MANILA (RVA News): More than 10,000 young pilgrims and volunteers were anticipated to have attended the National Youth Day [NYD] 2025—a journey of faith, friendship, and mission—in Cáceres, Naga City, Bicol region, the Philippines.
The June 10-14 event welcomed participants from 84 ecclesiastical territories and 22 Catholic youth organisations, according to Father Juan Pablo Carpio, catechetical director of the Archdiocese of Caceres.
Participants came from as far as the Archdiocese of Tuguegarao in the north to the Apostolic Vicariate of Jolo in the south, CBCP News reported
This year’s theme was “Youth Empowerment for Nation Building.” It highlighted the crucial role young people play in shaping the country’s present and future trajectories with faith, hope, and service.
Father Carpio said that young people are not only the future of the Church and society, but they are the present.
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines [CBCP]—Episcopal Commission on Youth organised the event with archdioceses and dioceses in the Bicol region.
“Almost all the dioceses have representatives… this is really a national event,” said Juan Carlos Madrid, head of the NYD steering committee, CBCP News reported.
NYD is a local manifestation of World Youth Day, last hosted in the Philippines in 1995, which started in 1986 when the CBCP decided December 16 would be National Youth Day. The event has become a celebration of young faith and solidarity; the last NYD in Cebu City in 2019 attracted over 20,000 attendees.
Naga City is known as the commercial, financial, educational, religious, and cultural center of the Bicol Region.
As we celebrate the 500 years of Christianity in the Philippines. The Chaplaincy to Filipino Migrants organises an on-line talk every Tuesday at 9.00pm. You can join us at:
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Archbishop Rex Andrew Alarcon of Caceres welcomed the delegates, accompanied by a team led by Father Dan Vegas, head of the Archdiocesan Commission on Youth and Campus Ministry.
Pilgrims were accommodated in mission stations and foster homes.
They also participated in a mini-traslacion and mini-fluvial procession honouring Our Lady of Peñafrancia, the cherished patron of Bicol.
The final event wasbe a liturgical celebration at the Minor Basilica and National Shrine of Our Lady of Peñafrancia in Barangay Balatas, Naga City.
Government officials and police implemented measures to address traffic congestion and ensure security for everyone.
