Rome, Italy, Sep 22, 2008 / 23:24 pm
The Diocese of Hong Kong continues to benefit from its World Youth Day 2008 pilgrims, observing increased participation, strengthened faith and more vocations among the youth, a report in the diocesan bulletin says.
Father S. Kalisz, OMI described the benefits of World Youth Day (WYD) to the readers of diocesan bulletin.
“After WYD, we saw the greatest level of youth participation in parish life. Many youth are maturing in their decision to enter religious life and the spirit of WYD lives on, helping the youth to live their faith more deeply.”
The priest said that the Oblates of Mary Immaculate youth group, which was begun after WYD, shows some of the spiritual fruits of the event.
For the youth group, “a dozen young people get together to pray often and participate together in the Mass. They have even shared their experiences with the other parishioners. They do social service work, especially with the poor. I am glad that through Saint Eugene de Mazenod, our founder, the youth are becoming more aware of the value of faith and charity. I have seen how the youth are more willing to leave behind a life of commodities to take up consecrated life.”