2nd Ignatian Youth Camp: Ateneo’s response to Laudato Si & walking with the youth, Ignatius reimagined

Hundreds of young people connected to the various Jesuit schools and communities in the country participated in the 2nd Ignatian Youth Camp that was held on 6-10 April 2024 at the Ateneo de Davao University (ADDU) Senior High School Campus in Davao City. This was organized by ADDU’s Ignatian Spirituality and Formation Office headed by its Director Fr Jessel Gerard Gonzales, SJ. Joining the delegation from Ateneo de Manila University were 35 senior high school and 44 college students, together with some formators and administrators. 

Aside from forming lifelong bonds with our fellow delegates from different regions, the climax of the event was immersing in the different natural and cultural areas, thus gaining a lifetime commitment to the protection and stewardship of these: Paradise Reef, Tamugan Watershed, Davao Animal Rescue Shelter, Obu Manobo Women Highlanders Association, Samahan ng may iba't ibang Kakayahan sa Dabaw, Talikala, Field of Dreams, and St. Ignatius Spirituality Center.

Throughout our whole stay, we started each day with a morning prayer, celebrated mass in the evening, and prepared for nightrest with the Ignatian Examen. The Philippine Provincial Superior of the Society of Jesus (SJ), Fr. Xavier Olin, SJ, in his homily during our culminating mass, reminded us of our responsibility to each other and to the environment. Together with his fellow Jesuits, he also encouraged everyone to consider a life of vocation and service to the Lord.

As an IYC camper myself, the friendships I made, the deeper appreciation for nature, and the Ignatian values and spirit that were instilled in me prompted me to discern a long-term work in service to God and to our environment, even if it’s difficult, as long as it is life-adding and love-giving. All of us reconnected with God, and reimagined the Ignatian principles, hence, now, applying them more deeply in our everyday lives. 

I was moved by a fellow camper who shared with me that she was reconnected with the Lord and the Church because of the camp, especially the masses we had every day. According to her, she was traumatized before by her church, but now she is slowly reigniting her faith, participation, and service to the church. 

In our group conversations, it was reemphasized that we are never truly lost because God always finds us. As much as our human initiative to find God, it is God’s promise to always look for us that makes it possible for us to always be in God’s love and care. 

As our group shared with each other, God is in the every day and every thing. God is in the river we committed to protect, in the saplings that we planted, and in our fellow campers we promised to journey together.

The participation of Ateneo de Manila students, including mine, was made possible by the University’s commitment to the Laudato Si Magis Aspiration through Mission Integration’s Office of the Assistant Vice President for Ignatian Spirituality Formation (OAVP-ISF). We were assisted by various Ateneo offices, such as the Office of the Assistant Vice President for Student Activities and Leadership Formation (OAVP-SALF), the Office of Campus Ministry and the Office of Student Activities in both Senior High School (SHS) and Higher Education-Loyola Schools, the SHS Office of the Assistant Principal for Administration, the Office for Social Concern and Involvement, and the Residence Formation Office. To Ateneo, our lifelong gratitude and a promise of a lifelong giving back.

JLove: Jack Lorenz Acebedo Rivera now wakes up, finds God in nature while praying, and ends his day with the Ignatian Examen, knowing full well that his fellow campers are also doing the same. He and his fellows protect the environment by beginning in our homes.

Jack Lorenz “JLove” Acebedo Rivera 

JLove is a 4 BS Psychology financial aid scholar of Ateneo de Manila University. He hopes to serve his advocacies by ensuring safe spaces in his alma mater.