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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The many people making @madrid11_en #wyd possible. A prayer for you!

Hosting and international event with over 1million attendees is no small feat. I take my hats off to the people of Spain, and their many volunteers who are working tirelessly to receive the pilgrims that are expected to descend upon Madrid.

Granted that 1 million is small in comparisson to the annual Haj that takes place in Mecca, but the Saudis have had many years of experience and deep pockets to manage the even larger number of pilgrims. However the annual Haj , well happens every year, and the organizers have had plenty of experience and are able to invest in infrastructre to cater to the large volume of people

In comparison, the Archdiocese of Madrid has had very little experience in organizing such a major event, the city may not be design to handle 1 million visitors in one go. And the Wyd organizers are largely volunteers,both locally and internationally. No funding is given by the government of Madrid and the event is largely self funded through registration fees and sponsors.

Putting all these combinations together, a pessimist would say that it is a recipe for disaster, waiting to happen. However i honestly truly believe that the organizers despite the challenges they face, are driven by a deep burning passion that comes from serving Jesus. In their tired nights, and hair pulling moments, God grants us the grace to carry on. I know for i've been in that situation where I am just driven and fueled by an unknown force. Under normal circumstances, i would collapse from exhaustion, but with the power of the Holy Spirit, I do not even feel tired.

Today I offer my prayers for all the organizers and volunteers preparing to greet all of us pilgrims at Madrid. May they be blessed for their loving sacrifice in doing His bidding, for His People for His Glory.

In the final month, preparations will run at a feverish pace. Nearing to the date of such a spiritual event, satan too will make his presence known to try and derail this. So i also pray for His holy protection over all those involved. May the divine armies of heaven stand guard over the organizers, volunteers and pilgrims as we all prepare for the this testimony of our faith.

Read more about the people making the World Youth Day possible on the official website of Madrid11. You owe them that much!

Dear Lord and Master.

It was your holy choosing that the people of Spain would host such an epic event of your choice,and i offer up my thanks to You, that they have accepted this daunting task to host all of us.

As the time gets closers to the date, Lord continue to guide them in their works. Grant them the patience, wisdom and perserverence needed to accomplish this task you have given to them. Stenghten them when they tire, heal them when they fall, and grant them peaceful rest when the sleep.

Lord , we also ask for your protection, from the many distractions and dangers that satan will throw at us. It will be his bidding to stop us, as we bring ourselves closer to You, and only You can protect us, to be our shield. Send forth your heavenly armies to proect us, especially the organizers and voluteers. St Michael watch over us.

Holy mother of God, watch over us and protect us, as we bear testimony to our faith and love for your Son.

Amen



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The #wyd host family and volunteers @madrid11_en

Source : Madrid11 WYD

They come from all over the world:




Portugal, Congo, USA, Taiwan, Brazil, Lithuania… The arrival of foreign volunteers has created a special UN in the WYD central office. Many people have put aside their own jobs and friends in order to help to organise World Youth Day.

They live in university residences or with host families that become their true families when they feel so far away from their own homes. Some of them have become so fond of Madrid that are even thinking on staying longer after WYD.

Maria Ines was ready to host some pilgrims and volunteers during the third week of august. But she got a surprise when Andres, member of her parish, called asking her to host Portuguese volunteer during the next four months. He was arriving the next day to help in WYD .

Ines told me: “The last thing I thought is that I would host a Portuguese person. My brother was concerned about it and he said to me: you don´t know him at all.”

“I don´t know Portugal. When I was young my parents used to take Portuguese workers in, they looked starving… That´s all I can remember about them. I was a bit scared about the whole thing when I thought: There are no races for God, we are all a big family, God´s family, and if we don´t help each other, who will do it?”

So Ines felt she had to say yes in spite of her fears; so she said to Andres that from the following day up to the WYD, she would host Carlos, the Portuguese volunteer.

It has been a fantastic experience. Ines said to Carlos: “get used to the idea that in Spain I´m your mum”. She feeds him well so his parents don´t see him thinner when he goes back to Portugal.

“This is a multicultural family. I feel like a tiny part within a big family, but I belong to it and I feel honoured by it.”



