Marco Carvalho
A group of students will sing Christmas carols in Senado Square on Christmas Eve, the first-ever initiative promoted by the newly established Diocesan Youth Commission. Officially instituted at the end of November, the new Commission replaces the now extinct Diocesan Pastoral Youth Centre and inherits the mission of coordinating “the ministry of youth in the Diocese of Macau.”
On December 24th, a group of young students from several local schools will sing well-known Christmas songs in Macau’s main town square, a Christmas tradition popular in places such as Germany, Poland and the United States that is gaining traction in the Special Administrative Region. But the Christmas celebrations promoted by the newly established Diocesan Youth Commission goes further behind carolling. A week later, on December 31st, a small group of youngsters will wave goodbye to 2021 with a Youth Camp at Villa Ricci, in Cheoc Van beach. The Camp, aimed at teenagers and youths over the age of 15, takes place between noon on the last day of the current year and noon on January 1st and comprises two very distinct moments: the first twelve hours should be allocated to reflection and gratitude for the graces achieved in 2021. The remaining twelve hours – the first of 2022 – should be oriented towards contemplation and the outlining of the main objectives for the new year, O CLARIM was told by one of the members of the new Commission.
For the lucky young men and young women that will take part in the Youth Camp, the initiative intends to be a peaceful and fraternal alternative to the hustle and bustle of the New Year’s Eve. The Diocesan Youth Commission proposes not only the traditional celebration of the countdown to a new cycle, but also an early start to the new year, in time to watch the first sunrise of 2022. The initiative is limited, for logistical reasons, to 15 participants, O CLARIM was told.
The new Diocesan Youth Commission, which held its first meeting this week, is divided into three different sections, aimed at as many target audiences: secondary school students, university students and young professionals.
Presided over by Bishop Stephen Lee Bun-sang, the Commission’s pastoral directors are Fathers Daniel Ribeiro, Cyril Law, Rafael Vigolo, Michael Cheung, Domingos Un Wai Meng, along with Sisters Maria Zhu Zhi Bei Pu and Maria Shan Dao Zhi Mu. The Commission also includes a dozen lay members with different professions, who made themselves available to make their contribution to guide and motivate the younger generations.
(Photo from the Diocesan Youth Commission Facebook page.)
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