PROSPECT HEIGHTS — Ever since Noel Guzman became more devoted to his faith in high school, he has prioritized his involvement in youth ministry. In addition to being a parishioner at Mary’s Nativity-St. Ann in Flushing, he’s a member of the Newman Center at Queens College.
So, it only made sense for him to come to the Holy Hour offered at the Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph on March 27, he explained, as he made the final stop in the Diocese of Brooklyn’s Lenten Pilgrimage. While it was open to all, the diocese called upon its young adults to join one another in prayer.
“After a while, you can’t keep it to yourself. You get the goading to just go out there and proclaim the Word, not only with your actions but with your words,” Guzman, 23, said. “Whether it’s going to adoration or inviting people to come with you, it’s a beautiful way to get them involved in Catholic life and back into the one true faith.”
Dozens came to the Holy Hour for Eucharistic adoration and vespers, or evening prayer. There, a combination of songs, performed by the Music at Co-Cath, and prayer led by Bishop Robert Brennan guided the attendees through an afternoon of worship. The afternoon service marked the 40th, and final, location on the Lenten Pilgrimage, a program introduced by the diocese in 2023 that encourages Catholics to visit a different church every day during Lent.
The program has been a key part of Bishop Brennan’s worship path during Lent, visiting numerous sites throughout the pilgrimage. During the Eucharistic adoration, the bishop sat among the churchgoers in the pews before processing up to the altar for the vespers.
“It was a good experience for me to spend a little time with the Lord, going to different places, to cut out a certain part of the day. It also connected me, in a very powerful way, to almost 40 of our parishes,” Bishop Brennan said.
Any Holy Hour, Bishop Brennan explained, is about “friendship with Jesus Christ,” and he said he hoped the evening reminded the attendees of their relationship with God.
The purpose of the Lenten Pilgrimage in part was to refocus Catholics’ faith in preparation for Easter. Numerous youth groups were invited to participate in the evening prayer, including the Jornada Movement, a Hispanic ministry in the diocese that brings young Catholics together for retreats and faith-building reflections. For its president, Felix Perez, the evening offered him a chance to pray for those working on their next retreat.
“I always take the time to talk to Jesus during these Holy Hours that I go to. Today was special because I really like it when the bishop is a part of things. He is so humble and he has great ideas,” Perez said.
Throughout the Lenten Pilgrimage, several stops were designated for youth and young adults to attend, part of the continual efforts by the diocese to evangelize the future generations of the Church.
“Since Bishop Brennan has come to our diocese, he has focused a great deal of energy and time on evangelization, specifically to our young adults,” said Father James Kuroly, the director of youth and young adult ministry for the diocese. “We have various programs and various opportunities for our young adults … but this is really an opportunity for us to come together as one.”
The Eucharistic adoration was led by the Shalom Catholic Community, an international association of the faithful recognized by the Holy See. The group resides at San Damiano Mission Catholic Church in Williamsburg. As a missionary, Barbara Freitas, 29, lives her life to bring people to the Church, and she sees that emulated through the diocese’s work.
“Just seeing the bishop also very involved in this and trying the most to make young adults close — just his intentional love for them is very fruitful,” Freitas said.
The evening concluded with Bishop Brennan offering thanks to all those who joined him in the pilgrimage and inviting them to the Eucharistic Revival on Saturday, April 20. The full day of celebrating faith and culture within the diocese will be held at Louis Armstrong Stadium at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, located in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park. For more information, visit dioceseofbrooklyn.org.