Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Hong Kong (Agenzia Fides) – The 5th Asian Youth Day will take place on Tagaytay City (Philippines), on November 23 to 27, however various initiatives are being planned to prolong the celebration November 20-30. The main theme is “YAsia Fiesta! - Come together, Share the Word, Live the Eucharist!” inspired by the recent Synod of Bishops and the theme of the Assembly held by the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences (FABC) last August. According to the site of the Commission for Diocesan Youth Ministry of Hong Kong (www.dychk.org), the group from Hong Kong will include 40 Catholic youth and catechumens, ages 18-35. The Commission has also organized three encounters of preparatory formation, which will take place on September 6, October 1, and November 7 and 8, inviting the youth to participate. The Hong Kong delegations will travel to Tagaytay City on November 20 and return on November 30. According to the Kong Ko Bao, the Chinese version of the diocesan bulletin, the Commission is also preparing the “Diocesan Youth Day” in December. There will be 4 prayer encounters to help the youth learn more about the Word of God and deepen in their relationship with God.
From reports sent to Agenzia Fides, the Church in the Philippines is already fully immersed in the spirit of the Youth Day. The pilgrimage of the bamboo Cross began on March 14 and even visited parishes located in Muslim-majority districts. The Asian Youth Day is an initiative of the Youth Ministry Commission, in collaboration with the Youth Group of the Lay Office of the FABC. In its structure is is similar to World Youth Day, as its fundamental elements will be the pilgrimage, the general encounter, reflection, testimonies, prayer, and the Mass, relying on local families to host them. According to the Youth Group, the Day is not only a celebration of the Divine Word and the Eucharist by the youth, in the Asian culture and community, but it is also an opportunity that the youth are given to become instruments in the transformation of life according to Christian principles. The first Asian Youth Day took place in Thailand, in 1999, then Taiwan (2001), India (2003), and Hong Kong (2006). (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 17/7/2009)
