Members of Hawaii’s delegation to WYD pose with other Panama pilgrims who wanted to take a picture with the Hawaiian flag in Panama City on the way back from Stations of the Cross with Pope Francis Jan. 25. (Photo courtesy of Larry Denis III)
Big Island Catholics reflect on their experience at World Youth Day 2019
A small Big Island group of four teens and nine adults, including Father Stephen Macedo, pastor of Annunciation Parish in Waimea, and Father Konelio Faletoi, the pastor of St. Michael Parish in Kailua-Kona, traveled to Panama City, Panama, for World Youth Day, Jan. 22-27. Here are some of their reflections.
Larry Denis III
Chaperone and group leader
The people of Panama were so friendly. Cars passed out water bottles on our 10-mile pilgrimage walk or families invited us into their house to use the restroom or have a cold drink, and lots and lots of people honked their support and encouragement during our many walks to and from events and meals.
The youth from around the world were also so friendly. Our youth carried two Hawaiian flags everywhere we went. One was for signatures from youth around the world. Our youth loved going around, trading things from Hawaii for things from other countries and U.S. states. The other Hawaiian flag was used to find each other, and ended up being traded for a Honduras flag at the end of our pilgrimage. The signed flag will be kept at our church in Waimea for all to enjoy.
Our parish youth have definitely bonded after the pilgrimage. They have create lifelong friendships because of this pilgrimage, especially after the 10-mile, 5-hour long walk to the vigil site in 96-degree weather.
Trish Tripp
Mother of teen pilgrim Jaydon Tripp
Three years ago, I was fortunate enough to accompany my daughter Hunter, who was 16 at the time, to WYD in Poland. It became an incredible foundation for her relationship with Jesus, and I wanted to give my son Jaydon, who is 16 now, the same foundation. Jaydon even got a bonus because this year’s theme was “Mary’s Fiat,” and he, along with myself, learned how to say yes like Mary and ask her to take our hand and lead us to Jesus!
The thing that gave me so much happiness [on this pilgrimage] was seeing my son, along with the three other youth, overjoyed to meet one another. They met hundreds of youths from all over the world, waving their flags together, sharing their faith and love of God.
This trip has impacted my faith and my relationship with God by calling us to action. Pope Francis said, “You, young people, are not the future, but the now of God.” Our talents and treasures are not meant to be saved for the future but are meant to be shared with joy and gratitude. When I saw our youth not afraid to say “We believe in Jesus Christ!,” I became very hopeful for our future.
Jaydon Tripp
Teen pilgrim
Being able to see the pope up close and the community that came to see him was my favorite part of the trip. Being in Pope Francis’ presence revealed to me that he truly is close to God because I got goosebumps seeing him. The entire crowd started to cheer when they saw him, which brought great joy to my heart.
When we went to the catechesis session at a local school, I saw kids my age closing their eyes and truly embracing God and showing their joy and devotion. This made me closer to God because it allowed me to feel comfortable expressing my faith around others.
Just looking over the crowd at the vigil where around 1 million people camped out showed me the beauty of coming together and the joy it brings everyone. You could see that joy in pilgrims’ expressions in prayer, in singing for God and Mary, who this event was based on, her “fiat,” her big “yes!”
When I was first told to walk around and trade things with people from other countries, I was a bit scared. By the end of the trip, I was able to walk around and ask anyone where they were from and start a conversation. At the end of WYD, we reflected with pilgrims from Phoenix, Samoa and Australia, playing cards, talking, singing, and just hanging out connecting through our faith.
Deeann Bokuku Pitiol
Teen pilgrim
I feel that this trip had made my faith stronger and better. Before, I didn’t really embrace and show how proud I am to be Catholic. But now I just want to hike the highest mountain and scream how happy, blessed and proud I am to be Catholic and a servant of the Lord. For sure this trip has strengthened my relationships with the other people at my parish. Ten days with them has made me feel that blood doesn’t make ohana, but instead laughter and love.
To be around so many Catholics at WYD was very shocking because when you live on an island with a population of 186,738 people, and only 20 percent of them are Catholic, you think that’s all the Catholics, but you’re only seeing a small percentage of them. To see so many Catholics together brings that tingling, happy feeling in my heart that’s unexplainable.
Josiah DeLuz
Teen pilgrim
My favorite part of the pilgrimage would probably be the fiesta. It was an amazing experience of dancing, singing, and completely marinating in God’s love. It was a beautiful experience, and if I had the chance, I would go back to that concert another 100 times more.
I didn’t expect there to be millions of people from different countries all gathered on the streets of Panama. We probably met people from 30 or more countries ranging from Honduras to Australia. Every single person was so friendly. We met numerous people that spoke different languages, but in the end, we understood each other, I have two gallon-sized Ziplocs filled with items we collected from WYD kids, and it’ll take me hours to organize everything.
Helena Goto
Teen pilgrim
My favorite parts of the trip was seeing thousands of youth from all around the world join as one. Being surrounded by all these Catholics was overwhelming but pretty cool, that everyone from around the world came together to share the common interest in faith.
To the people that supported me, I’d say thank you for getting me excited and prepared for the adventure.
