Honoring Saint Juan Diego

The Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish Youth Apostolate held its first Youth Apostolate Fiesta with the theme “I am a nobody, I am a small rope, a tiny ladder, the tail end, a leaf.” – San Juan Diego on December 7, 2024, in honor of their patron, Saint Juan Diego.

Saint Juan Diego, a humble Mexican peasant, experienced the Apparition of Our Lady of Guadalupe and was entrusted with the task of asking the Bishop to build a church in her name. Despite the Bishop’s initial disbelief and Saint Juan Diego’s own feelings of inadequacy, Our Lady of Guadalupe continued to place her trust in him, inspiring him to persevere.

This story resonates with many youth leaders who, at times, feel discouraged but are encouraged to push forward by mentors who believe in their potential. The celebration began with a Holy Mass led by Rev. Fr. Leif Simbajon, DCD, the parish priest, who reminded the youth to prioritize their spiritual lives above material concerns and to nurture a strong relationship with God.

Following the Mass, a fellowship dinner took place, with each zone contributing food to share among their members and the community. The event concluded with a Youth Night themed “Retro Rules: Where the Past Meets the Present,” featuring a series of talent showcases. The Parish Youth Apostolate also awarded the San Juan Diego Awards to admirable and committed youth leaders and members for the year 2024. Despite the unfavorable weather, the youth enjoyed the festivities, making the event a resounding success! (Kristelle D. Billones – Parish Youth Coordinator)