Interview with a Malaysian Jesuit for #WYD @Madrid11_en - Fr. Simon Yong SJ, SFX, Malaysia

Name : Fr Simon Yong, SJ
Parish : St Francis Xavier, Petaling Jaya , Malaysia
Position : Parish Priest
Date of Ordination : 31 July 2000


1. How many people from your parish are going for the Madrid World Youth Day ?
There are about 44 pilgrims going from the Parish of St Francis Xavier , Petaling Jaya, Malaysia. The youngest pilgrim is about 15 years old

2. Why do you think the World Youth Day is important to our Catholic Youths, and in general to our Catholic Faith ?
Catholism is global and universal religion. Today’s young people cannot live in isolation from that phenomenon , and there are many young people who are rediscovering the beauty of their faith

3. What do you hope that our pilgrims will achieve out of this World Youth Day ?
My hope is not quantifiable. Some people have approached me and said it was a waste of money to send the youth for the previous World Youth Day in Sydney. They come from the mentality of the need for a Return of Investment (ROI) . This isn’t about ROI , but about encountering Christ and the universal church in a special way. This encounter may not produce anything immediate, but the seed is sowed. What is important is the change of heart.

4. What is your advice for our Malaysian Pilgrims, so that they can achieve the most out of the Madrid World Youth Day ?
The World Youth Day is not a sightseeing holiday. Many of our youth will have plenty of opportunity to experience their own travels in the future. This World Youth Day is a spiritual journey. The Youth should avail themselves to all spiritual experiences. While in Madrid, they should partake in the Cathesis sessions, pray and encounter people. Know your priorities on why you are there.

5. How have you or your parish help prepare the pilgrims for this journey to Madrid ?
There are many sessions organized for the youth such as language sessions, history of Catholism in Spain, and getting to know more about the Catholic Church in Spain. The pilgrims are further encourage to attend mass, adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, and lead a prayerful life
There will be a Mass of Sending, on 7 August , Evening Mass @ 5.30 PM at Church of St Francis Xavier , Petaling Jaya.

6. Will you be attending the World Youth Day yourself ?
Yes I will be going, and this will be my second World Youth Day that I am attending .

7. As a priest, is the World Youth Day experience for you any different for a Lay Pilgrim? How so?
It is important that the priest are always with the pilgrims, and it is a beautiful experience to listen to the confessions of the young, and to see the youth. I will be there participating at the Opening Mass

Read Fr Simon's Homilies at : http://homiliesofajesuit.blogspot.com/
More about the Parish of St Francis Xavier : http://www.sfx.com.my/



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