Seoul 2027 Journey Begins

By Resti Ma. M. Bautista

PANSOL, QUEZON CITY — Around 50 youth, young adults, chaperones, facilitators, and parents gathered on September 13 at the Verbum Dei Missionary House in Pansol to launch local preparations for World Youth Day (WYD) 2027 in Seoul, South Korea. The hybrid event united the Verbum Dei Family across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

Hearts Burning on the Road to Emmaus

Rooted in the Verbum Dei spirituality of praying and living the Word of God to share it with others, the launch centered on contemplating the Gospel story of the disciples on the Road to Emmaus.

Though many participants felt overwhelmed by the scale of the journey ahead, contemplating the Gospel and engaging in spiritual conversations brought deep peace and joyful anticipation. Just as Christ walked alongside the disciples to warm their hearts, this communal sharing reassured the pilgrims that they walk with Him, anchored in Scripture, communion, and shared mission.

A Shared Missionary Roadmap

To prepare the delegates for 2027, the launch established a roadmap for the upcoming year:

• Family Unity: Parents, chaperones, and missionaries join the youth, reflecting the charism's call to a shared family pilgrimage.
• Nationwide Reach: Online and in-person connections bring young people across the Philippines together to pray and dream.
• Apostolic Formation: Each local community will host ongoing monthly formation centered on scripture contemplation, spiritual conversations, and communal discernment to form active apostles.

A Sending Off into the Mission

As delegates begin this adventure of faith over the coming year, we ask the Trinity to accompany them. In solidarity, we pray that their hearts may burn as they listen to God's Word, recognize Him walking alongside them, and encounter His Life and Love.

We ask the Lord to stay with our young pilgrims—deepening their communion with Him and with the young people of the world. In every challenge, may they remember that He has overcome the world, returning renewed in their "yes" as disciples and apostles ready to share His Life and Love.

We also entrust this journey to Mary, Mother of the Word, asking her to help the delegates listen, welcome Jesus, and respond generously to His call so their hearts remain open to His mission.

With hearts fixed on Seoul 2027, the Verbum Dei Family sends forth its young pilgrims, echoing the official World Youth Day theme:

“Take courage! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)