'We are one in Christ'

Sunday, July 28, 2013

*WYD2013 Pilgrims - Florida Catholic

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Photographer: COURTESY PHOTO

World Youth Day pilgrims pose for a photo with at least one member of the Prince of Peace group (far right).

By Vivian Tenorio
Prince of Peace Parish
After an eight-and-a-half-hour flight, we quickly reached our lodging place in the area of Leblon in Rio de Janeiro, changed and got back on the tour bus that picked us up at the airport.

Photographer: COURTESY PHOTO

Viviana Tenorio poses with a newfound friend in Rio.

At our first stop, Cristo Redentor (Christ the Redeemer) at the top of the Corcovado, is where I first realized how blessed I am to be in Brazil for World Youth Day. As I stepped off the electric escalator, I looked up to see the size of the Cristo and immediately realized how big God really is. Majestic mountains, white clouds that surround you and the sound of young people laughing and singing chants filled the air. Everywhere I looked there were people taking pictures with one another and excitement filled the air.

It’s truly amazing to see the amount of young people coming from all over the world, and it doesn’t matter where you’re from, everyone just gets along and starts sharing with each other. I’m impressed to see how friendly everyone is with each other.

Photographer: COURTESY PHOTO

Karina Garcia, left, signs a Brazilian flag of Nadya Cunha, a Brazilian pilgrim the Prince of Peace Young Adult Group met while in line for lunch.

I’ve been able to exchange trinkets and make new friends from different countries. We’ve signed flags and t-shirts, and taken pictures with our new brothers and sisters in Christ.

We’ve met friends during catechesis, while ordering lunch at restaurants, waiting in line to use the restroom, or while walking down the street. This opportunity has allowed me to see a glimpse of different cultures and the greatness of our Church.

I’ve seen barriers of culture and language being broken. I’ve seen young adults stay up late after events, singing each other’s chants and letting the world know we are one in Christ.

Viviana Tenorio, 19, is taking part in her first World Youth Day.

Editor's note: In addition to this blog, we heard from the SEPI group. Laura López reports that their Internet has been a bit slow since Monday, but they have been posting pictures on their Facebook page: www.facebook.com/sepimiami. We will try to share as many of those as possible on the archdiocese's Facebook page: www.facebook.com/archdioceseofmiami.

Corrected July 31: The caption of one of the pictures has been corrected to reflect that it was not Vivian Tenorio who was signing the Brazilian flag, but another of the pilgrims from Prince of Peace.