by Katie Vasquez
It was a moment of prayer and eucharistic adoration as more than two dozen young people who went to World Youth day in August, took the time to reflect on their experience during a holy hour at Holy Family Church in Fresh Meadows.
“In the generation I am from, I don’t really see catholic youth that often that I can express my faith to,” said World Youth Day 2023 participant, Shaden De Leon Cruz, “so seeing that was just so it felt like a warm hug of just love and seeing god’s presence.”
“I feel like I’m very blessed to be surrounded by people who are on fire for their faith, but to see it at that scale in Portugal was so beautiful,” said World Youth Day 2023 participant, Rachel Burgos.
A chance for this group to strengthen their bond and commitment to Christ.
“More of our life is lived in the ordinary day to day, and we need times to bring us back to those moments of grace,” said Bishop Robert Brennan of the Diocese of Brooklyn.
Witnessing the Holy Father up close was an experience many say they will never forget.
“It ended up being exactly as transformative as I thought it would be. I remember specifically the first day when I saw him for the first time, it was pretty close to me,” said World Youth Day 2023 participant, Luis Ayala, ” I got goosebumps.”
Their trip was eye opening but also came with challenges.
“There is a lot of sacrifice that came in even prior to going to lisbon. but in sacrifice also is the great love that our young people have. they do so with joy,” said Diocese of Brooklyn Youth and Young Adultry Ministry Director, Father James Kuroly.
Lessons they will carry on.
“In school, any time I work, everything and every aspect, it’s truly changed my mindset aligned to putting god first in everything,” said De Leon Cruz.
These pilgrims are preparing for their next journey, celebrating the jubilee in Rome with the Holy Father in 2025.