SSPX News Archive Philippines FIRST NATION-WIDE YOUTH FORMATION HELD IN GENERAL SANTOS CITY 58 Youth Attended Formation, 10 New Members Admitted to the League Santiago Clan/ GSC --- Despite the bombing in the public market on December 12 that blasted General Santos City (GSC) through the headlines of national and foreign news, 58 youth from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao came to GSC to attend Formation Sessions on December 27-31, 2004. Participants posing for a group picture Participants from Manila, Bacolod, Bohol, Cebu, Cagayan de Oro, Butuan, Davao, Cotabato, Koronadal (South Cotabato) and GSC said they learned a lot from the conferences and from the activities, and that they were eager to come back to learn more. Two Brothers assisted the Chaplain, Fr. Soliman. Counting the facilitators and assistants, there were 68 people in the Formation. Ten participants received the AoM badge and were enrolled as official members of the Apostles of Mary Catholic Youth League. Three conditions are required to receive the badge: (1) a period of aspirancy where the member is observed, guided to the Sacraments, and encouraged to study Catechism; (2) a passing score in the Baltimore Catechism examination; (3) attendance at a Formation Session. During the Formation Session, the personalities and social skills of participants were assessed in order to better guide and form them towards Christian maturity. Doctrinal sessions were conducted to enable them to better understand and practice their Catholic religion. A session on preparing the Altar for the Mass, Mass serving, and participation at Mass was given. A routine examination on the Baltimore Catechism was conducted to check the members in their study and to allow newcomers to discover for themselves what they do not know about the Catholic Faith. The Chaplain imposed Brown Scapulars on some 18 participants. Blessed Rosaries and rosary prayer guides were given out. Daily, there were Holy Mass, Rosary and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. The Chaplain was available for Confession and Consultation everyday. Fr. Chaplain imposing the scapulars to some of the participants Bonfire, ball games, parlor games, hiking and picnic interspersed the conferences. Such activities provide avenues for interaction among participants and guides, strengthening ties among Catholic youth, and giving young people wholesome recreations where they can amuse themselves while definitely avoiding sin. Outing and hiking are good for the lungs Formation Sessions, youth camps and pilgrimages are hosted yearly by the Apostles of Mary to fortify members in the practice of their Catholic Faith, to check and guide them in their confusions and difficulties, and to draw more youth (their friends, co-workers, classmates, relatives) towards the Sacraments and the Catholic Faith. Generous benefactors behind the scenes make the activities possible. May the good God be their reward. NOTES FROM PARTICIPANTS (FIRST TIME PARTICIPANTS TO TRADITIONAL MASS): "...I learned a lot [from] the conference[s] like how to socialize, facts about the history of the Church, and how to be faithful. I learned also how the Traditional keep their faith and how to be real and good Christian..." - from GSC "...I’m so happy and I feel lucky because I’m here in this formation. I experienced something that I can’t forget and that experience will be treasured in my heart. I have learned something that can be with me for a lifetime..." from South Cotabato "... I am very happy and proud – happy because I found Jesus, I met a lot of true friends from different corners of the Philippines and proud to speak to the world that now, I have my SELF-DENIAL! Now I realized that I have a lot of practice, routines, habits, acts and belief which [are] not [right] and can offend Jesus. Thank you for giving me light [in] all these things...." - from General Santos City ... [thank you very much, Father... without you, I would not have realized the role of men in the society and the responsibilities of a father. I am thankful that now I know what I should do to prepare myself for my role. I am so very happy for the chance to be with Apostles of Mary, I will never forget this, Father. Thank you very much!] ..." from South Cotabato (translated from Tagalog) ..." I want to thank you, Father, and all Apostles of Mary for the Formation I have undergone. Now, in the most tumultuous phase of my life, the formation helped me make a very crucial decision – and that is to turn away from a sinful life and embrace a life dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Thank you all and please help me pray to be strong enough to shun away temptations and stay away from occasions of sin. Thank you and God bless. AVE MARIA! Happy New Year!" from Cagayan de Oro ..."I learned so many things here like how to pray to God, Charity, and [here i experienced] what’s the true happiness… once again, thank you so much [...] and GOD BLESS YOU ALL." from South Cotabato "... I thanked God for you. In my own little way, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to all of you, especially your generosity, kindness and goodness. May the good God continue to bless and inundate you with His bountiful graces. Yes, I’ve learned from the Formation. Thank you so much! Rest assured of my prayers for you..." from Bacolod City "... A simple thank you is not enough to show our heartfelt gratitude for inviting us and providing all the support to attend this formation. We’ve learned a lot in this formation. Please help us to pray that we too could be a part of this mission. .." From Cagayan de Oro City ..." [I learned that Tradition is much better than the modern order of the Catholic religion. I hope that I will become a member of the Apostles of Mary because I'm willing to serve God]." from Cagayan de Oro (translated from Tagalog) ..." your support for us [in this formation] will go all the way to promote the mission of SSPX thru us. We cannot thank you enough." from Cagayan de Oro ..."the formation was nice, memorable, [and] fun, [...] with spiritual lectures as to guide the youth in explaining the "Traditional Latin Mass". The lesson was very well explain[ed] and understood by all participants.... It [was] great to have a formation because it was the start of having a new friend... we would like to thank [..] all the people who spend their time for the preparation of the formation..." from Manila LONG LIVE CHRIST THE KING! LONG LIVE THE CATHOLIC CHURCH! LONG LIVE THE CATHOLIC FAITH!   back to Photo Album Contents