S i g n i s I n d i a

MANILA, July 25, 2011— With only three weeks to go before the World Youth Day (WYD) takes place in Madrid, Spain, the Episcopal Commission on Youth (ECY) of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) urged Filipino delegates to prepare spiritually for the event.

More than being financially ready to join the WYD, the delegates, including some 2,000 Filipinos, should be spiritually ready to participate in this global gathering of Catholic youth on August 16 to 21, according to ECY chairman and Legazpi Bishop Joel Baylon.

“Aside from the financial aspect, delegates should prepare spiritually for the WYD. They should not think of WYD only as an opportunity to socialize, to meet new friends and find an opportunity for relationships, but more importantly as a chance for a life-changing
experience, which they should get ready for,” Baylon said.

The prelate said the WYD proved to be a life-changing experience for those who have attended it in the past, some even realizing their priestly and religious calling because of the event.

“A lot of young people who have attended the WYD said doing so had been a life-changing experience for them. They said the WYD made them fully realize the youth’s role in the Church’s life and deepened their faith. Banking on their testimonials, WYD delegates should pray and ask for the Holy Spirit’s grace to make WYD truly a meaningful experience for them,” he added.

Baylon likened the WYD to the Pentecost, where the Holy Spirit descended on the apostles, inspiring them to share the teachings of Jesus Christ with others.

“Just like the apostles, may the WYD delegates get inspired by the Holy Spirit to share the Good News in WYD with our friends and peers back home. Let the WYD be a grace-filled occasion for our faith in God and in the Church to grow, bloom and bear fruit,” Baylon added.

As per the records of the ECY, at least 2,000 Filipinos are attending the WYD in Madrid, 400 of them belong to the country’s official delegation named ECY-Philippines. Some of the delegates will fly to Spain as early as August 8 to participate in the days in the dioceses all over Spain. (YouthPinoy)