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The Rise Above Experience: PROCLAIM

“Rise Above” – that was the theme of this year’s World Youth Congress that was held in Zambales last month. It all still felt so unreal, I never thought that I would even be able to go to a WYC because whenever I planned to go, something would always clash with the dates

From the moment my parents booked my flight ticket, I continuously prayed that maybe this year will be my time to experience God through this year’s WYC. If I’m being honest, I was quite desperate because many of my friends; the ates and kuyas, told me how the atmosphere was just so amazing and humbling that I needed to go by myself to really experience it all.

I can say that I didn’t waste one second while I was there. I truly felt that God had spoken to me throughout the congress.

I carried a lot of doubts, insecurities and worries to WYC, and although I went to confession before the congress as preparation, I still carried a heavy heart.

Recently, I was asked to be a unit servant and I just became even more insecure about myself as I felt that I was unworthy to be one. Moreover, I wasn’t in the best terms with some important people in my life, as I carried a lot of anger and sadness towards them.

Throughout the whole event though, the Lord continued to speak to me through all the activities we had; the sessions, praise and worships, mass and especially the last session: Rise to Proclaim. I was being reaffirmed that, as long as I trust in Him, everything will be alright – that He is greater than all my doubts, struggles and that I am destined for something much greater.

Unfortunately, my WYC experience was cut short as I had to leave earlier because of my flight back to Hong Kong, but I’m so thankful to the titos, titas and especially Kuya JC Arevalo who arranged to give those who needed to leave earlier the last session during our bus ride to the airport, and because of him, I was still able to finish my WYC experience in a special way. It was like God was telling me “Wait, I still have something more to tell you” and we were given the last session.

In session 3, it talked about how God has called each one of us to be great, but he also wants us to share that greatness to those around us, to our families, friends at school and especially to other youths.

To be great is to share how Jesus has impacted our lives for the better and how we must rise up to continue spreading His endless love to those around us. Kuya JC talked about how we can share greatness by building others up - encouraging them to serve and to deepen their relationship with God. It was that particular part of the talk that had such a great impact on me. (I’ll be explaining it in a bit hihihi)

Earlier, I mentioned that I became more insecure when I was called to be a unit servant, one reason was because I didn’t think I was good enough, I didn’t think I would be able to take care of my brothers and sisters in my unit and that insecurity worsened when I realized that many of the current servants are going to graduate soon yet many other members are still so hesitant to serve. I honestly thought that I was doing the best I can; trying to encourage members to come to our YFL events and showing my enthusiasm in serving in hopes that they may also want to start serving but I was so wrong.

I realized that to build others up, I needed to deepen my relationships with them first. I needed to be patient and continue pursuing stronger relationships with my brothers and sisters. I realized that I needed to set my insecurities aside and to start thinking about others more because these insecurities were in the way where I could’ve been able to help them grow their relationship with Christ.

In this journey to greatness, it is never really about me to begin with, it is more of allowing God to work through me that I was able to help more people to know Him and develop a closer relationship with Him.

God has called me to rise above because I am destined for greatness.

By Ariele Santos

The Rise Above Experience: SERVE

Uncertain.

If you asked me how I was before going to WYC, I would answer uncertain. Currently, I am working on my internship at a hotel (which ends in June) and I was uncertain about what I would do after. Two weeks before WYC, I had an admission interview with a school I really want to get into and I’m uncertain if I will be admitted.

Even going to WYC, there were a lot of uncertainties if I would go or not because I didn’t know if I had the time and money to go. There were so many more things that added to that uncertainty and it caused a lot of stress. But thank God that I was given the opportunity to go WYC. That weekend allowed me to clear my mind of everything I was going through, and it allowed me to talk to God on a level that I haven’t been able to. From everything that we heard and learnt, there were three things that stuck in my head. Things that I felt God was trying to tell me for the longest time.

