Our Youth

Reporter’s Notebook – WYD Youth Sacrifice for the Lord – (with slide show)

July 31, 2013
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Tablet reporter Antonina Zielinska filed several dispatches from Rio de Janeiro. Here are her reports about spending a week with diocesan pilgrims to World Youth Day.

Reporter Antonina Zielinska, second from left, is seen with fellow World Youth Day pilgrims in Rio de Janeiro. Exclusive photos of the weeklong adventure can be found on thetablet.org and on Facebook.com/thetablet. The sites contain different photos in different formats. A Facebook account is not required to view photos.
Reporter Antonina Zielinska, second from left, is seen with fellow World Youth Day pilgrims in Rio de Janeiro. Exclusive photos of the weeklong adventure can be found on thetablet.org and on facebook.com/thetablet. The sites contain different photos in different formats. A Facebook account is not required to view photos.

 

RIO DE JANEIRO – After a day of sightseeing and walking over two hours to the Copacabana beach for the official opening Mass of World Youth Day 2013, pilgrims from the Brooklyn Diocese woke at the crack of dawn to attend their first catechesis, or teaching session.

“It’s amazing what you are willing to do for the Lord,” said Bishop Anthony Fisher, O.P., from Australia, who led the catechetical teachings at Immaculate Conception Church. “But it’s nothing compared to what He is willing to do for you…It’s wonderful to see that you will stand rain and hail to be with God.”

Pilgrim Daniel Estrada, 24, from Our Lady of Sorrows, Corona, said he was inspired by the bishop’s words and the lessons, which helped him get through his drowsiness.

“It was a bit exhausting, though oddly enough I feel rejuvenated,” he said. “I woke up with great spirit. Seeing the community together here lifted my spirit.”

Another way the catechesis raised the pilgrims’ spirits was by engaging everyone in song and dance.

“It was awkward at first, but it grew on me,” said pilgrim George Prezioso, 17, from St. Patrick’s parish, Bay Ridge.

He said the sessions lived up to the many stories he heard about World Youth Day Madrid in 2011.

“I think it’s good to be with youth from around the world,” he said.

Pilgrim Justin Rosales, 16, from St. Athanasius parish, Bensonhurst, met people from other English-speaking countries and in the process learned that he had a Brooklyn accent.

Estrada said he also gained a new perspective on the negatives that can come out of the many comforts young people have.

“Faith is not cookie cutter,” he said. “I never thought of the downside of having so much.”