"Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy." - Matthew 5:7
Apart from Proverbs 3:5-6, this has also become my life verse.
How could it not be, after living and celebrating it for two weeks in a foreign country?
For someone who doesn't speak a lot during formations, I actually had a lot to share (through writing) about my experiences at World Youth Day. I think almost everyone in our sub-group knows that I'm more of a thinker and not a talker (because do you even know how exhausting it was to talk and walk at the same time?!). I was pretty much a quiet and smiling little ball of sunshine that walked really slowly because I was stringing words to suitable reflections, and also contemplating on how the Antipolo sub-group withstood the thousands of steps in a single day.
I remember being one of the few (un)fortunate kids whose Polish sim cards didn't work because of some random complications. My dad lent me an Android phone with a dual sim slot just for the sake of that sim card, but it never worked. I was using an iPhone at that time and unfortunately, again, it was sim-locked to Globe. So yes, I spent a fairly good time in Poland unable to use Facebook, or pretty much every other social media outlet I had on my phone. My fellow pilgrims were generous and let me connect to their hotspot, because, come on, 20 GB was a lot to spare. Nevertheless, I decided to keep my online presence to a minimum in order to maximize my World Youth Day experience. Our foster home in Warsaw had WiFi, so it wasn't at all that bad. I messaged my family and friends every morning, which would be around afternoon in the Philippines. Afterwards, I'd message them again in the evening, which would then be around nighttime at home.
Throughout those moments of joy, I tried to remember, scribble on an imaginary notepad, everything I dawned on. I couldn't be the only one, right? I couldn't be the only one whose heart was beating so much that it felt like my chest was gonna explode from all the love, mercy, and happiness I was receiving, right?
I spent a good time typing notes on my phone, composing messages for the youth ministry I left at home, hoping that I might find an opportunity to share it with them. I often told them that World Youth Day is a gift that should be shared with every young person who believes. While I sometimes tell them that I made it, I never forget to tell them that it was all God's mercy and goodness that brought me there, Him and everyone else He used as instruments to take me there.
At nighttime in Warsaw, I often posted at our youth ministry page, Kabataang Transfi, about the things I've reflected on. They are mostly lighthearted reflections and attempts at making them feel what I felt during my stay there. When my brothers and sisters from St. John the Baptist asked me to share in their parish echo, I was absolutely elated. (I'm not being unfair or anything, but I came to love them quite a lot... in more ways than one lol)
This is pretty much an encore of what I've already said, but I'm still very much happy to share my reflections. This is World Youth Day, after all!
All of my love notes can be read here as well. These were originally posted on Facebook.
Our Lady of Czestochowa, Mother of Poland, Mother of Transfi Dzien dobry, Kabataang Transfi! Doesn't she look familiar? At home in Transfi, when you turn to the right side of the altar, you'll see our beautiful mama, Our Lady of Czestochowa, who also happens to be the Mother of Poland. Here at the parish of St. John Cantius, there is an image of her also on the right side of their altar! Did you know how she came to be in Transfi? The image of our lady was a present to our parish from the Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa here in Poland! Fr. Joel, our previous parish priest, are friends with two Polish priest. Fr. Arnel, our current parish priest, recently penned a prayer to her, which is read during the daily masses. I find it comforting to know that I am under her mantle of protection even where I am now, where she first came from. If you are given the chance to join the next World Youth Day, be comforted by the little things you can find that reminds you of home. As for me, our beautiful and loving mama protecting me here is something wonderful! Pray and ask for her intercession in everything and it will be granted to you! Love, Ate Tony, your PYM Coordinator ❤️ #WorldYouthDay #Krakow2016 #DaysInTheDiocese
St. John Cantius Parish in Legionowo gives me#TransfiFeels Look at these steps! When we first arrived at the parish, I couldn't help but shed a few tears when I took my first steps on their stairs. Every now and then I feel a little homesick, but when I take a walk on these stairs, I don't feel so alone anymore. To be honest, I already felt homesick while I was still in the Philippines, only a few days prior to leaving. If you are given the chance to join the next World Youth Day, wherever it may be, you will find little traces of home wherever you will go, and you can take comfort in them as much as you want. It may be a different church, but the same merciful Christ resides in it, and the people, who are the faces of Christ on your journey, will make you feel like you are just at home in no time. Love, Ate Tony, your PYM Coordinator ❤️ #WorldYouthDay #Krakow2016#DaysInTheDiocese
Before actually participating in World Youth Day, hopefuls are screened by the MYA Staff. My fellow pilgrims and I underwent regular monthly formations for almost a year. Throughout those formations, bonds of brotherhood were formed, and I had the chance to be in communion with youth from the different parts of the Diocese of Antipolo. Know your fellow pilgrims. Bond with them. Commune with them. Love them. They will be the people you'll share your wonderful World Youth Day celebration with! Together with them, share what wonders the Philippines has to offer, and bring Christ with you wherever you go! Love, Ate Tony, your PYM Coordinator ❤️ #WorldYouthDay #Krakow2016#DaysInTheDiocese
