Disclaimer: All names used in this article have been changed to safeguard privacy under the Philippine Data Privacy Act (RA 10173). Fictional in names but the narratives encountered in Midnight Christ remain true.
Midnight Christ, spearheaded by the Apostolic Committee, is a Redemptorist Youth Mission Lipa activity to serve the vulnerable, marginalized, and forgotten: “the last, the lost, and the least.” Recognized by the Archdiocese of Lipa, it actively engages and exposes young volunteers alongside novices from Asian Oceania Novitiate to prepare meals that will be distributed to street children and women in red-light districts. Every second and fourth Saturday of any month, the endeavors of RYM Lipa include not only offering food and sustenance but also stories of hope, faith, and shared experiences.
Even before the city sleeps on a quiet Saturday night of April 20th, dedicated church volunteers for Midnight Christ, fueled by love, serve warm meals written with a message of hope: “Diyos ay Pag-Ibig” (God is Love). Here, the Redemptorist Youth Mission Lipa volunteers, fueled not by obligation but love, transform a simple meal into a hopeful beacon for those struggling in the city’s shadows. Shielded from the harsh city lights by Midnight Christ’s gentle incandescent glow, we find not anonymity but the silent pleas of individuals surrounded by the world’s dangerous clamor. Their faces, full of stories, are illuminated by flickers of hope: Manong Gabriel, a former teacher with dreams of shaping young minds, watches steam rise from his meal— a bittersweet echo of his displaced dreams. Alejandra, a young woman with eyes that hold untold stories, finds comfort in the warmth radiating from her box of rice, and Juan, an achieving student, finds a haven and camaraderie. His medals, a reminder of perseverance, feel a little heavier and less lonely. These are some of the vulnerable faces of our society, each carrying a hunger deeper than emptiness and a yearning for something more, a flicker of hope rekindled by Midnight Christ.
With bellies warmed and spirits lifted, these individuals, among countless others, find more than just a meal; they find a catalyst to rebuild their lives. Midnight Christ recognizes that an empty stomach is just one piece of a much larger puzzle. While the aroma of warm meals fills the air, the program offers far more than physical sustenance. Here, a group of listening ears strive to provide solace for weary souls, a place to share burdens carried in silence. Midnight Christ isn’t simply filling bellies; it’s rekindling the embers of hope— where every meal is a chance to heal.
Midnight Christ is a testament to how a simple gesture of kindness can mean plenty to someone. Through sharing meals, stories, and experiences, young volunteers become more aware of hardship. At the same time, the street children— the suffering faces of Christ and women working in red-light districts under challenging situations find a glimpse of God’s unconditional and impartial love. This reminds us that all of us can make a difference to those we encounter in our lives, regardless of personal circumstances and burdens. Let’s ignite a searing flame of hope: the youth, a powerful force for good, can be a resounding instrument of God’s divine love and mercy to direct us in helping those in need while awakening to the realities around us.
Luis Sebastian U. Mitra
Ahyen Franzyn A. Petalio
RYM-Lipa
