A Vatican official has urged young Filipino students to move beyond traditional Church roles and embrace leadership in addressing social issues, saying that youth participation must go deeper than singing or performing.
“Even in the Church, singing in choirs or playing in bands – tasks often given to the youth – is not enough,” said Sr. Nina Benedikta Krapic, a communication expert at the Dicastery for Communication, during the pitching day of the MISSION POSSIBLE Youth Social Hackathon at Assumption Antipolo on Oct. 26.
“You have proven that you can identify problems in society, discuss them, listen to those affected, brainstorm creatively, and work together to find solutions — and you can present them in five minutes,” said Sr. Krapic of the Sisters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul Order.
The MISSION POSSIBLE Youth Social Hackathon was designed not as a contest but as a collective act of discernment and service, where innovation meets compassion.
Jointly organized by Assumption Antipolo and LiCAS.news, the three-day gathering brought together students from twelve Catholic schools to design faith-driven responses to pressing social issues — from interreligious understanding in Mindanao to public safety and inclusion in urban communities.
First launched in Thailand in 2024 as part of a regional effort to engage students in social innovation through faith and dialogue, the MISSION POSSIBLE program’s Philippine edition continued that spirit of synodality — encouraging young people to “walk together” in responding to the challenges of their communities.
Organizers described it as “a living expression of synodality” and “a laboratory of hope” where ideas met empathy and faith took form in action.
Sr. Krapic, who was part of the Thailand run, said her experience with young innovators “hooked” her into the conviction that the next generation is not merely the future of the Church but its present driving force.
“After spending three days with young people like you, I realized that God has already given us smart, capable, and good people to live with and to create our future together — with you in charge,” she said. “I came here certain of that truth. That’s why I came — to learn from you.”
She emphasized that youth must be seen as equal collaborators in community building and leadership, adding that adults often underestimate their capacity.
“Too often, adults make the mistake of giving young people only simple tasks, thinking you are ‘too young.’ But here, we see that there is no such thing as ‘too young’ to create, to serve,” she said.
The Vatican official said true innovation and transformation can only happen in collaboration, not isolation.
“Even though it may seem tempting to rise alone, loneliness will never bring integral solutions. We alone are not enough. We can never achieve alone what we can achieve together,” she said.
She urged the students to ground their creativity and leadership in faith and compassion, particularly through service to the poor.
Citing Pope Leo XIV’s apostolic exhortation Dilexit te, she said: “Choose the poor — they are, as Pope Leo wrote, ‘the source of extraordinary renewal for both the Church and society, if only we can free ourselves from self-centeredness and open our ears to their cry.’”
Sr. Krapic also reminded young people to remain “present” and engaged with those in need despite the distractions of modern life.
“Everyone is fighting for the precious gift you carry within you — your attention. Big Tech wants it for profit. Corporations want it to sell products. Politicians want it for votes. Celebrities and influencers want it for admiration,” she said. “What a waste — because life happens in encounters, when we are fully present.”
For Sr. Krapic, building “a better world” does not mean chasing success but staying faithful to God’s call. “It’s not about success; it’s about staying faithful,” she said, quoting Mother Teresa. “When you serve others, when you answer their questions, your own deepest questions will be answered.”
Encouraging the students to act with courage and purpose, she closed her message with a challenge: “Ask. Listen. Act. Never let anyone tell you that you don’t belong, that you can’t do something, or that it’s impossible. Dream big — because our Father has no limits. For God, nothing is too big. No one is ‘too young.’ Nothing is impossible. You are God’s children — so go for it – shoot for the moon!”
