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There
were 600 participants, youth members aged between 14 35, gathered together
for the weekend in Makiling National Scout Reservation, Laguna, on Friday
evening, 9 November 2007.
The
programme began with Mass at 6:30 pm, followed by dinner and a night
prayer
During the night prayer, each person received a
square of paper, whether green, blue, yellow or pink. They were asked to
fold the paper to form a candle holder. After that, they had to look for
their own color papers and form a circle; every 4th person held a
lighted candle.
Instrumental music played while they moved around slowly in silent
meditation and prayer. The purpose of that movement was to form a “Circle
of Friendship”. It was very uplifting and moving because it united a big
number of young people "to be of one mind and one heart towards
God".
Melanía and Pia from the group
(4º and 5º from de left.)
Saturday
session : Faith and Prayer (Theme)
There was a guest speaker, Brother Alvin (a
preacher and a musician) who spoke about Augustinian Spirituality. He
spoke two hours in the morning (9 – 11 a.m.) and another hour and a half
in the afternoon (2 – 3:30 p.m.). It was very interesting because he used
some quotes from the St. Augustine's Faith and Prayer. For instance,
"Faith is to believe what you do not yet see; the reward for this faith is
to see what you believe." “Prayer is the desire to be with God, to Rest in
God.” It was very powerful message to inspire and to encourage young
people to keep on working hard in faith and in prayer whatever gifts or
talents they have in their life journey, in the present and in the future.
Every 15
minutes during his speech he played some spiritual songs which enlightened
the hearts and the minds of the young people. They were full of life and
joy when the music started. It was amazing to see them; they were very
enthusiastic.
At one
part of the proceedings they were asked to work in groups, to share and to
reflect together on some questions already prepared on a piece of paper.
For instance – What is/are your plans for the future? Who is/are
helping or supporting you in your needs; school, personal journey, work,
etc.? There were 20 groups and in each group around 40 to 50 members and
it didn’t work too well, because they were too many. Some shared and some
did not because there was not enough time. The organizers realized what
had happened so "they will try to do something different for the next
time".
At 7 pm there was a Mass, followed by dinner. After the dinner a social
time was arranged, so each group had to prepare a presentation; a song or
a dance. At 9 pm the social time began and it was a fantastic time and
very enjoyable for the young people going by the cheering, clapping and
yelling for each group by their
supporters.
On Sunday we were supposed to have an evaluation at 9 am but nothing
happened because most of the young people were still in bed. There wasn't
anything until the closing mass at 10:30 am. There were 4 Augustinian
priests, the main celebrant was Rev Fr Rommel D. Par OSA.(Assistant Prior
General). The concelebrants were Fr Willie Arana OSA. (Regional Superior),
Fr Tony Lumusko OSA. (APAC President), and Fr Raul Cabuago OSA (Assistant
APAC President). The mass was really prayerful and moving because this was
the last gathering of the weekend camp. It was very moving at the time of
giving PEACE! To see them hugging or shaking hands with each other with a
big smile and some in tears.
I have to say it was a very big challenge and a great experience for
me and for the 6 young members(Rejane [President], Pia, Melanie, Eva, Lisa
and Chillean) who went with me to represent our LSA youth group for the
Asian Pacific Augustinian Jamboree camp.
(from the right to the left)Rejane
Manosca,Chillean Lamputi,Lisa Samson,Pia
Grace García, Eva Vergara,
Melanie Magadaraog and Alisi
Alisi Alofaki (lsa)
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