"We Filipinos love our volunteers!" Is what I said to the youth volunteers at the parish of St. John Cantius. When I asked Kamil, a group leader from the parish, he said that they have been preparing for World Youth Day for two years! They went through spiritual formations, team buildings, and perhaps a lot more intense simulations to prepare themselves for what's ahead. Like homeowners, they do what they can to make their guests feel as welcome as possible. Appreciate their efforts by wholeheartedly participating in the activities they prepared for you, and find a way to stay in touch with them! They have prayed for the success of this event for so long, so contribute to its accomplishment by praying for them as well! (Also take note that throughout your journey together, they're probably just as tired as you are.) Our Jesus Christ is present here, and you're sure to see Him wherever you'll be sent the next time. Join your volunteers in sharing Jesus Christ in their community. Love, Ate Tony, your PYM Coordinator ❤️ #WorldYouthDay #Krakow2016#DaysInTheDiocese
Throughout our almost year-long formation, we were often told that European countries have bread as their staple food. As someone from part of the food team, we were often tasked to prepare snacks for our formations, and were instructed to add a little European zest to it. We served wheat bread ham sandwiches with some lettuce and tomatoes, the closest thing we could ever make that seemed European enough for us. Of course Europe has more to offer than just ham and bread. While still fostered in a family, they will give you a taste of real European food, real Polish food, and if you can, go ahead and try everything! Not only are you trying out something new, but you're also showing your appreciation to your foster families who prepared for your physical nourishment. But of course, always keep in mind not to take what you can't finish! Throughout this spiritual journey, physical nourishment is also a must to help keep us up on our long walks. Enjoy the great and different food while you can! Love, Ate Tony, your PYM Coordinator ❤️ #WorldYouthDay #Krakow2016
World Youth Day is a conglomeration of different races and cultures. You will meet a lot of different people and make friendships that'll span across the globe! Cherish these new-found friends and exchange simple contact details like your Facebook and email address, and don't forget some tokens like keychains, bracelets and the like. These people may live different realities from ours, but remember that they carry with them the same loving and merciful Christ that brought us all together in the first place. Love, Ate Tony, your PYM Coordinator ❤️ #WorldYouthDay #Krakow2016
World Youth Day was a dream of three. It was on July 29, 2013 that Jet, our previous PYM Coordinator (and now "retired" Youth Leader), Jeriel, the head of the Social Media Ministry, and yours truly, promised to start preparing for today's World Youth Day. I look back fondly on that day and still think that it would be an even more wonderful experience if my Transfi brothers were here as well. I see my fellow pilgrims in threes and fours and fives and sometimes think, "Oh, we could have made a great experience out of this, guys." I get a little lonely at times, but my fellow Antipolo pilgrims always make it so that I don't feel that way. (Thank you, guys.) To Jet and Jeriel, hey bros! I'm here! I made it! I know you would've wanted to be here as well. To my dear fellow Kabataang Transfi, I pray that more of us can take this journey, guiding, learning, loving each other in every step on the way on these wonderful World Youth Day experiences, and together become witnesses of God's immense love and mercy. Love, Ate Tony, your PYM Coordinator. ❤️#WorldYouthDay #Krakow2016
Foster families have been a part of the World Youth Day celebration for quite some time now. Believe me when I say that it takes a lot of faith and courage to open up your home to strangers. Oftentimes you find yourself reluctant to open your doors to strangers, but these foster families will wholeheartedly welcome you into their homes and make you a part of their family, even though it's only for a short time. These people will love you like you are their own, so open your heart to them as well. When you're at their home, don't lock yourself away in your room. Come out and talk to them. Listen to their stories and tell them yours. Language barriers may occur in some instances, but love is a universal language that everyone speaks. I cried hard when we left our foster family in Legionowo. Ate Basia and her family has welcomed us with open arms that Ate Monica and almost refused to leave. I am telling you, you will come to love your foster family so much that your heart will break when it's time to fly back to the Philippines. These bonds will span countries and timezones. Do what you can to stay connected with them. Remember your home in another place fondly, and perhaps make it your aim to come back. I'm pretty sure you'll be welcome as you were the first time around! Love, Ate Tony, your PYM Coordinator. ❤️#WorldYouthDay #Krakow2016
Ha, talking and reading about these experiences still make me cry a little. But don't you always feel like crying when a great mystery is happening before your very eyes? But what can I say? Once it happens, you will cherish the entire ordeal, everything that came with it, be it good or bad. You will find yourself pining and dreaming for it to happen all over again. The thought of walking a thousand miles, with the cool and crisp wind pressing on your face, will stir your tired spirit and shake your bones. I can still recall the weight of my bag on my back and how much my lungs hurt after a day of walking and reflecting and singing the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. I can still recall how painful my feet were almost everyday, and how it didn't matter that much to me because, oh my God, God is right here!
I called myself an outsider so many times, even though I've been welcomed so many times as well. Of course, I found it difficult to keep my distance from everyone else like I promised myself. After all, I shared this insanely unique experience with 38 other individuals that it was almost impossible not to let my heart fly around them. After everything, they weren't just friends anymore, they're brothers and sisters, and with them, we continue to scale greater heights, to wherever God (and Kuya Gab) calls us.
World Youth Day is an experience I hold so close to my heart, and I still probably will even when I grow older. I carry with me the love and mercy I experienced there, and I hope to spread it wherever I go. It was in Poland that everything came full circle for me, but the story goes on. This is World Youth Day!
