By Sarah Jasmine Tan
LAST year, I had the privilege of attending the Theology of the Body (TOB) camp as part of my preparation for Confirmation this year. This camp was not just an event; it was a transformative journey that strengthened my faith and deepened my understanding of God’s immense love for me.
Throughout the camp, we delved into a variety of meaningful topics, including FTFF, finding our vocation, and understanding love as something we are created by and for. These sessions were eyeopening and truly inspired me to reflect on my life so far and my relationship with God.
FTFF, in particular, left a profound impression on me. It stands for Free, Total, Faithful, and Fruitful, these are core aspects that God shows us how we should love:
• Free: The greatest gift from God, freedom allows us to choose Him and others out of pure love, not obligation.
• Total: To dedicate our whole self — body, love, and spirit — to the relationships we cultivate, especially with God and our loved ones.
• Faithful: To remain loyal and devoted, fostering trust and security in our relationships.
• Fruitful: To spread joy and goodness by embodying God’s love and light. Spreading His word as well as compassion to others.
We also explored challenging topics like the Church’s views on LGBTQ and abortion. These discussions were conducted in a respectful, judgment-free environment, which I deeply appreciated as a safe space to explore and grow in understanding.
TOB camp was also a time for strengthening friendships and connections. I had the opportunity to grow closer to my catechism class companions. During the camp, we played games, ate, discussed topics and laughed together. Over the years, I’ve been shy about forming deeper bonds, but this camp helped me forge friendships that I believe will last a lifetime.
I’m incredibly grateful to my catechists and the camp facilitators who worked tirelessly to plan and prepare this wonderful experience for us. Their dedication and effort ensured the camp was not only educational but also deeply enriching and memorable. I could really see the effort and time they took to plan the sessions, yummy meals as well as entertaining games. They created a welcoming but productive atmosphere that allowed me to learn so much in just a short span of two days!
Attending the TOB camp has brought me closer to God and provided me with invaluable insights about my faith, love, and life. I feel so blessed to have been a part of this journey and look forward to carrying these lessons into the future as I continue preparing for Confirmation. I’ll not only carry these invaluable memories till Confirmation, but for the rest of my journey in understanding and loving God. – Herald Malaysia
