that as we journey, we are only getting stronger as we take the path that God is expecting us to take. The mission trips were also a gentle reminder that there is a need for us to fortify our connection with other sectors—like the elders and the orphans—and aspects—like our nature—of our community that are often forgotten and neglected, this in turn would result in achieving the common mission of the church. It is important that we remind ourselves that through coming together, we will be able to journey with our hearts filled with joyful hope. (Meldan Miguel Abadines)