By Jessica Easthope
Romeo Petric has it down to a science, what to bring and not bring to World Youth Day, this year’s pilgrimage to Lisbon, Portugal will be his sixth.
“Things I’ve learned from others, things I’ve passed on, what to pack what not to pack, nobody brings heels, if I see a pair of heels they come out of the suitcase,” he said.
He heads to the store with two of the pilgrims he’s bringing from St. Patrick’s Church in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, Nick Puglisi and Isabella Calvaruso. And as they grab the essentials – it starts to become real.
“Two or three days before when you start packing the trip really sets in and the excitement starts brewing,” said Nick.
Her attended World Youth Day 2019 in Panama, this year, he’s going with his two younger brothers.
“Our last experience was surreal almost, you can feel the energy of a bunch of people being together with one thing on their mind, I’m excited to show that to my youngest brother I think it will open some faith doors for him,” Nick said.
It’s Isabella’s first time, she can’t wait to connect with pilgrims from around the world and knows exactly how to approach it.
“I was hoping to be a little bit extra and bring a big bag of American candy to share with the other countries,” she said.
So as they pack and repack, they’re already making room in their hearts for an encounter with Christ.
“I was always taught in Catholic school to see God in every day things and that was always really hard for me, my experience in Panama completely changed that,” said Nick.
“I know certainly after this trip I’m going to be telling everyone about it and how it positively impacted me,” Isabella said.
But romeo knows no matter what they bring, they can’t prepare for what’s ahead, even after five pilgrimages he’s still surprised by it.
“I’m tearing up a little bit, that’s what gets me, being able to go to confession and having that conversation, and you feel good,” he said.
As items get checked off the list and the days count down – these pilgrims realize their faith is all they need.