RAY Regional Summit in Cavite: “Memorable and Life-changing”

CAVITE CITY – Days 2 and 3 of the Recollect Augustinian Youth (RAY) Regional Summit were days of encounter with the Lord through the celebrations of the holy mass, gathering around the Blessed Sacrament, inputs from four speakers, sharing of reflections and cultural talents.

DAY 2

The Recollect Augustinian Youth (RAY) de Cavite have successfully hosted the second day (February 2, 2019) of the RAY Regional Summit.

The line-up of activities did not fail to nurture the delegates’ spiritual formation, particularly with their participation in the morning praise, Eucharistic celebration, inputs, praying of the creative rosary, and lucenarium.

Fr. Allan Jacinto, OAR, Section Head for Vocations, elaborated the theme of the 34^th World Youth Day recently held in Panama: “I am the servant of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word” (Lk 1:38).

He emphasized how the youth should imitate Mary, the Mother of Jesus, for having a brave heart to follow God’s plan, and for being a source of healing and encouragement to others.

The second talk entitled “Youth: Messengers and Instruments of God’s Love” was given by Fr. Rafael B. Pecson OAR, President of SSC-R de Cavite. He offered some tips for a happy, gifted, and empowered youth. And one way, according to Fr. Pecson, is by daily sanctification, that is, by offering to God whatever we do and everything we are.

The activities of the day had its touching moments, such as the lucenarium, during which “each one of us has a solemn moment to reflect,” said Emmanuelle Fullante, a delegate from Cavite City. “This is the most peaceful part that we’ve experienced in the summit.”

Hyping the night, a cultural show was staged. Each group or school participant showed amazing performances showcasing their talents. The tiresome day was closed, but the delegates wore their happy faces for their memorable experiences.

DAY 3

“Your youthfulness can be translated into a more mature gesture,” this line uttered by Fr. Amado Emmanuel Bolilia wrapped up the last day of the 2019 Regional Summit of the Recollect Augustinian Youth when he presided the mass at San Sebastian College-Recoletos de Cavite.

Fray Bolilia is the President of the Secretariat of Vocations and Youth Ministry of the Province of St. Ezekiel Moreno.

The closing day of the said summit – on February 3, 2019 – delegates prepared themselves by waking up early to participate in the morning activities. Morning Praise was led by Sir Jhersie Manesca and Miss Reina Elmira Esquillo. delegates from Cavite City and Antipolo City, respectively. Zumba right after the lauds energized the delegates. Breakfast followed.

Fr. Joseph Dexter Palagtiosa, Section Head for the Recollect Augustinian Youth, was the speaker for the third session. He talked about the real meaning of RAY, which was a significant point especially for first timers in this summit.

The different stages and formation process that every RAY member should go through, its way of life and the charism of the Augustinian Recollection were also among the things that he shared.

“Being a RAY is more than that (collecting and animating). We are a family,” Fr. Palagtiosa said.

That gave a lesson for the summit participants to learn from: that being a RAY member requires commitment and faithfulness to God. That their will to serve the Lord as a RAY member can lead them to their desired path of happiness.

Fr. Palagtiosa mentioned further that the Recoletos communities taking charge of a RAY group ought to accompany the candidates until they become full-fledged members. He also gave some updates on the different communities and the relevant programs that should be practiced.

The awarding of certificates to all the delegates ensued. Then, lunch was shared by everyone. Afterwards, they bade goodbye, which means, time to apply the Augustinian Recollect values and practices in order to grow more and become living witnesses of the Gospel and the teachings of our Father St. Augustine.

As R.M. Polangco, one of the delegates, expressed it well: “The Regional RAY Summit 2019 ended successfully. The three-day program has molded the characters of the delegates who still learned more values and practices of a true Augustinian Recollect.”

“The RAY Summit was truly an amazing experience for everybody for it was really memorable and life-changing experience,” she concluded.

THE POEM

Ms. Julianne Singson, a delegate with the special task to document this year’s RAY Regional Summit, let her pen scribble some lines about the ongoing event. She admitted: “I wrote this poem because everytime I experience an amazing event, I used this kind of literature to express how grateful I am that I had the opportunity to join.”

When asked about the central points of her poem, she replied: “The message of the poem is for the youth, especially for the members of Recollect Augustinian Youth. This is to make them realize that RAY is not just an organization but a family and a way of life. In addition, the RAY Regional Summit is an event that helps every Augustinian Recollect community to gather to be able to have a strong bond not just within their respective community but with others as well.”

Pagtitipon ng RAY
ni: Cyrine Julianne Singson

Pagkasabik, ngunit may halong kaba
Puyat at pagod, mga kabataang nakiisa
Dahil sa byahe, para lang makadalo
Sa pagtitipong kakaiba.
Regional RAY Summit 2019,
ang rason ng rekoletong komunidad nang magtipon sila.

Nagmula man sa iba’t ibang parte ng Luzon,
Ang mga rekoleto ay isang buong batalyon,
Nagsumikap at buong pusong dumayo,
Sa siyudad ng Cavite na siyang namuno.

Sari saring aktibidad ang inihanda,
Upang lahat ay maging masigla
Nang sa huli’y maging di malilimutan na alaala
Na puno ng aral, at walang katumbas na saya

Nawa’y tumatak sa isip ng bawat isa,
Ang tunay na kahulugan ng tema,
Mga Kabataan Nagmimisyon: Minamahal. Biniyayaan. Pinalakas.

Mga katagang may maitutulong
Upang ang kabataan ay may maisulong
Pagiging matatag na alagad ni Kristo
Alinsunod sa karisma ng mga Rekoletong Agustino.

Tulad ni Maria, nararapat na ang kabataan
May pusong di naiinggit,
Puso na nakapagpapagaling na syang dahilan
Upang mangarap ng may patutunguhan

Samakatuwid, ang mga kabataang nagtipon
May iisang tatak sa isip at puso,
Ang tatak, tatak ng pagiging rekoleto
Na handang maglingkod,
Handang magsakripisyo, gaya ni Kristo.

Contributors: Ella Caringal, R.M. Polangco, Alyssa Esquillo, Julianne Singson