Year of the Youth: Saint John Paul II relic visits Bacolod

A portrait of Saint John Paul II (Photo by Carla N. Cañet)
A portrait of Saint John Paul II (Photo by Carla N. Cañet)

BACOLOD City has welcomed the coming of the blood relic of Saint Paul John II in time of the celebration of the Year of the Youth.

Most Reverend Patricio A. Buzon, SDB, D.D. officiated the mass held at the Provincial Capitol Park on Saturday, May 11, attended by the youth of Bacolod who venerated on the holy relics.

“The relic of Saint John Paul II that contained his blood taken from the vestment that he wore when he was assassinated. That is what we are venerating here. It is very good and we are very privileged to be visited by his relics,” he said.

"We need so much his guidance especially for our young people. He loved them very much. He was the one who organized the World Youth Day and inspired the young people all over the world to be the best they can be and to take seriously their Christian life and mission and especially now as we celebrate the Year of the Youth. The challenge is great for our young people to take their place in Church and in society especially in building a society that is more humane and one of the venues is precisely through the election. Great contribution they can make is to make this election truly effective in choosing of leaders that are worthy," he added.

Buzon said: "I would like to welcome the Saint of the Young and let us give him a warm of applause to welcome his visit to us. When the reliquary came, the saint gave us the rain and it was a great gift to us that is quite enough. A political party even came to visit me on May 10 asking me for my blessing and to pray that rain will not come during their political rally. But I told them to let God decide for it. And it never rained. I would like to think that it is because we have gathered here. We have a very good weather because of the beautiful gathering here which benefited the rally held in another venue. God is so kind and let us sprinkle them with His blessing."

The Gospel was about the sheep where God's sheep hears His voice and follow Him. Such act led them to eternal life.

The second part of the ceremony was very consoling stating that, "No one can ever snatch you away from me. They were given to me by my Father who is powerful. The voice of the Shepherd that is recognized by the sheep and the hands not only of Jesus but of the Father whose two pairs of His hands holding the sheep that is faithful to Jesus. This is the beautiful message that the Lord wants to impart to all of you young people. He wants to be with you and to be close to you. He will protect you from everything that is evil. That is a beautiful assurance from Him."

But first, we must listen to Him. Know His voice.

"I would like to pass on to you the message of the Papal Nuncio last Sunday in time of the celebration of the National Youth Day held in Cebu which he said, young people learn how to be silent because it is only by being silent that you can hear the voice of Jesus. But others said that it is difficult for the youth to listen because there are competing voices from others and in the social media where we missed the voice of Jesus. That is why even Pope Francis even advised the young people to learn how to switch off your cell phone from time to time especially when you are in prayer so that there is no competition with the voice of God. And find time to pray even for a short time or 5 minutes every day. Do not mind whatever noise and interference that come along your way and then you will hear the voice of the Shepherd," he said.

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