By Tim Harfmann
Snapping their fingers in solidarity after each reflection, nearly two-hundred pilgrims from Brooklyn and Queens expressed their emotions.
“Coming over here really made me think about how to improve the youth and get more people involved,” said one youth.
Their reflections continued through song.
For Shaba Pierre, a college student from Brooklyn, the World Youth Day pilgrimage was an opportunity for cleansing.
“You don’t notice how filthy, how dirty you are until you finally give everything to God and let Him know, ‘I’m sorry for this, and I’m sorry for that,” said Pierre.
She believes she received forgiveness through the sacrament of confession while in panama. “So now I can finally go back home, start school fresh, be home fresh,” she said.
The pilgrimage included walking long distances in the heat, spending the night outdoors after Saturday’s vigil, and then morning Mass with the Pope and a huge crowd of young people.
“I definitely feel more connected with my peers, connected with my culture, as well as other cultures of people around me. And that’s something that goes over a lot of people’s heads, being that we don’t appreciate other cultures,” said Joshua Lebrun.
And hearing the Holy Father’s message about saying ‘yes’ to God, a young man said he’s now inspired to go home and spread his faith.
“We are about love, community, preserving the environment, protecting the unborn, and most of all, loving Jesus,” said Kervens Georges.
Father Gerard Sauer, Director of Pilgrimages for the Brooklyn diocese, said most importantly, the global gathering was meant to strengthen young faith.
“Watching them get emotional or sing or cry for a good reason, that means their hearts have been opened and their hearts have been touch; and World Youth Day has been a success,” said Sauer.