Filipino youth urged to volunteer for WYD

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MANILA, September 14, 2012—The Filipina who represented Asian youth during a question and answer session with Pope Benedict XVI during the last World Youth Day (WYD) in Spain invited fellow Filipino youth to attend the upcoming event in Brazil, not only as pilgrims but also as volunteers.

Kritzia Santos, who was one of the five young Catholics given the rare opportunity to directly ask the Holy Father on youth issues during the WYD 2011 vigil at Cuatro Vientos airbase, was a part of the International Volunteers Department of the WYD as a member of apostolic lay movement, Regnum Christi, in Manila.

Kritzia Santos seen at a big LCD screen asking the Holy Father: “It is my desire to reach high goals, but success and big dreams are always linked to amassing wealth and high positions. How can I be faithful to my faith without distancing myself from society?” Pope Benedict XVI replied, “In the Gospel, Jesus gives us an answer. Deep in our hearts, we yearn for what is grand and beautiful in life, but ground them in Jesus.”

In an interview with YouthPinoy, Santos said volunteer work for WYD will be “a lot” but making a contribution to the event through little or big tasks will be an avenue for one’s “faith to be in action.”

“I have never been a WYD pilgrim, but being a WYD volunteer has been one of the most amazing things in my life!

“You will be to experience how Jesus works through the little and big tasks that need to be done. You will be able to see how each one contributes to their love for Jesus through the efforts we have as one. The faith will be in action, and the whole catholic community becomes one big family,” she said.

Volunteer perks

Santos added that unlike the pilgrims, volunteers get to see the events happening first hand through the “special passes” that they are given to access different activities, even those that are limited to very few audience.

Santos during an interview with YouthPinoy in Madrid, Spain.

Meeting and befriending other international volunteers are also part of the volunteers’ perks. The language barrier will be a challenge but Santos said that “with God, nothing is impossible”—even communicating with non-English speaking international volunteers.

“I found myself spending my days in the JMJ (Jornada Mundial de la Juventud) office which became home for me and my co-volunteers. It was where we learned to appreciate the diversity in cultures, from learning to say ‘hello’ in different languages, to adapting to the working styles of our co-workers from morning till nights preparing for the big week,” she recounted.

Save, solicit, prepare

The financial requirement of going to Rio de Janeiro for the WYD may be a tough challenge for both pilgrims and volunteers but Santos urged Filipinos to start saving and writing to sponsors and donors as preparation for the upcoming WYD that is scheduled on July 23 to 28, 2013.

“I would like to invite all Filipinos who can to try to go to WYD, because even if not everyone will be able to meet the Holy Father, you will definitely meet Jesus through all the pilgrims, volunteers and your host families.

“The spirit that everyone has is a spirit that can never be replaced. The joy of the youth and how we are all one family in faith is so beautiful to witness and be part of,” she said.

Santos also encouraged parishes, schools and youth communities to set up activities parallel to the WYD for the benefit of those who could not come

“If you are really not able to go, I strongly advise you to help encourage schools, universities, youth groups and parishes, to organize an event in your area to be ‘one’ with the WYD celebrations. No matter how far away we are, Jesus is always connected to each one of us, especially through prayer, the Eucharist and love,” she said.

Registration of both pilgrims and volunteers can be processed online via http://www.rio2013.com. (YouthPinoy)

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7 Comments

1. 

   Jeric San Antonio

   September 20, 2012 at 5:48 pm

   Gusto ko sumama as Social Media this coming World Youth Day 2013 sa Brazil

   Reply
   • 

     Kris Bayos

     September 20, 2012 at 10:03 pm

     Hi jeric! Tell us more about you wanting to join the youthpinoy social media team in covering the wyd brazil. email us at ypopportunities@gmail.com

     Reply
2. 

   Jeric San Antonio

   September 22, 2012 at 6:52 pm

   Gusto ko palawakin ang aking naputol na paglilingkod nung nakaraang Prayer Power RAlly sa Edsa As Man On The Street Head Committee at Maexpress ko pa ang aking kaalaman Through YOuth Media Missionary. gusto ko din po maiambag ang aking kaalaman sa mga magiging Activity Bilang Social Media sa WYD 2013.

   Reply
3. 

   Jerold Saddi

   October 27, 2012 at 7:25 am

   Hi! may I know if there are some plans to mobilize the confirmed volunteers in WYD Rio?

   Reply
   • 

     Nirva Delacruz

     November 22, 2012 at 11:08 am

     Have you tried emailing the ECY-NSYA through their email address? Email ecynsya@gmail.com They would know the full details. God bless!

     Reply
4. 

   Kae

   October 28, 2012 at 12:45 pm

   Hi. I actually applied to be a volunteer for Rio 2013 and I was actually accepted but I found out that I’m going to be the one who’s going to send myself to Brazil and the air fare is quite expensive. Any tips?

   Reply
   • 

     Nirva Delacruz

     November 22, 2012 at 11:07 am

     You could start fund-raising efforts as early as now..It is the most expensive WYD in recent memory, it’s true. You still have some time though. Go for it!

     Reply