06/04/2026
βππ§ ππ‘π ππ’π₯ππ§ππ, ππ¨π π’π¬ ππ¨π«π€π’π§π ; ππ π¬ππ’π₯π₯ ππ§π π€π§π¨π° ππ‘ππ π ππ¦ πππ.βοΏ½β Psalms 46:10
The YIFI Parish of the Blessed Virgin Mary successfully conducted its annual Youth Fellowship and Retreat this Lenten season during Holy Saturday.
In relation to Holy Saturday, the theme, βIn the Silence, God is Working; Be still and know that I am GOD,β reflects the moment after Jesus was crucified on Good Friday. Saturday became a day of silenceβthe day when Jesus seemed absent. Yet, that silence did not mean He was gone, but that He was preparing for His resurrection on Easter Sunday.
The fellowship started with morning prayers, followed by Input 1: Introduction to the Bible, discussed by Rev. Fr. Arthur Senoc Jr., and engaging activities that allowed the youth to reflect and share their insights and commitments based on the theme.
On the night of Holy Saturday, the youth entered a deeper encounter with God through the retreat entitled βThe Mirrorβ, led by Bryle Octobre. The retreat was a journey in three parts. First, πππ πππ§π§π€π§βwhere we reflected on how we see ourselves versus how God truly sees us. While the world often shows our insecurities, flaws, and imperfections, God sees us as fearfully and wonderfully made, loved, and created with purpose.
Second, πππ πΎπ§πππ ππ πππ§π§π€π§βwhere we acknowledged the broken parts of ourselves: our sins, wounds, guilt, shame, rejection, and pain. These βcracksβ may distort how we see our worth, but we were reminded that God does not reject what is broken. Instead, He meets us in our brokenness and heals us with His love.
Lastly, πππ πΎπ‘πππ£π¨ππ πππ§π§π€π§βa reminder that through Godβs grace, healing, and forgiveness, our lives can be restored. As our hearts are cleansed, we are called to reflect His light through authenticity, gratitude, and love.
One of the most powerful moments of the retreat was when each youth faced their own βmirrorβ and shared their cracks. No matter how small they seemed, a crack is still a crack. Tears were shed, but so was laughterβreminding us that we are not alone in our struggles.
One thing we learned: we all carry our own mirrors and their cracks. Who are we to judge others when we also have our own?
God does not throw broken things awayβHe heals them, restores them, and makes them beautiful againπͺπ€
