WYD is a great cultural and religious event organized by the Catholic Church for young people all over the world; a great celebration of faith in the sense that young people from various nations, regardless of color and race, come together to share and celebrate one faith - a manifestation of the “universal” character of the Catholic Church. It is a great opportunity to broaden one’s horizon and encounter the immense love of God through the meeting of young people from all over the world.
It was indeed an amazing experience to reach the capital of Spain, with the most emblematic backdrop for WYD. I conquered the mother land which brought the Catholic faith to my country. For almost a week, I experienced the immense love of God and felt Christ through my encounter with the Holy Father and other youth of the world.
The World Youth Day Madrid 2011 made a great impact in my life in the sense that it brought me a new opportunity for me to shine for God. The answers to my questions were answered in WYD. The mission I had received would make me more inspired to serve in the youth ministry. But more than anything else, WYD made me planted and built up in Jesus Christ, firm in the faith.
by Roy Villafania
Many had been called but only few are chosen. It all started with a dream of journeying with other youth to experience God’s love. I offered lots of prayers and committed myself in service to the youth ministry. To be selected as one of the members of the WYD Organizing Team of the Diocese was such a great honor, but more than anything else, I am grateful for the trust given when they chose me to be part of the Delegation team to Madrid.
I believe that if not for those generous people who have supported me, I would not fulfill this dream. I went to Madrid equipped with the love and support from my family, friends and parish. This made me more inspired and gave me the zeal in this journey.
It was indeed an amazing experience to reach the capital of Spain, with the most emblematic backdrop for WYD. I conquered the mother land which brought the Catholic faith to my country. For almost a week, I experienced the immense love of God and felt Christ through my encounter with the Holy Father and other youth of the world.
The most memorable experience would be the Via Crucis (Station of the Cross) wherein I realized the great immense love of God. This made me deeply value my faith, making me more rooted and built up in Jesus Christ so that I may be firm in the faith. It is through the Via Crucis where I learned my mission that I share with Christ - to carry my own cross as I journey in this life. We all carry our own crosses and hopefully we arrive to one destination and that is in reunion with God the Father. Furthermore, it was a memorable activity because it was made symbolic and solemn. It was symbolic in the sense that the Via Crucis in Spain has a unique character and experience coupled with the different young people (representing different sectors of society) who carried the cross from one station to another.
The World Youth Day Madrid 2011 made a great impact in my life in the sense that it brought me a new opportunity for me to shine for God. The answers to my questions were answered in WYD. The mission I had received would make me more inspired to serve in the youth ministry. But more than anything else, WYD made me planted and built up in Jesus Christ, firm in the faith.
by Roy Villafania
Hello Mr Villafania
ReplyDeleteI am Vi Hernandez, the Editor of Messenger of Divine Love, a quarterly magazine published by the Word and LIfe Ministry under Fr. Salvatore Putzu,SDB We are writing a WYD feature for this quarter.
May we reproduce parts of this article as well as your pictures in our Magazine which will come out this or next month.
You may contact me through jansalangit@gmail.com.
Hoping for your kind consideration,
Vi Hernandez