Pilgrims from the Dioceses of Talibon, Palawan and Malaybalay bond for the last time with a commitment that they will meet again during the NYD 2021 celebration. /Photo from NYD 2019-Cebu FB page
CEBU CITY, Philippines – As they head back to their provinces, participants of the National Youth Day (NYD) 2019 said that they have kept beautiful stories and good memories of Cebu and the Cebuanos to bring home with them.
Mart Jay Alcones Delmo of Cotabato City expressed his appreciation for hospitable and caring Cebuanos whom he meet during his visit.
“It is a very good place to visit and the people are very hospitable and caring. the food are very great. NYD 2019-CEBU is the best experience ever. the accommodations are great and the programs as well,” Delmo posted on the NYD-2019 official Facebook page.
Joshua Floyd Jesalva from Malilipot, Albay said that he found a new family in Cebu.
“Expectations are never met. I expected to have new friends, but I met a new Family💛 DAGHANG SALAMAT, CEBU!!!
#NYD2019Cebu,” he said.
Archbishop Gabriele Giordano Caccia, the papal nuncio to the Philippines, officiated the NYD 2019 closing Mass earlier today, April 28. /CDN File Photo
The six-day gathering formally closed this morning, April 28, with a Holy Mass officiated by Archbishop Gabriele Giordano Caccia, the papal nuncio to the Philippines, held at the Cebu City Sports Center.
Addressing around 20, 000 pilgrims, Caccia said during his homily that one does not find peace “if we are not reborn.”
“Do we bring peace in our life? Do we bring peace in our world?” Caccia asked the youth.
The papal nuncio also reflected on Jesus’ 40-day solitude in the dessert before his Good Friday crucifixion.
“The fruit of silence is prayer. The fruit of prayer is faith. The fruit of faith is love. The fruit of love is service and the fruit of service is peace,” said Caccia.
Caccia said that the youth of today seems a little scared of “silence.” He cited as an example their need to always watch movies on television and use gadgets like cellular phones to prevent boredom.
“The young people, we are a little scared of silence… But you know, we need silence with God, just like what Jesus did in the dessert,” he added.
The day’s activity started with a dawn rosary at 5 a.m. which was followed by a Holy Mass officiated by Caccia at 6 a.m.
Pilgrims then attended the closing program that started immediately after the Mass. The activity included a recap of the different NYD 2019 activities, community singing and the formal and symbolic turn-over of a cross to the NYD 2021 host, which is the Archdiocese of Caceres in Bicol region.
NYD 2019 participants endure the early morning heat as they attended the closing Mass at the Cebu City Sports Center. /CDND File Photo
Before they parted ways to go back to their host-parishes for their de-registration, some of the participants made a commitment to again meet their new found friends during the NYD 2021 celebration in Bicol region.
NYD 2019- Cebu posted on its FB page this morning a picture of pilgrims coming from the Dioceses of Talibon, Palawan and Malaybalay who bonded for the last time “as they leave this year’s NYD and promise to meet again on 2021!”
In an interview after the gathering, Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma expressed his gratitude to everyone who helped make this year’s event a success.
“So many participated and many ended up happy and with a high note of gratitude for all for making this event possible and memorable,” said Palma. /dcb