CLARET WAY East Asia 2024

From July 25 to 30, 2024, was held in Ormoc City, Philippines, the Youth Encounter of East Asia, Claret Way East Asia, with the theme “Spreading the flame of the Spirit”. It gathered more than 200 young people from Asia coming from different countries: India, Indonesia, Japan, Philippines, South Korea, Vietnam, East Timor, Myanmar, Taiwan… and different branches of the Claretian family. As RMI, we participated five sisters: three from the Province of East Asia, Beatriz and Catherine, apostolic mission prefects.

The Claret Way activity of these days hoped that the participants, at the end of the camp, would be renewed and moved by the Spirit they had received in baptism and confirmation and also that this Spirit would move them to open themselves to respond to the call of mission.

It is noteworthy that this year 2024, CLARET WAY EAST ASIA is of special significance for the Claretian Missionaries due to its celebration of the 175th anniversary of the foundation of their congregation, the organising committee has chosen this theme “Spreading the Flame of the Spirit” because it is also the theme of the Jubilee Year of the foundation of the Congregation.

Throughout the week, the organisers held several didactic sessions to help young people understand the meaning of the Spirit. The first session was an overview of the journey through the camp travelling with the Spirit. Participants were guided by the Spirit along the Claret Way journey.

The second session focused on the Flame of the Spirit, i.e. participants were to know the gifts of the Spirit and appreciate what the Spirit brings into their lives. But also understand that there are also the fruits of the spirit which are the indicators of the Spirit’s presence in them.

The next session allowed the participants to commit themselves to spreading the life of the Spirit from the campfire prayer. In the evening of that day, a campfire was lit to allow the young people to feel the presence of God in the silence around the fire, to listen to the call of the Spirit following the example of Moses at the burning bush. It was really beautiful to see the young people in silence around such a big fire!

The last session encouraged and motivated them to be missionaries sent by the Spirit in the likeness of Mary and Claret.  The Spirit chooses them for a specific task and mission. The participants understood that the Spirit does not leave them alone, because Jesus sends the Spirit so that they have the courage and strength to carry out their mission, the Spirit cannot be a flame hidden under the basket, but must be a light for the world that brings hope.

The experience lived with the young people during this time was full of joy, beauty, dialogue, encounter…. The days were animated by training, group work, songs and dances, visits to certain places. We even made a Way of the Cross of about 5 km in honour of Fr. Rhoel Gallardo, CMF, who was killed by terrorists in the 2000s.

During these days, the young Claretians have had the opportunity to mature in their spirituality and intellect through prayer and formation; and they have come to experience solidarity and unity in diversity through sharing the beauty and value of life. It was truly a moment of grace for the Claretian Family to strengthen the Claretian Spirit in this part of the world and missionary enthusiasm and to affirm that the missionary dream of St. Anthony Mary Claret is still alive among us.

We closed the activities on the evening of the 30th with a festive programme that started with a traditional Filipino meal. All the participating communities performed a dance from their own country. What a beautiful night!