Unified with Pope Francis, the diocese celebrates a Mini World Youth Day

Although it was a cold and overcast day, more than 150 youth, young adults, youth ministers, and volunteers participated at Lisbon in CC, World Youth Day diocesan celebration at St. John Paul High School campus. 

The event began with a video of a past World Youth Day, followed by Mass, lunch, small group discussions, a Marian procession and rosary, works of mercy and adoration. Sister Maria Gemma, SOLT, led an icebreaker game that had the youth smiling and laughing. Young Jeremiah from Holy Family received a standing ovation.

“It’s wonderful to see so many of you here,” Bishop Michael Mulvey said. “Seven hours ago, our Holy Father did the same thing in Rome with many young people. We want to do the same thing here to be unified with Pope Francis and with ourselves as Catholic Christians in this diocese.” This event kicks off our vigil and journey toward Lisbon 2023 World Youth Day.

This year Pope Francis encouraged dioceses worldwide to celebrate a Mini World Youth Day so that young people can experience a “festival of faith” at the local level. Heeding the Holy Father’s call, Bishop Mulvey assigned Siobhan O’Connor, diocesan director of the Young Adult Ministry, to spearhead the event. “Lisbon in CC may also entice youth and young adults in the diocese to consider attending future international World Youth Days,” she said. 

Bob Cummings, diocesan director of Vocations and Sister Maria Gemma Barnett from the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity (SOLT), emceed the event and helped set the mood.

The day of unity was celebrated on the Feast of Christi the King, Nov. 20. Bishop Mulvey presided over the Mass inside the Immaculate Conception Chapel on campus. The vicar general of the diocese, Father James Stembler, concelebrated with the bishop and Father Charles Silvas, the parochial vicar at Ss. Cyril and Methodius assisted. Priests on hand to hear confessions were Father Silvas; Father Stembler; Father Peter Martinez, school president of both Bishop Garriga Middle Preparatory School and St. John Paul II High School; and Father Carlos De La Rosa, parochial vicar at St. Pius X Parish.

Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament and from the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity served as greeters and participated with the youth.

Musician Carissa Reyes helped set the mood by playing music on her keyboard and singing simultaneously throughout the event. 

Jacob Oster, a young adult from Most Precious Blood Parish, said it was a great event. “It was nice to see so many young people out worshiping together. I’ve never been to a WYD before, so it was nice to see what it’s all about.”

Carlos Roberto Ramirez from Most Precious Blood Youth and Young Adult Ministry carried the statue of Our Lady of Fatima, and Andrew Edghill had the Youth Cross as young people prayed the rosary while making a solemn procession inside the school’s Cafetorium. 

For some adults, the day brought back fond memories of past WYDs. Adult volunteers from Our Lady of Guadalupe in Alice, Margie Gonzalez and Norma Salas, attended the 2013 WYD in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and Bishop Mulvey was their spiritual leader. “It was a beautiful experience,” Salas said.

Youth were from the following parishes: Holy Family, Our Lady of Victory in Beeville, St. Anthony in Robstown, St. Mary Mission also in Robstown, St. Theresa in Corpus Christi, St. Joseph in Corpus Christi, St. Peter, Prince of the Apostles.

Young adults were from Most Precious Blood, St. Thomas More, and Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Newman Center.

WYD Lisbon 2023 will be on August 1-6, 2023. The Office of Young Adult Ministry is now registering pilgrims for WYD Portugal (18 and up).  Anyone interested in going can contact Siobhan O’Connor at [email protected] or call (361) 693-6614. The deadline to register is Jan. 15, 2023.