Mr. Anselmo Francia, a youth servant leader from ‘Kadang Dominiko of Santuario del Sto. Cristo Parish in San Juan City was handpicked by the WYD 2019 Organizing Committee to be one of the representatives of the Asian continent in the Welcome Ceremony and Opening of World Youth Day on January 24 at the Campo Santa Maria la Antigua, Cinta Costera, Panama City. He was joined in by the representative from Lebanon who read a welcome message in French.
“It was an opportunity of a lifetime for me. I feel blessed as this is my first time to join World Youth Day and yet I was given the honor to represent the youth of the Philippines and Asia in welcoming the Holy Father. Pope Francis gave us a warm and fatherly hug onstage and a Papal Rosary which I will treasure for myself and the members of our youth group,” shared Anselmo. His mentor, Marlon Antolin, a veteran of seven international WYD celebrations since 1995, gladly noted that another member of the four-member ‘Kadang Dominiko sub-group delegation registered under ECY PHILIPPINES, Ms. Maria Pauline Terrencio, was handpicked to carry the Philippine colors during the same welcoming festivities.“It was a blessing to have two out of four members of our delegation to be given these special assignments. We thank everyone who is praying with us in this journey,” he said.
Earlier, on January 22, the four ‘Kadang Dominiko delegates joined the members of the Dominican Youth Movement in an audience with the Master of the Order, Fr. Bruno Cadore, OP held at the OP Campus, Marie Poussepin Educational Center, Curundu, Panama City. They were given a chance and asked Fr. Bruno on how the Dominican youth of the Philippines should respond to the seeming persecution the Church is currently experiencing from the government and other detractors. Fr. Bruno in his reply stressed that it is important for the youth to be firm and uphold the truth as Dominicans especially in a society full of lies.
‘Kadang Dominiko is a parish-based youth group created in 1995 under the stewardship of the late Fr. Jesus C. Prol OP as a response to the call of St. John Paul II for the youth to be messengers of faith, hope, and love. The group is committed to providing a venue for camaraderie and holistic development of the youth of the parish and has been responsible for spearheading several activities based on the emerging needs of the Parish. For this year which the Filipino Church is celebrating as the Year of the Youth and as part of the year-long preparation for the 25thsilver anniversary of the group, ‘Kadang Dominiko is launching its online Mass Media Ministry.
by Marlon Antolin
photos from Vatican News
