Diocese of Daet Bishop Rex Andrew Alarcon, head of the CBCP-Episcopal Commission on Youth called on the faithful to pray for the Filipino contingent in the upcoming World Youth Day in Portugal next month.
Bishop Rex Andrew Alarcon (CBCP Photo)
Bishop Alarcon wished the Filipino pilgrims a meaningful and safe journey as he cited the gathering as a good opportunity to renew one’s faith. “It is an opportunity to encounter the Lord through other people, to share our faith and our culture, as well as to be enriched by the giftedness of others,” the Church leader said in a CBCP News post. “WYD also aims to bring the message of hope to many young people in a wounded world where young people are losing hope,” he added. Hundreds of young Filipinos together with some bishops are attending the WYD in Lisbon, Portugal from Aug. 1 to 6. The theme for the gathering is “Mary arose and went with haste” (Luke 1:39). Initiated by St. Pope John Paul II in 1985, the week-long gathering brings together hundreds of thousands of young people from around the world. Held every three years, the last WYD was held in Panama in 2019. Because of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Vatican moved the 2022 Lisbon edition to the following year. As of June 30, organizers said more than 600,000 people have already registered for the event to meet and pray with Pope Francis. Thousands of families in Lisbon have also volunteered to open their homes to pilgrims. For those who will not be able to attend the WYD in Lisbon, Bishop Alarcon said the faithful may unite with the pilgrims online. “Pray for this event. Pray for our pilgrims,” he said.
Bishop Rex Andrew Alarcon (CBCP Photo)
Bishop Alarcon wished the Filipino pilgrims a meaningful and safe journey as he cited the gathering as a good opportunity to renew one’s faith. “It is an opportunity to encounter the Lord through other people, to share our faith and our culture, as well as to be enriched by the giftedness of others,” the Church leader said in a CBCP News post. “WYD also aims to bring the message of hope to many young people in a wounded world where young people are losing hope,” he added. Hundreds of young Filipinos together with some bishops are attending the WYD in Lisbon, Portugal from Aug. 1 to 6. The theme for the gathering is “Mary arose and went with haste” (Luke 1:39). Initiated by St. Pope John Paul II in 1985, the week-long gathering brings together hundreds of thousands of young people from around the world. Held every three years, the last WYD was held in Panama in 2019. Because of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Vatican moved the 2022 Lisbon edition to the following year. As of June 30, organizers said more than 600,000 people have already registered for the event to meet and pray with Pope Francis. Thousands of families in Lisbon have also volunteered to open their homes to pilgrims. For those who will not be able to attend the WYD in Lisbon, Bishop Alarcon said the faithful may unite with the pilgrims online. “Pray for this event. Pray for our pilgrims,” he said.