Here are the stories of some of the 329 catechumens who will join (or have already joined) the Catholic faith at the Easter Vigil on April 4
By Lisa Dahm
Hawaii Catholic Herald
For Apache Arrow Makanaokeakua Youngblood-Solis, entering into the Catholic Church fully and receiving his sacraments during the Easter Vigil is a choice he made on his own.
“I chose to receive my sacraments now because I’ve thought about my faith, and I’m ready to choose God for myself,” Youngblood-Solis said. “I don’t just want to learn about him. I want to live my life with him.”
The 12-year-old is the youngest of Alicia and Joseph Youngblood’s four children. He has attended Mass throughout his life and recently joined the youth ministry at St. Michael the Archangel Church in Kailua-Kona on Hawaii island.
He is one of two young people among St. Michael’s catechumens who will be completing all three sacraments during the Easter Vigil. Overall, the parish has nine catechumens who will receive their sacraments this year.
Youngblood-Solis attended the recent Big Island Youth Day at St. Joseph High School in Hilo with St. Michael’s youth group. He was particularly taken by facts surrounding the Shroud of Turin, featured in one of the sessions.
The gathering allowed him to dive into his fascination with Catholic history and miracles while among his peers.
Youngblood-Solis has been homeschooled since kindergarten, a decision that began during the COVID-19 pandemic and which has allowed him to gain a broader worldview through his family’s travels across the globe.
His older sister, Maya, is an elite Brazilian jiujitsu athlete with international titles. Her competitions have also given the family a chance to travel extensively — visiting Japan, countries in Europe and other places overseas. (Youngblood-Solis practices jiujitsu as well.)
With two trips to Rome, Youngblood-Solis has had early exposure to global history, art and culture that he would not receive in a traditional classroom. He also loves studying languages, including Italian, German, Japanese and Portuguese, which his mother weaves into his curriculum.
All in the family
Alicia and Joseph Youngblood have been parishioners at St. Michael since they were teens, and both completed their confirmation through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults program (now called the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults).
The family is deeply involved in parish life through Joseph’s concrete company and has contributed to church construction projects. They believe in serving their parish, participating in their community and demonstrating their faith through action.
With the guidance of Auntie Edwina Fujimoto, youth ministry leader at St. Michael, Alicia also became part of the youth ministry team.
“She’s very helpful and very knowledgeable,” Youngblood said of Fujimoto. “She pulls them out of their shell, and she’s very patient.”
Youngblood-Solis had been interested in receiving his sacraments for some time, and joining St. Michael’s youth ministry led him to want to develop a deeper commitment to his faith. Youngblood-Solis also credited the parish’s OCIA leader, Charmaine Naone, for inviting him into the program.
Fujimoto said she has enjoyed watching Youngblood-Solis’ faith journey.
“Apache Arrow is truly growing in Christ,” Fujimoto said. “I love to see the epiphanies he experiences in youth ministry. His understanding and growth (are) very evident in his facial expressions and comedic responses. I pray he will use this gift to share his faith with others.”
Youngblood-Solis said he is especially looking forward to receiving the Eucharist, which he feels he has been missing.
“I know God loves me, and I want to fully be part of his church and walk in that with purpose,” he said.
“After I receive my sacraments, I want to keep growing in my faith and live it out in my everyday life,” he added. “I want to make strong choices, be a good person and treat others with respect and kindness. I know I won’t be perfect, but I will keep showing up, keep learning, and keep choosing God in everything I do.”
Above: Bishop Larry Silva greeted Apache Arrow Makanaokeakua Youngblood-Solis during Hawaii island’s rite of election at St. Joseph Church in Hilo. (Lisa Dahm / Hawaii Catholic Herald)