National Youth Day, 2006 in Davao

National Youth Day for the Philippines in the year 2006 will be celebrated from Wednesday, November 8 through Sunday, November 12 in the City of Davao.

It was His Holiness Pope John Paul II who first began to gather young people from all over the world in a World Youth Day. He loved the young and wanted to show them that the Catholic Church really understands their importance. They are the hope of the world, on all fronts.

During the celebration of World Youth Day in Manila, in January of 1995, the Philippines broke all world records for gathering people. It was the largest crowd ever assembled by anyone, for anything, anywhere. Six million people filled the Luneta and all the streets around it, standing shoulder to shoulder. Even the police and the military could not get John Paul through the crowd. They had to take him to Malacañang, put him in a helicopter, and bring him to the rear of the Luneta Grandstand.

When John Paul came out on the platform, he was obviously exhausted from long days of travel and interviews. But when he faced the army of cheering young people, he came alive beautifully. Smiling, and twirling his cane, he held them enraptured for more than two hours.

And law enforcement agencies reported that for the five days that he was in the Philippines, no crime was reported in the police blotters! John Paul used those days not only to show that the Church cared for the youth, but to deepen their faith, their hope, their values, and their union with God.

In the year 1998 the Philippine National Youth Day was held in Bulacan. In 1999, it was held in Manila. In the year 2000, in Bataan. In 2001, it was in Batangas. In 2002, in Leyte. In 2004, in Bacolod. And this year, 2006, it will be held in Davao.

Archbishop Fernando R. Capalla has been very careful, and complete, in his preparations.

• They expect 10,000 young delegates, from all over the country, including 4,000 from Luzon. 7,000 delegates have already registered.

• They have 2,500 volunteers, preparing for all the physical and spiritual needs of their guests.

• They have enlisted 5,000 foster parents, in 2,500 private homes.

• Catechetical Centers have been set up in the Ateneo de Davao University, in Holy Cross of Davao College, and in the University of the Immaculate Conception.

• Two other colleges are part of the welcoming force: John Paul II College of Davao, and STI College of Davao.

• The Catholic Media Network, the Daughters of Saint Paul, and the Oasis of Love have pledged their support.

• And the City Government of Davao, under the leadership of Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, will go all out to welcome the young delegates.

This National Youth Day is riding on the crest of a wave that is sweeping a large part of the world. The United Nations is waging a global campaign to "Stand Up Against Poverty".

And His Eminence Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales returned from his trip to the United States filled with enthusiasm for the magnificent reception he received for "Pondo ng Pinoy." He said: "There are good people, everywhere, who want to help the poor!"

Archbishop Fernando Capalla has taken a unique approach to the impact of this gathering of young people in Davao. In his Pastoral Letter "To All People of Good Will", issued on the birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary, he says:

"It has never happened before in the history of Mindanao that, from all cities and provinces of the Philippines, ten thousand Roman Catholic young people will come to Davao City.

"Most of the young visitors are active leaders in schools and parishes and lay associations around the country.

"This annual festive celebration is promoted by the Rome-based Pontifical Council for the Laity, sponsored by the Manila-based commission on Youth of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, and presently hosted by the local Metropolitan Archdiocese of Davao.

"To host such a large number of delegates, we have assigned small group, to local ‘adopting families’, who will be responsible for board, lodging and transportation. Kind and generous families of our GAGMAYNG KRISTOHANONG KATILINGBAN from our 20 parishes have accepted to receive them.

"These ten thousand young Filipinos will raise their hearts and minds to God in prayer. Since prayer is a spiritual energy, it will certainly charge the atmosphere.

"Experts say that the human mind can process 40,000 thoughts a day. Even if each young mind has only 40 prayerful thoughts a day for 5 days, that will be 200; which if multiplied by 10,000 would be TWO MILLION positive energies in the atmosphere! Truly positive thoughts like love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, self-control.

"Although our relationship with God and with one another cannot be quantified in terms of energies, we all know that our good or bad behavior begins with our good or bad thoughts. The most important thing about each one of us are the quiet thoughts we think when we are alone.

"These positive energies will affect the adopting families and their neighbors, even those who are not Catholics. They will affect everyone with whom the ten thousand young delegates will come in contact, triggering more positive energies which can involve millions of people.

"This is the unique power of the National Youth Day. This is what our city and our country badly need today. And since the ten thousand young leaders are from all over the Philippines, we hope that these seeds would grow in those places where our young people will take their place in society.

"The greatest and most powerful energy that can be unleashed is when the ten thousand young leaders are inspired and inflamed by the positive thoughts on the common good, national welfare, nationhood, and love for country.

"I would like to ask the school heads of Catholic, sectarian, and public schools to suspend classes from 8 to 12 November 2006 so that our youth, teachers and staff can be involved.

"I would like to ask the employers and managers to give more free time to employees who are either heads or members of adopting families, or members of National Youth Day committees.

"I would like to ask the media practitioners to communicate the real meaning of the celebration and to highlight its positive aspects.

"I would like to ask all Davaoeños to help energize the atmosphere by expressing, even mentally, beautiful thoughts of welcome and hospitality to our ten thousand young visitors.

"The National Youth Day held in Davao is unprecedented and historic. Let us all join hands in making this unique event transformative. God is the Lord of History and Life. With Him all things are possible!"

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