Pope Francis will be there. So will Bishop Larry Silva. And at least 33 others from Hawaii. Plus an anticipated 2 million more.
They’re all going to World Youth Day — which is more like a week, July 23-28 — in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
World Youth Day is a massive meeting of hearts — young, diverse and Catholic — with its main objective to make the message of Christ known to all the world’s youth. It’s basically a huge festival with music, catechetical events, faith sharing, cultural activities and liturgies in a pilgrim spirit of faith, hope and unity.
Rio’s theme comes from the Gospel of Matthew: “Go and make disciples of all nations.”
It’s not a vacation. It’s a spiritual journey, a time to reconnect with Jesus, a time to share one’s faith. It involves preparation, sacrifice, purposeful reflections, communal living and sharing, and a heart open to being formed by the Spirit of God. Its benefits often remain long after the trip is over. In short, it can be a life-changer!
The Hawaii group — three teens, 19 young adults and 12 adults representing 10 parishes, plus Bishop Silva and Benedictine Sister Celeste “CC” Cabral of the Benedictine Monastery of Hawaii — leaves for Rio de Janeiro July 21. They will play turista until the opening Mass July 23 with Archbishop Orani Joao Tempesta. Wednesday through Friday will offer catechetical sessions, liturgies, evening prayer experiences, concerts and cultural events throughout the city.
On Thursday, the pilgrims welcome Pope Francis. Friday’s main event is the Stations of the Cross. On Saturday, pilgrims will begin a 30-mile pilgrimage to Guaratiba for the overnight vigil and closing Mass with the Holy Father.
On Monday, the Hawaii group will board a sailboat known as a “saveiro” and spend the day cruising the sunny emerald waters off the Costa Verde. Their pilgrimage ends with a trip to Corcovado Mountain, topped with the iconic statue of Christ the Redeemer.
Everyone who stays behind will be able to follow the trip virtually through four Hawaii young adult bloggers. They are:
Alicia Bonifacio, a middle school catechist and youth minister at St. Ann Parish, Kaneohe, said she is looking forward to “gathering with Catholics from around the world who are as passionate about Jesus as I am and want to share with others the love of a truly awesome God.” She is hopeful that this experience will continue to deepen her relationship with Jesus.
Elisa Nirei, first grade catechist at St. Ann Parish, believes that “attending World Youth Day will help bring me closer to God and help me learn how to express the love and faith I have for him.” She hopes the experience will benefit both her and her students who look to her as a role model.
Rhea Quemado, a youth minister at Resurrection of the Lord Parish, Waipio, said she believes “this experience will benefit me through my passion as a youth minister in my parish, as well as serve as a personal testimony to my faith.” She hopes the opportunity will help her influence others, especially the young people in her parish, to want to better understand their faith.
Malcolm Zara, music minister at Resurrection of the Lord, “looks forward to this truly remarkable experience to witness to Jesus with millions of Catholics.” He “believes that World Youth Day will provide an amazing environment to grow in faith” and “looks forward to learning more about God’s love and how he touches millions of lives from different cultures all over the world.”
The Hawaii pilgrims have been meeting monthly to prepare spiritually for World Youth Day by reading Scripture, studying church teaching, engaging in group discussions and praying together. They are also encouraged to continue personal reflection and journaling at home.
Bishop Silva will celebrate a pre-departure Mass with the travelers and their families on July 12 at St. Theresa Church, Kihei, Maui, and on July 14 at Resurrection Church on Oahu.
World Youth Day originated with an invitation by Pope John Paul II to youth to come to Rome on Palm Sunday in 1985 to celebrate the United Nations’ first International Youth Year. The event’s success prompted the pope, in December of that year, to institute World Youth Day, to be celebrated internationally at a week-long event every two to three years.
Since then World Youth Days have been held in 10 countries, most recently in 2011 in Madrid, Spain, which hosted approximately 1.2 million young people from 170 countries, including about 150 from Hawaii.
Compared to the number of pilgrims Hawaii has sent to the last five World Youth Days, the number going the Rio this year is by far the smallest. This is probably due to the fact that travel costs run high, from $4,000 to $5,000 a person, and that the last World Youth Day was only two years ago.
The Hawaii pilgrimage still has openings. Go to www.eftours.com/1190921, or contact the Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry at 203-6763 or hawaiicathyyam@rcchawaii.org for more information.
