We who live in Rome are accustomed to seeing large crowds of faithful visiting sacred places. However, the Youth Jubilee (July 28-August 3) was something exceptional: the streets and squares of Rome were filled with young people from all over the world who participated in moments of prayer, adoration, musical events, and celebrations, in which the light in their eyes, shared smiles, songs, and prayers stood out. This outpouring of participation and grace culminated in the vigil and Mass in Torvergata with the Pope, attended by more than a million people.
As part of the events planned for the Youth Jubilee, Schoenstatt wanted to contribute with the project “Missionary Send-off to Trastevere,” promoted by Schoenstatt seminarians and coordinated by Fr. Facundo Bernabei (Argentina) and Lucas Botassio (Brazil). The point of reference was the parish of the Patron Saints of Italy (as well as the two shrines Cor Ecclesiae and Belmonte), located in the historic Roman neighborhood of Trastevere, where exhibitions with panels and images, workshops, moments of prayer and adoration were organized.
Our young people have hearts full of dreams
Portuguese seminarian Bernardo Rocha e Melo, from the Schoenstatt Fathers’ community, was part of the organizing team for the event and gives us more details: “The experience of these days is that our young people carry within themselves a heart that dreams, full of hopes and plans for a better world. Personally, my heart was filled with joy at the opportunity to collaborate in this moment of grace, and for that I am very grateful to God and to the Blessed Mother for calling me to participate in it. I have grown and learned a lot, and I believe that, above all, it has been a beautiful opportunity of formation for all of us who have been on the team. One of the things that moved me the most and made me most proud was the ability to work as a team, strengthen the bonds between us, and complement each other to offer the best possible experience to the young people.”
In light of the Jubilee of Hope, Bernardo affirms: “Faithful to our charism, I sincerely hope that we never stop seeking new paths and ways to continue offering the Covenant of Love to everyone. For the youth, I hope that experiences like this will provide refuge during difficult times in their lives. These are fundamental memories of their spiritual life that will keep alive the flame of faith and love for their brothers and sisters. We are counting on them, I hope they know that!, and I believe that the Blessed Mother is also counting on them, especially those who sealed their Covenant of Love.”
The experience of our young people
Gabriela Mieres, from Paraguay, shares: “Before arriving in Rome, we participated in a youth meeting in Schoenstatt. We were at home and it was very difficult for us to leave that place that felt so familiar to us. However, when we arrived in Rome, we understood its true meaning: to bring Schoenstatt to the heart of the Church. Participating in this Jubilee was an immense gift from God and the Blessed Mother. We were part of more than a million young people and had the opportunity to meet people from other countries and charisms who, just like us, are living their encounter with God the Father.”
For Gabriela, the most exciting moment was the adoration with the Pope. “There were many of us, but there was total silence. We were all deeply focused on the most important thing: the reason why we were there, the reason why we went out to meet each other, the reason why we left our comfort zone: Jesus.”
Rafael Satoru, from Brazil, also experienced days he will never forget: “Participating in the Jubilee was a deeply meaningful experience in my life. Although there were only a few of us representing Brazil, we were aware of the great responsibility we had: to represent all the Schoenstatt Boys’ Youth in our country. We felt the heavy burden, but also the joy, the need to show the world the cheerful, committed, and faith-filled face of Brazilian youth. Among so many intense and spiritual moments, one has remained especially engraved in my heart: the vigil with the Pope. During adoration, together with more than a million people gathered in absolute silence with one goal, to adore the Lord, I felt the power of unity in faith. It was a moment of profound communion that moved me deeply and that I will always carry with me.”
In addition to these events, many other activities marked the intense days of the Youth Jubilee in Rome. Among them, the meeting of the Schoenstatt youth from Argentina with Pope Leo XIV (read more here) and the Voices of Hope Congress stand out, and news about these events will be published soon.
Leone XIV’s message to young pilgrims
The Youth Jubilee ended on August 3 with Mass celebrated by Leone XIV, who invited all those present to continue, in every corner of the world, their journey of faith in the footsteps of Jesus and to infect everyone they meet with their enthusiasm and witness.
Translation: Maribel Acaron