Looking back, I never thought how deeply rooted I would be in serving the Church. Sta. Cruz Chapel in Payatas, Quezon City was where it all began. It is one of the apostolate areas of the Jesuits since 2006. A small yet lively community that gave me my first taste of leadership, service, and spiritual growth. I joined at a very young age, too young to fully understand what was going on, but I stayed.
At first, it was just fun. I enjoyed being around people, singing, and having something to do during Sundays. I liked being part of something that made me happy. I didn’t have the words for it back then, but I was caught by the joy and sense of purpose I saw in the church and its members. There was a warmth that radiated from them, a kind of peace and joy that was real and sincere, especially in the way they served and cared for one another.
As time passed, what began as routine turned into rhythm, and that rhythm created a kind of belonging. Sta. Cruz Chapel became more than a place of worship, it became home. My home. A space where I felt safe. A space where I could be myself. Later on, my week didn’t feel complete without serving. Sunday wasn’t just about attending Mass, it was about participating in it fully, giving my time, voice, and energy. For me, it was about finding my purpose, even in the smallest tasks, and realizing that even my simple “yes” mattered.
Part of why I stayed was because of my mom. She was our chapel chairperson. A very committed, prayerful, and deeply involved person. I watched her lead with both strength and humility. I saw how her faith grounded her, how it helped her through challenges, and how it guided the decisions she had to make in her life. She brought me with her to meetings, choir practices, and prayer groups. She showed me what it meant to love the Church, not just with words, but through presence, sacrifice, and consistency. Because of her, I learned that serving is not just something you do, it’s something you live.
As I aged, the responsibilities naturally grew with me. I was already helping in youth activities and formations, and eventually, I was guiding younger members. I actually never really felt like I was ready. I would ask myself “Am I good enough?”. But I was holding on to the trust that they gave me, the trust that gave me confidence. It gave me assurance that they saw something in me that I did not. Youth ministry wasn’t always easy, but it was when I felt the happiest. It was when I learned to speak, to listen, and to share. I saw with my own eyes how service could transform lives… starting with mine.
In Sta. Cruz Chapel, youth ministry wasn’t just a group doing different activities, it was a way of life. We learned how to pray, how to listen to God’s voice, and how to deepen our relationship with Christ. At the same time, we learned how to journey with others. We shared our personal lives. Through them, I never felt alone. I think that’s what made the chapel feel like home, not just the structure, but the people who accepted each other’s stories and struggles.We had moments of doubt, frustration, and even burnout, but we also had moments of joy that felt sacred, the shared silence prayers, or the feeling of singing the final song at Mass knowing you gave your heart. These are the moments that anchored me, the moments that whispered “This is where you’re meant to be.”
My journey has been shaped by so many, among them are the Jesuits. Their way of seeing God in all things, whether in moments of deep prayer or in the simplicity of daily life, shaped the way I live out my faith. Through Ignatian spirituality, I learned the importance of reflection, the beauty of pausing, and the grace found in ordinary moments.
One of the most meaningful milestones in my journey was joining the World Youth Day 2019 in Panama. I still hold the memories close, like treasures. Our group from the Diocese of Novaliches spent a year preparing, praying, fundraising, and forming ourselves for the pilgrimage. Behind the excitement and anticipation, I was quietly discerning a deeper question “Should I continue pursuing medicine, or is God calling me to something else?”
When we finally arrived in Panama, everything felt right. It was there that I experienced the Church in a new and powerful way. Thousands of young people from around the world, united in one faith, one Spirit. We didn’t speak the same languages, but we shared the same hope. During those days, barriers disappeared. We sang, danced, prayed, and walked under the same sun. It was the first time I truly understood what it meant to be part of something universal.
I will never forget what Pope Francis said during the Vigil: “You, dear young people, are not the future but the now of God.” That line pierced my heart. I had always thought that youth ministry was a preparation for something greater in the future. But that night, I realized, God is not waiting for us to grow older. He is already calling us now, to lead, to serve, to witness. World Youth Day affirmed everything I had lived and experienced in Sta. Cruz. It gave me the courage to keep saying yes, not just in church, but in every step I would eventually take. It gave me hope that I didn’t need to have everything figured out. I just needed to stay faithful and open.
Eventually, after much discernment, I chose to enter medical school. It brought with it a huge shift in my routine. The demands were overwhelming, long hours, endless readings, sleepless nights, and emotional exhaustion. There were days when I could not physically be in church. I missed the joy of youth activities. I grieved the parts of my life I had to let go of. And yet, even in this new chapter, God remained close.
There are still moments when I feel the tension between two worlds, the world of youth ministry and the world of medicine. But I’ve learned to carry both with grace and faith. And I know this is just the beginning. I still get tired. I still question myself. But I also know that God has been faithful every step of the way. And that gives me the courage to keep saying yes, even when the path is blurry, even when I feel weak.
Because once upon a time, a little child walked into Sta. Cruz Chapel with no idea what God had in store. Now, that same child, older, more tired, but still full of faith, still says yes.
And as long as I keep walking with Him, I know I’ll never walk alone.
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Liezle Keith Padilla began serving when she was 9 years old and is currently an active youth leader at Sta. Cruz Chapel. She is also a medical student in Our Lady of Fatima University Valenzuela. The youth ministry has taught her to be compassionate, dedicated, and committed in everything she does. She works hard to balance her academic life with her responsibilities as a youth leader. Through her faith, she hopes to make a positive impact on the community.