Carmelite Youth At World Youth Day 2019

The 2019 World Youth Day is a great worldwide meeting of the youth of the Catholic Church. It is a religious and cultural celebration which concretizes the universality, the diversity, and the dynamic nature of the Church. It celebrates the joy of young people who give witness to the message of Jesus Christ, promotes peace, unity, and fraternity.

The World Youth Day in Panama was an opportunity for the Carmelite Order to celebrate the energy, the joy, the faith, and the love to be “Carmelite pilgrims” of more than 100 youth from El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, and Bolivia. The journey to Panama was made under the maternal mantel of Mary, leaving them motivated by the simple message “I am the Lord’s servant; may your word be fulfilled” (Lk 1:38).

On the evening of January 16, along with their dreams, fears, nervousness, and a good deal of emotion, the Carmelite pilgrims began arriving at Centro Xiberta, the Carmelite formation house in Ciudad Delgado, El Salvador. It was the moment to begin the activities for the final preparation for the 2019 World Youth Day. Among the directions, organization, and collecting of materials, the Salvadoran Carmelite youth entered into an atmosphere of community, fraternity, and getting to know the other people they would be with for the upcoming great adventure.

For the rest of the evening, the pilgrims were involved in a series of activities leading up to the Sacrament of Reconciliation which brought home the need for God’s pardon. Among the activities was a presentation, small group discussion, and then large group question and answer period on Carmelite spirituality in today’s world. The talk was delivered by the Prior Provincial, Fr. William J. Harry, O. Carm.

The morning of January 17, the pilgrims set off for the University of Central America (site of the 1989 killing of the Jesuits and two lay people who spoke out against the injustices of the government and society) and the Cathedral as well as the tomb of St. Oscar Romero, the martyred  archbishop of San Salvador. The tour of El Salvador ended with a visit to Romero’s house and the hospitalito of the Divina Providencia, the chapel where Archbishop Romero was assassinated while he was celebrating Mass.

There the group witnessed the solemn profession of Br. Santos Cecilio Hernandez, O. Carm., during a Eucharist celebrated by Fr. William J. Harry, O. Carm., the prior provincial. At the end of Mass, the group of pilgrims received a special blessing and then each was enrolled in the brown scapular. After stopping at Centro Xiberta for dinner and their luggage, the group departed for Panama and the blessed adventure of the World Youth Day with Pope Francis.

Some of the Carmelite Youth at Panama.

Br. Ulises Garcia, O. Carm., speaking to some of the pilgrims in Panama as part of the activities for the young people in Panama.

Br. Aristides Menjivar, O. Carm., speaks with two young men about the Carmelites during on of the many opportunities the young people had to learn more about the religious orders that were present at the 2019 World Youth Day.

Br. Roger Melara, O. Carm., and Br. Edgar Lezama, O. Carm., join with three young men who received one of the Carmelite Youth t-shirts following their visit to the information table set up by the Carmelites.

Centro Xiberta Pre-novice Jairo Hernandez speaks with two young Panamanians about the Carmelites.

One of the posters giving information on the Carmelites at the 2019 World Youth Day in Panama.

Part of the Carmelite Youth from El Salvador, Guatamala, Mexico, and Bolivia attending the 2019 World Youth Day.

One of the posters giving information about the Carmelites on social media at the 2019 World Youth Day in Panama.

Youth from around the world, including more than 100 from the Carmelite Youth in El Salvador, greet Pope Francis at World Youth Day.

Some of the “entertainment” at World Youth Day.

Fr. Luis Jesus Paz, O. Carm., vocation director for the Carmelites in El Salvador and professor at the Universidad Centro America, before the Mass with Pope Francis and thousands of youth from around the world begins.