More than 300 student leaders from Jesuit high schools all over the Philippines gathered on 5 March for the Ignatian Youth Fest with the theme, “All Things New: Summoning Our Youth to Engaged Citizenship”. Despite the many challenges brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic and the online set-up, the event was filled with meaningful sessions, fun games, faith sharing, and interactive discussions.
In the morning, Bishop Mylo Vergara of the Diocese of Pasig, Dr Michael Tan from the University of the Philippines, and Issa Barte from For the Future participated in the panel discussion and shared what it means to be more engaged during these trying times. In particular, Bishop Vergara recalled how he was inspired by the Jesuits during his Ateneo days and how the martial law era influenced him in his vocation discernment. As the country prepares for the national elections in May, he urged the youth leaders to shift the focus from voters’ education to voters’ empowerment to get more people engaged as Filipino citizens.
Fr Primitivo Viray SJ officiated the Mass right after the plenary session. In his homily, the Philippine Provincial, quoting Isaiah 58:10, encouraged the participants in their important role in society: “‘If you bestow your bread on the hungry and satisfy the afflicted, then light shall rise for you in the darkness,’ said Isaiah, the prophet, to the people of Israel. It is to you, our hope-filled young people, that the Lord beckons to have your light shine in these dark times.” He challenged them to fight against disinformation, deception, and lies, and to use their gifts to help those most impacted by the pandemic, and the corruption in the country, which he described as demoralising and dehumanising.
In the afternoon, the students participated in concurrent sessions and workshops on engaged citizenship in the areas of environment, social media, community organising, voters’ education, and even the arts. Several Jesuit priests and scholastics facilitated the Ignatian Circle for small group faith sharing and deepening of lessons learned from the sessions.
The gathering ended with a joint statement of the student councils of the 10 Jesuit schools under the Jesuit Basic Education Commission (JBEC) to become more engaged citizens, especially as the election approaches. JBEC President Fr Ari Dy SJ accepted the statement on behalf of the administrators of the participating Jesuit schools.
The Ignatian Youth Fest was part of the culmination of the year-long celebration of the Ignatian Year in commemoration of the 500th anniversary of the conversion of St Ignatius of Loyola, and 500 years of Christianity in the Philippines. Through the support of JBEC and Jesuit Communications Philippines under the leadership of the host schools, Xavier School San Juan and Nuvali, the first of what could be many Ignatian Youth Fests was successful, meaningful, and fruitful. Indeed, it was a testimony to the words spoken by another Atenean and the Philippine national hero, Jose Rizal, more than 100 years ago: “The youth is the hope of the future.”
If we can help our young people become more engaged, then our future is bright.
Filipino Jesuit Fr Roseller L Atilano Jr SJ was the Jesuit Coordinator and Spiritual Director of the Ignatian Youth Fest. He is the head of the Campus Ministry at the Ateneo de Manila University Junior High School. He recently authored and published a book, The Miracle of the Ordinary, a collection of his reflections and homilies during the pandemic.