Asian Youth Day

You may have read in one of our previous editorials the Asian Youth Day. However are you aware of what's it all about? Remembering the hype that was in that blessed event, we'd like to share with you some of its important features - hopefully you'll be able to take a more active part in it in the future.

1.The Asian Youth Day (AYD) is a regional counterpart of the World Youth Day where it includes the welcome of pilgrims by parishes and host families, plenary sessions on the Word and Eucharist, reflections and testimonies, workshops, times of prayer and liturgies.

2. The Asian Youth Day is sponsored by Federation of Asian Bishops Conferences and is independent of the World Youth Day's theme and programs.

3. AYD is held during the years in which no international World Youth Day celebration is held, usually once every 3 years. After the first AYD in Thailand in 1999, it was held in Taiwan in 2001, India in 2003 and Hong Kong in 2006.

4. This year, Philippines, specifically the Diocese of Imus hosted the 5th Asian Youth Day from Nov 20 to 27 with the theme: "Young Asians, come together. Share the Word, live the Eucharist".

5. Next Asian Youth Day will be in 2012 in Korea.