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| Young Catholic Student's representative, Augustine Abba, Bauchi Diocesan Chaplain and CYON President, Fr. Justine Dyikuk and Ali Michael Oduka after the Abuja WYD orientation programme |
To ensure that the WYD does not become a mere social event, the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN) organised a 3-day orientation programme at the Daughters of Divine Love Retreat and Conference Centre (DRACC), Aco-Estate, Abuja from June 14 to16, 2016 to prepare the Nigerian contingent fully for the celebration.
"This pilgrimage is a pilgrimage of faith, for a people of faith, in a country of faith for the purpose of faith" Ndubisi stressed, noting that the protagonists of the WYD are "Christ and the Youth."
He further disclosed the theme of the 2016 WYD celebration as "Blessed are they merciful for they shall obtain mercy" while urging all to embrace God’s mercy.
Ndubisi used the occasion to unveil information about group itinerary, reception of delegates, pilgrims' kit, days in the diocese also known as missionary week and details of accommodation.
He also said the Nigerian contingent will do their days in the diocese in the diocese of Gliwice where they will be hosted by various families.
The priest equally highlighted the upcoming events for the WYD to include, opening ceremonies and Mass, welcome address, meeting with Pope Francis, catechesis, walking pilgrimage and closing ceremonies.
The Nigerian contingent at the programme were also challenged to be people of integrity and portray the green flag in good light.
Speaking on the theme, "The integrity of the Nigerian youth" at the event, Fr. Zacharia Sanjumi, the Deputy Secretary and Director of Pastoral Agents at the CSN challenged the youth to be men and women of integrity and maintain a good name noting that "A good name is more than silver and gold."
He also disclosed that "We are not born with integrity. We are born with dignity. Integrity has to be built."
"It is for this reason that traditional society teaches us to build character for ourselves and for others. Rules and regulations are modules of building integrity. Integrity means acting in a consistent manner according to one's character. "Integrity makes a person trustworthy, reliable and dependable come rain, come sunshine. It is about doing the right thing and righting the wrong" the prelate noted.
He also noted that traits which determine integrity include, having a good conscience, being honest and giving others equal treatment.
Earlier, Fr. Sanjumi conveyed the message of the Bishop Chairman of the Youth and Bishop of Abeokuta, Most Rev. Peter Kayode Odetoyinbo who was unavoidably absent, saying: "The Bishop Chairman sends his warm greetings and best wishes."
"We intend to go into your sacred space to see how we can surmount these challenges together. We will accompany you and see that our journey is successful" the Bishop said through Fr. Sanjumi.
For those who have travelled overseas, you will bear me witness that the Nigerian identity is now questioned because of the bad behaviour of few Nigerians.
"We are ambassadors of the Catholic Church and Nigeria. We must allow others to judge us by the content of our character" he further maintained.
"Save the image of your bishop, the image of the Catholic Church and the image of Nigeria" Sanjumi concluded.
In his remark, the Secretary General of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Very Rev. Ralph Madu encouraged the youth to imbibe the spirit of prayer and endurance.
"Prepare yourselves, socially, intellectually, spiritually and otherwise for this pilgrimage" he also said while encouraging the young people to be of good behaviour among the families with whom they would stay during the WYD celebration.
"We are fantastically good. Don't go there and make us fantastically bad" the CSN helmsman also advised.
Meanwhile, the Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim's Commission (NCPC), Mr. Uja Tor Uja who was also present at the programme challenged the youth on resourcefulness while delivering his speech.
"If the youth do not perform in any country, that land is doomed. If a land must prosper, its youth must be sharp and active" he said.
Uja also tasked the intending pilgrims on good composure and discipline while embarking on the pilgrimage.
"The Catholic Church has the least cases of abscondment in WYD pilgrimage which testifies to the integrity of the Church" Mr. Uja noted.
"See yourself as emissaries of your background" he further urged them while stressing: "Love God and your nation."
Uja further assured that the commission is poised to not making the Annual Christian pilgrimage an urban-affair.
Responding, the National Youth President, Mr. Charles Edet Ekpe congratulated the new NCPC chairman and expressed the willingness of the youth to partner with the commission.
