Quezon City, Philippines. The Claret Youth Camp (CYC) is a much-anticipated annual gathering that brings together young individuals from various Claretian communities to deepen their faith, strengthen their values, and foster meaningful friendships. In 2025, the camp was successfully hosted by the Claret Youth Ministry – Liwanag and held at the Claret Retreat House in Quezon City from June 6 to 8, 2025. With the theme, “Rejoice in Hope, Endure in Affliction, and Persevere in Prayer”, this year’s camp offered a spiritually inspiring experience that left a lasting impact on all participants.
The camp sessions were led by Rev. Fr. Alex Gobrin, CMF, whose engaging talks encouraged the youth to reflect on their journeys with God. On the first day, Fr. Alex opened the discussion with the concept of “start-ups” — the beginnings of our life stories, where our values, faith, and purpose first started to take shape. Through a series of heartfelt testimonies and interactive sessions, participants were introduced to the idea of A.M.E.N.: Attentive Listening, Mindful Listening, Empathic Listening, and Naked Listening. These four levels of listening challenged everyone to listen not only with their ears but with compassion and understanding.
Fr. Alex also reminded the group to be mindful of their reactions to others’ stories. “Sometimes, without realizing it, our facial expressions or thoughts already carry judgment,” he emphasized. The session then moved into a reflection on the “wins” in life — moments of success and growth, both big and small. But alongside these triumphs, he introduced a deeper reality: brokenness. “Every victory is often paired with pain,” he shared. “We all carry disappointments, rejections, and wounds. But from these, we can rise and grow.”
In the afternoon, the group delved further into this theme of brokenness — the feeling of being “orphaned” by pain or disconnected from joy. Yet even in these moments, participants were reminded of God’s abiding presence. Through guided reflection, it became clear that acknowledging both joy and suffering is essential for spiritual maturity.
The second day began with the celebration of the Holy Mass, presided over by Rev. Fr. Francisco Saw Jimmy Htwe, setting the tone for a day of reflection and connection. His words invited us to open our hearts fully to God’s message and to be present in every encounter throughout the day. Following the mass, the delegates traveled from the Claret Retreat House to San Antonio Maria Claret Parish, where we had the opportunity to visit and encounter the communities of Liwanag. Being among the people reminded us that faith lives and breathes in the ordinary – in the quiet strength of families, in the laughter of children, and in the resilience of a community rooted in God. It was a moment of genuine reflection on how we are all called to be light, not only within the camp but in the places we return to every day. Their hospitality and joyful spirit reignited in us a desire to serve with love and compassion.
After the brief visit, the session continued. Fr. Alex guided us into a reflective session with a powerful question: “Ano kaya ang plano ni Lord sa akin?” A question on how your dreams differ from the Lord’s plans. A question with no immediate answer, but one that invites continued prayer, patience, and trust in divine timing. In the afternoon, we were encouraged to engage in deeper introspection. Fr. Alex invited us to create our own “shields” — personal symbols that represent the people, dreams, and beliefs that give us strength. It became a moment of quiet honesty and self-discovery, as we each reflected on what truly anchors us when life becomes difficult.
That same afternoon, while we were in the parish, the Claret Youth Ministry – North arrived to join and celebrate with us. Their presence added more vibrancy to the gathering, reminding us of the greater Claretian family we belong to. Together, we shared moments of laughter, prayer, and praise, strengthening the bonds that connect us across different communities. Later that day, we were honored by the visit of Rev. Fr. CJ Mortela, CMF, Rev. Fr. Jay Coching, CMF, and Rev. Fr. Amador Tumbaga, CMF, the Provincial Superior of the Fr. Rhoel Gallardo Province.
On the third day, the spirit of the camp culminated in a beautiful and heartfelt prayer session. We were invited to offer prayers for one another — not just as individuals, but as one group in Christ. Each prayer came from the heart of a group member, inspired by their own hopes, struggles, and faith. The act of praying for each other became a powerful expression of unity and compassion, reminding us that we are not alone in our journey. With every whispered petition, we carried the hope that God would bless, guide, and heal each one of us in the ways we most needed — even in ways we couldn’t yet understand.
After the prayer session, the NYD (National Youth Day) delegates gathered for their Sending Off Mass, celebrated by Rev. Fr. Amador Tumbaga. In his homily, he offered words of encouragement, blessing each delegate with the hope of a fruitful and meaningful experience as they prepare to encounter Christ and His Church in a broader and more profound way during the NYD. His words were both a challenge and a comfort — to carry everything they had received during CYC 2025 and allow it to shape their journey forward.
Personally, CYC 2025 became a turning point in my spiritual journey. One of my prayers going into the camp was to feel the presence of the Holy Spirit — to light me up and feel the spark again — and I did. I felt His embrace in every song sung, every story shared, and every silent moment of prayer. It was a reminder that God listens, speaks, and stays with us, even when we don’t realize it.
As we move forward, we carry with us the hopes and lessons from this camp. Each of us came with questions, burdens, and aspirations. May we continue to seek answers in God’s time, and may His peace reign in our hearts. As the community looks ahead to the National Youth Day 2025, we do so with renewed faith and a collective hope for another transformative encounter with the Lord. – Alvie Jean Taan