Rise. Before WYC, happiness felt like a chore. Being a servant and working at a hotel, I constantly needed to be joyful because I was always surrounded by people. I felt like I was wearing a mask and behind it, there was someone who was tired and disingenuous. The Lord reminded me that we are made in His image and likeness, made for greatness! And that greatness doesn’t mean pretending to be happy just for the sake of it; but rather, being truly happy, lifting everything that I do at work and service to the Lord and being a blessing to the world. Yes, it’s tiring but God has made me realize that I gain my genuine happiness through making other people happy.

Be strong. Earning money through my internship and being the Unit Servant for the HK/KLN Unit, I felt a sense of accomplishment, that I had done enough and that I was comfortable in the position that I am now. But after hearing what God had to say to me, I was wrong. If I kept that mentality of being comfortable and not trying to improve myself, I will never be able to truly live out a life of greatness. The Lord reminded me that the world’s offer of greatness is what I am experiencing now, but we have to be strong because true greatness comes from serving Him; By loving and serving His people through leading them to be empowered members of the community and doing actions in work and service with integrity and truth.

Do not be afraid. One of the biggest hindrances when it comes to service is that I am too afraid to let people outside of the community or people who don't have the same faith as us know about our great God. But this year’s WYC prompted me to think about it. It would be selfish of us as a community to keep all the blessings and greatness that the Lord has shared to us, so it is only right that we share this with everyone. God has called all of us to share the Good News, to build each other up, to strive for excellence, to speak up and proclaim His Word even if it’s different from what the world sees.

Doing good things and having faith in the Lord is good, but the Lord wants us to share it with everyone.

It was truly a blessing for me to experience this year’s WYC. But, if you asked me how I am now, I would still say, uncertain; about my future, my internship, my school, service and many more things on top of that. However, WYC has allowed me to return home with a heart full of hope and a soul reinvigorated to strive for excellence in both work and service.

Through the doubts and uncertainty, I know that the Lord has equipped me with everything I need to get through these circumstances and that He will be with me to #RiseAbove the challenges that lie ahead.

By Axel Rivera

The Rise Above Experience: GREATNESS

You’re a saint, I’m a saint!

Do you believe that we are destined for greatness? What is greatness anyways?

Before going to WYC, I had always found that something was missing from my life. I used achievements and fame to fill a void in my heart, what I failed and only realized in WYC; was that my God, the only person who’ll matter even after life, had His arms wide open for me to follow His great plans. Yet, I was still blinded by the need of feeling validated, utterly oblivious to His call for my greatness.

Like labelled earlier, I could primarily divide my life into two sections; before WYC and after.

Before WYC, I had a doppelganger. The real me basked in the love of God, praying and feeling blessed to be around people who, like me, shared the same thoughts, views and mission in life. This person was the complete contrast of who I was for most of the week, specifically at school. My alter-ego used loud, aggressive, and dishonest behavior as a defense mechanism in the stressful and oppressive nature of school, completely shunning out the real me.

Although she, or I, rather, had many friends and was seemingly popular, her attitude estranged her from her family, losing the trust of people who really did care about her and even made her forget about her God. But then whenever there was household or a CFC-YFL event, a change of scenery, you could say, made the real me outshine my imposter.

Greatness does not come from the success or fame that this generation glamourizes. It comes from our Lord.

His love for us is LIMITLESS, and if we choose Him, if we ask ourselves every single day “What would Jesus do”, we are already rising above the obstacles stopping us from greatness.

One of the slogans in the congress stated, “A saint is a sinner who keeps trying”. Out of all the shirts we had gotten, this by far, was my favorite.

There are two meanings in the noun ‘saint’. The first means a person acknowledged as holy or virtuous and regarded in Christian faith, being in heaven after death. The second is a very righteous, kind, or patient person. So, you could almost say, we’re all saints if we decide to get back up everytime our sins push us down.

I’ll spare you of all my tear-inducing experiences I had in WYC because if I didn’t, we’d be here all day. But I just want to say, even after WYC, I’m still far from perfect. I still forget to pray at times, I still internally cursed the director of Infinity War for breaking my heart. But, I don’t stop trying to be a better me, letting the real me always outshine my imposter, hoping that it might, one day, be enough to shine through another person’s heart.

My goal in life after WYC is to be able to channel God’s love to another person via me. To draw another person into the undefeated life we Catholics live, because we all deserve to know and feel our Savior’s love. But for now, baby steps lang muna.

