SPYA YOUTH LIFE 2 out of 3: The Youth Apostolate

As this year begins, I wish to continue my article series by expressing how blessed I am to be part of this Youth Apostolate. To begin with, I never saw myself as a youth leader—taking up roles, or even leading the kids, teens, and adults. I only saw myself as “one of the crowds” or “one of the participants”. I never yearned for a position to be part of the group nor asked my closest friends in it that I wish to be part of the group. I just admired my ates and kuyas there as “my inspiration in serving the Church and Chapel.”

Within a snap, I became the Asst. Formation head of SPYA until one cozy afternoon of August, ate Aiko C. Vinuya—our Parish Youth Coordinator asked me to be one of the Formation heads. I was not ready to say yes, so I left her with my half-hearted answer towards the calling of service. Why? Because I never saw myself worthy enough to be one of the formators in front of the youth apostolate. The first thing I did when I was already appointed as one of the heads of the youth, I immediately went to the Cathedral.

Coincidentally, I met Rev. Fr. Junel E. Bustamante—our former Parish Youth Spiritual Director. I told him what has brought me in visiting the place. He then responded me with a bright smile on his face saying: “Pyang, dili na imong laban kundili sa Gino-o. Ikaw lang ang Iyang gihimong instrument alang sa batan-on.” It made so much sense that I can never brag how much of a perfect servant-leader I am towards the youth—but rather how much God’s mercy and grace have been so enduring all throughout. I may not show off how I was chosen to be one of the heads but what I can totally boast totally more is that Christ’s love for me fits perfect inside my flaws and defeats.

As I continuously walk with the Youth Apostolate, I saw every bit of mistakes of every head I was journeying with—it then taught me that God never called the perfect ones. His appointed apostles, disciples, and saints even had their struggles and weaknesses. They had their fair share of crisis that some might know or not about.

To end this series, sooner or later, this person reading this article will someday be called in their Basic Ecclesial Communities (BECs) or Gagmay’ng Kristohanong Katilingban (GKK), perhaps directly by their Parish Priest—and they will be appointed as a head or a member. I pray that you will never be afraid of considering it—discern about it. Ask for God’s intercession and mercy to help you think about it intimately. At the end of the day, His mercy will sustain you. His grace and love for all of us never fails. I hope when that time comes, you will never be afraid in serving His youth apostolate. It is ever worth the risk, worth the “Yes!” (Sophia Beatrice V. Sison | San Pablo Youth Apostolate – Formation Head)