World Youth Day pilgrims sent forth with blessing

IC photo/Linda Petersen

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During the Jan. 17 Mass, young adults from the Diocese of Salt Lake City who are attending World Youth Day in Panama were called forth for a blessing.

SALT LAKE CITY — Eleven young people from the Diocese of Salt Lake heading to Panama for World Youth Day received a blessing from Bishop Oscar A. Solis at a Jan. 17 Mass.

The Mass was celebrated in memory of the unborn (See the story "Diocese celebrates Mass for the Unborn" on the landing page), but it allowed the pilgrims a chance for an episcopal blessing before departing.

 “We join you in your excitement and anticipation as you prepare to travel to Panama to participate in World Youth Day and to see the Holy Father,” he told them prior to the blessing.

Bishop Solis spoke of the theme of World Youth Day 2019, the words of the Virgin Mary: “I am the servant of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word” (Lk 1:38), and urged the pilgrims to follow Mary’s example as they represented the diocese in Panama.

He then prayed for their protection as they traveled and that the light of grace would accompany them, that they would see God’s face in everyone they met, that they would be proclaimers of the Gospel but also listeners and comforters.

Utah’s World Youth Day delegates include youth representatives Gabriela Apraez  and Zachary Mecham of St. Martin de Porres Parish; Yuliana Rodriguez, Darlin Garay, Victoria Palestino and Elizabeth, Patricia and Estrella Estrada of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish; Alejandra Gonzalez of St. Francis of Assisi Parish; and Giancarlo Gazani of the Cathedral of the Madeleine. They are accompanied by Junuee Castro, Marylyn Acosta, Gladys Gazini and Rev. Jose Fidel Barrera, pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish.

Fr. Barrera is making the trip to support the youth of his parish, he said. It had been a struggle for them to earn the money for the journey, and some youth even had to drop out and were replaced by others, he said.

Alejandra Gonzalez, 25, a psychology student at Utah Valley University, is the only delegate to World Youth Day from her parish.

“I would like to build my relationship with Christ to be more intimate and to experience the community of Christ,” she said of her reason for making the pilgrimage. “I hope to deepen my faith and meet people my same age who are on fire for Christ.”

Three sisters: Estrella, Patricia and Elizabeth Estrada, are part of the contingent from Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish. At 15, Estrella, a student at Judge Memorial Catholic High School, is the youngest member of the delegation.

“We decided to do this as sisters,” her older sister Patricia, 18, who also attends Judge, said. “We thought it would be a good experience.”

Zachary Mecham, 18, a University of Utah engineering student, said he sees the trip as an opportunity to further his faith and learn about different cultures.

Experiencing Mass with the pope “is going to be very interesting to see,” he said. “There’s going to be a different sort of vibe, so to speak, and I’m excited for it.”

The delegation left Salt Lake City on Jan. 20 and will return Tuesday, Jan. 29. During their trip, they will enjoy a variety of experiences including catechesis, an overnight vigil and a High Mass with Pope Francis.

“I hope it will be a spiritual experience for us all, not just for the young adults,” said Castro, director of the diocesan Youth and Young Adult Ministry. “It’s an opportunity for us to get to know each other and to establish the accompaniment we need in our faith journey.”

The trip would not have been possible without the support of many in the diocese and the group’s sponsors, Castro said.

“We extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who supported us along the way, making our participation in World Youth Day possible,” she said. “Thank you for your prayers and encouragement; please continue to pray for our pilgrims. A special thank you to our donors: Salt Lake Deanery of Catholic Women and Catholic Home Missions.”