No one said it would be easy. But, as cliche as it sounds, “the hardests of roads lead to the most beautiful of destinations”.

And this isn’t just your regular Tumblr quote, this is God-guaranteed. Always choose to rise above your fears and the obstacles put in front of you, and just by trying, even if you fail, you are one step closer to greatness, because you will get back up and continue to choose our God’s unfailing love. Much like a sinner who keeps trying, much like a saint. ;)

By Freya Bargo

The Rise Above Experience

The Rise Above Experience, a series of sharings from our very own YFL about their experiences and stories from this year’s World Youth Congress.

From first-timers to series regulars, The Rise Above Experience is a platform for these individuals to share their take on the 3-day event, and their personal encounter with Christ.

The series starts tomorrow, with a post each day inspired by the themes of the talks from the congress.

Will you Rise Above?

Pastoral Teaching: Summit

Repetitio est mater studiorum.

Repetition is the mother of learning. This was one of the many phrases seared into the YFLs’ minds during last saturday’s Pastoral Teaching in the Home Office on a warm Saturday afternoon. The Pastoral Teaching was entitled “The Summit”, a name most fitting to describe the liturgy of the Eucharist of the Mass, the topic for our Pastoral Teaching. We were fortunate to have Father Rommel give us the teaching for this topic. After the opening prayer from Zyke and an icebreaker (ahem) from Kier, Father Rommel started his talk with an obvious love and zeal for the eucharistic liturgy.

From the origin of the word Eucharist, which came from the Greek noun eucharistia (εὐχαριστία if you really want to be technical) meaning “thanksgiving”, to the things we should do during Mass such as not eating an hour before Mass and not leaving till the celebrant has left the church, Father Rommel sustained the passion he had for the “summit” all throughout the teaching. He kept reminding us of the phrase, “Repetition is the mother of learning”, in which the manner he reminded us can only be fittingly described as repetitively. This is for good reason too as it’s only through repetition and dedication are we able to really learn about something of large depth like the Eucharist. His enthusiasm sparked a great interest from us YFLs and Father made sure to answer any questions we had afterwards.

After the teaching, the YFLs had a pleasant surprise when Ate Camille, Dyosa ng mga Hugot, gave us an encouraging sharing about love, life and faith. Living up to her name, the sharing was filled with hilarious hugots. From the reason why she wanted an airplane to the reason why she wanted to build a hospital, Ate Camille had the YFLs relating heavy and going crazy with laughter. She shared too about the heart-breaks that she has had, not only in love but in life as well. This only made her faith in the Lord develop deeper, which served to inspire us YFLs to see our challenges in life as tests of our faith in the Lord. She concluded her sharing with another phrase that was etched into the YFL’s minds: “Magmahal ng walang kapalit, magpatawad kahit masakit.”

Love seeking nothing in return, forgive however painful.

The teaching closed with a praise and worship led by Kier and we had burgers from Ronald McDonalds as snacks after. Massive thank you to the Daluz household for being the service team for this Pastoral Teaching, as well as Father Rommel and Ate Camille for giving the talk and sharing respectively.

Till the next gathering YFL HK. Take care and God bless!

By Pao Bilo

The Want to Run

Celebrating my birthday running was definitely tiring, but being able to share that moment with my brothers and sisters thrilled me. I faced lots of challenges, most especially running because I get tired easily. Despite all of that though, I still got to enjoy it and had tons of fun doing all the tasks we had to do.

Out of all the stations, I definitely loved the last one, It was the station where I was part of the conjoined twins. It was really hard to complete the task, yet we got through it by working together. Even before that, we made friends with the blue team because we were always one of the groups to complete the tasks last. It was very kind of them to wait for us in our last task. We even merged our own group name called “TEAL”.

Since it was my first amazing race, I really didn’t expect anything and thought it would just be an ordinary race yet it was more than that. not only did i gain experience from the race but I also learned a lot of lessons that I can apply in my daily life.

