Preparing to encounter God on pilgrimage

In eager anticipation, teens, young adults, seminarians, chaperones, and parents gathered on June 14 in the St. John Neumann Pastoral Center, Piscataway, in preparation for their upcoming pilgrimage: World Youth Day (WYD) 2023 in Lisbon, Portugal, later this summer, where they will join with more than one million Catholic youth from around the world, July 28-Aug. 7.

The preparatory meeting was a chance for participants to prepare hearts and minds, and to enter into a “pilgrim” mindset, rather than that of “tourist.” Megan Callahan, diocesan director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry, welcomed those present who were then led in prayer by Father Tom Lanza, a teacher at Immaculata High School, Somerset; chaplain at Rutgers University, and serving in the Office of Vocations. 

Father Luke Mary Fletcher, a Franciscan Friar of the Renewal who serves the National Blue Army Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima in Asbury, is a WYD veteran. He explained “what it means to go on a pilgrimage,” sharing stories from his own experiences, as well as the significance of Mary’s apparition at Fatima and insights into the WYD 2023 theme of the Visitation. 

After the group prayed Lectio Divina with Luke’s Gospel account of the Visitation, Jonathan Camiolo, pastoral associate in the Church of Christ the King, New Vernon, and WYD coordinator for Fiat Ventures, shared some practical tips with the group. 

Among these tips included packing list items, flight information, and reminders about what the group is entering into. “World Youth Day is not a vacation. It’s a pilgrimage. God stretches us to grow in relationship with him. We must get in the mindset for that,” said Camiolo, also a WYD veteran, who is going to Lisbon. 

This trip to WYD is co-sponsored by the Metuchen and Paterson Dioceses with Fiat Ventures. Bishop James F. Checchio, with 40 youth and adults, including priests and seminarians, will join Bishop Kevin Sweeney of Paterson and youth of the Paterson Diocese. 

The WYD pilgrims will board a bus for the airport on July 28 after a send-off Mass at 11 am in the St. John Neumann Pastoral Center Chapel, Piscataway. All are invited to join in praying for our pilgrims throughout the duration of their trip.

Megan Callahan is the Diocesan Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries.