Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines
EPISCOPAL COMMISSION ON YOUTH
Message
Dear young people,
“Do not be afraid… for you have found favor with God!” [cf. Lk 1:30]
It is very fitting that the theme of this National Youth Day 2018, taken from the words of the archangel Gabriel to the young Mary, conveys the spirit that the Church desires to impart to you, young people, in every NYD that you celebrate. You are favored and loved by God! You are a precious gift to the Church! Thus, you have nothing to worry or be afraid of.
The Episcopal Commission on Youth of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines offers you this NYD2018 Formation Program. Prepared in collaboration with the diocesan youth ministries in the Bicol Region, it hopes to be a helpful resource towards a truly spirit-filled celebration of the NYD2018 in the dioceses, parishes, BEC’s, organizations and other settings, especially since this NYD opens our 2019 Year of the Youth!
Let our celebration of the NYD2018, accompanied and led by our youth ministers— clergy, religious and lay—ignite all the more our excitement for greater things to come for the youth of our Church, as we also welcome the 2019 Year of the Youth, our next pastoral theme in the ongoing nine-year novena towards 2021.
It is my prayer that through your dedication and commitment in your respective youth ministries, the NYD2018 Formation Program will be able to bless more young people, affirming them that they are BELOVED, GIFTED and EMPOWERED; thus, enabling them to courageously respond to God’s call to MISSION (cf. Theme of the Year of the Youth 2019: Filipino Youth in Mission: Beloved. Gifted. Empowered).
May the NYD2018 theme deepen your devotion to Mary: she, whom our Lord gave to us as our mother [cf. Jn 19:27] and whom our dear Pope Francis continues to offer to us as our model in listening to and following God’s call. Allow her to be your motherly companion and guide in your journey of faith. Let the great trust that the Lord has given to Mary be your assurance that He also places His trust in you as you accept and embrace His wonderful plan in your life.
From the experience of recognizing the many great things that the Mighty One has done for us last NYD2017, may the NYD2018 celebration be a moment of affirmation and encouragement for you, preparing you to offer your joyful and humble FIAT to Him.
Your ka-lakbay in Christ,
+ LEOPOLDO C. JAUCIAN, SVD, DD
Bishop of Bangued
Chairman of the CBCP-Episcopal Commission on Youth
2018 October 12 Memorial of Our Lady of the Pillar
Dear fellow youth ministers,
Greetings in our Lord, who has found favor in us!
With the joy of this Good News, we are able to share with you the National Youth Day (NYD) 2018 Formation Program!
This is prepared especially for the NYD2018, our local celebration of the NYD within the 2019 Year of the Youth, this December 16 in our respective settings (in dioceses and parishes, as well as in youth organizations, campuses, etc.).
The CBCP-Episcopal Commission on Youth acknowledges our partnership with the Bicol Regional Youth Coordinating Council which bore fruit through this program!
With Mary of Nazareth, our Mother and Guide, may we gather our young people in earnest celebration not only of the NYD2018, but of the wider occasion of the 2019 Year of the Youth. May the NYD2018 celebrations across the archipelago be an affirming milestone in our ongoing journey in youth ministry, enabling our Filipino youth in mission: beloved, gifted, empowered.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Rev. Fr. CONEGUNDO B. GARGANTA
Executive Secretary
