DOWNTOWN BROOKLYN — Energized by their pilgrimage to Rome last summer, the diocese’s youth are determined to keep the spirit of Jubilee 2025 alive in their communities going forward.
Scores gathered at the Cathedral Basilica of St. James on Jan. 9 for a Holy Hour to close out the diocese’s celebration of Jubilee Year.
Bishop Robert Brennan, who led the devotion to the Blessed Sacrament, reminded the young people in attendance that “the Jubilee Year ended, but the journey goes on.”
To keep the Jubilee Year excitement alive, Elvis Toribio, a seminarian at St. Joseph’s Seminary and College, suggested that young people encourage their peers to attend church and pray more often.
“You don’t have to go across the world to have an encounter with Jesus,” Toribio said. “You can go to your local church.”
The Jubilee of Youth, held in Rome from July 28 to Aug. 3, drew young people from all over the world and included an overnight vigil and a Mass celebrated by Pope Leo XIV.
The Diocese of Brooklyn was represented by a group of nearly 90 young people accompanied by Bishop Brennan and Father James Kuroly, director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry for the diocese.
Amy Vu, a parishioner of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Astoria, said walking through the Holy Doors and other pilgrimage activities drew her closer to her faith.
“I want to push other young people to do the same,” she said.
Going forward, many young people said their mission is to inspire their peers.
Juan Vazquez, a parishioner of Regina Pacis and a second-year seminarian at Seton Hall University, said he attended the Holy Hour “to show that the faith is on fire, especially with young adults.”
Allison Pineda, a parishioner of St. Mary Star of the Sea Church in Far Rockaway, said the Jubilee Year gave her a different outlook on life.
“I feel like it opened my eyes even more and staying focused on God,” said Pineda, who added that she is determined to go to Mass every Sunday, spend time in the parish’s youth group, and “participate as much as possible.”
Bishop Brennan told The Tablet he hopes the Jubilee Year can serve as a springboard for young people so that they can “take those moments of prayer and live them out in our communities with hearts transformed in faith, hope, and charity.”
Father Kuroly said that now that Jubilee 2025 has passed, it’s time to move forward in faith, adding that it will be up to the young people to build on the momentum by bringing their talents and gifts to the church.
“It’s not my responsibility. It’s their responsibility,” Father Kuroly said. “And boy, are they ready to take on that responsibility!”
