2860 PNG 300 Youth for Mary camp
austraLasia #2860
 

300 Youth for Mary – Word of God Camp
by Rexlyn Kibut, DBTI student

PORT MORESBY: 25 May 2011 -- From 20 - 22 May, a very significant event of prayer, fellowship and mission took place in DBTI, Port Moresby, participated in by close to 300 young people from different secondary schools including several colleges and universities. This is the 4th Marian camp for the 300 Youth for Mary.
    The participants were fortunate to have Fr John Cabrido, SDB, as the main resource person. He gave two talks on becoming true prophets and disciples of Jesus, exhorting the young to proclaim the Word of God by living it daily. He gave them four words through which they can test whether they are true disciples of Jesus: joy, charity, doctrine and obedience.
    A most awaited moment of the camp was the sending off for mission. The participants, divided into four groups of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, were sent off for a few hours of mission. Two groups went to visit the Port Moresby General Hospital, one group went to the Bomana Penitentiary and another visited an orphanage, We Care, at Waigani.
The young people, with hearts of true disciples, shared God’s Word, prayed with the sick, the prisoners and the orphans. They gave joy to those they visited, sang songs for them and listened to their stories. They were happy to see the children laugh, they were touched by the stories of the sick and the prisoners. Even for just a short while, the young people lighted up and “gave flavour” to the lives of the people they visited and it was an enriching experience for both.
    In his homily at the concluding Mass, Fr. John Cabrido left them a challenge – three words to live by so as to be true prophets and disciples – True love, Life, Truth.
    Fr. Valeriano Barbero, the spiritual adviser of the group, also exhorted them to love Mary very much and to imitate her example in their life. He invited them to be back for next year’s camp and hopefully, there will be more than 300 of them!
 
N.B.  The 300 Youth for Mary started on May 24, 2008 when the Shrine of Mary Help of Christians was consecrated and dedicated by Retired Thomas Cardinal Williams of New Zealand. The Shrine was established for the Archdiocese of Port Moresby and the 300 Youth for Mary was the brainchild of Fr. Valeriano Barbero, SDB and Sr. Ma. Cristina Villasanta, FMA who wish to honour our Blessed Mary with young people who will live for their Christian principles and spread devotion to Mary.

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