The papal nuncio to the Philippines encouraged young people on April 27, 2019, “to be the light” of the world especially to those who suffer and are longing for love and peace, reported CBCP News.
Addressing a huge crowd at the closing Mass of the National Youth Day in Cebu City, Archbishop Gabriele Caccia urged them to never get tired of being instruments of hope among their peers.
“This is our vocation,” Caccia said in his homily. “The world needs light and each one of you is this small light but together it’s more than enough to give hope, love, and life”.
As the Church prepares for the 500 years of Christianity in the Philippines in 2021, he urged the youth to be active and spread the faith by being witness to Jesus.
“We want to go far. We receive this gift of faith through the witnesses of so many generations but we want this faith to continue to shine,” he said.
“So my wish today is that the Risen Christ may give all of you His peace and make you all an instrument of His love, mercy, and peace,” Caccia added.
Organizers said the Mass drew 20,000 pilgrims from across the country that attended the five-day gathering of prayer, music, catechism and community service.
The turnout is said to be the biggest in NYD’s history since it started in 1986.
Also present were about a hundred priests, nuns, and bishops led by Archbishop Romulo Valles, president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines.
At the end of the Mass, it was announced that the next NYD will be hosted by the Archdiocese of Caceres in Naga City in 2021.