Highpoints of the event were the celebration of the Holy Mass, various talks, prayer, reflection and group sharing tailored towards a successful WYD celebration in Poland.
In a related development, the National Chaplain of Catholic Youths Organisation of Nigeria (CYON), Rev. Fr. Joseph Ochuerike in a statement issued at the 83rd National Executive Council meeting (NEC) which took place at St. Bakhita Catholic Secretariat, Sokoto from May 26-29, 2016 disclosed other details of the 31st World Youth Day Celebration.
He said, over 175 youths and chaplains from Nigeria will be embarking on the pilgrimage under the auspices of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria.
Fr. Ochuerike disclosed that during the “Catechesis on the Road”, young people from all over the world will make a pilgrimage to Krakow’s two shrines: Divine Mercy and Pope St. John Paul II.
While there, “they will encounter spiritually with the patrons of the WYD- Pope St. John Paul II and St. Maria Faustina. At the main events, Pope Francis will meet with all pilgrims at the “Campus Misericordiae” (Field of Mercy), where the night vigil on Saturday and Holy Mass on Sunday morning – the climax of the WYD - will take place” he highlighted.
“I encourage all pilgrims to prepare spiritually for this great encounter with God’s divine mercy; and for the rest of us please pray for journey mercies and God’s blessings upon those representing us in this world event” Fr. Ochuerike noted.
Some of the youths could not hide their anxieties and expectations for the 2016 WYD. Augustine David Abba is 17 years old and the youngest intending pilgrim from Nigeria. He is an ardent member of the Young Catholic Students (YCS) at Corpus Christi Comprehensive College, Kwall in Bassa Local Government of Plateau State where he is in SS 2. The Jos-Archdiocesan YCSter has great expectations about the WYD.
“I expect a lot of things to change in my life” Augustine said while adding: “I look forward to a World Youth Day that would give me a new experience and present a new picture of my life.
“My greatest expectation would be to see the Holy Father, Pope Francis” an excited Augustine stressed noting: “This for me would be a life-changer.”
For the CYON President of Bauchi Diocese, Ali Michael Oduka who is also making the trip, representing his country well and making new friends are top on the agenda.
“My joy would be to see the Pope, meet other young people from around the world and make friends” Ali pointed out.
“When I come back from Poland, I intend to meet with our CYON members in the diocese to share my experiences with them and also make them see reason why they should serve God in their youthfulness” the CYON President said regarding what he hopes to do after the trip.
Comfort Uba, CYON National Welfare I is a first-timer to the WYD. The Benue State born 28 years old lady disclosed that her biggest expectation is to meet the Holy Father: “If only I can have a handshake or receive communion from the Pope, I would have fulfilled my life’s dream.”
She also hopes to make friends from different countries as well as share photos with her new-found friends.
Comfort went memory lane to share the experience of a similar youth trip she made to Rwanda, under the aegis of Fédération Internationale des Mouvements Catholiques d’Action Paroissiale (Fimcap), an international umbrella organisation of catholic youth organisations.
“From July 16 – 4 August 2015, I was in Rwanda for a youth programme. It was a learning experience for me because I had to develop a catholic-stomach to taste food from a different culture.
“For me, the family-experience was the greatest of all. I lived with a family that cared for me and took me as their own” she said.
Like her peers, while in Poland, Comfort “looks forward to visiting the shrine of Faustina and the home of John Paul II as well as getting prayer books to increase her faith.”
“When I come back, I will inculcate the values I learnt, record all messages and distribute it to my fellow CYON members in our parish” she surmised. All said and done, Team-Nigeria is hopeful that the WYD 2016 would be one of the best. Whether you shall fly Qatar or Emirates, Krakow is the place and World Youth Day is the event. God bless Team-Nigeria!
Fr. Justine Dyikuk is the Diocesan Chaplain of the Catholic Youth Organisation of Nigeria (CYON), Bauchi Diocese, the Editor of Bauchi Caritas Catholic Newspaper and the Communication’s Director of Bauchi Diocese. He is also an intending pilgrim. He can be reached through – justinejohndyikuk@gmail.com
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