From the Pilgrims

Jonathon Hofer: The joy I have experienced on this pilgrimage to World Youth Day in Brazil is inexpressible on a blog. Many people know I'm a bit of a story teller. Trust me, there will be stories to tell. But for now, I will sign off with the pinnacle of my trip; sitting in tears during the final mass with the waves crashing Iike thunder to my right as 3.5 million catholic young people and the universal church prayed the psalm, "Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice; let the sea and what fills it resound." The paradox of the simple and yet profound was a common theme with my WYD experience, and with Pope Francis' commissioning of us as missionaries, that we must be the Campus Fidei and we must not be afraid.

Amanda Julian:  I am so blessed to have been a part of the Rio de Janeiro pilgrimage this summer. I also was able to go to the 2011 pilgrimage in Madrid, and Rio was similar and different in the most perfect ways. The friendships I have made in Brazil are some of the best in my life, the sights I've been able to see left me breathless, but the strength of faith I was able to experience was what was the most valuable of this journey. To be able to celebrate my intimate faith with millions of other young people such as myself is something powerful enough to make me never feel alone. To be a part of something so much bigger than myself is an event I know I will never forget. I am blessed in so many ways, and I could never stop thanking all of those who helped get me here. This is an experience I'll be sure to not keep to myself, I will help go make disciples of all nations.

Andrea Driscoll: The experiences we had in Brazil were life changing; we were able to celebrate the Eucharist with millions of young adults, listen to our holy father, and grow in our faith. Though these events are powerful, it was the kindness and hospitality of the Brazilian people that warmed my heart. From the moment we touched down in Brazil we have been welcomed with open arms. The people we have met through our journey have demonstrated God's love and how we are all brothers and sisters in Christ. I thank the Brazilians from the bottom of my heart, we truly are all God's children regardless of the language. 

Jesse Willis: There are some distractions that can make one easily frustrated on a pilgrimage like WYD; the weather,the long days, and the people.You can easily get into a state of self pity and lose focus on the blessings that God has given us. Countless times I forgot that I was in beautiful Brazil with millions of other young Catholics trying to find out God's will. I don't think I realized this until Father Sparks told us that  WYD is as similar to heaven that we can get on earth, people from all nations gathering for Christ. When you put WYD into that perspective it is easier to deal with the frustrations.