September 23, 2011
My dear Members of the Educative Pastoral Community,
When people become old, they look back to their youth. Children dream that at their youth, their hopes and aspirations would come true.
Youth is the most exciting stage of life. Being young, one feels that there is much more he can do. Even if he fails, there is still ample time to make up for the failures. He is optimistic that the greatest and brightest part of his life is still to come. He is at the peak of his strength, agility, power, dexterity, and potency. He feels that he has the capability to conquer the world with the potential of attracting everyone. It is said that the stage of the young is the highest point of life.
Don Bosco has a special attention to young people. He has practically spent his life for young people as he said, "It is enough for you to be young for me to love you." What did Don Bosco find with young people that he spent his life for them?
Gleamed from what Don Bosco perceived, we can see that young people are passionate and idealistic. When they are convinced about something, they are willing to put their lives on the line. They are aggressive for what they believe in. They are willing to give all of themselves for the sake of their conviction. They are so passionate that when they love, they are 'burning'; when they pursue their dreams, they are like an unstoppable deluge; when they idolize somebody especially those considered a 'heroes of holiness,' they are willing to submit to any discipline and become a saint.
Celebrating the year of the youth enables us to look at our passion and idealism. It also allows us to relive our hopes and aspirations and assess how far or near we are with them. This opportunity will allow us to re-invigorate and rekindle passion for our ideals and aspirations. Let us live and cherish the youthfulness in us. Let us celebrate our youthfulness so that when we get past it, we can say "we have lived our lives meaningfully." Likewise, others can say that "we have spent our youth productively making a difference in other's life."
As we celebrate this year of the youth, let us make the most for every given opportunity. When it's time to play, let us play with vigor and determination; when it's time to study, let us study seriously; when it's time for fun and recreation, let us enjoy and have fun together; when it's time to give, let us give not from our spare but even from our need; and when it's time to pray, let us pray as if it is our last. Let our youthfulness bring us together this year in pursuit of our aspirations and dreams individually and communally. May our gracious Lord be pleased with our passion and idealism, and give meaning to our youthfulness. Let us celebrate with the attitude of the young and live life with optimism and grace.
In Don Bosco,
(Sgd) Fr. Anthony Paul E. Bicomong, SDB
Rector
Rector
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