Filipino Youth in Mission: Beloved, Gifted, Empowered

CBCP Pastoral Letter for the 2019 Year of the Youth

The Road to Emmaus Story

[Lk 24:13-35]

Dear young people,

Grace and Peace to you all!

We, your shepherds, thank you from our hearts for

coming together to chart the course of our celebration of your year, the Year of the Youth. We
commend your courage in expressing your very selves through the “Open Letter of the Filipino Youth to
the Catholic Church”. We delight in your recognition of your being vital members of the Body of Christ,
the Church. As a response to your letter, the Philippine Catholic Church embraces you and your being
life-given and life-giving, and with you, we affirm that:

You are BELOVED. Just like John the beloved disciple, who in his youth was called by the Lord to follow
Him, the Church loves you with special affection, and we share with you the same call from the Lord.
You are loved by the Father [cf. Dt 1:31; Is 40:11; 41:10; 46:4] as Jesus declared to His disciples, “As the
Father loves me, so I also love you” [Jn 15:9], and He then invites you to remain in His love by following
His commandments [cf. Jn 14:15]. Only then will you experience the joy that is complete [cf. Jn 15:9-11].
The Church in the Philippines seeks to show you the same love [cf. PCP II, 385; KA-LAKBAY, pp. 35-41],
especially through her youth ministry, whose aspiration is to raise you up and carry you lovingly through
life, with all its trials and tribulations.

You are GIFTED. The Sacrament of Baptism you received initiated you into the life of God and with God.
Through the Sacrament of Confirmation, you were gifted with the Holy Spirit who inflames you with
faith, passion, and courage. Like the young lay missionary catechist St. Pedro Calungsod and Richie
Fernando, the young Jesuit who died shielding his students from a grenade explosion, your fresh and
energetic youthfulness is also a gift, enabling you to commit yourselves in service of others, as well as
renewing the Church and the world. To the countless youth volunteers and missionaries who share their
gifts in the building up of God’s Reign—upholding and defending life and human dignity, the
environment, justice, freedom and peace, among others—your families, the Church and our society
recognize you, and need more of your willingness and dedication. You clearly remind us that a life
embraced and shared wholeheartedly contributes to the ongoing work of creation and glorifies God.

You are EMPOWERED. In the face of so many problems and difficulties today affecting our Christian life,
families, social relationships and communities, as well as various personal and socio-cultural concerns
you raised in your letter (mental health, substance abuse, HIV-AIDS, access to education, environmental
problems, human trafficking, politics, dialogue with cultures, digital community, etc.), you are able to
exhibit the humility to seek the support that will lead you to discover your strengths and capabilities to
live meaningful lives. Like Mary, you are humble enough to proclaim “How can this be…?” [Lk 1:34] and
still give your assent in faith. This pleases not only the Lord but also your elders, because you are making
us an important part of your development into mature individuals, fully aware of being persons called by
God, capable of discerning decisions that positively impact your lives and those of others. We all long for
a better world and society, for a renewed Church, and we see you as protagonists of this change, as the
dynamic force of the Church now, when you reach out to the peripheries to bring Jesus and His message
of salvation to the lost, the least and the last, including other young people like you who yearn to be
loved, gifted and empowered.

You are IN MISSION. We look at you, our young people, so full of dynamism, as disciples sent on a
mission to make disciples for Jesus. We pray that your discernment, choices and actions will lead you to
a purposeful life—whether in the ordained ministry, consecrated life, marriage and family, or the single
state—with the Spirit of the Risen Christ directing your steps in making and leaving a marked difference
in the world and society [cf. Mt 28:19-20]. As we look forward to 2021, we envision that the celebration
of the 500th anniversary of the arrival of Christianity in the Philippines will be a time to celebrate a
bountiful harvest from your ranks—youth committed to families, to the Church and to the country with
a renewed passion to proclaim the Word, ready to work with their communities and the Church, and
willing to share in molding a just and peaceful world through missionary involvement. As the Holy Father
Pope Francis challenged you, we also say: “So make a mess! But also help in cleaning it up… a mess that
brings a free heart, a mess that brings solidarity, a mess that brings us hope, a mess that comes from
knowing Jesus and knowing that God, once I know Him, is my strength” (from the WYD2013). Awaken
the shepherds in us, your elders, and rekindle the fire of faith, hope and love in everyone in the Church
so that together, we can journey and minister with you, as you serve the Church and your fellow youth.