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What you do to the least of my brothers, you do unto Me. #madrid11 #wyd #bersihstories

This week I took a stand. I decided to make a stand for my principals, beliefs and for my human rights, to take an active interest in the recent happenings in Malaysia with regards to the rally for electoral reforms.

This week I took a stand against abuse

This week I made a choice to help a friend in need.

It is not easy to take a stand on any of these issues. Like those who had the courage to partake in the Bersih Rally in Kuala Lumpur, found themselves up against tear gas and water cannons. Now those who take a vocal stand online and in the community, face potential persecution for our beliefs.

It is not easy to take a stand on abuse, for in my mind, I wonder if it is genuine. It is easier to turn away for who am I to interfere. Isn't it easier to ignore the problem, as it is someone else's problem.

It is not easy to trust if somene is genuinely in need of help, nor can i help but wonder if I am being taken for a ride.

But I will take this stand, for my faith as a catholic has thought me the sanctity of basic human rights. To stand for what is right, and to fight what is wrong. I believe that corruption, electoral role rigging, gerry mandering and such acts are wrong and goes against the basic fundamentals of social justice. I believe that oppressions and violence agaisnt peaceful people is an act of social injustice.

But I will take a stand agaisnt abuse, like my earlier posting. No one should ever live in fear of abuse. As a Catholic, how can i turn my back on someone I know who is being abused. Who will help if not me. Change must begin with me first.

But I will take the stand to trust in the sincere plea for help. To trust that people who ask for help are truly in need for help. Who am I to judge if they have ulterior motives or intentions. The point is that i have been approached for help, and hence i should and must assist in anyway i can. For if I turn my back, lives may be destroyed and trust in humanity gone. I stand as an ambassador for Christ despite my doubts

I trust that despite my doubts and fears in all these points, that these events happened for a reason , and they cross my path for a reason. I trust that God in His almighty wisdom brought these challenges to me. Despite anything that may happen, I will stand knowing that i did what was right. If anything happens, or if I have been cheated, then it will be their own conscience with God. At least i know I did the best I can, as how I should.

I hope that when I am being tested, I will be found worthy

I apologise for the cryptic writting for I need to protect the privacy and identities of those involved.


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A month to my departure for #madrid11 #wyd

Today ( well actually yesterday as it is past midnight now) is exactly a month prior to my departure to Madrid for the WYD. I think i am quite set and ready to go and just have to properly pack my bags. I do have a few minor things to finish off doing such as change my Euros and other minor stuffs, but I think all major items are prepared. I still have some minor adjustments to make for my accomodation in spain but that can be done over the next few days.

I am quite excited about this trip and also a bit nervous. I do not know quite what to expect. Despite being well travelled, this is actually my first trip alone for leisure. In the past I've always travelled with friends or family for holidays, and when travelling alone, it has always been for work, although i may extend a couple of days to sight see on my own. So yes, this is my first trip alone.

It kinda feels like that time, when I was headed off to university alone. There was plenty of preparations done, and on thst day, I boarded the plane off to UK to start my tertiary educaton. It is a similar feeling. Excited. Nervous. Do not know what to expect.

What I know is that there will be nearly a million catholics like me converging unto Madrid.

As i write this blog, I feel very blessed indeed that i am able to make this journey . Europe is not an affordable place to go and many who wish to attend can't because of the expenses. For myself I estimate that this would cost me anywhere between USD 2000 - 3000. That is quite a significant sum for many people, especially those in poorer countries. I hope that although they can not be there physically, they can be there in spirit with all of us.

So today i offer my prayers for those unable to make it to madrid, that they will still journey with us. I pray that they too will receive the many blessings and graces as those who are making this pilgrimage. Despite the distance separating us, may we all be united in Christ Jesus our Lord, to bear witness to our faith .



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Blessed are those prosecuted in the name of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven #wyd #madrid11

Todays first reading was of the pharoahs of Egypt enslaving the children of Israel, to oppress them in everyway, and to supress them incase the rise up against the egyptians. Further on in the Gospel acclaimation, we are reminded that the kingdom of heaven is promised to those who are prosecuted in the name of righteousness.

