A spirit of enthusiasm, faith and fellowship marked the Vicarial Youth Day held in Quezon, Philippines, where more than three hundred young people from the seven parishes of the Vicariate of St Dominic gathered for a day of prayer, reflection and shared experience. The event offered participants the opportunity to come together as a community and to rediscover the call that each young Christian is invited to live in everyday life.
Located in the province of Nueva Ecija, in the heart of the island of Luzon, Quezon is one of the many communities that form this predominantly agricultural region, often referred to as the “rice granary” of the Philippines. Amid rice fields, small towns and vibrant parish communities, the local Church plays a significant role in accompanying the human and spiritual growth of young people, offering opportunities for formation, encounter and service.
It was in this setting that the youth of the Vicariate gathered for a day that was not only a celebration, but also a moment of reflection on their journey of faith.
“Renewed in Christ, called and sent”
The gathering began with the celebration of Holy Mass, the spiritual heart of the day, during which the young participants entrusted their personal paths and the life of their communities to God.
A priest of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart then guided the young people in reflecting on the theme “Renewed in Christ, called and sent as one.” In his address, he invited them to rediscover their Christian identity as a source of personal and communal renewal.
To be renewed in Christ, he explained, means allowing the Gospel to shape one’s life so as to become credible witnesses in everyday contexts — within the family, in studies and work, and in the wider society.
Vocational stories: when a calling becomes a life
Among the most anticipated moments of the gathering was a vocational talk show, offering young people the opportunity to hear firsthand testimonies of consecrated life and service.
The panel included Sr Joan H. Sierra, a Canossian Daughter of Charity, together with a sister from the Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart and a religious priest. In a simple yet engaging dialogue, the speakers shared their personal vocational journeys: the questions that first stirred their hearts, the challenges encountered during formation, and the joy of gradually discovering God’s call in their lives.
Their testimonies helped the young participants understand that vocation is rarely the result of a single moment of decision. Rather, it is a journey that unfolds over time through listening, discernment and trust in God’s guidance.
Before the conclusion of the meeting, Sr Sierra offered the young people a word of encouragement:
“Whenever you find yourself faced with two good choices, choose the one that will bring you closer to God.”
A simple yet profound invitation, reminding them of the importance of discernment in the Christian life.
Signs of a mission to be lived
At the end of the day, participants received a few simple tokens to take home with them. Among these was a photograph of the young Blessed Carlo Acutis, a witness to a faith lived authentically even in the digital age.
They also received a T-shirt bearing the words “Amare e Servire” – “To love and to serve.” A brief motto, yet one that captures the essence of Christian life and the mission entrusted to every baptised believer.
Through prayer, listening and shared experience, the Vicarial Youth Day thus became a moment of communion and renewal — a reminder to the young people present that faith is never a solitary journey, but a story that is built together within the Church and in the life of each day.