Teamwork was one of the things that I learned during the race. We were always one of the groups to be the last one in completing the task. Regardless of that, we still completed it all by helping each other. An example was when I was so tired of running that one of my team mates even had to drag me. I really appreciate all their help. Due to my experience, I've realized that giving up is not an option as the reason why I joined the race was because of God. Joining the race was the decision I made in the first place, therefore, why should I give up just because there are some difficulties? This is something that I chose to join, I need to finish it.

I enjoyed it more than I thought I would and I'm really glad to have spent my birthday with my brothers and sisters in Christ.

By Bella Lorenzo

To suffer cheerfully

From our last YFL Pastoral Teaching entitled “ Catholics Pray Like No Other”, it really opened up my eyes to the importance and the real meaning behind of why we pray how we pray. Being born into a Catholic family, I saw prayer and the things I learnt in catechism as a kind of responsibility rather than a lifestyle. It became a routine to just do the sign of the cross before starting a prayer or to just fast during Lent because I was told to do so. Moreover, I never really valued the real intentions behind the common prayers we use today like the OMG – Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be.

I can say I really learnt a lot about how much more we need to put into thought of how we pray and why we pray how we pray. One part of the teaching that struck me the most was about prayer through FAM – Fasting, Abstinence and Mortification. I was taught that despite having to do these certain things during Lent only, we should do it wholeheartedly because it’s all for our Lord. We may think that giving up our humanly desires or abstaining from meat for the whole duration of Lent is a kind of torture but if we think about it deeper, it is nothing compared to what the Lord has done for us.

If we think about it again, we often complain when we experience something we find difficult instead of just dealing with it. The Lord died for us so willingly, out of love and expects nothing in return. However, I honestly realized how the little things we do like prayers especially through FAM is like a sort of ‘thank you’ to everything God has done for us and in that way, it made me more determined to all my heart into prayer and to just suffer ‘cheerfully’.

We may think like ‘How do we suffer cheerfully?’ – that’s so weird. I realized it’s not smiling when you feel pain but more of how you think positively towards the things that give you pain.

Now I can say that I cherish prayer a lot more now, I have a whole new perspective towards prayer through FAM and I know that prayer is more on heart than thought. As of today, I continue to strive to be a better Catholic that prays like no other.

By Ariele Santos

What it means to be a servant

Being a household servant for 5 years now, I thought I understood my role thoroughly but the Servants Retreat opened my mind and heart to the truth that there's no greater love! Just kidding, to the truth that there is still so much I need to learn about being a servant.

I became too comfortable with the idea that most of the servants grew up together that I didn't see the need to strengthen our bond any further. That was until Kuya Mac asked us to sit next to someone we're not so close to, I thought "Wow, that's such a brilliant idea!" From the activities to simply laughing together during the sessions to peeking at each other's notes, the retreat has helped strengthen our bond as a family.

I was affirmed that in times when it feels like I'm not equipped enough, in times when I'm struggling and in times when I feel like giving up, I am never alone. Moreso, being able to witness how much the sisters have bloomed and how much the brothers have grown in leading worship, I found new reasons to be inspired, to be hopeful and to grow closer to Christ.

Unworthy as I am, He has called and chosen me to be a servant. Every day is an opportunity for me to be the best servant of God that I can be.

I pray fervently for the servants and servants-to-be to remain intact as the foundation, and most especially for the growth of YFL HK, my companions on this race to heaven.

By Aisis Manuel

Growing Up

I feel like the phrase ‘growing up’ is best used to describe the entirety of my experience in the servants’ retreat.

Coming into the event, I didn’t know what to expect. I questioned my worthiness to why was I chosen to participate in this short trip. I honestly thought that maybe, just maybe that He had something in store for me in the retreat, so I went, with hopes to have the opportunity to understand for the tasks he has ordered me to accomplish and the quest he has hidden in my life.

That was when it changed me, in regards to growing up, in spirit and in mind. My purpose became clear. I chose to run. To run without end, and to run with a goal for the long haul; not to bring myself to heaven, but to bring everyone who may not know him or have strayed from the path to the light with me to the gates up high.