We appreciate your courage and openness to welcome the Year of the Youth with all its challenges and
hopes. May you overflow with joy and trust that can only come from your encounter with Jesus through
your moments of prayer, from the celebration of the Eucharist and other Sacraments, through the
reading and study of the Word of God, in your pastoral youth formation activities and gatherings, in
your participation in the life of your local churches, and through your works of mercy and charity.
Lastly, like the two disciples who were met by Jesus on the road to Emmaus [cf. Lk 24:13-35], you are
invited to open your eyes and ears, your minds and hearts: listen with a disposition of faith in Him, so
you may turn your steps from a world of fear and despair towards that of God’s Kingdom. Together with
the Synod Fathers, we express our wish to “continue the journey now in every part of the earth where
the Lord Jesus sends us as missionary disciples” (letter of the Synod Fathers, October 28, 2018).

With Mary our Mother who, in her youth trustingly said to the angel “Be it done to me according to your
word” [Lk 1:38], may our own FIAT resound this 2019 and beyond!

For the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines,

+ ROMULO G. VALLES, D.D.

Archbishop of Davao
President, Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines
December 2, 2018
First Sunday of Advent

Who is a youth in the church and what is their role? a year ago 44809 views by Vivian Falae Religion is
one of the most important aspects of many people’s lives. Churches serve as valuable hubs for people of
all ages. However, one of the groups that is often left out of the conversation is the youth group.
Therefore, today, we will be talking about youths in the church, their role and the importance of the
church for the youth. Check it out! Who is a youth in the church? Traditionally, youth is considered to be
a period of transition from childhood to adulthood. Most of the time, people use the word ‘teenagers’
when referring to the youth, even though there are no defined age boundaries. Anyone can be a youth if
they want to :) Youth in the church can actually be and do anything they desire. For instance, some
young people choose to attend a youth ministry, where they can learn, communicate and grow in a safe
and faithful environment. Others are actually in charge of said youth ministries and other similar
religious organisations for young people, where they can give back to the youth in their communities.
Now, let’s talk about the role of youth in the church in a little bit more detail. Role of youth in the church
As we have mentioned before, youths can take on any role they like in the church. First and foremost,
they can be the consumers. Young minds are perfect vessels for information. There is no better time to
teach them about God, religion and spirituality other than in their younger years. If they are encouraged
enough to participate in the life of the church when they are young, they will continue to do that in their
adulthood. Another important role of the youth in church is providing a fresh perspective on things.
Some older people might be too stuck on outdated ideals. The goal of the youth is to offer their own
view on the situation/topic, from which everyone can benefit. Young people often have more energy
than adults, which makes them the perfect choice for various organisational jobs. Lots of teenagers are
great at organising and holding various celebrations and events, as they usually have lots of amazing
ideas. Here is the thing: Apart from being in control of things like planning, youths should also act as a
helping hand. This could mean many things: young people can take on the cleaning duties; they can help
the oldest members of the church; they can also help other youngsters in their search for God and
spirituality. Most importantly, the youth is the future of any church. They are the ones who decide
whether to continue preaching what their predecessors have preached or to introduce something new
and fresh. If the youth is not interested in going to church, then the whole institute of religion might fall
apart. Therefore, it is important to encourage the youth to get involved with the church. Role of the
church for the Christian youth READ ALSO: Prayer points for the church in Nigeria Apart from
considering the things the youths could do for the church, we should also think about the things that the
church could do for the youth. The most important thing any church can do for youth is provide
guidance and knowledge. While many young people are blessed with wonderful
parents/guardians/teachers, some do not have that luxury. In order to save them from themselves or
from the situations they might be in, the church has to show them the righteous path that involves faith
in Our Lord. Church can be a great way for many young people to find some meaning for their lives.
With help from other church members (pastors, priests, other believers), the youth can find a place for
God in their hearts and lives. They can learn from other people’s experiences, share their own and hear
feedback from others. Churches should offer educational programmes for young people that can teach
them how to be good, faithful people in the future. These programs should also provide information
that children cannot find at school or at home. However, that is not all: Church’s role in youth
development should not end with just providing important knowledge and guidance. It should also
provide the youth with all forms of support. The support can come from anyone within the church and
take on any forms. It can be spiritual, financial, moral, social, or any other form of help that the youth
might need. As young people are quite a vulnerable transitional group, they should have all the support
they can get in their complicated journey towards adulthood. After all, a church should serve as a safe
space, a light at the end of the tunnel, an answer to the many questions that fill young minds. It should
be a home and a main destination for those who are lost, confused, scared or hurt. Read
more: https://www.legit.ng/1135163-who-a-youth-church-role.html
Filipino youth's life is like a “wheel” or “gulong” in Filipino’s vernacular language.

