November 16, 2015, 10:00p.m. – HUNDREDS of young people from Dominican schools were urged to focus on things that matter, such as a closer relationship with Christ, in the “Adonai 2015” event at Colegio de San Juan de Letran in Calamba, Laguna on Nov. 14 to 15.
Fr. Lauro de Dios, O.P., director of the Angelicum School of Iloilo, said investing on the right things would help the youth fulfill God’s plan in their lives.
“Try to save and invest not so much on material things, but rather on the things that will last through the end of time. Faith, hope and love are three things that last,” Fr. de Dios said in his homily during the opening Mass last Nov 14.
A prominent Dominican preacher, Fr. Enrico Gonzales, O.P., said connecting to Christ through Holy Communion was important in finding one’s way in life.
“What we need is communication for communion. Wala sa balat ninyo ang buhay niyo. Kapag hindi niyo inalay ang balat niyo sa Diyos, hindi niyo alam kung saan kayo tutungo,” Fr. Gonzales said.
Echoing Fr. de Dios, Fr. Gonzales said communication was another way to preserve memories. “Communication with presence provides happenings that do not fade,” he said.
Struggles of the youth
Bro. Obet Cabrillas, a motivational speaker from The Feast Manila community, said Jesus was the key for people who have lost hope.
“Jesus is giving his broken body for the broken people. Your wound will become your strongest witness,” Cabrillas said.
In his talk, “The Eucharist: Our Hope of Glory”, Cabrillas said the Holy Eucharist was needed to nourish the faithful. “The Mass is a love meal for sinners. The Eucharist is spiritual food for we become one with Jesus. If God can change bread, he can change you as well,” Cabrillas said.
An interpretative dance depicting the struggles of the youth was presented by the Daniw Dance Collective and Samu’t Sari of Calamba, Laguna.
Ian Kenneth Hicban, president of Samu’t Sari, said their presentation showed that trusting God was the solution to every struggle. “Kahit anong struggles sa buhay, kay God hihingi ng salvation sapagkat siya ang sagot,” Hicban said.
Bro. JC Libiran, author of “Biyahe ni Juan,” led a praise and worship session.
Schools that took part in the event were UST, Letran-Calamba, Dominican College of San Juan, Holy Rosary College, Gerona Catholic School, Dominican School of Sta. Rita, Sta. Catalina College of Manila, St. Rose Catholic School, St. Mary’s Dominican School, Dominican School of Apalit, Sta. Catalina Laguna, Siena College of Quezon City, and the Dominican Academy of Unisan.
Adonai 2015 was organized by the Dominican Network Youth Group, which celebrated its 20th anniversary this year, coinciding with the 800th anniversary of the Dominican Order. Marie Danielle L. Macalino and Lea Mat P. Vicencio