I don’t know what the future holds and I don’t know the challenges that are going to be put into my path, but one thing for sure is that I put my faith in Him. For putting everything in Christ, He will always be there with you through thick and thin, even when you believe that you’re unworthy of His love.

“Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” (Matthew 6:26-27)

Simply put, everything I do is for Him, nothing more, and nothing less.

By Alec Lastimosa

Alec attending his first Youth Camp in 2012

Servants of God

From the 22nd to the 23rd of July 2017, 26 of our household servants and servants-to-be attended the Servants Retreat held, in fitting fashion, at Salesian Retreat House in Cheung Chau. The retreat filled the attendees with much needed spiritual nourishment as the academic year ended. The weekend was blessed with talks and workshops given by missionaries Kuya Mac, Ate Mich and Ate Karen.

As the talks inspired the youths and taught what it means to be a servant of God, the team-building activities bonded the young men and women closer to each other. Roars of laughter, cries of joy and shrieks of happiness seem to echo through the venue long after those activities ended.

Trisha, one of our fellow YFLs who attended the retreat, shared her thoughts and summed up the weekend perfectly: “After this retreat, I really got to understand the roles and responsibilities of being a servant leader. I learnt that God truly has a plan for all of us and that we are chosen though we may feel unworthy. Other than that, I really got to enjoy the camp with the ates and kuyas and I feel that I got closer to them through the team building activities and the workshops. All-in-all, the camp made me realise that I just have to trust the process because God knows best.”

Let us all pray for one another as we grow even closer to each other and to God. Take care all and God Bless!

“Do not put a full stop where God put a comma.”

I can definitely say that Echo Con has really inspired me to keep trying and to keep fighting for an undefeated life. I’ll never forget this quote from Echo Con: “Do not put a full stop where God put a comma.” Why am I giving up so soon when God has a plan for me? I shouldn’t just stop and surrender, when I should instead try to overcome the obstacles I face. I don’t want to live a defeated life that’s full of fear and pride. Our God has prevailed over sin and death. He is undefeated. So, I will fight to be like Him. To honor his call and say YES to evangelization as a Holy Warrior. ^^

Maryam Chavez

#UNDEFEATEDHK2017

“... We will not be defeated because he is our undefeated God.”

I joined YFL in 2012 but i was never active until last year, 2016. In a year, a lot has happened. I've met such wonderful friends, brothers and sisters in Christ. It wasn't easy at first to go back to the community because I felt isolated and different from the others. But i continued to go to events because I knew it was in God's plan. There was an event called Echo Con which was an echo version of WYC 2016 and it was such an amazing event that left a strong impact. "I want to go WYC 2017!!"... And I told myself I'd only go to WYC 2017 if I participate in YFL activities, events and households. And I did go to those events! So when they announced the registration for WYC 2017, I did so immediately. WYC was held in Laguna in the Philippines, and it was my first WYC experience. The theme was UNDEFEATED. Before going, I was expecting a lot of crying because of emotional stories from last year's WYC. However it was different, it was more on empowerment. Becoming stronger and more confident. To continue to struggle for the Lord. To continue to grow in my spiritual life. Over the past year being in YFL, it was very challenging and life-changing. It was challenging because God has given me tasks and responsibilities that I didn't imagine doing. It started from sharing, caroling, serving in kids camp and now facilitating the Lamma youth for LBS. As a youth, i face struggles in school, with friends, work and even with family. Other than my life struggles, the tasks that God has assigned me with were struggles as well. It was difficult for me because I didn't know God enough. But I always ended up saying YES when I'm asked or assigned to serve. And with this, it has allowed me to know Him more, to build a deeper relationship. It has allowed me to experience His love and to fall in love with Him everyday. In WYC, there were sharers whom I could relate to because they were also facing struggles like me. Similar struggles that I have, the struggles that were slowly defeating me.