FILIPINO YOUTH’S LIFE DIFFERENCE NOW AND BEFORE

Filipino youth’s life is like a “wheel” or “gulong” in Filipino’s vernacular language. Sometimes we’re on
top and sometimes we’re down. Like cellphones before our generation, no camera, video, not touch
screen and even eload, we only have a prepaid card. Just like the life of every individual, we do not know
the future comes and how it will affects our lives. There are actually wide changes on any criteria of the
Filipinos now and before:

Before: Children are very courteous when it comes to the elder one and to the person they know, well-
behave and very respectful. They follow their parents command without any words of disagreement.

Now: Children today are very opposite from before; they are not courteous although not all but usually
in my observation. Before, mother demanded their children but today they we’re get demanded by their
kids. If the parents disagree then they’ll get mad and walk away.
Before: children study hard for their future and to help their parents. They read books and do their
homework. After they study, that’s the time to play outside with our native Filipino games like “tumbang
preso”, Chinese garter and many more games they think they would play.

Now: Instead of studying hard, Children are now practicing smoking, drinking alcohol and not attending
their scheduled class. Cutting classes are also being made to avoid long time in their class to go to
computer shops to play “DOTA” and to be with their peer bonding to go to the bar and whatsoever. In
full, illegal activities could make their lives worst that will results to their regrets and shame.

Before: Children are contented on the food served in the table without looking for the food they want.
They have to wait for someone to give a gift to them and not to ask from their parents.

Now: Children get contented if they have the things they want to have. They don’t care about your
budget and your food. They don’t care if you have nothing to eat because they care for the things they
want. And if you will not give them, get ready because they will do everything to catch attention until
you can’t control them.
Before: Young people are very simple in the way the dress, like long sleeves, pants or long skirts. They
are not exposed with their bodies. The important is they have the clothes to wear up and down.

Now: Young people are still simple like (matatanaw mo a yung hindi mo dapat tatanawin), you can see
the navel of Pasig river, meaning they are wearing high shirts that their navel already showed. They
could not go to their destinations without those paints (make-up kumbaga) and at their young age they
are talking about love life and whatsoever that matured people do.

But anyway, everything starts from the parents and the environment they came from. If they were full
of love and attention with reminders from their parents and loved ones. They will grow like the old
generation. The child’s future depends from their parents because they are the first person that has
been seen from the first time they were born. But in a long run, every individual changed their vision but
it depends upon their decision on how to live. In the other way, our future came from our hands, we are
the one who hold it and we are the one who will decide it. If we want to have a better future, whatever
happens, hold on and keep on praying to God that he will not live you and will guide you to avoid those
bad influence from other people who keeps on pulling you to be like them. Think of yourself, think of
your parents and to your coming family in order to avoid in doing bad things.

That’s my opinion actually, don’t mind my words. Anyway, if you have some additional information,
comment and suggestions, you may leave a comment below this article. You may also like our Facebook
page at https://www.facebook.com/filipinolives/?fref=ts for more updates. Thank you and God Bless!