Loud Faith in our Small Voices

As I have stepped on the ground of NYD Caceres 2025, I was overwhelmed with the vibrant faces and voices of the different people from all over the country. I was fascinated with their energy and their excitement. What made it more impressive was the great number of their delegates. There were many of them some have even reached hundreds. They were loud, energetic and lively as groups. From there, I began to question myself, what could we contribute? We were only six, negligible, minute and small. We even don’t have big banners, no loud cheers, booms and massive grand entrance. This was in this time where I started feeling the least amidst a well-represented groups of delegates.

At the beginning of our sessions and activities, I witnessed how animated other delegates were. Each of them showed and gave their extraordinary best in their cheers, claps and performances. At first, I couldn’t help but to feel left out- maybe because of the reason that there were only few of us, with weaker and quieter voice compared to others. There were also moments where we became silent and simply observing while we were also participating in the different group activities. We didn’t talk that much because we were so shy. However, in our stillness we were able to realize something good. Being not the loudest is also sacred because in our quiet moments, we listen, we pray, we understand and we feel God’s presence. 

One bright side of being few is that, we fully see and feel each other’s importance. Our small number allowed us to stay closer from each other. We got to know each other’s stories, backgrounds and even our good and bad personalities. It also allowed us to lean on each other’s comfort and support whenever things may go wrong. I felt that I’m not alone in the ministry. It seems like I have found new brothers and sisters who are willing to share their strength with me and help me in times of my weaknesses. Indeed, our small number gave us way to be more present in each other’s life. 

We may be few in number but the love of God is huge. We feel so much love from our “katoods” or friends from the other dioceses. They had never overlooked us but instead they lifted us up, cheer for us, and accompanied us. Things had changed along the way, I began to understand that we were their neither to see the difference in number nor just to impress everyone. We were there to appreciate our similarities, to share our common hope and to live in faith in Christ. We were there to help carry each other’s cross, celebrate each other’s life and to be the living testament of God’s Love, mercy and compassion. 

As I left NYD 2025, I carried more than just photos, smiles and snapshots . I carried a deep sense of peace and hope towards the Filipino Youth. I was reminded that we don’t have to be many in order to see our strength. The strength is within us, within our hearts and mind. No matter how small we are, we can still do great things because God is with us. We don’t need to be at the center to shine. There is  beauty in being the least – a beauty rooted in humility like a child, in simplicity like our Lord Jesus Christ, and in the quiet confidence that we are exactly where we are meant to be.