However, in WYC and with the entire YFL community, it has helped me to surrender this defeated life I have to our UNDEFEATED GOD. It taught me to take risks and surrender all my struggles, my doubts and pains. To surrender everything up to the Lord. Also, I love how YFLs are so vocal about their love for God and seeing so many youth praising and worshiping our Lord made me feel so full. So full of Love. And how great is our God that He has blessed me with people who makes me feel loved and appreciated. That I am, that we are so blessed to have this community. That God loves us so much that He has given us this community to fight our struggles with, to fight against this battle that challenges us. And He will always remind us that we are not alone, that we will not be defeated because HE IS OUR UNDEFEATED GOD. Janelle Fernandez

#WYC2017 #UNDEFEATED #UndefeatedExperience

The Cross Before Me, The World Behind Me.

Three days of WYC is three days I got to experience His love for me like I have never felt before. The entirety of the experience was a personal battle within me. From being released from the shackles of doubt, leading to neglecting God’s support as my strength when things are going downhill in my life to opening up to the possibilities of what His love can, or rather, will offer.

But as I started feeling the atmosphere of the upbeat energy of the delegates around me, these questions and doubt I had left my mind as hymns played and its volume amplified the outburst of emotions I thought I never would show. I felt overwhelmed and realized that He is undefeated. Because he is, I am never alone in the battles I am facing, and the battles I will be facing in the future. #UNDEFEATED, remember the all caps.

Alec Lastimosa

#WYC2017 #UNDEFEATED #UndefeatedExperience

“...I am not alone but with our undefeated God.”

Hi I'm Ajel Madrid from the District of Yuen Long. As a first timer in WYC, I can say that this year's WYC made me want to change, to change for the better. Because this WYC has made me realise how undefeated our God is, it has made me realise that through this battle of evangelising and many other things, I am not alone but with our undefeated God. I now am motivated to attend more youth events and be more active in prayer so that not only will I learn more about God but, be closer with Him.

Ajel Madrid

#WYC2017 #UNDEFEATED #UndefeatedExperience

The Eternal Joy of the Holy Warriors

Let your hope keep you joyful, be patient in your troubles, and pray at all times. (Romans 12:12)

“I felt so blessed”, “I never felt so loved”, “This was the most that I cried- you can check the pictures!”, “Fun fact: we had to perform three times!”

April 30th - Most of us delegates safely landed back in Hong Kong, back to the excited arms of our parents, back to our own lives and of course, back to reality.

And now, while the hype is still going on as we’re scrolling through uploaded pictures, pending videos, listening to sharings and thinking about fresh memories from the conference, let’s all take a moment to #jchill for a sec and ask ourselves a question-

How can I make sure that WYC will truly change my life?

In my very first World Youth Congress “Cross Encounter”, the one line that hit me the hardest was the final speaker urging all of us delegates- “Don’t make this a ‘high’”.

Unfortunately in that year I failed Him and did the exact opposite of what I was told, I simply made that conference a ‘high’ and enjoyed that boost in my spiritual life eventually letting it whither away. Slowly, I went back to my old ways, immersing myself into worldly values and pleasures, making myself more and more unhappy with my life without even knowing it. I was pushing myself away from the love that God had for me and was lost all over again.

Fast-forward to the 2017 World Youth Congress “Undefeated”, I was moved by the tremendous energy roaring from all the youthful souls celebrating their joy of being chosen as God’s warriors. Arms were raised, tears were shed, prayers were whispered and I looked around and truly believed how every single person felt so complete in that moment.

So every word from that session or that talk or that speaker that amazed us- let’s not let it go to waste and simply forget about its meaning three months down the line. Isn’t that such a pity? Forgetting that happiness and that immense joy that we felt when we were praising and worshipping Him in front of the Cross? We must strive to never forget that joy and that love that can only be filled by our #UNDEFEATED God!

So how can we be sure that WYC can really change us?

Know that in a place like ours, we are so abundantly blessed by countless means for us to live happily with the joy of the Lord. In our community, we have our Households, Chapter Assemblies, weekly Bible studies, other events from the community!

And while we have all of these supplements with our faith, we can’t be too dependent on all these events to remind us of the love that is given to us from our God but it’s also up to us to use other means that help us grow in our own personal relationship with Christ. Things like having a personal prayer time, reading the Bible and other spiritual books, reading & watching Catholic websites/channels and there’s so much more out there!

