Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Manila (Agenzia Fides) – Everything is set in the Philippines, where they are ready to receive the over 2,000 young people from 22 countries that, as delegates from various Asian nations, will participate in the 5th Asian Youth Day, which will be held in the Diocese of Imus (in the city of Cavite, near Manila), November 20-27, 2009. The event, promoted by the FABC, will bring together young people from the continent, offering them an experience similar to that of World Youth Day.
The Asian Youth Day will focus on the theme of the Word of God and the Eucharist, as the Asian Bishops have affirmed, with the objectives of “renewing the faith of the Asian youth, in love for the Word of God and the Eucharist; celebrating the Word and the Eucharist in various Asian contexts and cultures; making the youth participants in the transformation of the dioceses in Asia.”
In a statement sent to Agenzia Fides, Bishop Joel Z. Baylon of Masbate, President of the Commission for the Youth, in the Bishops' Conference, recalls that the event takes place every 3 years and that “it conserves its foundational goal of bringing together youth from Asia, to see the face of the Catholic Church in other Asian nations.”
The Bishop expressed his gratitude to the families who will host the youth from other nations, in spite of difficulties and damages suffered by the Typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng, which have struck the Philippines. The youth will be hosted in families in the Dioceses of Manila, Lipa, San Pablo, Antipolo, Paranaque, Pasig, Cubao, Novaliches, Kalookan, and Imus. Modeled after the WYD celebration, the youth will participate in catechesis, group seminars, Eucharistic Celebrations, and the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
The first Asian Youth Day took place in Thailand (in Bangkok), in 1999, as a regional encounter for Asian youth, after WYD. The event was met with great success and the Bishops decided to continue holding them. In 2001, it was held in Taipei, Taiwan. The third was held in Bangalore, India in 2003. The last one was held in Hong Kong in 2006. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 4/11/2009)
