Mass shooting calls for solidarity

By Melanie Lamarca
Youth Speak News

As a high school student, I’ve always considered school a safe place for me to grow and learn. That’s why school shootings always hit so close to home. Upon hearing about the mass shooting at Umpqua Community College in Roseburg, Oregon, I must express my condolences for the Roseburg community that has lost nine of its members. I am deeply saddened that yet again, lives were lost to gun violence.

But in spite of the sadness that follows the outcome of gun violence, we must ask ourselves how we can be of service to our brothers and sisters who have been directly affected by the losses in Roseburg. God is asking us to stand in solidarity with one another.

As the Portland Archbishop Alexander Sample puts it, “We are one body in Christ, and when even one member suffers, we all suffer with them.” As a community, we hurt together, but we also come out of that hurt together. In times where all seems lost, we must remember that God calls us to help one another through prayer. 

Praying for our common home

BY BERNADETTE TIMSON
Youth Speak News

In Laudato Si’, Pope Francis is calling us to remember our mission to be stewards of creation. Although I hear this phrase every so often in my Catholic circles, I often wonder what it really means. How do we care for our Earth? I really believe that it also has to do with being stewards for each other. Pope Francis’ message to Catholics and “people of goodwill” is to not just save the planet.

This next generation of young people have been called to guard and secure a future for the world where previous generations have neglected to do so. Be it through our efforts to provide clean water for children in Africa or our efforts to promote safer ways to live a lifestyle that is beneficial to both the planet and ourselves.

The one message I have really picked up on from the encyclical and from the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation is that in caring for our fellow man, we care for our common home.

Does this mean that only young people can care for the Earth? Of course not. But if we are to be leaders in the future, we need to be the ones to put into action now. Pope Francis’ call to “people of goodwill” is to invite people to come to Christ asking His help to not only restore our fallen state of grace, by means of salvation, but to care for those who need it the most. Our call as young people is for us to safeguard all of God’s creations.

Station Fourteen: For God so loved

Vasily Petrovich Vereshchagin, via Wikimedia Commons

Jesus is laid in the tomb

BY KATHLEEN KENNEDY
Youth Speak News

After a long and difficult journey, we have finally arrived at the last station – Jesus is laid in the tomb. He has been condemned, forced to carry the cross, fallen three times, crucified and has died. And for what, you may ask?

The better question is for whom.

Station Thirteen: Love and pity

Scipione Pulzone, via Wikimedia Commons

Jesus is taken down from the cross

BY JAMES MANGALIMAN
Youth Speak News

Have you ever heard the death cry? It is different from the typical cry of a broken heart or a weep in despair. The death cry is a sudden wail. It is a jerky lamentation with a gaping mouth gasping for air between sobs that struggle to squeeze out the sorrow; the sorrow of a separated loved one.

Station Twelve: He lived and died for us

By Soerfm, via Wikimedia Commons

Jesus dies on the cross

BY MICHAEL CHEN
Youth Speak News

In His final moments, Jesus forgives the people who condemned Him to His human death. He forgives the soldiers who had crucified him. Jesus says a final prayer for His mother and friends.

When we encounter times of hardship and weakness, let’s remind ourselves that Jesus endured so much more to save humanity.

Station Eleven: His salvation is for all

Drawn by Gustave Doré, engraved by J. Gauchard Brunier. Scanned by Michael Gäbler, via Wikimedia Commons

Jesus is nailed to the cross

BY BIANCA REATEGUI
Youth Speak News

Here is the Son of God—who appeared transfigured, dazzlingly radiant, before His disciples—nailed to a cross. Here is the Messiah—who the angel Gabriel announced would be called the Son of the Most High, who would reign over the house of Jacob forever—on the brink of death, with blood pouring profusely from His many wounds.

Here is Jesus Christ, living out God’s infinite love.

Station Ten: Undefined by the world

 

James Tissot, via Wikimedia Commons

Jesus is stripped of His garments

BY DANIELLE SEQUIERA
Youth Speak News

Clothing often defines an individual. It can reflect their social status and their personality. Our clothing is a part of us, acting as a second skin, protecting us from the harsh criticism of others. If ever our clothes are forcibly taken from us we would be humiliated, ashamed and our spirits would be broken.

Station Nine: Why we get back up

 

Gebhard Fugel, via Wikimedia Commons

Jesus falls for the third time

BY AUGUSTINE NG
Youth Speak News

In this station Jesus falls for the third time but He rises once again. He has fallen twice already but He chooses to get back up and continue walking, towards His inevitable death.

When I was younger and I fell while playing, it hurt. I would cry and slowly get up, cursing the ground for existing. Now that I’m older I’m not falling physically, but I still fall spiritually, and it still hurts, though it’s a different kind of pain.

Station Eight: For themselves and their children

By Joseolgon, via Wikimedia Commons

Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem

BY ANASTASIA HOLLEMAN
Youth Speak News

There is something about this station that really resonates with me. Here, Jesus tells the women of Jerusalem not to mourn for Him, but for themselves and their children. This passage speaks of the worldly glorification of death and disdain for life.

Station Seven: We fall, but we get back up

(Wikipedia Commons)

Jesus falls for the second time

BY CHANELLE ROBINSON
Youth Speak News

One Saturday afternoon, as I was praying in the pews near the confessionals at the local Cathedral, I reflected on my own shortcomings and sins and asked for the Holy Spirit to show me the ways in which I struggle and how I can do better.

As I looked up from my prayer, I noticed that the Stations of the Cross were mapped out along the sides of the chapel and that the seventh station was beside me. There, depicted, was a small copper image of Jesus falling with a heavy cross on His back. We all stumble and struggle with personal sin, but here is Jesus in perfect solidarity with humankind. He struggles with His cross, too. We are most aware of Christ’s full humanity here.