To the more than 600 Hispanic youth from 16 parishes gathered to celebrate the archdiocesan Pascua Juvenil (Youth Easter) celebration on April 11 at St. Bernard of Clairvaux Church in Riverdale Park, Maryland, Washington Cardinal Robert McElroy, urged them to seek the peace that the Lord offers, reaffirming to them that they do not walk alone.
“All of us live in the hands of a God who has loved us from our very first moments and who will love us until the end of time. For this reason, the peace of Christ must be something we treasure, safeguard, and recognize,” the cardinal said. “I hope and pray that you have experienced that peace in this place. Take it with you, because it is the best compass we have in life -- it keeps us moving forward and reminds us that we are never alone, never discouraged, because God is always by our side.”
The cardinal spoke of the immense joy it brings him to share time with young people and to witness the faith that dwells in their hearts and souls: “That faith has brought you in procession to this place to encounter a truly risen Christ. When we encounter Him, we do so as individuals -- at a deeper level -- but we also encounter Him as members of the Church, and we gather to experience an overwhelming love and hope.”
Cardinal McElroy also shared with the young people a harrowing experience he had of an extremely tense flight when he was 24 years old. They flew into a snowstorm and visibility was almost nonexistent, they risked crashing into the mountains, and they were running low on fuel.
“So, we began to pray,” the prelate recalled. Eventually, they were finally able to land safely.
“We knew that we could have died there that day,” he told the young people. “And yet, I did not feel anxiety or anger. I felt peaceful. In that moment, I knew with complete clarity and certainty that this is the reality of our entire life. I was in the hands of a God who had loved me from the very first instant my mother conceived me and who would love me until the end of time. That brought me peace, and that is why I was not anxious.”
Pascua Juvenil is a celebration that traditionally takes place on the first Saturday after Easter. It represents the culmination of a formation process undertaken by many Hispanic youth groups during the Lenten season. The celebration invites participants to reflect on the Passion, death, and Resurrection of Christ and to apply that mystery to the realities they encounter in their daily lives.
St. Bernard of Clairvaux Parish in Riverdale Park, Maryland, opened its doors to teenagers and young adults from parishes in Maryland – including St. Camillus in Silver Spring, St. Ambrose in Cheverly, St. Martin of Tours in Gaithersburg, Christ the King in Silver Spring, and St. Gabriel and the Shrine of the Sacred Heart in Washington.
“During this Easter celebration, we young people have experienced the love of Jesus through His Resurrection, and we hope that the Church sees that we are present and that we want to be filled with God,” said Judith Alvarenga, a young woman from El Salvador and a member of St. Mary Parish in Landover Hill, Maryland.
“In this generation, and as immigrants, we face many challenges, and we hope to hold on to faith, hope, and love, even in the midst of hardship,” said Alejandra Lainez, 24. “Despite problems and uncertainty, every life has a purpose, and we can be a light in our community by showing strength, respect, and trust in God.”
Lainez, a Honduran immigrant and parishioner of St. Bernard Parish, added: “Young people are not only the future; we are the present. And we need the Church to trust us, to give us the opportunity to serve God, to guide us along the right path, and to support us.”
At the Archdiocesan event titled “Rowing Against the Current,” participants joyfully proclaimed the Resurrection of Christ while reflecting on the Paschal Mystery, examining their personal challenges, and setting priorities for their lives.
“Hispanic youth are going through difficult times due to government immigration enforcement operations, mental health challenges — such as stress, anxiety, depression, and loneliness -- and the struggle to find our identity between two worlds,” Alejandra said.
While navigating these parallel worlds -- the Anglo and the Hispanic -- “and within a generation that often presents us with things that are ‘not’ so beautiful, it becomes difficult to find your purpose. But this theme reminds us that young people can row against everything negative the world may bring, if we walk hand in hand with the Lord,” she said.
The Easter booklet, written by the young people themselves, helped them live the Easter season more deeply, encounter Christ in a profound way, and experience a joyful celebration, they said.
During one of the sessions, a young woman named Neyla shared her personal testimony with a group of young adults.
“At one point in my life, I had achieved what I had wanted -- the career I desired and a good salary -- but I felt depressed and empty,” she said. “I received a marriage proposal, and in my prayers, I asked God for help, and He answered me. I began to feel peace within myself and realized that this was not the person God had intended for me. I then drew closer to God and to serving others, and now my life is better, and I feel happy,” she shared during an activity led by Father Jesús Zurita.
“Many times, we have to row against the current,” Father Zurita told the young people. “It’s not that we are foolish, but that we seek what will truly make us happier,” he said, encouraging them to “always listen to your heart.”
The priest noted that in today’s world, young people are often confronted with pornography, consumerism, promiscuity, and a culture that can lead to self-harm.
“Do not be deceived,” he said. “The brave are those who follow Christ. Form yourselves, because when you study, you discover the truth, and it becomes easier to discern the path to which God is calling you. We should never grow tired of always beginning again.”
The young people gathered to reflect, share, and live their faith together. Some, gifted with leadership, took a more active role in organizing the event. Several young mothers attended either on their own or with their partners, accompanied by their babies. Others, with musical talents, contributed by helping to select the music or by bringing their instruments to accompany the procession around the church grounds.
Washington Auxiliary Bishop Evelio Menjívar accompanied the young people during the procession and later prayed with them.
“Lord, conqueror of death, in a world wounded and confused by war, strengthen our faith and make us instruments of your peace,” Bishop Menjívar prayed. “Where there is hopelessness, may we bring light.”
The day also included praise and worship, guided reflection, Scripture study, prayer, and music, all aimed at strengthening perseverance in faith, as well as Eucharistic adoration.
The Office of Cultural Diversity and Outreach of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington organized the free event. The Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) provided leadership and supported the young people in developing a Lenten accompaniment booklet. Bishop Menjívar also contributed to the Easter celebration, assisting the participants and offering them encouragement and guidance in their faith.
