Barkadahan ni San Juan, Inc.

HISTORY

Twenty years have passed since the “Barkadahan ni San Juan” has been established. The core group was originally composed of 16 youth who fervently paid homage to God at the St. John the Baptist Church. The group mustered all its strength, vigor and dynamism to bring forth its sole dream: oneness of the youth towards the right direction – to happiness and fulfillment.

Fr. Sonny Ramirez, a well-known Dominican priest and founder of “Barkadahan ni Sto. Domingo” in Quezon City came to know of the group’s existence and admired its members for their genuine commitment and dedication to serve God. With this, he acquainted them with the ways to be more dedicated young disciples of God through retreats, recollections and spiritual formations. And then he established the “Barkadahan ni San Juan”, the Bicol Chapter of the “Barkadahan ni Sto. Domingo” in Quezon City.

Barkadahan is a very closely-knit group of teenagers many of whom exhibit a religious fervor that would surprise even the devout Christians. To regular church goers at St. john the Baptist, “Barkadahan” is simply a bunch of kids who love to sing in Sunday Masses and work at other apostolate works. Insiders who know more, however, inevitable find in them committed youngster who have been through trying times. Starting as a church choir in the small parish of Our Lady of Lourdes of Tabaco City, “Barkadahan” has taken in teenagers some of whom simply didn’t know what their lives were coming to. They felt empty, lost and disillusioned with parents who couldn’t understand them, or were indifferent to them, or worse, parents who simply weren’t around when they needed them most. “Barkadahan” gives them a sense of belonging and lends their lives purpose and direction. For many, “Barkadahan is a better than one which would inevitably turn them into notorious souls.

The group, its members say, aims to bring teeners closer ro the church and to God. Such a goal is easier said than done. Like other religious groups “Barkadahan” holds regular Bible study, makes visits to charitable institutions, giving spiritual formation to street children and youth, helping some homeless families construct/ renovate houses, giving spiritual guidance to prisoners, assisting children and youth choirs, administering bible services, giving youth formation (like Youth Encounter Program, recollection and retreat), and organizing youth groups. They are also desirous to grant scholarship to needy but deserving members of the group, hence, their quest for education-quenched. The members go to mass everyday after which they have communal prayers and singing practice. In their “Makibata” project, they look after impoverished kids. Every Sunday they give the kids and youth lesson in Cathechism, good manners and conduct and other practical skills. They act like foster parents practically the whole year round.

And as regards the manifesting of devotion that would amaze many, some “Barkadahan” (mostly early members) take “vows of chastity, obedience and poverty through having community life that would last a year. “The vows are really their personal promises to God for their individual growth. When a person is empty of himself, he is more willing to be filled by others and by God,” explained Fr. Ramirez. They had experienced community life so they could be brought closer to each other. While living under one roof, the members shared foods, household tasks, and even allowances which they needed. The students in the group attended classes during the day, and other went about their chores. In the evening, they prayed, meditated, listened to speakers and engaged in other spiritual and self-enriching activities. They learned not only discipline but also the fact that one need not have so many worldly things that could make them happy. They were also able to overcome the intrigues and petty feelings that were threatening to divide the group. Such experience seemed to have lasting effects. Afterwards, the group yearned to take their “vows”. They vow, at least for a year, to shun luxuries, parties, lavish clothes, and make up, and to obey their parents and elders.

Their “vows and chastity” merely means commitment not to a relationship with an individual but to the entire group for the time they have the vow. To remind them, each one wears a chastity cord, a cloth with 15 knots worn around the waist. The cord, based of history, is the cord of St. Thomas. It was given given to St. Thomas by an angel to ward off temptations. The practice is patterned after that of a Dominican Order. Confraternity based in Rome.

These practices are continually observed by some "Barkadahan" while others don't but one thing is sure-they have their commitments to serve the church of God wholeheartedly.

At this point in time, the “Barkadahan” sprouts in many places from Sto. Domingo of Quezon City, there arise chapters in Intramuros, Mandaluyong, Malabon, Laguna, Pangasinan, Batangas, Davao, Palawan and Bicol-the “Barkadahan ni San Juan” of Tabaco, which among the many, answers and work for continuing mission in reaching out people through apostolate works.

The Barkadahan's rule of life:

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
Poverty

"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God."
Chastity

"Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth."
Obedience

Copyright © 2008 Barkadahan ni San Juan, Inc.
Tabaco City, Philippines


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