It won’t be too long now that the 25th Easter Youth Celebration (EYC) will be held in Capuchin Renewal Center (CRC) in Lipa City, Batangas once again. Before we know it, the EYC experience just feels like the first time when it was formed by the Capuchin Fathers 25 years ago. The celebration continues to bless, inspire and help the journeying Franciscan Youths to be better in their spiritual lives.
On April 5-8 2012, an estimate of hundred participants coming from various fraternities of the Franciscan Youth Movement (FYM) will be flocking to the spacious CRC for a 4-day live-in retreat. It also commemorates the National Fraternity’s 25 years of EYC thus the celebration’s theme dubbed as “Return and Rejoice!” This year’s retreat sets a milestone of opening its doors to FY’s visitors and guests who would like to experience a different holy week in a full-packed 4-day live-in retreat. It is expected that this year’s EYC will have the presence of various Capuchin priests celebrating the liturgical celebrations who have journeyed with the movement for 25 years .
Former members of the movement are also expected to take part in this 4-day celebration to help relive, rejoice and renew the Franciscan Youth Movement’s spirit by sharing themselves on how the EYC experience has helped improved their life-missions. Plans are also underway to have the EYC experience be witnessed by FY members who are located outside the country and who would like to participate in the celebrations via online video technology.
For those who will be attending the 25th Easter Youth Celebration and curious what happens in this 4-day journey, here is a general preview on what to expect from a day-to-day highlights.
Day One: Holy Thursday (April 5)
The Easter Youth Celebration will start on April 5th (Holy Thursday) with a General Orientation and Welcoming of all participants to the 4-day live-in retreat. It will be followed by a session about the Passover Meal and its meaning to the Christian faith. The reenactment of the Passover event in the lives of the Israel as they went out of Egypt, will be one of the day’s highlights. Followed by the celebration of the Holy Eucharist with the washing of the feet. Here, all participants get to experience how Jesus made a great sign of “service” and “humility” as their feet gets to be washed by the elders, heralds (leaders) and their fraternity members.
Day Two: Good Friday (April 6)
On April 6th or Good Friday, the day begins with the Stations of the Cross adapting the Franciscan Way of the Cross to be held in the grounds of CRC. Sessions on “Forgiveness and Repentance” will be held in the morning to prepare for the General Confession administered by the Capuchin Fathers. Participants get the opportunity to say confession and reconciliation. Veneration of the cross follows at 3PM with the narration of the 7 last words of Christ in the Gospel. Declaration of absolute silence begins and the holy hour will be observed through deep meditation and contemplation. At 6PM, the “Common Prayer” will be held at the foot of the cross. A featured film will be showed to close the day’s activities and to help reinforce the theme of the celebration.
Day Three: Black Saturday (April 7)
Black Saturday or Day 3, participants get to experience the Morning Praise outdoors with the practice of body prayer and fraternity bonding. Group dynamics will be held in relation to the film viewed and how it relates to their lives. A time to share one’s experiences. A talk about the sacraments particularly the Holy Eucharist follows as a preparation for the great Easter Vigil. Preparation for the Easter Vigil follows where participants get to experience “anticipation” and “hope” and “silence”.
Day Four: The Easter Vigil (April 8)
Day 4 or Easter Sunday begins the night of Saturday, the Easter Vigil. All participants are dressed for the occasion as a crowning symbol of all celebrations. In semi-formal clothes, all participants flocked to the bonfire site as the Paschal candle is lit up for the first time. The congregation marches to the main chapel area where the great vigil will be held highlighted with the 7 readings and the opportunity for participants to share the word in the altar. The life-sharing is what is sought by a journeying FY and is considered a highlight during the celebration.
With the return of singing the Alleluia, everyone begins to share the excitement of the Easter Morning with a colorful liturgy and joyful songs. This is considered the major highlight of the Easter Youth Celebration. The Great Easter Egg Hunt traditionally being held and the celebration ends with a great feast capped with the Franciscan Joy.
What to Prepare.
Live-in retreats can be rare opportunities to spend time to reflect and be in silence to achieve inner sanctification. Partnered with the Church’s beautiful liturgy of the Paschal Triduum, the experience is definitely like no other. The holy week experience really turns something extra ordinary.
Below are ways to prepare holistically for the 4-day live-in retreat in order to bring out the best experience EYC has to offer. Do the steps with sacrifice, peace and joy — your participation in the whole celebration will surely make a difference.
1. Take time to attend an on-going La Verna Experience formation program. The formation program prepared by the National Core Group aims to prepare the journeying youths to the EYC Experience through series of talks, activities, para-liturgical services and prayer sessions. It is a preparation of the heart, the mind and the soul all together. Ask the nearest FYM fraternity on their formation schedules.
2. Increase efforts to pray and to read the word. Nothing can help fully prepare the soul through the daily nourishment of prayer and reading of the the sacred word. Through the daily readings provided by the Church’s liturgy and asking the Lord for strength and the grace to make the EYC experience a grace-filled one. You may check the daily Church readings here.
3. Seek to receive the sacraments openly. It is best to hear Confession or receiving the blessing of the Sacrament of Reconciliation at this time. This will also help cleanse and purify your intentions in receiving the Lord in the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist. Daily attendance to the mass will be of help and participating actively in Sunday masses as a family creates a more bond with God. Here’s a quick article guide on how to make a good confession.
4. Prepare and execute your checklist. To ensure that you get the most of your FYM experience this holy week, best to prepare early on the following things:
(a) Holy Bible (with old and new testament)
(b) Notebook or Spiritual Journal
(c) Writing Materials such as pen or pencil
(d) Outdoor-exercise clothes (for the morning praise)
(e) Personal Toiletry Kit
(f) Personal First-Aid Kit and Personal Medicines
(e) Formal/Semi-formal clothes. Collared Polo and Neck Tie for Males. Cocktail dress for Females (a must for Easter Vigil); Proper dress code should be observed similar to attending masses inside a Church.
(f) Flashlight
(g) Acknowledgement Receipt (upon payment of Registration). To make a quick registration, click here.
Make Your Early Registration Now
Should you wish to avail of registration discounts, check the early bird registration here and follow the steps listed in this page. The earlier we have your details and the corresponding payment, the better chances of having you reserved for this big event. Take note of the payment dates and get in touch with the local fraternity for details.
Share It
EYC is not all about exclusivity. This year’s celebration will be an open opportunity for all family and friends of the journeying Franciscan Youths who wish to experience the EYC known to inspire, to help inviduals to be better and to be fully blessed. Special discounts are being offered for Franciscan Youths who wishes to bring their families with them. EYC is also a great way in making a difference in the lives of others when one shares this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of a full-packed 4-day live in retreat.
The 4-day live-in retreat promises to bring to life the Risen Christ. With a prepared mind and heart as well as a joyful spirit, the experience of holy week 2012 is like no other. It is definitely a mystery of grace behind every EYC celebration. It is all by God’s grace that we lift up the plans, the journeys and the participants who will make EYC 25 a memorable one.
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