Rooted and Built Up in Jesus Christ

By Nicole Andres

MADRID, SPAIN -- along with being home to the Prado Museum, Plaza de Cibeles, and the astonishing
Almudena Cathedral, this vibrant city has also recently housed quite a number of people for the 26th
World Youth Day last August 15-21, 2011.

Eleven students from our own Assumption College Higher Education division were given the opportunity
to be ambassadors for the said event. The students left San Lorenzo village on August 8 around 8 oclock
in the evening; left the Philippines at 1 am, and, after nine hours, arrived at Madrid on the same day.

The World Youth day done once every two years aims to let people from different nationalities, race,
and culture all over the world come together under one delegation and learn, rekindle, strengthen, and
celebrate their faith in the Christ.

The theme of the 2011 WYD was Rooted and Built Up in Jesus Christ, Firm in the Faith (cf Col 2:7) and
patron saints included Saint Rafael Arniz Barn, Saint Francis Xavier, Saint Isidore the Laborer, Saint
Maria Torribia, Saint Teresa of Avila, Saint Ignatius of Loyola, Saint John of Avila, Saint Rose of Lima,
Saint John of the Cross, and Blessed Pope John Paul II all saints from Spanish origins as decreed by the
Pope Benedict XVI in honor of making the event even more relevant to the host countrys culture.

When asked about what they saw and experienced during the event, Vina Vendevil, a second year
student from advertising said We actually stood for like 5 hours to see the pope -- it was so hot but
when we got to see him it was all worth it. And every morning we went to different churches or
locations to attend catechism. She also said that they met and saw different people from different
countries all over the world. It's nice to finally meet other young people and say Hola to them while
walking along the street. It was like nobody cared if you're a stranger.

The experience for me was indescribable. Being able to feel the rush and the energy of all the young
people praising the Lord, it didn't feel like it was real. All the love and the joy from people you don't
know really made the trip one of a kind Thea Gloria, a third year Theatre Arts and Media Education
student proclaimed when asked the same question while for Maha Ramos, a third year student taking
up Pre-School Education, it was, for her, an overwhelming experiencethe entire experience was very
humbling; it made me view things from a different light, it made me appreciate the little things which
are most often than not the more important things in life --like love, friendship and faith. But the most
significant detail of my WYD experience would be that it was a way for me to reflect and reconnect with
God, a way to strengthen my faith and tighten my trust in Him. I realized that truly, with God, nothing is
impossible for He makes all things possible.

Upon looking at all the details and opinions, it can be inferred that it is quite an important and respected
event for many firm Catholics worldwide. But what is its relevance to the Assumption Colleges students
growth as future women leaders and first and foremost responsible citizens of the community?
It is always good to have a firm foundation in faith because its your roots -- that can be your anchor
wherever you go. When you are in there, already, in the ladder of success, we need to go back always
and its very important that your faith is founded in Christ because whatever hardships, whatever pains,
or whatever problems youre going to face in the future you have good roots; you have a firm
foundation answered Ms. Caroline from the Theology department. Stability is important and how you
live your faith.

Through the eyes of student Maha Ramos, The World Youth Day has made her realize that we, the
youth, are truly the hope for tomorrow; that amidst all the issues and changes that make us vulnerable
and give into temptations that have us tread the wrong path, we still have a chance to get things right
and become responsible citizens of our world... It isn't anymore about what country youre from or what
skin tone you have or how much money is on you, we are all in this together to create change and
transformation for the future generations.

Admirably, after all the hardships they had to go through during the trip such as hours long travelling,
rain showers, and the heat wave in tropical Spain, the students of Assumption College pulled through
and stayed true to their mantra suffer in joy and the theme of the 2011 WYD. Rooted and built up in
Jesus Christ, indeed.