In the summer of 2023, I traveled to Lisbon for World Youth Day with the Our Lady of Sorrows youth group. The group, like all diocesan youth groups, is assisted by the diocesan Office of Catechesis and Christian Initiation, which is supported by the Diocesan Annual Appeal for Ministries, also known as Catholic Charities. The group and I joined millions of young Catholics from around the world to celebrate our shared faith.

The trip was a gift from my grandmother, my first international trip, my first pilgrimage, and the first time traveling without my parents. I had no idea what to expect. From the moment we landed in Portugal, the energy was contagious. The streets were filled with laughter, music, and the sound of prayers in dozens of languages. It felt like the Church was visible — young, alive, and full of joy.

One of my favorite memories was the closing Mass with Pope Francis. I looked around and realized I was standing among more than a million people, all praying together. We didn’t speak the same language, but somehow we understood each other perfectly. In that moment, I understood what it means to be part of the Body of Christ.

Two years later, I was blessed to travel to Italy for the Jubilee of Youth with the Washington, D.C., Catholic Youth Organization. While Lisbon was full of excitement and movement, Italy offered something deeper: a sense of sacred history and peace. Walking through the ancient streets, visiting churches where saints had prayed and attending Masses in basilicas I’d only ever seen in books made my faith feel more grounded, more real.

One of the most powerful moments for me was visiting the tomb of St. Carlo Acutis in Assisi. As a teenager who lived a modern life but was still so devoted to the Eucharist, St. Carlo became a source of inspiration for so many. Kneeling by his tomb, I prayed for the grace to live with the same faith and courage he had. It was a reminder that holiness isn’t just for the saints in stained glass windows — it’s for all of us.

The people I met along the way were just as important as the places we visited. We shared meals, prayed the Rosary together, and talked about how God was working in our lives. I met pilgrims from across the globe — some my age, others much older — and we bonded instantly. There’s something about sharing a deep experience of faith that breaks down walls and builds true friendship. We weren’t just tourists; we were pilgrims, walking together toward something greater.

Both pilgrimages reminded me that Catholicism isn’t just a set of beliefs — it’s living. We are the mystical Body of Christ. Whether in a quiet chapel in Assisi or a crowded street in Lisbon, I felt the same presence of God — constant, loving, and inviting.

When I came home, I felt different — stronger, somehow. I realized that faith isn’t meant to be lived alone. It’s meant to be shared with joy, with compassion, and with the people around us. Being Catholic means living with purpose, rooted in faith, and open to where God might be calling us next.