I can’t help but get excited when I think about attending World Youth Day 2013. This will be my first trip outside of the United States and Canada, let alone to Rio de Janeiro! What better way to visit a new country than with 2 million fellow young adult Catholics? I don’t think I’ll be lonely! I look forward not only meeting fellow World Youth Day pilgrims filled with joy and excitement, but also hearing about their personal and diverse faith journeys. What does the Church look like in different parts of the world? What gets people really juiced about their faith? Why did they come to World Youth Day? What do they hope to take away? These are some questions I’d like answered.
Of course, because it’s a personal love of mine, I’ll be bringing a video camera to document the World Youth Day Rio happenings.
I can recall going to weekend youth retreats in high school. I would leave feeling spiritually rejuvenated and more empowered to practice my faith. Led by Pope Francis, who is returning to his neck of the woods, I can only imagine World Youth Day 2013 will make for an electric atmosphere. My spirit will be flying sky high!