Therese Maria, from the Philippines in Indonesia for the 7th Asian Youth Day
Therese Maria Abigail V. Ledesma, 21, hosted from 30 July by an Indonesian family, explains her expectations. "As I come from a predominant Catholic country, I am keen to learn how youth and Catholics in Indonesia live their faith in a Muslim majority nation,” she said.
Yogyakarta (AsiaNews) – "The 7th Asian Youth Day (AYD7) in Indonesia is an apt occasion to strengthen one’s faith and learn from others. I am excited," said Therese Maria Abigail V. Ledesma, a delegate from the Philippines, speaking to AsiaNews.
Ledesma is one of 80 Filipino delegates of the AYD7. For her, this is the “first time to attend an Asian youth gathering. It is a God-given opportunity to learn and share one’s faith with the youth of other countries”.
After graduating from the University of the Philippines, a public institution, in 2016, the 21-year-old went to work for the Episcopal Commission on Youth of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).
Her father is in the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Her mother works at a local government office in her native town of Tarlac, on the island of Luzon, north of Manila.
In high school and college, she volunteered with her parish, working in various pastoral activities. At university, she continued with the Campus Ministry Programme, albeit under other forms, that have enriched her faith.
“The 7 AYD is an apt occasion to strengthen one’s faith and learn from others,” she explained. “As I come from a predominant Catholic country, I am keen to learn how youth and Catholics in Indonesia live their faith in a Muslim majority nation and other youth delegates in their respective countries and cultures”.
Indeed, AYD7 challenges her personally to value her Catholic faith as God’s gift, nurtured by her parents and others and enlightened by the Church.
Ledesma and the Filipino delegation stayed with families in the Archdiocese of Jakarta, especially in the Diocese of Bogor, from 30 July to 2 August.
More than 2,000 young Catholics from 21 Asian countries shared this experience called "Days in the diocese", staying with Catholic families in 11 Indonesian dioceses (out of 37).
Today, all the delegates converged for the main event set for 2 to 6 August in Yogyakarta (Central Java), Semarang archdiocese, centred on "Joyful Asian Youth: Living the Gospel in Multicultural Asia!"
.png)
01/08/2017 12:39
27/06/2008
