CYPRESS HILLS — Ask teenagers who’ve never before been interviewed by the media a few questions, and what do you get? When it comes to comments about Pope Francis, one might be surprised.
Take, for example, the responses from youth and young adults who attended Mass at Blessed Sacrament Parish in Cypress Hills on April 30, where Bishop Robert Brennan celebrated with the intention for the repose of the soul of Pope Francis.
The congregation represented youth from throughout the diocese who might usually spend a Wednesday night engaged in some sort of activity or form of entertainment. Yet, they decided to come to Mass.
Three young men from St. Mary Gate of Heaven in Ozone Park explained why.
“It’s for the pope,” said Arison Riveras, 15. “I came to honor him.”
“He had a great impact on us,” added John Meyo, 14, “especially how he moved millions in the Catholic faith.”
Steven Fajardo, 14, said they were affected by the pope’s passing and “so, to calm the spirit, we came to honor him.”
It was the third time this year that diocesan youth spent an evening praying with Bishop Brennan.
The first was a Holy Hour that filled the Cathedral Basilica of St. James in Downtown Brooklyn on Jan. 10 to commemorate the start of the global Jubilee Year. The second was another Holy Hour on March 21, when about 350 youth and young adults filled the Immaculate Conception Chapel in Douglaston, Queens.
However, for people like the three youths from St. Mary Gate of Heaven, Pope Francis was the only pope they’ve known. The same was true for others from St. Rita Parish at the border of Cypress Hills and East New York.
Arilu Muñoz, 15, said she didn’t start paying attention to Pope Francis until a few weeks ago when he was in the hospital for double pneumonia. At that time, she was a newcomer to the youth group at St. Rita Parish, who prayed the rosary for him.
“Talking about him really inspired me,” Arilu said. “It gave me like a call — like a sign that really made me open my mind, to learn new things about my religion.”
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Bishop Brennan, prior to the April 30 Mass, credited Father James Kuroly, director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry for the diocese, for requesting the Mass for Pope Francis.
Bishop Brennan said that the last three popes — St. John Paul II, Benedict XVI, and Francis — each had a special appeal to young people. For Pope Francis, it was how he inspired youth, from his addresses at World Youth Days to his writings, Bishop Brennan said.
“His message to the young people was words of encouragement, words of hope, words of ‘I believe in you,’ ” Bishop Brennan said. “He actually wrote a letter to the young people. It’s called ‘Christus vivit (Christ is Alive)’ in the spring of 2019.
“The end is so beautiful.”
To conclude the Mass, Bishop Brennan referred to the letter.
“Dear young people,” he quoted the pope, “my joyful hope is to see you keep running the race before you, outstripping all those who are slow or fearful … May the Holy Spirit urge you on as you run this race.
“The Church needs your momentum, your intuitions, your faith. We need them! And when you arrive where we have not yet reached, have the patience to wait for us.”
