Flores de Mayo in the Don Bosco Formation Center
by: DBYC correspondence
This year’s Flores de Mayo of Don Bosco Youth Center Lawaan in Don Bosco Formation Center (DBFC) provided an interactive, enthusiastic, and, above all, meaningful experience for the young people who participated. Held every Sunday afternoon during the month of May, the encounter gave participants the opportunity to give honor, glory, and praise to Mary, mother of God.
By giving them quality facilities and lectures, the young people were able to nurture, nourish, and renew their commitment to God as they go along their spiritual journey through this simple activity in honor of Mary. At 3:00 PM each week, the participants gather and take part in various warm-up activities to help them prepare for the afternoon’s sessions. Afterwards, the aspirants of the DBFC gave a catechesis about various Marian topics. The sessions were capped by the prayer of the Holy Rosary at around four in the afternoon.
On May 5, the DBYC together with the second-year aspirants, started the Flores de Mayo in honor of Mama Mary, and during these three days, the second-year aspirants were giving catechesis to the young people according to their level of age. The catechesis was divided into 3 groups: grades 3 to 6 were one group, grades 7 to 12 were one group, and the college students were also one group.
On the last day of the Flores de Mayo, May 26, 2024, the DBYC and the second-year aspirants concluded the Flores de Mayo with a short culmination program with the assistance of Prenovices. We began our program at the same time, but at this time we recited the Holy Rosary first, and afterwards we organized Filipino games, namely “bahaw-bahaw,” for them to encounter and make fun with the young people whom they have encountered during the last three days. Moreover, we ended the program with snacks prepared by Kuya Ike and Mrs. Ragasajo’s families.
In essence, this activity served as a harmonious blend of joyous encounters with Mary, communal bonding among peers, and most importantly, a deepening of spiritual nourishment in the presence of the Divine, to help them in their individual and communal faith life journey.
