THE final preparation for the “pilgrimage of trust”, an international meeting of young people slated in Manila early next year was launched August 29 marked with prayers, singing and reflection on the word of God.
Held at San Carlos Seminary complex in Makati City, the event assembled hundreds of young people representing 150 groups from eight dioceses and various Catholic youth organizations. Representatives also came from members of the Philippine Independent Church, Methodist Church, the Anglican Church and United Church of Christ.
The Taize brothers, who organized the gathering in coordination with the Episcopal Commission on Youth of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (ECY) said the number of participants who came exceeded their expectations.
“Some of the participants traveled 5 hours, like a group of seminarians from the Philippine Independent Church,” said Bro. Andreas. “It is Jesus who brings us together in this diversity, He is the one who walks with us on our personal pilgrimage,” he added.
A group of Taize brothers, Bro. Andreas among them, have been in and out of the country since early last year laying down the groundwork for the upcoming international meeting. They have been going around dioceses in the country, meeting and facilitating retreats with young people.
Bro. Andreas said they have visited many parishes, youth groups, institutions and congregations since May this year to invite young people to participate in the local preparation for the pilgrimage of trust.
The program started at 2:30 p.m. with hundreds of participants assembled in the seminary gym decorated with icons, candles, and plants.
Oblivious of the noisy traffic of EDSA nearby, the young people entered into an atmosphere of silence through meditative songs and scripture readings.
“…Young people were praying in silence, singing “Diyos ay pag-ibig”, God is Love, God is Forgiveness. Some were touched to tears while experiencing this way of praying for the first time,” said Bro. Andreas.
One of the brothers gave a biblical reflection on the topic of trust, followed by small group sharing among participants.
Bro. Andreas said the reflection will continue in local youth groups in parishes.
All the participants were given handouts and reflection guide for each month to be used for sharing and prayer in local youth groups in parishes to prepare themselves.
The reflection guide has a proposed theme for each month coupled with biblical texts, writings from Taize and some questionnaires.
Other practical aspects were also raised up during the gathering. The brothers discussed how each one can participate fully in the pilgrimage, the next steps of preparation on the local level, on how to find foster families for thousands of pilgrims coming around the country and abroad, and preparation of the liturgy and other activities during the pilgrimage.
Bro.Andreas said the word START not only summarized the activities of the day but also convey the essential things to do in the coming months. He said,
“S for Spiritual preparation and experience. The meeting and its preparation is rooted in the Gospel and the Church. T for Trust. We want to renew trust, in God, in others, in oneself, making the church a place of trust. A for Announce. We want to announce the meeting to others, going beyond existing borders, inviting youth and finding foster families. R for Relationship with Christ, the one who accompanies us always, who calls us to follow him. T for Testimony of hope. We want to share our hope with all those who will attend the meeting. There is hope, even if there are many challenges.”
Many of those who participated in the launching activity were young Filipinos who have been to Taize during the last ten years and stayed with the community for three months, the brother said.
He was impressed by the youth’s openness to participate in the prayerful activity.
“Others knew the songs from prayers in their local parish or they heard about the Pilgrimage of trust quite a time ago. But there were also young people who never experienced Taizé before, who were not used to times of silence during prayer and the meditative way of singing,” he said.
A solidarity message sent by three young Filipinos currently in Taize was read to the participants at the end of the meeting.
“Dear fellow Filipino youth, Greetings of peace!
We are very privileged to host the Pilgrimage of trust on earth next year. As we launch this great event in the history of young people in our country, here is our simple message to everyone. The Pilgrimage of trust is a means for us to embrace others amidst the differences of culture and religion. It leads us to be aware that unity is possible in spite of the indifference and the challenges of our society today. We experience division among us in many ways but this should not hinder us to be united in Christ. This is the time for us to awaken our sense of responsibility in the life of others. Let us go beyond all that keeps us apart; let us strengthen our faith and take the step to make our dream "Communion of Communities" a reality. We journey together as Christian family and pray for peace and unity in our country and the whole world.
Let us not forget that Christ is present in us. He goes before us always and through this pilgrimage He visits us and begins to work in each one of us.
Let us then open the doors of our hearts to Him and let Him love in us so that we may experience inner solidarity. We keep burning in our hearts the challenge of our Christian mission.
With you in prayers, Janice, Glen and Jetrix”
Brother Andreas said the participants were now aware of the enormous challenges awaiting them “but as it is said in the letter ‘Christ goes before us always and through this pilgrimage He visits us and begins to work in each one of us.’ Wherever we are.”
He disclosed that more brothers will be joining them soon to open a Secretariat for the “Pilgrimage of Trust 2010” and to coordinate the ongoing preparation.
Other groups helping the secretariat are the Sisters of the Congregation of the Little Sisters of Jesus, a group of volunteers coming from different Asian and European countries who will start to visit youth in the parishes starting this October, youth ministers and the ECY Staff.
“Experiencing the joy and the commitment of all those who were with us is a great source of trust. So many are willing to help, to give their time, to share their talents, to join in this Pilgrimage. It happened during the time of preparation and surely will continue until the meeting itself in February,” Bro. Andreas said.
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