Marian Helper • Winter 2023-24 • Marian.org 27 Light of Christ,” he explained. “Our Lady was clearly there with us in Lisbon, in the background, pushing people to embrace the suffering Christ.” Papal inspiration The highlight of any World Youth Day is Mass and catechesis with the Holy Father. “There were three words that Pope Francis had in his final homily: ‘shine’ (a shining that doesn’t put the spotlight on ourselves, but it’s a shining forth); ‘listen’ (listening to Jesus, listening to Him in the Gospel); and then ‘be not afraid,’” Fr. Andy recalled. “It was a lovely recapitulation of and return to St. John Paul II’s witness and teachings, especially since the Church’s World Youth Days are some of the richest part of the legacy of St. John Paul the Great’s pontificate.” Father Andy went on to describe how one of Pope Francis’ most touching moments came when he was just being a father figure. “He spoke directly and plainly to the kids, saying, ‘I know that you guys are doubting yourself; that you have these big dreams, but you look and say, “What’s the point? I can’t add anything,”’” Fr. Andy related. “Pope Francis responded to those fears from his own heart, as a father as well as speaking on behalf of Christ.” “I loved my experience because I was able to realign my priorities in life, which is doing everything in the glory of God and striving for holiness,” said Genesis Barajas, a member of Fr. Andy’s group. “Encountering youth from all over the world inspired me to trust in our Lord in a joyful way, even in the difficult moments in our daily lives. It was especially beautiful hearing their different voices in different languages!” Fatima connection Part of the World Youth Day events took place at Fatima, site of the world-famous apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary to three shepherd children in 1917. Two of the three children are canonized saints; the third, Sr. Lucia dos Santos, is a Venerable Servant of God and needs only an approved miracle to be beatified. “In Fatima, we were able to go to the tombs of the two saints and venerable,” said Fr. Andy. “And we went to all the different apparition sites there.” He reminded his group that the Marian Fathers have been present and ministering in Portugal off and on for centuries, beginning in the time of Ven. Casimir Wyszyński (1700-1755). In fact, today the Marians run the Essence Inn Marianos Hotel (emarianos.com), just around the corner from the shrine. Father Andy served as one of the speakers for some of the English-language morning catechetical talks, concelebrated Mass with different bishops in the mornings (with Dcn. Stephen as master of ceremonies), and was one of the many priests concelebrating the closing Mass with Pope Francis. Next stop: Seoul The next World Youth Day will be held in Seoul, South Korea, in 2027, a choice that looks to the future, according to Fr. Andy. “The South Korean Catholics are very deeply devoted,” he commented. “It’s a central place, so that the Philippines, Japan, China, India, Malaysia — all of Asian Catholicism can attend. God willing, our Marian Family will be there, as well!” Father Andy Davy, MIC, shepherded a group from Illinois to Portugal for World Youth Day, where he concelebrated Mass with Pope Francis (below).
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