In the heart of Lisbon, a city rich in history and spirituality, Friars Aiden Peter, Sixtus Pitah and Robin Toha, along with 59 young people from the Churches of St Mary of the Angels, Blessed Sacrament, and Immaculate Heart of Mary, shared in a global message of love, inclusivity and hope at World Youth Day 2023.
World Youth Day in Lisbon brought together more than 1.5 million young souls from around the world, offering them an array of spiritually enriching talks, solemn praying of the Stations of the Cross in the presence of Pope Francis, and a moving closing mass presided over by His Holiness himself.
Held from 1 to 6 August, World Youth Day 2023 transcended mere participation. It was a spiritual awakening that will echo in the hearts of the young pilgrims for years to come, a testament to the enduring power of faith and the joy of connecting with others through shared beliefs.
Pope Francis’ message of inclusivity and love resonated deeply with the youthful audience, who eagerly absorbed his words of wisdom.
Reflecting on the Holy Father’s message, Friar Aiden, who led the contingent, said,
“Pope Francis is the pope of relationships, the pope who welcomes all to the church. Everyone has a place in the church.”
Pope Francis, renowned for his warmth and approachability, appeared entirely at ease with the young pilgrims, and many pilgrims left the six-day event feeling cherished, enriched, and emboldened, holding on to the Pope’s profound message as a beacon of hope and unity.
As World Youth Day drew to a close, the Pope announced that the next World Youth Day would be held in South Korea in 2027. The excitement of the pilgrims was palpable; they were already looking forward to another spiritually transformative WYD experience.
Pope Francis also disclosed plans for a Youth Jubilee in Rome in 2025, underscoring the importance of youth engagement within the Church. These upcoming events continue the tradition of bringing together young people from every corner of the globe to celebrate their faith and deepen their connection with God.
World Youth Day may be an event for young people, but Pope Francis’ final message to the pilgrims at the closing mass on 6 August 2023 is one that all of us can take to heart.
“What will we take back with us as we resume our daily lives?” he asked the pilgrims. He drew his answer from the Gospel (of the Feast of the Transfiguration): to shine, to listen, and to be unafraid.
Shine: Jesus is transfigured; “his face shone like the sun” (Mt 17:2). We need something of this burst of light today, says the Holy Father. And we can be this light in the world. “We radiate light – we shine – by welcoming Jesus into our hearts and learning to love as he does. … whenever you do works of love, you become light. But the moment you stop loving others and become self-centered, you extinguish your light.”
Listen: From the bright cloud overshadowing the disciples, the Father said “This is my Son, the Beloved … listen to him!” (Mt 17:5). “To listen to Jesus, that is life’s secret. Listen to what Jesus is saying to you,” says Pope Francis. And if we feel we do not know what Jesus is saying to us, the Holy Father says to read the Prayer of St Francis before the Crucifix of San Damiano Gospels, and listen to what Jesus is saying to our hearts. “For he has the words of eternal life for us, he reveals that God is our Father, that God is love. He shows us the way of love,” he says. “Listen to Jesus; otherwise, even if we set out with good intentions along paths that seem to be of love, in the end those paths will be seen as selfishness disguised as love. Be careful of selfishness disguised as love! Listen to Jesus, for he will show you which paths are those of love. Listen to him.”
Be Unafraid: Jesus’ last words to the disciples at the Transfiguration were “Do not be afraid!” (Mt 17:7) – words to remember whenever we feel inadequate, lose heart or think we are falling short. Pope Francis reminds us that Jesus knows our hearts, our lives, our joys, our sorrows, our successes and failures, and he says to us, “Have no fear, take heart, do not be afraid!”.
As we go about our daily lives, let us remember the Holy Father’s exhortation to the pilgrims – and to all of us – shine, so be radiant; then, listen in order not to take the wrong path; and be unafraid. Do not be afraid.
“Jika Yesus tanya kita, adakah anda menyayangi saya?” merupakan soalan yang diajukan oleh Friar Don Don Ramerez, OFM dalam homili beliau semasa merayakan Misa Kerahiman Ilahi di Gereja St Ann, Kota Padawan yang disiarkan secara langsung melalui Facebook, YouTube dan aplikasi Zoom bagi seluruh Asia.
Salib merupakan lambang bahawa Tuhan mencintai setiap kita. Persoalannya, adakah kita mencintai Dia?
Tanyalah dalam hati kita, dan jika tidak, semoga kita mendapatkan kesembuhan dan pengampunan daripada Tuhan.
Misa Kerahiman Ilahi bagi seluruh Asia telah diadakan pada 10 Ogos 2023.
Misa tersebut bermula pada jam 7 petang waktu Malaysia yang sama juga dengan waktu di Filipina dan Singapura, manakala bagi Indonesia pula, ia diadakan pada jam 6 petang. Ramai juga umat yang menghadirkan diri untuk mendapatkan kesembuhan dan sentuhan Tuhan melalui Ekaristi.
The congregation pouring water into a common pot, reminding us of how small each of our actions may be to care for creation but we can still make a difference when we come together as one.
On September 1, the Church of the Risen Christ conducted a paraliturgy and reflection session, followed by a Eucharistic celebration to launch the Season of Creation in the parish.
Parish priest, Friar Esmond Chua, OFM. brought to light that we have allowed injustice and greed to drown out the virtues of justice and peace all in the name of progress and development. Yet, we still refer to ourselves as “Christians” living a double life: pious and humble in church, but selfish and wasteful when in the world. Our response to care for creation has to be one that is internalised.
He then invited us to reflect on the image of rivers. Just as rivers are persistent, such that nothing can stop a stream from flowing, we are to be persistent to let “justice” and “peace” flow. We give up easily even before trying to respond to the call to care for creation because just the thought of what needs to be done can be overwhelming — from having to bring our own utensils wherever we go or to speak out for environmental policy changes. We do not want to be inconvenienced and thus, as a result of our choices: global warming, polluted rivers and land.
He further pointed out to us how we may grow and be persistent like a river, that is to transform our perception, our hearts and our lifestyle. Transforming our perception needs us to see the bigger picture from the “Me, Myself and I” to “You and We”; from “obstacles” to “opportunities”; from “too much work” to “what more must be done”; and from “no one’s watching” to “even if no one’s watching.” This transformation will, then, lead us to see the need, importance and urgency to allow justice and peace to flow in our relationships, perceptions, and treatments towards one another and creation.
Transforming our hearts needs us to make time to listen with the ears of our heart, that is, to dialogue with the oppressed and the voiceless, both people and creation. We are to work together in this, just as the lakes and seas are a collection of rivers.
Friar Esmond requested those present to reflect on the individual commitments that they could make, using the following questions as a guide:
1. What are some of my perceptions about “Caring for Creation” that need to change? 2. What collaborative opportunities are there in my neighbourhood which I can participate in to care for creation?
3. How can I contribute to the care of creation with the unique gifts and talents that I have been entrusted with?
The Litany of Repentance was led by assistant priest, Friar Crispus Mosinoh, OFM. Then the people were invited to make a commitment on how to care for creation; by symbolically pouring water into a common pot, reminding us of how small each of our actions may be to care for creation but we can still make a difference when we come together as one.
The programme drew to a close with Mass and fellowship.
This event was put together in collaboration with Caritas Penang and the Creation Justice Commission of Penang Diocese.