This recent saturday, 9th July 2011 was a historical date in Malaysia, whereby the people took to the streets never seen before, in a rally called Bersih 2.0. This rally essentially called for Electoral reforms in the Malaysian election process. Many Malaysians, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion took to the streets in downtown KL to stand for their rights for clean and fair elections.

The organizers insisted that it will be a peaceful rally. However the police and the government took a heavy handed approach in clamping down on the this said rally. Despite the Supreme Ruler allowing the blessings to be organized in a local stadium, the government refused the organizers the fundamental right to a peaceful gathering. Riot police were deployed throughout the city, and roads into the city center were closed.

During the rally, many protestors were arrested. People wearing yellow colored t-shirts were detained - as many as over 1500 were detained by the police. Riot police responded to the rally with tear gas and chemical water cannons despite no signs of provocation.

Worst still, the despicable act of tear gas was shot into a local hospital and water cannons aimed at people taking refuge within the hospital compound. Government politicians claimed these actions were necessary, and insisted that those attended taking part were limited to 5000 people. Organizers believe that at least 50,000 people were at the rally, based on pictorial evidence

Although we are no longer in the days of the Pharoahs of Egypt, but oppression continues to exist today, even in a country like Malaysia. the rally was an apolitical rally, proclaiming the basic rights of fair and transparent elections, so that our basic rights of voting is not tarnished.

As a catholic, i realize that it is my catholic duty, not only to stand up for my own right, but that of my fellow human beings to ensure that basic human rights are protected and exercised. Despite the potential repercussions of supporting such rallies, it is my duty to fight for the weak and oppressed.

Jesus himself warns that those who stand for righteousness will be prosecuted, and truly enough many of those attending the rally suffered at the heavy handedness of the government actions.

However i also realise that this not only exist in Malaysia, but in many countries around the world today. Pilgrims coming from africa, middle east, south america, and asia face differing sorts of prosecution in their own countries.

When we gather in Madrid, we thus stand united in Christ, hence we stand against such prosecution and oppression happening not only in our own countries but in solidarity with our brothers and sisters around the world. We will share a common promise to us, that the kingdom of heaven awaits us and we will be witness to this as we together form the Body of Christ.

Blessed Saviour

I pray in communion with my brothers and sisters around the world, especially those who face all sorts of prosecution for their ethnicity, religious belief. Those that face oppression and denial of their basic fundamental rights, those who stand in danger of their dignity as human beings.

Grant us the strength and will, to stand for our beliefs. Give us the courage to voice out agaisnt all forms of injustice, prosecution, and oppresion. Comfort those who suffer in silence, those who have been denied their rights to live as your beautiful creation.

Lord, bless our leaders today, despite their actions they have taken. Touch their hearts with your whispers of truth and mercy. Allow them to make a stand for justice and for your mercy. Destroy the barriers of fear, hatred and selfishness.

Blessed Comforting Mother,
Cuddle us like how you comforted your belived son in His time of fear and distress. Stand by us, like how you stood by Him at his crucifixion. May your loving presence prompt us to stand against the Pharoahs of today's world.

Amen


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10 years since my last trip to #madrid11 @madrid11_en #wyd

It has been 10 years since my trip to spain as a university student. I recall that 6 of us, studying in UK , made a trip during the spring break to Spain. I mean they were still using Pesos at tht time!

We landed in Madrid, then made our way to seville, cordoda, bck to madrid and then to toledo. It was quite an adventure, staying in youth hostels, roaming the streets.

I still have fond memories of the trip, and also the number of close incidents where we knew we were being watched by dodgy people trying to steal our things. There was another group of singaporeans who were relieved of some of their valueables twice on the same trip

I also recall a relatively easy to use transport system, great food, lovely scenary, beautiful churches and friendly people. We also saw the flamenco dances and orange farms in Seville. We joined a pre easter practice procession in Cordoba. Caught a spanish dubbed movie. Stayed in a castle over looking toledo and watched the bull fight in Madrid.

Yes it was a very fun and adventurous trip for 6 uni students, moving around spain on a shoestring budget. I just some of the photos and it really brought a smile to my face.

I am looking forward to my trip back to Madrid - eating the tapas , paela and chocolate con churros. In fact i think i will try and reconnect back with a teenager i met in cordoba to see if he is going for th wyd. Having a spanish friend would surely be advantageous


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