What initially was a Friday evening Holy Hour aimed at reuniting pilgrims who attended World Youth Day in Kraków this past summer, became a night that brought together a variety of people from around the diocese. Pilgrims and non-pilgrims alike gathered at the Immaculate Conception Center, Douglaston, for an hour in solemn prayer before the Blessed Sacrament.
About 600 young people from Brooklyn and Queens attended World Youth Day in Krakow, Poland, July 25-31.
Pope Francis described 2016 as a “packed year,” one full of initiatives that helped Catholics “see and touch with their hands the fruits of the mercy of God.”
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.
“All I could do really was stand there and read the sign and take off my hat out of respect because there is nothing that could be said to further encapsulate what comes from this visit,” said Matthew Perez.
“Sometimes we think Mass is only for old people. Looking around is a good reminder that there are young people around that do believe in Jesus and are alive with the Catholic faith and want to be here,” Cintron said.
“The world needs God’s mercy in so many different ways that each of us can be a minister of mercy to the world,” Bishop DiMarzio said.
