Some of the Hawaii pilgrims to World Youth Day in Brazil sent back blogs from the road for the Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry. Here are some excerpts from their posts:
Rio #WYD13, here we come!
July 20: We’re checked in and ready to board the first leg of our journey. Stop #1: Phoenix. (Hawaii Catholic Youth and Young Adult Ministry)
Amazing beginnings
July 21: We had a smooth flight from Honolulu. Bishop Larry [Silva] celebrated Mass this morning in the Phoenix airport chapel … His message was that this World Youth Day is not about the pope, rather Jesus! How do we see Jesus in all what we are about to experience in Brazil? … We are about to board our flight to North Carolina, and then our last leg of 10 hours to Rio de Janeiro! (Benedictine Sister Celeste “CC” Cabral)
A miraculous day!
July 22: After settling into our hotel rooms, we decided to do a bit of exploring around downtown Rio. … You could feel the joy and excitement in the air as hundreds of people anticipated the arrival of the pope. When Pope Francis finally arrived, it was a complete frenzy in downtown Rio. Cries of “Papa!” swept the streets, and people were running in all directions, hoping for a glimpse of our Holy Father… While waiting in the hotel, we heard a commotion and sirens blaring outside. We ran out front to see policemen zooming by … As if God had answered our prayers, Pope Francis passed right outside our hotel. (Alicia Bonifacio and Malcolm Zara)
Official first day
July 23: Today was the official start of World Youth Day. A few of us decided to wake up early to witness the sunrise on the rooftop. Unfortunately, it was closed so we ended up walking the streets of Cinelandia … After our walk, we returned to the hotel to hold a small morning prayer. Through morning prayer, we were finally able to reflect upon and share our journey and reactions thus far. This opportunity allowed us not only to refocus our intentions for coming on this trip, but also to build our relationships with each other. (Alicia Bonifacio, Joshua Kapika and Elisa Nirei)
“His” story unfolds
July 23: After leaving the vocations fair at Quinta da Boa Vista, we headed towards Copacabana Beach for the opening ceremony and Mass. … The famous Copacabana and Atlantica Avenue were literally packed end-to-end with pilgrims from around the world. I honestly have never seen so many people (and flags) in my life! … We met people from Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, Chile, Australia, Hong Kong, Iraq, France, and so much more that I run the risk of filling up this entire blog with just countries! Hearing so many different languages and seeing Copacabana filled with a variety of culture truly gave perspective on how diverse and universal the Body of Christ really is! (Malcolm Zara)
Esta é a juventude do Papa!
July 25: “Esta é a juventude do Papa!!!!” (We are the youth of the pope!) is all we have been hearing chanted all across Rio, that you can’t help but join along. Their chanting is not only heard in the places where WYD activities are being held, but all over in restaurants, in the metro, even on the streets. One of the amazing things I love about being here is how vocal the community is about their Catholic faith, especially the groups from South America. They chant and scream out their love for Jesus and for the pope, which I now understand why Brazil has the largest population of Catholics [in the world]. (Rhea Quemado)
Absolute joy
July 25: This evening, Pope Francis arrived on Copacabana Beach. Before we arrived in Rio, we had planned to arrive at the beach early in the morning to get a good view of the pope. However, with the unusual Rio rain, a group of us, including myself, decided to change our plans and stay back. When I made this decision the night before, all I was thinking about [was] how wet and cold I would be standing on the sand for twelve-plus hours. But by morning, I was starting to regret it. … But then later that day, our L.A. friends told us that the papal welcoming ceremony would be broadcasted live at Vivo Rio, the central location for English-speaking pilgrims. I would be able to see the event and Pope Francis in a warm and dry location! … I didn’t need to be on the same beach as the pope to feel the presence of Jesus in him. (Elisa Nirei)
Catholicism!! Vivo Jesus!!! Vivo!!!!
July 25: The U.S. and English-speaking gathering took place in the Vivo Rio building in downtown Rio, several blocks from our hotel. The awesome thing about this event was that everything was in ENGLISH! … During this event we had a vocations fair where we had several speakers talk about the vocations of married life, religious life, priesthood, and sisterhood. … Next came Holy Hour, which I feel was probably the best moment I’ve had since we’ve been here. … For me it brought an immense amount of tears, because adoration is so special in our Catholic faith. … After, we had blood-pumping, hands up, hyped-up, fist-pumping, crazy jumping-up and-down, hands in the air, and dancing wild praise and worship lead by Jacob and Matthew [Band]. It was so awesome that even our own Bishop Larry joined in on the fun. … (Rhea Quemado)
The light of Christ
July 26: As we continue our journey in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, it is truly amazing to meet a brother or sister in Christ from all over the world … Unfortunately, we also are seeing the homeless, poor and poverty here in Brazil. We offer our love, food and smile to those we pass sleeping on the streets. In the midst of all of the joy, prayer and excitement, we comfort the poor. (Benedictine Sister Celeste “CC” Cabral)
Bom dia!
July 27: Last night, an estimated 3 million people packed onto Copacabana Beach for the vigil celebrated by Pope Francis. As I stood on the Via Atlantica (main road in Copacabana), I said to myself, “This is the Church universal” — young people from every part of the world have traveled thousands of miles to celebrate their FAITH! This morning, we participate in the Holy Mass, celebrated again by Pope Francis. My intention is for all of you who have prayed for us during this pilgrimage, and those who have supported us in helping to get all of our pilgrims here. Mahalo nui loa! (Lisa Gomes, diocesan director, Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry)
Go, do not be afraid, and serve
July 28: As we prayed during the Closing Mass today, I looked down and realized I had been sitting over a line of ants collecting food. … I picked up one ant and it was carrying a piece of food that was bigger than itself. I thought how amazing it is that such a small creature can lift so much. But as more ants came into the line, it became more and more evident that they were there together and many of them were carrying whatever they could. As we watched the television reports … we saw an aerial shot of the beach from the morning of the Mass, and everyone in the restaurant gasped at the site. It was then I realized that just as the ants carried different-sized pieces of food and for different lengths across the sidewalk, we too carried our different pieces of food from different parts of the world to this place … However, it wasn’t the distance or load that was most impressive, it was that we all stood together! (Makana Aiona, diocesan coordinator of young adult ministry)
