About 5,000 young people are expected to join the International Eucharistic Congress’ (IEC) Youth Day on Jan. 28.
Cebu Auxiliary Bishop Dennis Villarojo said participants will be treated to a barrio fiesta that will be held at six different parishes in Lapu-Lapu City.
At 1 p.m., the youths s will listen to a catechesis and talk by Bishop Robert Barron, an acclaimed author, speaker, and theologian, as well as the founder of the global media ministry Word on Fire.
Barron will discuss the topic “Christ in Youth: Our Hope of Glory” at Hoops Dome in Lapu-Lapu City.
After his talk, a foot procession will be held from Hoops Dome to Mandani Bay at the North Reclamation Area in Mandaue City where an overnight vigil will be held.
Paul Ponce, a renowned juggler from Argentina, and his family will deliver a message there.
Villarojo said the IEC Youth Day is a side event of the international gathering that is expected to gather 15,000 delegates from all over the world to Cebu City from Jan. 24 to 31, 2016.
“What makes this Youth Day different from the World Youth Day and local youth day celebrations is that this will dwell mainly on the Eucharist,” he said.
“I hope this will inspire young people to develop their understanding about the Eucharist,” he added.
Villarojo signed a Memorandum of Agreement with Theodore Gilbert Ang, project director of Mandani Bay; and Christopher Narciso, chief operating officer of Taft Properties Venture and Development Corp. for the IEC Youth Day.