Albay Catholic devotees visit Kawakawa Hill for 6th Diocesan Youth Way of the Cross

Catholic devotees gather around at the 12th Station of the Cross to pray. 

Hundreds of students, seminarians, and Catholic devotees from different cities and municipalities of Albay gathered at Kawakawa Natural Park, Ligao City to participate in the 6th Diocesan Youth Way of the Cross on 28 February 2015.

Organized by the Commission on Youth, in partnership with Kawakawa Natural Park management headed by Congressman Fernando V. Gonzalez, this year’s Youth Way of the Cross is themed, “Jesus looked at Peter (Lk 22: 61-62)…Jesus looked at the youth,” with Most Rev. Joel Z. Baylon, D.D. as the presider.

Beginning at The Last Supper, the devotees were lead by seminarians and Youth leaders in praying at the life-size sculptured Stations of the Cross, followed by a Holy Mass presided by Most Rev. Baylon. Similar to last year’s Youth Way of the Cross, Most Rev. Baylon had a dialogue with the youth instead of a homily.

Leading the pilgrims: Most Rev. Joel Z. Baylon leads a group of pilgrims uphill to the 2nd Station of the Cross.

The Youth Way of the Cross is performed every year at Kawakawa Hill during the Lenten season as a way of showing devotion to the Passion of Christ, and to invite the youth to enter the Catholic seminary. 

Security and medical assistance were also provided by the local government. Booths for food and refreshments were put up in the vicinity for the visitors. The Kawakawa management also provided personnel to guide the visitors in trekking the hill. Restrooms, trash cans, benches, and Nipa Huts are installed in the area for public use. 

Aside from participating in the Way of the Cross, visitors also enjoyed the beautiful scenery and fresh air at Kawakawa, relieving their physical exhaustion. Some took pictures of the animals, the breath-taking views, and even took “selfies” and “groufies” with their friends. 

Aside from the hill’s natural magnificence, people also visit the Kawakawa during summer to witness the blooming of Sunflower field which also coincides with the celebration of Ligao City’s foundation day. 

Written by Lala Peñafiel

For more photos on the 6th Diocesan Youth Way of the Cross, visit Congressman Fernando V. Gonzalez' page here.