A very special event happened in Rome, Italy this week! Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, one of the most loved Filipino Church leaders, led a Holy Mass at Santa Pudenziana Church, the main church for Filipinos living in Rome.
More than 300 young Filipinos from different countries came together to pray, sing, and celebrate their faith as part of the Jubilee of the Youth 2025 — a big, international church event just for young people!
⛪ A Mass Filled with Spirit and Joy
On July 29, Cardinal Tagle stood in front of the smiling crowd and celebrated Mass together with 30 other priests from all around the world. Some of them were:
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Archbishop Rex Alarcon, the head of the group that helps young Catholics in the Philippines
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Fr. Ted Kalaw, leader of the Adorno Fathers
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Fr. Ronan Ayag, priest for the Filipino community in Rome
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And other religious leaders from Spain, Germany, Canada, Dubai, and Bahrain
Even 50 young Filipinos flew from the Philippines just to be part of this amazing spiritual event!
🕊️ Tagle’s Message: Choose What Brings You Closer to God
During his homily (that’s the part of the Mass where the priest gives a talk), Cardinal Tagle gave a powerful reminder to the youth.
“Every decision we make,” he said,
“can either bring us closer to God — or lead us farther away from Him.”
He encouraged everyone to make good choices in life, especially when it gets hard.
🙌 A Whole Day of Prayers, Talks, Dancing, and Laughter
Before the Mass, the youth joined the Live Pure Conference, a big event filled with fun activities, deep talks, workshops, and prayer. It was led by the Sentro Pilipino Youth Ministry (SPYM), a group that helps young Filipinos in Europe grow in faith.
After the Mass, the mood turned festive! The young people sang songs, danced, hugged each other, and took selfies with the priests, nuns, and even Philippine Ambassador to the Vatican Myla Grace Macahilig — and of course, with Cardinal Tagle himself!
One youth leader, Berkz Cepillo, who helped organize the event, said:
“I feel nothing but joy — happiness that goes all the way to my bones! I thank God we opened the Filipino Church for this big moment. God truly carried us with His grace.”
📣 Ambassador’s Powerful Words to the Youth
Ambassador Myla Macahilig was so proud of the young Filipinos who traveled so far just to be part of this big moment. She told them:
“Go forth! As Pope Leo XIV once said,
you are the light of the world and the salt of the Earth!”
🌍 Over a Million Youth from 146 Countries
The Jubilee of the Youth 2025 is a week-long celebration in Rome, happening from July 29 to August 3. It’s not just for Filipinos — it has more than one million young people from 146 countries!
The event will end on Sunday, August 3, with a special Holy Mass led by Pope Leo XIV at Tor Vergata, a big open area in Rome.
🌟 A Moment to Remember
This event was more than just a gathering — it was a spiritual reunion for the young Filipino faithful. It was a time for them to pray together, make new friends, and remember that wherever they are in the world, they are loved by God and guided by their faith.
