Laga parish conclusion to National
Youth Day, Timor Leste
LAGA: 13 August
2012 -- The 21st National Youth Day, Timor
Leste,
concluded with a Eucharistic celebration on 12 August at the
Salesian
parish, Laga, some 150 kms from the capital, Dili. At
the end of
the Mass, at which Bishop Basilio do Nascimento of Bacau
diocese
presided, and at which 7000 of the faithful took part, the
Youth Cross
was handed over to young people from Suai parish, which
belongs to
Maliana diocese. Two other bishops from the Timor Leste
Episcopal
Conference were present: Bishop Alberto Ricardo, Dili, and
Bishop
Norberto Maliana.
In his homily, Bishop Basilio gave Catholics in Timor Leste,
especially
young ones, a demanding challenge: to build up a
Catholic culture
in Timor Leste, one of the most Catholic countries of any
country. He
emphasised how the presence of the Youth Cross in Laga parish
had
helped the faithful to rediscover the dimension of prayer. In
all fifty
localities which make up the parish of Laga and each of which
was
visited by the Cross over the year past, Taize prayer around
the Cross
had reawakened the urgent need for prayer in communion with
other
brothers and sisters in Christ, always and wherever they are.
The National Youth Day began on Monday, 6 August 2012 with a
National
Youth Congress lasting a week. 840 young people took part in
the
Congress and came from parishes right around Timor Leste. They
had an
opportunity to listen to and interact with people from both
civil
society and Church. They shared prayer moments, and also
entertainment
led by the SYM directed by Fr Elias Maia, sdb, proviincial
youth
ministry delegate. What left the most impression on young
people taking
part was the Taize prayer together with parishioners from
Laga. During
this, some people shared their experiences of faith given
impetus by
the Youth Cross. People spoke of miracles of faith:
reconciliation in
families, political adversaries, enemies, conversion of heart,
healing.
Many people gave testimony.
The Congress concluded with confirmation on Saturday 11 August
2012.
Nine hundred and ninety six young people were confirmed by the
three
bishops from the Timor Leste Episcopal Conference.
