Fiesta de la Juventud en el terreno de Schoenstatt, Filipinas Youth Fest in the Schoenstatt grounds, Philippines Jugendfest auf dem Schönstattgelände, Philippinen
Juventud para la Iglesia - "como Maria" Youth for the church - "Marian-like" Jugend für die Kirche - "Marian-like"
Cantos de Schoenstatt Schoenstatt songs to the latest beat Schönstattliedern im aktuellen Sound
Hna Maria Teresa durante la apertura de la fiesta Sr. Maria Teresa during the opening of the fest Sr. Maria Teresa bei der Begrüßung
Hna Lucy Ann con jovenes Sr. Lucy Ann with youth Sr. Lucy Ann unterwegs mit den Jugendlichen
Jovenes "en camino" Youth marching to the Schoenstatt land Jugendliche auf dem Weg zum Schönstattgelände
Fotos: Iupak © 2003

PHILIPPINES, J. Gentuba. With great joy and gratitude, the Schoenstatt Youth of the Philippines is looking back at the big event on February 2, 2003 - the first Schoenstatt Youth Fest in the Philippines. The preparation of this fest as well as the actual fest have been a tremendous experience for the young Schoenstatt members who wanted to share their apostolic commitment with the youth of their country.

It was on February 1, the eve of the Youth Fest 2003, when many young people arrived in Lawaan III with their bags full of things needed for the big event the next day, February 2. Many wore bewildered faces displaying mixed emotions of joys and apprehension. Phrases like…"This is our first youth fest!" - "Can we make it good in front of a big crowd?" lingered on in their minds. "It was good that we have the Blessed Mother who gave us courage to fight every fragment of doubt and worry," one of the members said. "We were just like a troop of soldiers who went out to battle armed with nothing except their faith within and fervent prayers on their lips."

Preparation for the fest: Prayer partners

The Schoenstatt Youth started the night with the revelation of their prayer partners, as this was their striving before the Youth Fest. "This was really an exciting and a touching revelation. It let us forget the ‘fear’ of tomorrow's event and for a while enjoy our own company. We were moved by the way prayer partners strove and prayed for each other. Some made extra sacrifices while others made personal handcrafted things. Others who were financially constrained saved a few pennies in order to make their prayer partners happy with wonderful gifts. Still others would list everyday good deeds in a diary as an offering of sacrifice for their partner."

Afterwards, getting back to work, they had a practice on the stage and immediately went back to the areas they were assigned to stay overnight. Others slept in the guard house, some tried to find places and spaces in all sorts of corners in the whole house. Some built tents to nap in, and many others never went to sleep at all.

Sharing the graces received in the Covenant of Love

With much enthusiasm, they welcomed the actual day in good spirits, not minding any of the past afflictions, despairs and worries because in the soul of everyone is rooted a deep love for the Blessed Mother. One said: "The desire to please her was much stronger than any negative experiences so far. We tightly held on to the banner of being a member of the Schoenstatt Youth with only one aim, which was to share our apostolic engagement with our other youths. To be able do so, we were aware that we must be the actual example of what it is to be a "Marian-like" person! This was expressed in our motto: 'Be Marian Like!"

With a warm smile, the young Schoenstatt people welcomed all the participants from different schools, provinces, parishes, groups and other organizations.

Everywhere you could see and feel the festive atmosphere. The Schoenstatt Youth had established various booths in the corners of the property, and had decorated the paths with little flags, or as they call them, "bandaritas".

The celebration of the Youth Fest though was not entirely for fun; it was a celebration of sharing the ideals and graces received in the Covenant of Love with the Blessed Mother. The Schoenstatt Youth also wanted to share the responsibility as youths in the building up of community spirit. This applied especially in their own families.

Be Marian-Like

The day began with a procession from the top of the terrain going to the stage where the Sunday Mass was to be celebrated. As it was February 2, the Feast of the Presentation of our Lord in the Temple (or as we call it Missa de Candeliaria), they went with lighted and blessed candles on their way.

During Holy Mass they gave thanks for the graces and blessings received in their lives via the celebration of Mass and through the intercession of our Blessed Mother. "We here in the Philippines are used to turning to her and calling on her for help, for this is one way of being ‘Marian-like’," one of the youth explained.

After the first highlight of the day, the solemn holy Mass, they set forth to start the second highlight of the day – an original stage play. The purpose of the play was to interpret the Motto "Be Marian-like".

Marian-like in its broader sense could mean being overlooked and often taken for granted etc. The play showed us how we can be Marian-like at such times. It showed us too how to respond in a Marian-like way to the usual events and happenings of our lives, to the common attitude of a person towards us, to ordinary problems in our family and to the changing norms in our society, especially our youth of today. The participants were not only entertained by the exciting and funny scenes but also spiritually nourished with the understanding and knowledge that the attitudes of Mary can also be applicable to our own generation today. In between scenes, we enjoyed listening to songs and watching dances of different kinds, totally Marian-like in performance.

Schoenstatt Songs according to the latest beat

Young people from different areas also presented a number with their own interpretation of the theme of the day. They too enthused the crowd with their singing and dancing. "However, the one who got most of the audience’s applause was our very own Band, who played and sang original Schoenstatt songs according to the latest beat," one of the organizers proudly shared.

It was helpful to combine learning with fun! As all were satisfied spiritually after these events, they went off to beat the challenge for the mini-sport Olympics. All participants with the same nametag and colors competed to win the Map Hunting, Mazing Race games and the Mountain Climbing. Girls almost freaked out, as well as some guys. This included the Marian-like Knights of Mary! Boys admired the charisma of the BarkadaMaria, and who were all excited because they were coached and assisted by handsome Knights of Mary!

Thank you, Ma, for this successful day!

Finally, the sun set, and the day was over but there was still a cheerful atmosphere when the Schoenstatt groups awarded each organization with a plaque and each winning group with prizes. In a mini-evaluation of the day, most of the participants were of the opinion that it was a real fun day, which had been enriching as well.

At the end of the day everyone was simply exhausted but happy at the same time. All sacrifices made in preparation had paid off with many graces and joys in return. With a happy heart, all raised their eyes to the sky and said "Thank you, Ma, for this successful day!"

English edition: Joan Biemert, New Franken, Wisconsin, USA