YOUNG CATHOLICS must deepen their relationship with Christ, who is the source of unity and an aid to brokenness amid the modern world, San Pablo Bishop Marcelino Antonio Maralit said in a Mass during Day 2 of the Youth For Christ (YFC) International Conference at the Quadricentennial Pavilion on Saturday, May 23.
In his homily, Maralit said the present generation is restless, pressured, and fragmented.
“Unity begins in one’s own self. In this world, many people are successful professionally. Yet, they are impoverished spiritually,” Maralit, chairman of the Episcopal Commission on Youth of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, said.
He reflected on St. Augustine’s words and Pope Leo XIV’s papal motto “In Illo uno unum” (In the one Christ we are one).
“Christ Himself is the one, the principle of unity. In Him, all things hold together… The challenge we ask you before any relationship develops in your life… If you want a true, deep relationship with others, start with your relationship with Jesus,” Maralit said.
The prelate cited the examples of St. Paul and St. John, who remained steadfast despite persecution and misunderstanding because of their deep relationship with Christ.
“You’re not just youth, you’re youth for Christ. I would like you to sometimes change it to ‘a youth in Christ.’ So that you can become youth for Christ,” he said.
Receive gifts of Pentecost
During the third day of the YFC International Conference, Manila Archbishop Cardinal Jose Advincula said young catholics could become modern instruments of the Holy Spirit by seeking truth and strength in Jesus Christ.
Preceding the Mass for the Solemnity of Pentecost, Advincula spoke about three “gifts” from the Holy Spirit, represented by the words “enlightens, emboldens and ennobles.”
“He wants to enlighten our lives with truth, strengthen our hearts with faith, and raise our lives beyond the limitations of sin and human weakness. Our world does not need more youth who are Christians, but Spirit-filled disciples who know Christ, love Christ, and proclaim Christ with faith and joy,” Advincula said in his homily.
Reflecting on enlightenment, the cardinal stressed that the Holy Spirit opens the faithful’s eyes to recognize God’s presence in their lives and to gain wisdom beyond human understanding.
“Many people today are educated but spiritually confused. They know many things about the world but very little about God. An enlightening touch of the Holy Spirit can dispel years of darkness and confusion,” he said.
According to Advincula, the second gift of Pentecost, which “emboldens,” serves as a source of strength and encouragement for the younger generations of the faithful, enabling them to persevere through the difficult daily challenges they face.
“Many people still live behind back doors today. Many are knocked out by fear. Fear of rejection, fear of failure, fear of suffering or fear of openly living out their pain. But the Holy Spirit offers courage and strength to all,” he said.
For Christians, courage is not the absence of weakness, according to Advincula, but is trusting that God is greater than their weaknesses.
Stressing the third gift, which “ennobles,” Advincula highlighted the power of the Holy Spirit to uplift the burdens from the hearts and minds of the faithful.
“Our human nature is weak, selfish, fearful and divided. Human wisdom alone is limited. Human strength eventually fades. Human love can easily become conditional and self-centered. Even good people continuously struggle with pride, jealousy, anger, and discouragement,” the archbishop concluded.
Celebrated 50 days after Easter, the Solemnity of Pentecost commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles and the Blessed Virgin Mary.
By receiving the Paraclete on Pentecost, the apostles were empowered to speak in different languages, enabling them to spread the Gospel to diverse crowds. The feast is deemed the “birthday of the Church.”
The global youth gathering culminated at the University on Sunday, May 24.
The YFC international conference 2026 bore the theme “As One,” emphasizing fellowship, unity and shared mission of the youth in Christ. Yuvshenka Andrea R. Osea with reports from Vio Neiro M. Villaescusa