So let’s make our resolutions and really focus in the next Bible study, highlight the best verses we can find on our Bibles, bake cookies for our next Household, talk to our Household Servants about that stress that’s bothering us or even recommend books and always be hyped and excited to meet Christ every week when you have the chance to receive Him.

Although, there are countless joyful testimonies about the conference, we as Holy Warriors need to learn that we don’t have to wait for an event like this to make us happy. We don’t have to wait for another WYC to fall in love with Christ again. We can be the Lord’s joyful warriors by remaining close to Him- but it’s all up to us to use the means around us to stay close to Him. While we go about our lives and immerse ourselves back to our “busy-bee” modes, remember that “the love and the happiness that you are looking for is just right there on the Cross”.

Let’s allow God to fill us, not for the next week, or the next month, but for the rest of our lives!

Ate Anonymous

Winning by losing

Disclaimer: this is not a lesson on St. Joseph. More than knowledge, it is inspiration. Come, Holy Spirit!

Matthew 1:18-24 Now this is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. When His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the Holy Spirit. Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly. Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name Him Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfil what the Lord had said through the prophet: “Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall name Him Emmanuel,” which means “God is with us.” When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home. He had no relations with her until she bore a son, and he named Him Jesus.

First thing’s first; Joseph, just like us, had his own plans. He must have envisioned how his future would look like with Mary and their family, with all the hiking, bathing in the dead sea and #FamilyGoals #LOVEntures. Yet, when God revealed His plan, Joseph abandoned it all. He didn’t let all the uncertainties and emotions get in the way. He cooperated.

How?!

He had a personal relationship with God. Joseph was fully consecrated to Him that he willingly let the Holy Spirit blow up his plans and his life and lead him where God wanted Him to go. This is the greatness of the soul of Joseph. He gave up all his plans for something much bigger than himself. It didn’t matter if he didn’t know all the details. It didn’t matter if there were struggles ahead. He did not speak but he quietly lived and loved. What truly mattered was that he was with God. And we realise that to trust God is to empty ourselves and allow His grace to fill in all the gaps. It is the same greatness of the soul which we are capable of and are destined to be.

Then what? What happens between the Annunciation and the Nativity? What happens is trust. Joseph trusted that as long as he pursued God’s plan, He will work everything out for them. We don’t actually hear what happens in between, but we do know that God is silently at work. It reminds us that everything is done in silence. We don’t need clarity; what’s needed is trust. So remember this, my friend: No matter how it looks, no matter how it feels, God has a plan for you. It is certain. And it is good. When you find it hard to comprehend, you trust in the ways of the Lord and hope that God’s plan is the best plan for you. Know that God’s plan is the best for you.

The beauty of a heart of discernment is that it does not only reveal something about the future, but it reveals where God is right now. It tells us that when you discern, it is always God in the centre — not us. Hindi tayo ang may plano sa Diyos. God had a redemptive plan and He imparted it to Joseph. Joseph is the counterpart of Mary… His “yes” will fulfil the prophecy. Imagine that. Here is a man that allowed himself to be used by God for the promise of salvation. Just as in your own way, you are a fulfilment of God’s plan. Without you, something would be missing.

You see, if there is a desire in your heart, the Lord says, “It will still happen… In My perfect time.” Just like Joseph’s #FamilyGoals and #LOVEntures came about in a totally different but glorious way, He will unfold His promises to you beautifully. Everything will flourish in His time. Tiwala lang; Hindi paasa and Diyos. He doesn’t put a desire in you which He doesn’t plan to fulfil. He has a bigger plan for us than we have for our own selves. In the process, God asks us to surrender humbly, trustingly and lovingly to His will. It is being faithful in the little things that we can allow His hand to work. It is in losing ourselves that we truly win what He says we deserve — His best.

It is this exact obedience that we are being called to each day. You can trust God to work out every problem you may encounter if you submit yourself to His will. If He calls you, He will bring you there. If He brings you there, He will sustain you there. There is no escaping His grace!

