Spending the day with Jesus
BELMONT — Under sunny skies at Belmont Abbey College, nearly 700 middle and high school students gathered to pray, reflect and grow in their devotion to the Eucharist at the 2024 Bishop’s Youth Pilgrimage.
Held each spring, the day-long pilgrimage carries the 2024 Eucharistic Congress Theme, “Remain in Me,” based on the words of the Gospel of John (15:4).
Busloads of youth came from parishes across the diocese for the April 13 event., including more than 100 youth from Divine Redeemer in Boonville and another 70 from St. Francis of Assisi in Lenoir.
Benedictine Abbot Placid Solari kicked off the day's events by asking the youth to pray for Bishop Peter Jugis, who announced his retirement for health reason after leading the Diocese of Charlotte for 20 years, and to pray for Bishop-elect Michael Martin, OFM Conv., who will be ordained the fifth bishop of the diocese on May 29.
“We have gathered together today as the youth of the Diocese of Charlotte to give praise and thanks to God, and especially in this Easter season to give thanks for the gift that Jesus has given us of His Presence of the sacrament of His Body and Blood,” Abbot Placid said. “And by focusing on His Presence among us in the Eucharist, to know that it is that presence among us which binds us to Him and through Him to one another.”
The day featured live music and games, motivational speakers, Eucharistic Adoration, Mass, the opportunity to receive the sacrament of confession, and a Eucharistic Procession to conclude the pilgrimage.
Keynote speaker Father Aaron Huber, chaplain at Christ the King High School in Huntersville, told the crowd of students that when we live a certain way, we are nourishing our souls by the Holy Eucharist.
“When we remain in God as He remains in us, it’s not just simply about doing something, it’s about being something. And what does God call us to be?” he asked.
After fielding responses from the crowd, Father Huber said, “We’re all called to be saints, right? It’s not like you just simply wake up and make the decision: ‘I’m going to be a saint.’ You do make that decision, but that decision means you have to do other things. Not just do them, but do them with love. Do them as God does them. We remain in Him as He remains in us.”
Singer-songwriter Dana Catherine told young women who attended a breakout session for high school students that God thinks they are wonderful.
Catherine, who deepened her relationship with God while in college at UNC-Chapel Hill, sung and spoke to the young women at the pilgrimage.
“You are so loved by God,” she said. “Don’t let other voices drown out God’s voice of truth. Trust God’s voice and plan for you.”
During the Mass, Abbot Placid talked to the youth about Jesus’ gift of the Eucharist.
“He is the Bread of Life,” he told them, encouraging them to take the gift received in the Eucharist with them out to where they live, into their parish, school and community.
The Bishop’s Youth Pilgrimage is a youth-related component of the diocese's annual Eucharistic Congress, which will be held this year in Charlotte Aug. 30-31.
— Kimberly Bender. Photos by Troy Hull.
