ASIA/PHILIPPINES - Youth and new evangelization: the "Youcat" International Congress

Friday, 8 November 2019 evangelization youth catechism new technologies

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Iloilo (Agenzia Fides) - Evangelization in the contemporary world: new roads, new forms, new potentials: with this spirit hundreds of "young missionaries" from different countries are attending the 2nd International "YOUCAT" Congress at the Iloilo Convention Center, Nov. 7-10. Organized by "YOUCAT" Philippines and Archdiocese of Jaro, Iloilo, the congress is " a response to the church’s call for the new evangelization in the Year of the Youth which is marked this year in the Philippines", said Mathew B. Loteyro, a participant to Fides.
"Youcat" is an ecclesial youth movement that started after the launch of the youth version of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, published in several languages in 2011, with the title "Youcat", the abbreviation of "Youth" and "Catechism". "Today Youcat is not just a book. We are a community. The Youcat is our tool to enlighten the young in the beauty of our faith and the truth of the gospel. Using this tool, we shall go to them and together with them we shall make Youcat more than just a book but rather a way of life", explains Marian Castro, a member of Youcat in the Philippines, to Fides.
The congress has its theme as “Arise,” recalls the episodes in the Gospel of Luke (7: 11-17) when Jesus raised back to life the young son of the widow of Naim. Guided by the words of Jesus, the congress aims to be an occasion for rediscovering Christ’s particular love for the young and his challenge for them to “arise” from their present conditions and become enthusiastic servant leaders, with the help of Youcat.
Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, Apostolic Nuncio in the Philippines, presided over the opening mass on 7 November, inviting the young delegates to "witness the Gospel to others and be missionaries in the nations".
Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Archbishop of Manila, invited ecclesial organizations, youth group leaders and youth pastoral delegates to attend the event. The Philippine bishops’ Episcopal Commission on Youth endorsed the congress as part of its many youthful ecclesial activities of the Year of the Youth, which is celebrated in 2019 as part of the multi-year program in preparation for the 500 years of the arrival of Christianity in the Philippines (1521-2021).
Inspired by Mary, Star of New Evangelization and St Pedro Calungsod and St. Lorenzo Ruiz, YOUCAT PHILIPPINES is a provider of "tools and integral faith formation for Christian Discipleship of young people".
The Youcat movement in the Philippines provides assistance to parishes to create and develop resources and materials for evangelization, creating networks and collaboration also with tools of new technologies.
"Given its appealing graphic format, made up of questions and answers, sometimes difficult but always direct, and with simple and pertinent answers, Youcat will soon become a reference point for young people, as a useful tool to learn the truth about the Catholic faith and to share the message of Christ", Teresa Punzo, a member of Youcat in the Philippines, told Fides. (SD) (Agenzia Fides, 8/11/2019)