From the opening ceremonies to the closing Mass at World Youth Day, local pilgrims learned much about themselves and their journey of faith.

From the opening ceremonies to the closing Mass at World Youth Day, local pilgrims learned much about themselves and their journey of faith.
While in Poland for World Youth Day, priests of the Brooklyn Diocese joined with Polish-born Brooklyn Auxiliary Bishop Witold Mroziewksi for a concelebrated Mass at the Shrine of the Black Madonna in Czestochowa.
Among their World Youth Day experiences, diocesan pilgrims attended catechesis focused on the Cross and mercy as well as Stations of the Cross with a mercy-minded focus.
About 17 young women made their way to our St. Ann’s Novitiate in Queens Village to join us for a World Youth Day celebration in union with the pilgrims in Krakow.
Tablet reporter Maria-Pia Negro Chin followed Brooklyn and Queens pilgrims on their journey to World Youth Day 2016 in Krakow, Poland with Pope Francis. When she came back she spoke with her editor Ed Wilkinson, on Currents, the nightly Catholic news show.
It’s something that you don’t see every day: youth coming together and searching for the One person that we are all here for: Christ.
“Even today we can risk not getting close to Jesus because we don’t feel big enough, because we don’t think ourselves worthy. This is a great temptation; it has to do not only with self-esteem, but with faith itself,” Pope Francis said.
“So now I am happy to announce that the next World Youth Day – after the two that will be held on the diocesan level – will take place in 2019 in Panama,” Pope Francis told the youth.
When Pope Francis made his way to the Campus Misericordiae (Field of Mercy) vigil site at Brzegi, Poland, he was a welcome sight. To and from the field, the World Youth Day pilgrims had walked around 11 miles.
“Once the pope came out everyone’s spirits lifted up,” Goncalves said. “They ran to the gate to see a glimpse of him. Everyone wanted to be part of it.”