RELIGIOUS organizations in the University are set to hold spiritual activities to encourage the youth to be involved in works of mercy ahead of the upcoming Extraordinary Jubilee Year.
Leaders of religious organizations like the Marian Evangelization Council (MEC), the Bosconian-Thomasian Youth Movement (BTYM), and Youth for Christ (YFC) are planning a number of programs and activities to encourage Thomasians to perform works of mercy.
“Aside from our activities such as youth camps and worship nights to evangelize the youth, meron din kaming youth power na tumutulong sa ibang tao through community development and outreach,” said Andross David, president of YFC.
MEC and BTYM kicked off their Jubilee Year activities with the exhibit titled “Mater Misericordiae,” which aimed at promoting Pope Francis’ call for spiritual and corporal works of mercy.
“Itong exhibit na ‘to ‘yung way namin to promote the Jubilee Year of Mercy na sinimulan ni Pope Francis,” said Anthea Allam, MEC public relations officer.
The exhibit, which also featured the upcoming octocentenary of the Order of Preachers next year, ran from Sept. 4 to 11.
Richard Pazcoguin, assistant director of the UST Campus Ministry, said student religious organizations’ enthusiasm in evangelizing the youth showed that young people remained involved in the Church.
“I think many of our young people are still very much involved with the Church. Nakita naman natin ‘yun nung dumating si Pope Francis,” he said in an interview.
Pazcoguin said being uninformed about religious activities was one of the reasons behind the youth’s lack of participation in Church activities.
“The only reason they are unable to participate ay dahil hindi nila nalaman kung saan ba pwedeng pumunta. So our first duty, especially the Center of Campus Ministry, is to participate in information dissemination so that the young people will know what to do,” he said.
Hans Comagon, BTYM communications head, said encouraging Thomasians to perform works of mercy won’t be an easy job.
“Kailangan magsimula sa sarili mo kasi hindi mo naman talaga mapipilit ‘yung ibang tao na gawin ang isang bagay dahil choice nila ‘yun,” Comagon said.
