TC Holds First-ever USC Youth Day

With over 300 participants from the four different campuses of the University of San Carlos, students, faculty members, and even SVD guests experienced the first-ever USC Youth Day last Nov. 22 to 23, 2014 at the USC-TC Basketball Court  (BCT).

USC Youth Day is an overnight event organized by the USC-Supreme Student Council (USC-SSC) and the rest of the student organizations especially the Campus Ministry, which  packed the event with activities in accordance to the preparation for the Papal visit this coming January.

First day of the UYD began at five in the afternoon after the registration with the Catholic Charismatic Carolinians (CCC) leading the animations for several songs in order to energize the crowd and give a good start. This was followed by an Opening Mass presided by Rev. Father Roger Bag-ao.

A colourful Opening Salvo Sinulog Dance was then performed by the USC Dance Troupe with pure grace and elegance and UYD was formally opened by Father Roger and USC-SSC President Nicole Ann Ponce as they welcomed everyone with assurance saying, “You would be able to search for yourself in this small period of time.”

The hosts of the activity, Estelle Ocampo and Rey Pascua, initiated a way to get the attention of the audiences by asking random people “What’s the reason why we’re here?” Great ideas and words then came out from everywhere and were applauded.

Then, the first solemn part of the program proceeded as everyone was asked to form two huge circles to witness the passing and touching of the Youth Day Cross (Jubilee, Pilgrim, or Youth Cross), the Icon of our Lady and the Holy Bible before lighting their respective candles.

Guidelines that the participants should follow were then read by the hosts before moving to the most awaited part, the Carousels. When the participants went to their respective groups according to their ID numbers, the Carousel talks began simultaneously, with them following separate routes but the same venues. The Carousels were: first, “My Relationship with God” at the Rigney Hall; second, “True Love” at LB 266; third, “Modern Christian” at the engineering canteen; fourth, “Witness to the Word” at the Bunzel lobby; and fifth, “Mission Statement” back to BCT.

The participants sure have learned a lot of remarkable lessons from the different carousels as they’ve released their heartaches at Carousel 1, redefined love at Carousel 2, met new friends and realized their statuses as Youths at Carousel 3, met more friends and knew about them at Carousel 4, and understood the absence of ‘competition’ when it comes to serving God at Carousel 5.

Participants were once again gathered at BCT, they were all able to revive their spirits as they’ve come to worship the Lord, led by the USC CFC-Youth for Christ Music Ministry. Later, they then undergone a sacred meditation through the famous and traditional Taize’ prayer, along with the Confession, before the Exposition of the Eucharist. The quiet and sleepy atmosphere with the bright yellowish glow of the candles scattered on the grounds created an unforgettable prayerful mood among them, and they took the opportunity to touch the Taize’ cross laid on the red centre aisle surrounded by flower petals.

The Second Part of the event bloomed with an opening worship and breakfast afterwards. The participants were then asked to write letters to their loved ones through Palanca giving, using the paper hearts in their kits. At around 8 a.m., a closing Eucharistic celebration was conducted, which was also to celebrate “Christ the King.” The blessing and receiving of the rings was also done after the closing mass.

“Christi Simus Non Nostri” (“We are Christ’s not our own”-St. Columban’s motto), thus spoken by Rev. Father Rex Vidal, SVD, during his homily, left a valuable message to the hearts of the girls, boys, women, and men who will-fully grabbed the opportunity to experience the first-ever UYD in USC. The program ended with everyone dancing to the Christian songs animated by CCC, and taking photographs for memories that will always be remembered by them as Christ’s youths of today.