A better world can be built also as a result of your efforts, your desire to change and your generosity. Do not be afraid to listen to the Spirit who proposes bold choices! Set out towards a future which unknown but one which wills surely lead to fulfilment, a future towards which He Himself accompanies you. And even when the journey is uncertain and you fall, God, rich in mercy, will extend His hand to pick you up. —Pope Francis, A Message to the Youths

Joseph has always been in the shadows, always caring for you, teaching you, showing you the Truth, protecting you from evil.

St. Joseph, please pray for us always. (Feast Day on March 19, Patron of the Universal Church, father and workers)

Chinna Roque

Fighting the Good Fight

A lot can happen in a short sweet summer. Especially when you’re counting down your days until you become a legal adult (a.k.a entering #dselife #doom).

“THIS SUMMER WILL BE EPIC!”

Like every other kid, I too, dreamt of a perfect summer- all set with the perfect plans. Plans to hang out as much as I can with friends escaping overseas to seek out, said, “greater plans” for them; plans to take my sister out on dates, because sadly, her eyes are more glued to the wonders beyond a screen rather than the real world out there; plans to just carpe diem in my last summer as a high school student.

“AFTER THIS SUMMER, I’LL BE PREPARED, I’LL IMPROVE, I’LL BE A BETTER VERSION OF MYSELF!”

Most graduates would tell you their regrets of not taking their studies seriously when they had all the time to do so. That pushed my desire to start widening my vocabulary, my need to drill on years of exam past papers, and my longing to exceed everyone’s expectations of me.

But when was summer really as perfect as we planned? I was never able to truly set my heart on what I thought was a desire, need and longing. Instead, I lost the motivation to do any of them- slacking off as summer neared its end, haunting me every day. I felt disappointed and frustrated at myself for repeatedly failing when I had every day to be productive. That said, neither did I have the strength to take my friends nor my sister out anymore.

Amidst the pressure and demotivation, I realised that I was fantasising more about achieving tip-top results than actually working for it.

“No Man is an Island.” – John Donne

My experiences this summer lead me to learn that “No Man is an Island”. In pushing myself to work, I also pushed away my “perfect” plans along with the people I thought would become a time-consuming hindrance to myself. In the process of trying to “study”, I came across this idiom that struck me. It’s ironic how I was actually on an island that summer, away from everyone and everything, feeling like I’d rather do it all myself, alone.

To conclude it all, my summer was filled with epiphanies that perhaps God wanted me to learn before facing the upcoming challenges to come. My last realisation? That everything I’ve always dreamt of, worked for and what I’ve become today were all because of reason.

That the reason I loved writing was because it expressed so much in me that I would never dream of saying out loud; that I loved the guitar because Dad would bring me to Parsons and play “More than Words” as much I wanted to hear it; that I imitated Mom because every little thing she did was perfect in my eyes, like how she’d only be comfortable by putting one foot up when she sat; that every time my sister drew a family picture with a stick figure of me next to her reminded me of why I wanted a sibling at the first place; that the reason I grew to be a determined person was because I’d remember the many times my parents would put their fist on their heart and say, “You can do it.”.

Then there were the important milestones, like realising I had to grow up when Mom was collapsing under my weight as she carried me; realising my superhero, Dad-can-do-anything, had his limitations when I could no longer ask him for help on my Math homework.

All those experiences defined who I became today, and each happened for a reason. I think what I got most of these 17 years, is that no matter how big a stone anyone threw at me; that no matter how heavy of a weight the flawed universe pushed down on me, I’m blessed with the strength to pick myself up, and always smile at the world. :))

A Student’s Prayer Come, Holy Spirit, Divine Creator, true source of light and fountain of wisdom! Pour forth your brilliance upon my dense intellect, dissipate the darkness which covers me, that of sin and of ignorance. Grant me a penetrating mind to understand, a retentive memory, method and ease in learning, the lucidity to comprehend, and abundant grace in expressing myself. Guide the beginning of my work, direct its progress, and bring it to successful completion. This I ask through Jesus Christ, true God and true man, living and reigning with You and the Father, forever and ever. Amen.

St. Thomas of Aquinas, patron saint of students. - Pray for us.

Ericka Regalado

#LIfeLikeNoOther OnLife cfcyflhk cfcyfl #submission #faithfullyfishing

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